PopTodd Posted December 10, 2014 Share Posted December 10, 2014 Before we hit the end of the year, I think that it would be cool for us to share our favorite albums that were maybe a little bit smaller releases or that seem to have been overlooked by the public at large.Thought consolidating them into a single thread would be convenient. So, here are mine: Phil Ajjarapu - Sing Along Until You Feel BetterIf you're a fan of Big Star, Jellyfish, The Posies, and other such wonderful pure pop confections, you will not do much better than this Ken Stringfellow-produced beauty in 2014. Or, most years, really. Click the album title above the photo and that will take you to the Bandcamp page, where you can stream it for free and purchase the vinyl (or a DL). If you google Phil's name, you can see the full, incredible story behind this album, too. It's almost as good as the music. This is in my top 3 for the year. Maybe duking it out for #1 with... The Thons - 30 Foot SnakeThis one scratches the same itch as Parquet Courts does -- big influences of The Fall, The Strokes, Television, etc. Only, I like this album better than the new PC. Great guitar playing abounds, as do some pretty sneaky hooks. Just awesome.Also can be heard at the link by clicking the album title above the pic, here. And, this DL is free, if you like. (But it's always cool to donate.) I'll come up with more, as I think of them, but it's your turn, now.Just the smaller releases, please. We all know about Sturgill Simpson and Taylor Swift and Spoon and whatnot. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
kidsmoke Posted December 11, 2014 Share Posted December 11, 2014 I'm a big fan of Patrick Park, and this year's album is wonderful all the way through. Have a listen to some of the album here: http://www.patrickpark.net/listen And watch this video, which I love, for the song from "Love Like Swords" that first entranced me. So simply gorgeous. And the video is just pure fun. I don't know how he managed to keep a straight face while all that background commotion was going on! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Miwc9Ir51Lk Great thread idea, PopTodd. So many great albums get overlooked. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PopTodd Posted December 11, 2014 Author Share Posted December 11, 2014 Nice tune, kidsmoke. I'll have to check out more of that Patrick Park.And, yup… that's what it's all about. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tinnitus photography Posted December 11, 2014 Share Posted December 11, 2014 i know that post-rock (whatever the fuck that means) isn't all the rage on this page, but this record is highly recommended for fans of Mogwai, MONO, Caspian, Explosions In The Sky, etc.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNsNMpU0I3M Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lammycat Posted December 11, 2014 Share Posted December 11, 2014 Hard Working Americans The album is all covers, but what a nice album. Todd Snider, Dave Schools, Neal Casal, Duane Trucks, etc. Won some AMA's too, I believe..... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Atticus Posted December 11, 2014 Share Posted December 11, 2014 popular year for the term "Wrecking Ball" Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lammycat Posted December 11, 2014 Share Posted December 11, 2014 I'm pretty sure you had to have "Wrecking Ball" on your album this year if you wanted to be noticed.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
NoJ Posted December 11, 2014 Share Posted December 11, 2014 Wrecking Ball". Is that the Neil Young song or another tune with the same name? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lammycat Posted December 11, 2014 Share Posted December 11, 2014 Wrecking Ball". Is that the Neil Young song or another tune with the same name? Gillian Welch/David Rawlings.... The album was made in Weir's TRI studios, too.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Atticus Posted December 11, 2014 Share Posted December 11, 2014 2015 will be the year of the Ball Bearings Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tinnitus photography Posted December 11, 2014 Share Posted December 11, 2014 it's all about ball bearings these days. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
NoJ Posted December 11, 2014 Share Posted December 11, 2014 Wow. And here I thought gaskets were heavily trending.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tinnitus photography Posted December 11, 2014 Share Posted December 11, 2014 mark my words: 2017 will be the year of the Fetzer valve. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bleedorange Posted December 11, 2014 Share Posted December 11, 2014 Maybe you need a refresher course. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
uncool2pillow Posted December 11, 2014 Share Posted December 11, 2014 I like where this thread is going. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tinnitus photography Posted December 12, 2014 Share Posted December 12, 2014 Maybe you need a refresher course.i would, but i'm on the run from the mattress police. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PopTodd Posted December 12, 2014 Author Share Posted December 12, 2014 The Limiñanas - (I've Got) Trouble In Mind: 7"s and Rare Stuff (2009/2014) Outstanding compilation of singles and stuff from a really wonderful garage psych pop band from France. Male/female vocals, twangy reverb'd out guitars, B3, theremin, and great hooks. It's all there.RIYL: The Troggs, Apples In Stereo (with a more-authentic 60s vibe), Serge Gainsbourg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZNRqUlp7hQ Here is the full review that I wrote for The Active Listener:http://active-listener.blogspot.com/2014/10/album-review-liminanas-ive-got-trouble.html Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bleedorange Posted December 12, 2014 Share Posted December 12, 2014 i would, but i'm on the run from the mattress police. He'll be back. He just went out for his urinalysis. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tinnitus photography Posted December 12, 2014 Share Posted December 12, 2014 plus, his car just got hit by a water buffalo. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PopTodd Posted December 14, 2014 Author Share Posted December 14, 2014 Description?Link to streaming audio?Something more for enticement? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
lost highway Posted December 14, 2014 Share Posted December 14, 2014 It got plenty of press, but I ignored The New Basement Tapes project (with Jim James, Elvis Costello, Marcus Mumford etc) due to low expectations. I ended up hearing it through family- there are some winning tunes on there. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jff Posted December 15, 2014 Share Posted December 15, 2014 Description?Link to streaming audio?Something more for enticement?Young guys with the good sense to play music that appeals to young girls. Not sure why I like it, since I'm a 42 year old man. It probably helps that some of these guys work at my neighborhood bar, and are nice fellows. I do genuinely enjoy it, however. http://sealionsmusic.com/ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PopTodd Posted December 15, 2014 Author Share Posted December 15, 2014 Young guys with the good sense to play music that appeals to young girls. Not sure why I like it, since I'm a 42 year old man. It probably helps that some of these guys work at my neighborhood bar, and are nice fellows. I do genuinely enjoy it, however. http://sealionsmusic.com/Great website!Checking out the music now.Thanks! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Boss_Tweedy Posted December 16, 2014 Share Posted December 16, 2014 it's all about ball bearings these days. I see what you did there. Nice.I've really enjoyed "With Light and With Love" by Woods and the self-titled album by Alvvays. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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