AM is amazing! too bad I listened to that album too late and it missed my best of last year Didn't know Gerard Way released music as a solo artist let me check, I used to be a big fan of MCR 10 years ago
Perfect World sounds great
OK so here is the television list I promised. It was a weird year for me, in TV. I probably watched fewer shows than ever, especially in the one hour drama department. I still haven't seen the new seasons of Mad Men or Orange Is The New Black, the crappy FX now app doesn't allow me to catch up with any of their shows, I grew much less patient and I'm quite frankly of people ripping off Thrones, Walking Dead and Breaking Bad. So 2014s list is heavy on comedy and animation.
Close Calls:
Fox Sunday Night Lineup - Now that the unfortunate Mulaney has been shot in the head, Fox's Sunday night lineup is the best it's been in years, maybe ever. The Simpsons and Family Guy are having strong years, Brooklyn Nine-Nine is wonderful and despite its time being moved around and around, Bob's Burgers is still on the air! Two hours of power is back!
Workaholics - Always funny
Nathan For You - Still great, maybe a little too cheeky this year though.
Stuff I forgot - This is inevitable and I'm sorry.
OK on to the main event!
15. Attack On Titan
-Best theme song of the year by far. Those first few seconds of it always got me pumped for what was to come, which was usually incredibly depressing. Attack On Titan obviously succeeds in the action department, the show would be awful without that as its a good 60% of the screen time and in character building. Most characters don't last long, so they have to make us like them quickly before punching our gut. The deaths don't make the show great, but the idea that anyone can die at any time adds a lot of tension. Plus those cliffhangers are unreal, even at the end of the season I was dying to watch the next episode right away.
14. Archer
-Team ISIS left the office this year and started selling a huge pile of cocaine. Much like their espionage work, this didn't do very well and most of that cocaine was stolen, snorted (by Pam) or wasted. Archer Vice allowed them to go to the craziest places, but the craziest part was that no matter how things changed, the people mostly remained the same. Which is why these characters are so hilarious in the first place.
13. It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia
-The highlight of the season was the first episode, featuring the rise of Sweet Dee's comedy career. Always the punching bag, Dee finally becomes successful, despite the objections of her brother (who is mostly concerned that she is doing it without him). Dee is ready to go on Conan, for the biggest moment of her life, while we wait for the inevitably screw it up. What happens next is one of the best turns I've seen on a comedy, involving no death, but so many psyches destroyed.
12. True Detective
-I didn't watch this as it aired, but from what people were writing I would have expected it to be this mass conspiracy show where the color of lamps and the brushing of hands foreshadowed great unrest and war. None of that was true. This was a show about two guys, and how dedication to their work overcame the decay or their personal and professional relationships. Obviously the highlight is episode 4, the biker episode, whose intensity could not be matched by anything else this year.
11. Parks And Recreation
-So that ending leads me to believe the finale season is going to be huge in scope. This years was just great though. It was sad to see Rashida and Robb leave, but that episode might have been the best the series had ever done. No lie!
10. Community
-The third final season for Community was still not the end! This show will never die and we're all better off for it. The fourth season was rocky without Dan Harmon, although not as bad as the internet would have you believe. Papa Bear returned to the fifth season to make the show great again, but unfortunately we lost Chevy Chase and Donald Glover. Luckily, the two Johns (Banks and Oliver) were kind enough to fill in before moving on to their own bigger projects.
9. Silicon Valley
-I guess you could describe as nerd entourage, as so many have before you. Not in it broness, but in the way it takes you inside an industry that doesn't make a lot of sense to the outsiders. Yet the show is bigger in ambition right from the start, as it weighs the benefits of selling out vs hard work that might yield nothing. Personally, I would have taken the ten million, but then again I can barely compress pancakes, much less 3D video.
8. Veep
-This show gets better every year. Now Selena is president, but fighting a seemingly losing battle to keep the job. By seemingly I mean nearly guaranteed, the show is called Veep after all. I love Sarah Sutherland and am glad we keep getting to see more of her.
7. Review
-The show starts as kind of a sketch comedy, but we quickly realize that Andy Daly has a life outside of his show within a show, and that life is being ruined by his dedication. He doesn't review food or film, he reviews life. This includes fun things like being batman, drug addictions, sex with celebrities to sad things like divorce to just uncomfortably eating 15 pancakes at once. I'm not sure where season 2 will go, but I'm eager to find out.
6. Last Week Tonight
-Normally I wouldn't put a late night show in here, but John Oliver did such a fantastic job that it would be criminal not to mention it. What sets this apart from his former stomping grounds is a simple thing, the news. Oliver actually talks about things that I wasn't aware about, and explains with just as much intelligence as comedy as to why they are important. I love The Daily Show, I loved Colbert Report, but these shows are much more about the comedy now than the news. Talking about why Fox News is wrong is just as important as being right. Last Week Tonight is a new beast entirely.
5. South Park
-Great season for my all time favorite show. The laughs come as often as ever, but South Park tried something new this year, continuity. Randy Marsh being Lorde started as a throwaway joke, but thanks to a ridiculous article in Spin magazine became a season long storyline. Only Trey and Matt would do something like that out of spite lol. Although, there are other examples of actions in one episode having consequences in the next. I think they eventually want to do a whole season with just one storyline.
4. How I Met Your Mother
-So I'm the one person on Earth who LOVED the finale and think it would have been insanity to end it any other way. How did people not see that coming it was so obvious right from the very first episode. The final season did struggle a lot in the early parts, as Jason Segal was unable to film with the rest of the cast. All those episodes were in 2013 though, and the last dozen or so were just so incredible. I will miss this show dearly.
OK I have to go out, so I'll finish this with my next update lol. Go Buckeyes!
Oh, hey, I've been discoed. AND JOHN OLIVERED! I laughed my ass off and felt like I was truly being informed about something important. That's a show I can get behind.
The most controversial thing you have ever typed is saying Broken Bells' "Perfect World" is better than Huey Lewis lmao! I am kidding, I love both. I like Big KRIT, love After the Disco (did you ever listen to the last Shins album? Seriously, give it a shot! It has hooks for days!).
Good TV list! As the president of the Mulaney fanclub, I take great offense to the "unfortunate" comment and will alert my ten members immediately haha! I def agree with the rest of your point though about Fox Sundays, though I don't care much for Family Guy, but even still I am on board with the pro-Fox Sunday sentiment.
Spot-on True Detective write-up! And seriously, what an amazing list of shows! If those have already charted, WHAT COULD BE UP NEXT? I have a couple ideas, but beyond that I am at a loss, honestly. Which is how I like it! Oh, and I love how you have HIMYM at #4. You know I am way behind on it, so I can't comment, but I applaud you for going against the grain. If we all had the same opinions, these lists would be pretty boring haha!
-During his time away from Community, Dan Harmon developed a new animated sci-fi show. And it turned out to be perfect for those of us going through Futurama withdrawal, as well as anyone who likes sci-fi and comedy in general. It starts with a very Back To The Future vibe, with Rick dragging his grandson Morty off on all kinds of crazy transdimensional adventures. And this would have made a fine show all on its own. Yet its when the rest of the family gets involved that the show goes above and beyond, as shallow understanding of Rick's inventions leads to all sorts of shenanigans. My favorite relationship is the one between Rick and his granddaughter Summer. He has an old school, no girls allowed, approach to science which she deconstructs at every opportunity. It's hilarious and adorable. Especially when the actual devil becomes involved!
2. Game Of Thrones
-You are now watching the thrones, don't let me get in my zone. Every single year since it debuted, Game Of Thrones has placed #2 on my TV shows of the year list. This was mostly because of Breaking Bad's final 3 seasons, which would have ranked above every season of every show ever (maybe). 2014 seemed like a prime time for Thrones to finally capture the top spot. It was the best season the show so far, covering the best part of the book series. Yet it just wasn't in the cards. Obviously no knock on Thrones, this show is still my precious. It's weird though. As the show gets better and better and the wait for Winds of Winter gets longer and longer, I'm starting to think of the show as canon and the books as just an awesome bonus. I can't even remember the last time I referred to this franchise as A Song Of Ice And Fire. This will of course change the second that Winds of Winter gets a release date, but for now D&D security have the trump card. Actually it might change even sooner as one of my favorite characters looks like they're being cut for season 5. FREE ARIANNE!
1. The Legend Of Korra
-After an only so-so season 2, many people jumped off the Korra bandwagon, including its own network Nickelodeon. Halfway through season 3, it was abruptly yanked off the air and made an internet only show. The rumors of Korra's death were very much premature though, and she came roaring back with an absolutely incredible run in 2014. We got not one, but two seasons, that not only brought the show back to its season 1 highs, but also to the highs of the original Last Airbender series. Zahir and Kuvira match up with any of the best villains, which is what separated this show from the original. Both start with very reasonable, almost heroic intentions (freedom and unity), but let their ideals become ideologies, and let their ideologies become their character, doing anything necessary to reshape the world in their image. Korra is physically and spiritually broken by her battle with Zahir, and during the aftermath has to deal with things like PTSD while Kuvira takes over the world, not something you usually see in a superhero concept. As for the final shot, I'm fine with it as it's a much better option for her than poor Mako, but I do wish it had a little more build to get that huge impact they were going for. I didn't suspect any romance besides Varrick and Zhu Li was going on lol. And while only a Bromance, Varrick and Bolyn are the best! My two favorite characters in the shows run.
I'll miss Korra, as I feel like it has one more season in it. However, due to the overwhelmingly positive reception to the final double season, I highly we've seen the last of the Avatar universe.
That sucks Sunderland. I'm sure such a thing exists, but maybe not on hulu or south park studios.
On to the the top 20. A pretty good crop this year. There are five new to the list artists, two new to everyone, several returning artists and even a few career highs (including one for a veteran!). Nobody has placed at #1 before, but a few have been top five. That's enough foreshadowing, let's do it!
20. Turn Blue by The Black Keys
Favorite Song: "10 Lovers"
-The Black Keys are certainly no strangers around here. When last we saw them they had put up the #3 album in back to back years, and while Turn Blue is a bit lower, it's still very underrated. I feel like people dismissed this album after first listen. It's true that it doesn't have any mega arena smashes like Camino, or the rawness of their early work, but there's something very comforting about Turn Blue. Like The Black Keys were recording it for me to listen to in my ipod, as opposed to sharing it with several thousand people. My thoughts were back up by their concert in September, where they barely played any stuff and stuck with mostly Camino and Brothers album tracks of all things lol. I feel like Dangermouse is a full time member of the band now, which is fine, because even if you don't like the guy at least each one of their albums is going to feel unique, different from the one that came before it. Though Black Keys prove they can still rock on their own at end, with the almost guilty please "Gotta Get Away". It seriously sounds like it should be an awful Kid Rock song, but Black Keys just slay it and make it the one truly arena rock song on the album.
19. My Everything by Ariana Grande
Favorite Song: "Break Free"
So this was a bit of a shock. Not because she is a pop star, I like plenty of those, but because up until about 4 months ago I had never even heard a single song by her that I enjoyed. I wasn't big on "The Way" or "Baby I", so I skipped the first album entirely. Then "Problem" and "Bang Bang" evoked similar reactions, MEH. So I was done with Ariana up until I heard the absolutely wonderful "Break Free" on radio one day (it is still good for something occasionally). Surely this was an outlier, thought I. I was wrong! Turns out, unlike most pop stars who blow their load with the opening singles, Ariana Grande was hiding her great songs on the album the entire time! "One Last Time" , "Why Try" , "Be My Baby" , "Break Your Heart Right Back (ft. Troy Barnes)" and the title track go along with the now singles "Break Free" and "Love Me Harder" to make one hell of a pop album. Actually, if she cut those opening two singles this would probably crack top 15, maybe even top ten! I'm just glad it's good, as its a funner world liking Ariana Grande. Ed Sheeran told a story about the victoria's secret show, where just as they were about to take the big group picture Ariana whispers in his ear "I love big black balls" and makes him crack up as the photo is taken. That girl is hilarious!
18. Here And Nowhere Else by Cloud Nothings
Favorite Song: "Just See Fear"
CLLLLEEEEEEEEEEEVVVVVVEEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLLAAAAAAAANN NNNNNNDDDDDD. The Black Keys are from Akron, so I can only take credit for them outside of Ohio. Cloud Nothings are homegrown however, and are the first artist from the Cleve to gain nationwide momentum since ... who knows Trent Reznor or Bone Thugs? I don't care about MGK so don't even mention it. They literally played at a bowling alley right down the street from my house earlier this year (sold out too quickly though ) before being bumped into one of the bigger venues for their upcoming show ... which is sometime this month. I really want to go so I should figure it out. Anyways Cloud Nothings returns with their signature angsty indie punk, only with a little better production this time. Better productions doesn't equal better album, but in this case it helps a lot, mostly because I can now understand what singer Dylan Baldi is saying lol. But seriously "Now Here In" , "Just See Fear" , "Giving Into Seeing" , "Pattern Walks" and really all of them are just great songs enhanced, but would be great even if they did record it in a garage with pawn shop equipment.
Next up, 17-15 + maybe I'll do the close calls for the video games of the year list. Stay tuned!
I don't know why, but it seems as if I only really get into The Black Keys' albums at least a year after their release. Maybe they're just late-bloomers? Or is that just me?...maybe that can be both.
Oh man, I forgot about Rick and Morty! I knew the top two would be GOT and Korra, but Rick and Morty being #3 is awesome! Great write-ups, with your passion coming through always. How Nick treated Korra really is a fascinating story, and i'm glad the fans were not only able to see it all but let it have such a satisfying conclusion.
Great Turn Blue write-up, as well! Def an underrated album. And I haven't heard the full Grande album, though I like both "Bang Bang," and "Break Free," so I don't know which way I will fall on the overall album. And Cloud Nothings! Awesome! Rep C-Town!
To R/B: Turn Blue is definitely a grower, but it's also their most niche since ... maybe Thickfreakness? So while I think it is underrated, it might just be my personal taste lol.
Now let's go El--P, we bout to bang this B out. (That album won't appear till later though, spoiler alert)
17. Little Machines by Lights
Favorite Song: "Up We Go"
I'm not ready to call Little Machines better than Siberia just yet, but I am ready to say that Lights improves as an artist with each album. I'm not sure if its maturation, better production or working with different producers, but it is working very well as she has yet to disappoint. It's weird she has never broken through to mainstream, but I'm not gonna complain about that as the term pop music stopped meaning popular long ago lol. "Same Sea" and "Muscle Memory" are the ones to check out, other than the singles and video I posted.
16. Education, Education, Education And War by Kaiser Chiefs
Favorite Song: "Coming Home"
A new sound, a combination of The Cure, Devo and other 80s legends to a minor degree. Not something I had thought I needed, yet it blew me away anyways. In a way it is fitting, since Devo and co's new wave led into the euroaltrock that spawned Kaiser in the first place. Way back in 2005 they were part of the big 3 debuts, also including The Bravery and Bloc Party. Only one person, Dr. S, thought they would be the ones to have the most successful career. I put my money on The Bravery, who flamed out on album 2. Bloc Party fared a little better, but only Kaiser Chiefs can claim to have a top 20 album nearly ten years later! So I can officially declare Kaisers the winners of the Battle of 05. "Factory Gates" , "Misery Company" "Meanwhile Up In Heaven" and "Bows and Arrows" are my other favorites.
I can't decide what to put next, so I'll instead skip to my video game close calls, which will be divided up into a few categories.
First, the best older game I played. While Final Fantasy X and Castlevania: Symphony Of The Night are classics I finally checked out, indie studio HouseMarquee's 2013 title Resogun takes the win. It's like a super advanced version of asteroids and it is brilliant. Definitely put more time into than any other game this year and I'd consider it a must own for any PS4 owner.
Other indie games that were remade for PS4 this year Mercenary Kings and Towerfall Ascension were also amazing and deserve recognition.
As for AAA titles, Call Of Duty: Advanced Warfare AKA Titanfall Of Duty was a big step up from Ghosts with a thrilling campaign. Although it had a little too much advanced tech stuff, all the classic COD gameplay was very fun. The co-op pales to Zombies and Extinction, but the exo suits give the multiplayer a fun new twist.
Worst game of the year is a tie between Assassin's Creed: Unity and Alien: Isolation. One because it didn't work and one because it was horribly boring.
I'll do the top ten in my next post, along with hopefully starting the top 15 albums. Thank you!
You are always repping Lights (will I use "rep" in every single comment on your thread? I sure hope not, so i'll stop now lmao), so i'm not surprised to see she charted in the top 20. I have liked what I have heard from Little Machines. Ha, thanks for the shout-out in the Kaisers write-up! It really is quite something how they won out over that class of UK rock groups. Glad to see them chart high on your list!
I don't play many modern vidya games (to use the Hank Hill pronunciation), but I know how much you love them, so I look forward to reading through your list anyway, even if I can't personally relate. I like passion in all forms, so they are still fun to read!
OK, so my plan for today is to do 2 or 3 updates that get us through the video game list and get us into the top ten albums of the year. Let's see how much I am able to accomplish! Starting with the top ten video games of 2014.
10. Child Of Light
-Incorrectly assumed to be an indie game, Child Of Light is actually made by French Mega publisher Ubisoft, who were having a fantastic 2014 until fall rolled around and their games didn't work anymore. We're here to focus on the positives though! Child Of Light is a Japanese style RPG, with water color styled graphics and every piece of dialogue is a poem. And unlike most JRPGs, its not ridiculously long, clocking in at only about 12 hours, right when the battle system was starting to get stale. Up until then the battle system was highly addictive though, check out some vids on youtube to get a feel, but it's a lot more intense than the usual turn based combat due to the need to slow and interrupt enemies as often as possible.
9. Infamous: Second Son
-This spinoff assumes that the "good" ending of Infamous 2 is canon, so the world has not been destroyed by the Beast. We lose Cole and Zeke, but luckily we don't lose the most important part - Sucker Punch! This game builds on the previous ones by giving you three types of powers to develop and switch between almost at will (unless its a scripted sequence, there will always be a source of smoke/neon/video nearby). You get a fourth at the end, cement, but it's pretty useless since all the main enemies are already defeated. That's the main problem with the game, which is otherwise fantastic, it's just too small for its ambition. I beat it twice in ten days! I'll take that platinum trophy thank you very much, but I hope Dalson's next adventure is a bit more epic.
8. Velocity 2X
-The only indie game to crack my top ten is the sequel to the highly addictive/frustrating Velocity Ultra. Ultra was "just" a spaceship shooter, but 2X adds a new element of foot based gameplay, when you travel inside other enemies ships to disrupt them. I enjoyed this one a lot more because of that, and because I just played the game instead of trying to get perfect scores on everything lol.
7. Watch Dogs
6. Destiny
-These two deserve to be together as the unfairly maligned couple of 2014. I admit, both were way overhyped and couldn't have possibly delivered on their best game ever made expectations. However, both did something that a majority of the big 2014 did not, they effin worked. Seriously, when has their ever been an MMO launch as smooth as Destiny's? Both games get repetitive over time, but their core gameplay is outstanding. I hope, after so many broken games launched in the fall, that gamers will come around on these two titles and see them as the start of something wonderful.
5. Hearthstone: Heroes Of Warcraft
-I've never been a fan of tablets, it just seems like another thing to lose and I don't what they do that my smart phone and laptop cannot. Hearthstone nearly changed my opinion on its own. I still don't own an iPad, only playing on my macbook, but it would be worth it just to play this on the go. I never really got into Magic: The Gathering either, but I guess Hearthstone is similar, without needing to pay for all the cards you collect. Sure you can buy packs, but just completing quests and stuff will net you a free pack every now and then, so it's only on rare circumstances that I feel overwhelming by a superior opponent when playing. I use the Warlock mostly, going high risk/high reward and truthfully its the only class I'm able to win with on a regular basis lol.
So I did not hit my goal yesterday, surprising nobody. Luckily this forum is so dead now that nobody noticed. I'm gonna hold off on the video games in order to get to the top ten as quickly as possible.
15. Mastermind by Rick Ross
Favorite Song: "Sanctified'
Man that song is so great. All I wants a hundred million dollas and a bad B. Words that we can all relate to. Mastermind is outstanding in general, the best album Ross has done to date IMO, and that is saying a lot considering how great his debut is. My other favorite of his was Deeper Than Rap, which reminded me of Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest for whatever reason. Mastermind needs no simian ties though (besides our natural genetic evolution), it's just got a ton of great hip-hop songs on it. "War Ready" , "Devil Is A LIe" , "Mafia Music 3" and "Drug Dealers Dream" should be checked out by any fan of the genre!
14. Songs Of Innocence by U2
Favorite Song: "Every Breaking Wave"
Last year the biggest musical controversy was Miley Cyrus' tiny twerking butt, this year it was ... U2 giving their album away for free. Should we be proud or ashamed that our bar for controversy is so low? Or that we have no artists capable of generating heat anymore. DAMNIT U2 HOW DARE YOU DEPRIVE ME OF THE RIGHT TO ILLEGALLY DOWNLOAD YOUR ALBUM!!!!!!! So ridiculous. Lost in the scandal was U2s best album in quite a long time. Maybe not at Atomic Bomb, but it's certainly not too far off, and IMO beats All That You Can't Leave Behind and ... the "Get On Your Boots" one that I could look up the name of in two seconds but am not going to. Songs of Innocence is appropriate too. We, of the younger generations, know U2 mostly for political stuff. This album however takes of the youthful themes of influence and love. Yeah there's stuff about death on there, but it comes off more as an up-and-coming band making an homage to U2, except that is actually U2 doing it. Really clicked with me because of that, and the just incredible songs. EBW is the GOAT, "The Miracle" was worn out by commercials, but is still great. "California" , "Volcano" and "Sleep Like A Baby Tonight" deserve recognition as well.
13. Lost In The Dream by The War On Drugs
Favorite Song: "Red Eyes" / "Disappearing"
I came to the party late on The War On Drugs. They might be higher (or lower) otherwise. Normally I don't like to put albums I'm into right now very high on the list (actually what am I talking about, I always do it), but Lost In The Dream is special. It is emotionally evocative, like someone extracting my darker thoughts and then flipping it around to show me why things aren't so bad. And I could do that with just instrumentals! It's truly beautiful, in sad ways and then not. Who doesn't get pumped halfway through "Red Eyes"? WOO! Actually just writing about it is making me wanna rank it even higher, so I'm gonna stop before the list plunges into even further chaos!
I'll be back tonight hopefully so 12, 11 and the top 4 video games!
Favorite Song: "Out Of The Black" / "Figure It Out"
-Gosh this one is even harder to leave out of the top ten, but in the interest of fairness I had to do it. IMO, every "best of" album goes through three periods, the first where it sounds like the greatest piece of music ever composed, the second where you get sick of hearing it so much and then finally the third where you either forget about it entirely or place it among the "best of ever" list. Royal Blood (and The War on Drugs) will most likely end up on the last list, but there's no way to tell, so I'm gonna favor the 11 albums that have all gone through those phases over it.
Having said all that, Royal Blood are just frickin' awesome. With just bass and drums they make the rock world their beotch. They're the most exciting new artist in who knows how long. Even though I have another new artist ranked higher, I'm gonna give RB the grammy for BNA and deem them the most fascinating band heading forward. The sound is like the early days of metal, what's now just considered classic rock. A little bit of Sabbath, a little bit of Deep Purple, all of the best. I would like to thank Kroq for looping the first night of AAC, as I would have never even known how amazing they are without the webcast. Kroq always used to be my go to on new bands, until they started favoring all the sameish alt-pop bands. It's great to know they can still pick huge winners! Royal Blood are for real and are here to stay.
11. Sheezus by Lily Allen
Favorite Song: "L8 Cmmr"
I'm so glad it was Lily Allen, and not Nicki Minaj, who did Sheezus. I can't think of a more worthy title for Lily's much anticipated return. Give her that crown B. Lyrically, this is the best pop album in forever. Lily has such great insights, which are provocative and hilarious at the same time. Lily's always done that, but given five years to write and a bigger scale she frickin hulk smashes those fingers to the keyboard and produces magic. The single "Hard Out Here" , "Air Balloon" , "Silver Spoon" and "Wind Your Neck In" are also sublime, besides the ones I already mentioned.
Still no games, but hey, we're into the top ten now! Which album will receive the highest of honors? There's one brand new artist in the top ten, one thats just new for me, four that have made the top five before, two that (IMO) have taken huge leaps from their previous work and two that I thought were lost forever. A perfect 10/10 guess will receiver a cookie.
I'm not ready to call Little Machines better than Siberia just yet
I'll probably never be ready to say that. Doesn't mean that Little Machines isn't fantastic in its own right, of course.
Watch Dogs gets way too bad of a rap, really. Outside of Stick of Truth and Walking Dead: Season Two, Watch Dogs was probably my favorite video game experience of the year. It may not be reinventing the wheel, but who cares? It's still really fun.
And really, what do I say about TWOD and Royal Blood that I haven't said already? They're both awesome...or, in the words of 2007 Red, RACKCORE!
Exactly R. It's the same ole Ubisoft RPG, where collecting stuff and completing side objectives are more important than story, and it was just as fun as the Assassin's Creeds and Far Crys of the world. My biggest complaint about it is the damn drinking games, which cost me the platinum troph and probably five years of my life in stress.
So I'm not promise anything anymore, about how content updates will have, let's just see how it goes! I've been digging in to my past history too, trying to save them before the ATRL servers wipe them out. 2003 and 2004 are lost forever, but 2005 and onward are still alive. So I'll try to do a big post with the albums of the year, maybe songs but that is going to take a lot longer.
But for now, let us start the 2014 top ten!
10. About Last Night by Sleeper Agent
Favorite Song: "Eat You Up"
So I've been rather dismissive of the new wave of alternative pop artists, usually because they only have one or two good songs on their albums. So when I heard "Waves", a hipster commercial song if there ever was one, despite being awesome I wasn't expecting much from the album. Luckily, right from the start "Be Brave" indicated that this would be difference, a worthy vessel for Alex Kandel's wonderful voice. "Be Brave" was actually in the running for song of the year for awhile, until I developed an even bigger crush on the second to last song "Eat You Up", which is a ball of fuzzy sonic energy that I would hug if it was possible to hug sound waves. I'm not gonna say this album has no filler (though even the filler is better than most filler), but when it is good it is GREAT. "Take It Off" and "Lorena" are the other two tracks that must be heard by all. I'm especially looking at you, Tito Chavos Guerrera, although it wouldn't surprise me if it was already on your list.
9. Commonwealth by Sloan
Favorite Song: "13 (Under A Bad Sign)" / "Take It Easy"
I had to post the double video there, because those two songs go together do gosh darn well. It's not even a great seller of the album though, as this sort of punky sound is only there for a quarter of its length. In fact, that's the best part about Commonwealth, each of the four band members get about 15 minutes to do whatever they want. So the sound is quite varried throughout the record, a true classic double album with each of the four sides containing something new. Sloan have been around since 1991 according to wiki, but it wasn't until 2011's incredible Double Cross album that they even came on my radar, and now 2/2 have reach the top ten. Well done, Canada! Other songs to check out include "You've Got A Lot On Your Mind" , "So Far So Good" (which has my favorite lyric of the year "Don't you know we'll just elect another liar, didn't you watch all five seasons of the Wire?" ) , "Misty's Beside Herself" , "Keep Swinging (Downtown)" and of course the 17 minute epic "Forty-Eight Portraits".
So there's the new to me artist and a returning favorite. As we edge closer to the top, I still haven't decided on a #1, although 3-8 is pretty set. So there's a lot of excitement still to be had, keep an eye out, America.