By Chris McLafferty
Catfish and the Bottlemen – The Balcony (Now out)
Give a listen to the recently released “Cocoon” and “Kathleen” and try to argue that their $5 show Feb 26th at the Basement isn’t going to be the steal of the year. If the album is even 3/4th as great as these early singles have foretold, we’ll be welcoming Catfish and the Bottleman to the high ranks and breakout band of the CD 102.5 community.
Marilyn Manson – The Pale Emperor (Jan. 16th /20th )
Marilyn Manson has a long history of being a shock rocker, but sadly a lot of the shock stole the spotlight from the importance and talent of this storied rocker. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve gone into different realms of music but still have a blue moon nostalgia to early Manson. But with the release of the early single “Third Day of a Seven Day Binge” it seems Manson has also stepped up his game to an older mature rock encompassing a step forward but not one that forgets the past. This album is the one I’m most intrigued by due to the uncertainty of the style of the new album. A full album with the aroma of Third Day could be something special and a beginning to new evolved Manson.
Mark Ronson – Uptown Special (Jan. 27)
Mark Ronson stock is high after the early single preview of “Uptown Funk” (feat. Bruno Mars) has captured both critical and mass audience acclaim. Pair that with the also funky great “Feel Right” (feat Mystical) and you can understand why this album is my odds on favorite for album of 2015.
Doomtree – All Hands (Jan. 27th)
Anyone who can make a rhyme out of Joakim Noah has my respect. Doomtree does that and more on their explosive high energy, creative, fun Bone Thugs throwback “Gray Duck,” the first single released from this album. If the album holds up to the bar set early by this track, this will easily be the most fun you’ll have in 2015.
Molehill – Tin God (Feb. 10th)
EPs don’t typically belong or make this list but 6-7 songs from this Chicago genre crusher will be better than 99% of the 11-12 track albums released this year. Molehill destroys any grasp you can ever have on them by constantly evolving. The sounds are never the same but you can always tell when it’s been immersed in the talent of Molehill. True musicians with a full grasp on what an album is always have a spot on my lists. Don’t look for recycled fodder on this EP, expect a masterpiece of flow and appreciation of your listening time and respect of the craft.
The Wombats – Glitterbug (April 6th)
The Wombats are another band leaking an early single to build upon the already high anticipation but much unlike the others, this one was released over a year ago making this album the longest awaited album. This Modern Glitch was an amazing addition to the indie rock dance collection with the justifiable hit “Tokyo (Vampires & Wolves)” but that was 4 years ago. In Sept 2013 they released the party rock blaster “Your Body is a Weapon” proving the still quick wit and life understanding we’ve come to expect from lead singer Matthew Murphy encompassing the sounds that take the life of the party. The Arctic Monkeys took this approach with “R U Mine” and the album AM (tied for my 2013 album of the year with Midnight Spin’s Don’t Let Me Sleep, which sadly has announced their break-up). Not to compare the two, but more to show maybe the Brits are on to something.
The Dead Weather – (Unknown) (TBD)
If an album with Jack White doesn’t get you excited you’ve probably stumbled upon this blog by accident and need to finish writing your Nickleback fan fiction.
Death Grips – The Powers That B (Feb. 10th maybe sooner, maybe later, maybe never)
If you don’t know Death Grips let me introduce you real quick. The band released their first song their first day as band. Eventually that track helped them explode all over the internet and small underground clubs. They get signed and release an album 2 months later. They book a 30 show international show. They quit that to work on their 2nd album of the year, the cover of which was an unblurred penis that had the title written on it in black sharpie. They finished it and were ready to release it before their label decided to release it in 2013 to help marketing. They said to hell with that and gave it away for free while leaking emails from their label causing them to be dropped. They played SXSW with the drummer playing via Skype. They them cancelled their Lollapalooza performance and had the crowd destroy their equipment, which wasn’t actually theirs, just a child’s learning kit they sent. In late 2013/early 2014 they released their next album for free. Then they got the opportunity of a lifetime to open for Nine Inch Nails on a long US tour. In June they announced a double disc album release, which they then released the first disc for free which was compromised of mixes of Bjork’s vocal tracks. In July they quit being a band announcing “we are now at our best so Death Grips is over,” while still promising the double disc. This is exactly what you can expect from this album and them in general. Absolutely nothing at all and that carries over to their sound. A mash of pure chaos and What The F*ck. Enjoy.
Kanye West – (Unknown) (TBD)
I don’t care if you love, hate or love hate him, the one thing you can’t take away from Kanye is his undeniable talent to put out great music. Kanye is always on the forefront of music evolution as seen in 808s and Heartbreaks or his most recent Yeezus. That alone makes this an exciting album to look forward to. Throw in the fact that Kanye has never shied away from any subject (even early in his career with “Jesus Walks”) and the excitement should build even higher. Even if you don’t like his music, it’s something to experience as a fresh breath into a music industry that way too often becomes stuffy and recycled.
Kendrick Lamar – (Unknown) (TBD)
Already one of the most anticipated albums, Lamar went and released “i” to fuel the fire of expectations of greatness on the upcoming release. The only way he could have built it higher is to go on SNL and improve the studio sound with a live performance that is towards the top of my 2014 live performances.
Kid Cudi – Man on the Moon 3
The final act of the Man on the Moon series hits this year. While Act 2 never hit the same greatness as the opener, Cudi has be solid all throughout especially in the grossly underappreciated Indicud and 2014’s spade odyssey score to a film that doesn’t exist in Satellite Flight: The Journey to Mother Moon. It’ll be interesting to see what Cudi brings back from his development in his exploration away from the Man on Moon series.
The LOX – We Are The Streets 2 (TBD)
Jadakiss has always had a special place in my nostalgic heart since blaring Kiss Tha Game Goodbye over the sounds of screeches and cop sirens in my all nighters of Need 4 Speed. While Jadakiss has shown his greatness on his own, I believe he’s best served LOX style alongside Styles P and Shrek Louche. After 15 years (and many delays later) the answer will finally be revealed as he is expected to release his solo album Top 5, Dead or Alive and The LOX’s, sequel to their smash first edition, We Are The Streets 2. Jadakiss has the naturally gifted rasp of a voice to make any flow interesting but it was his attention to details that I thought singled him out upon the other rappers on their voice crutches. Come for the lights and sounds, leave with the message.
Run the Jewels – Meow The Jewels/RTJ 3 (TBD)
Run the Jewels has taken over the past 2 years with their no-nonsense unfiltered verses layered above beats transcending the rap game into a new era. This year they’ll release a Kickstarter promise to release RTJ 2 to the tune of cat sound beats and the possibility of year 3 of RTJ rule. Is your cat making too much noise? There’s no way you’re ordering kitten mittens to mute this.
Top EPs [last] year that I hope are the beginning to new album releases
Eliot Sumner – Information / “I Followed You Home”
You’ll immediately realize this is Sting’s daughter but don’t let the name box your view. She’s making waves on her own. “Information” both beginning and the haunting dark end will stick with you. “I Followed You Home” is an enticing indie rock track that breaks through with its exceptional songwriting, expressing every detail and leaving no expense behind. A sure fire top album if it comes to fruition for 2015.
HOLYCHILD – Mindspeak/ “Running Behind”
“Running Behind” is a monster of a track thanks to the deep cheerful hard hitting beats below the pop infused vocals that demand your snap attention. There’s so much encompassing influences that it’s hard to lock down one particular sound as it creates it’s own new monster that won’t be contained. Enjoy this celebration of all world music.
Joywave – How Do You Feel
You probably know them from their indie dance hit “Tongues” a synth beating heart that lead singer Daniel Armbruster, and his stache from Zeus, provide the blood flow to with an upper pitched twinkle but that’s not nearly all this EP has to offer. Feel the diversity slam into you in the rock hammer of “Somebody New,” one of my top tracks of 2014. The gripping expanding bass pumps you up like no other this year. “Somebody New” is the best upper since Scarface was running the game.
Little Boots – Business Pleasure
A gorgeous pulse pounding beat sets the stage but the trance vocals take you into the next frontier on the singles “Taste It” and “Pretty Tough.” Excited to see if this exploratory journey continues to a full album or if the sound heads back to the more 80’s dance sound. Either way the next step will be unequivocally better due to this detour.
Marian Hill – Play/ “Lips” & “Got It”
Marian Hill is my discovery of 2014. An absolute force to be reckoned with. A beautiful adventure plays out in front of you in every track. From the sneaking chills of the saxgasms to the unique blends of different foundations these tracks will make you fall in love with music all over again as it sweeps you to the place where all music comes together in absolute harmony.
Nick D and the Believers – Bang Bang
Chances are you’re reading this from Columbus. Quit procrastinating and go see them live. It’s an incredible experience that is one of the best reasons to be in the city. Oh and the EP with that body moving title track will allow you to recreate that experience as necessary as you need an uplifting dance experience. This is the EP that causes other drivers to stare at you as you belt along.
Zella Day – Zella Day
Zella Day lists as “pop,” and I only hope we get to live in a world where this is the case. Unlike most of what’s on pop radio there’s a unique freshness to her sound. Obviously Zella Day has a beautiful voice but it’s more of what she does with it that makes it stand out. You can tell she respects music because she can easily manipulate the system with her great voice and put out a catchy weak tune but she dives further, working to put something out great instead of taking the cheap easy route. In pays off in the pillars of every track on this 4 piece EP lead by the incredibly beautiful “East of Eden,” a track not easy to remove from your consciousness.
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I’m also optimistically hoping for new albums from The 1975, Adele, Amadou and Mariam, The Apes, The Artic Monkeys, BeatboxerNav, The Bellflowers, Bloc Party, Captain Kidd, Caroline Smith, Chvrches, Crossfaith, Digisaurus, Empire of the Sun-Every Ocean Tells a Story, Gary Clark Jr, G. Finesse, Hawkeye, J Roddy Walston and the Business, The Kickaways, Krewella, Lorde, Lottie and the Manatee, Miley Cyrus, MS MR, MyPet, Playing to Vapors, Stepdad, Thaddeus Anna Greene, The XX, Zoo Trippin, and ZZ Ward.
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