Top 10 Favorite Portland Albums from 2014

1.     Ages And Ages - Divisionary

Played this for more friends than any other album because I knew they'd like their personal and cathartic chorals. And they always did.

2.     A Happy Death - Introducing: A Happy Death

A perfect mix of punk aggression, psychedelic fuzz, and barstool stagger. (Bandcamp)

3.     Talkative - Hot Fruit Barbeque

Playful, fuzzy, sprawling, and spazzy in all the right ways. Splitting the difference between Animal Collective and Nurses. (Bandcamp)

4.     Daydream Machine - Twin Idols

Immediately loved this album; pure shoegaze bliss. (Bandcamp)

5.     Modern Kin - Live from the Banana Stand

The Banana Stand and Modern Kin really nailed this one, capturing an exciting and raw performance. Somehow knocking the doors off their killer debut album. (Bandcamp)

6.     Battleme - Future Runs Magnetic

After being blown away live, these songs kept those those moments fresh on my stereo, again and again. But will admit my favorite songs are off last year’s EP. 

7.     Thanks - Blood Sounds

Shoegaze soul, a hybrid genre out of my melodic fantasies. On heavy rotation for the first few months of the year and is still one of my favorites. (Bandcamp)

8.     Horse Feathers - So It Is With Us

Won over at just the prospect of a joyful Horse Feathers album, especially after hearing the terrific lead single, Violently Wild. (Bandcamp)

9.     Sallie Ford - Slap Back

Love that while she pushes sonically beyond her rockabilly roots, her frank lyrics are still delivered with a charismatic grin. 

10. TXE - Vs PRTLND

Terrific Portland hip hop album that samples the vibrant local indie rock scene making familiar songs their own. (Bandcamp)

Top 10 Favorite 2012 Portland EPs

Last month I posted my favorite Portland albums from 2012 and not an EP made the list. In this golden age of the EP, that’s just wrong. Whether you buy vinyl, digital, or even tapes, it's never been easier to hear up and coming local bands and I played the shit out of these. So head over to bandcamp.com to be instantly gratified and then pc-pdx.com to hunt down their next show. Guaranteed good times.

1. Grandparents - Fumes EP
   With each release they seem to get better and better or at least I love 'em more, shifting between dreamy shoegaze and rhythmic psych, all with plenty of hooks..
   

2. Pictorials - Learning EP
   Some damn catchy anglophile indie rock. It's okay to throw this on an endless repeating loop. Right? 
   

3. A Happy Death - A Happy Death EP
   Terrific blast of rock n' roll. A little psych, a little surf. Leaves me desperately waiting for more.
   

4. Radiation CIty - Cool Nightmare EP
   Woozy and romantic like a late night stumble after too many Death in the Afternoon cocktails.
5. Tango Alpha Tango - Kill & Haight EP
   Gritty loud garage blues. Go on, break your neck to their hypnotic rhythms.
   
6. Tiger House - Acid Banshee // Camel Party
   Loose dancy indie rock. Whoa oh oh.
   
   
7. The Suicide Notes - The Suicide Notes EP Warning: this girl group regularly burns down Portland dive bars.
8. Pataha Hiss - Dirrty Love EP Tough girl group emerging from the garage. I want front row seats to the street corner brawl with the Suicide Notes. I’ll bring the chains. 
9. Pure Bathing Culture - Pure Bathing Culture EP So damn pretty. Blowing up Blind Pilot style. Catch their cheap shows while you still can.
10. Hollywood Tans - Stolen Stereo Seriously upbeat and fun power pop. Bounce along.