Reviews

Read the Review
Mngwa

Read the Review
Andrew Franey

Read the Review
The Shangs

Read the Review
Alex Cuba

Read the Review
Tri Nguyen

Read the Review
Defend The Rhino

Read the Review
Talltale

Read the Review
Kiwi Jr.

Read the Review
Plaster

Read the Review
Hyness

Read the Review
Black Suit Devil

Read the Review
Yamantaka // Sonic Titan

Read the Review
The Pack A.D.

Read the Review
Chad VanGaalen

Read the Review
Potengowski Anna Friederike

Read the Review
Todd Rundgren

Read the Review
Old 97's

Read the Review
Needles//Pins

Sisyphus
Sisyphus
Share |

 

 

 

 

The Most Under-rated Albums of 2014

A lot of really great stuff doesn't make to the top of the charts. Here are some unexpected gems.

Edited By Magnus Thyvold

Under-rated isn't the same as over-looked. It often amounts to the same, but sometimes it doesn't. Lady Gaga is hardly an artist who has been over-looked. But Owen Marshall doesn't think her duet with Tony Bennett got the credit is deserved. Here are some other albums that didn't get the credit and/or attention they deserved.

Share your choices in the comments...

Follow our look back at 2014

The Top 200 of 2014
The definitive list of the best records of 2014 - including electronic, hip hop, international, jazz, loud and folk roots & blues.

The Best Albums of 2014
Sometimes is you've got to dig a little deeper to find some of the special treats offered by the year in music.

The Most Under-rated Records
A lot of really great stuff doesn't make to the top of the charts. Here are some unexpected gems.

The Most Over-rated Records
Just 'cuz everyone is talking about it, doesn't mean we have to like it.

Best Live Shows
Our totally unscientific survey of the best live shows of 2014 with The Pack A.D., BadBadNotGood, Shooting Guns and more...

Best Local Releases
If home is where the heart is, local is where the music starts.

Most Anticipated Releases of 2015
One of the joys of being a music fan is the antcipation of new music from artists you love.

Best Radio Moments of 2014
Hosting a show creates some terrific opportunites to be part of events and support artists who deserve it

Jazz Picks of 2014
A look at some of the best jazz had to offer in a very good year

Glen Ess - CIVL- FM Abbotsford BC

Rhythm & Rhyme - Tuesdays 11am to 12 noon

Future Islands - Singles - (4AD)
Yeah, yeah, I know it’s strange for my pick for most underrated record to have also been on my list of favorites. But I honestly expected Future Islands to have exploded into popularity, especially after that electrifying Letterman performance. Oddly enough though, I’ve caught people humming snippets of songs like “Spirit” and “Seasons (Waiting For You)” but none of them remembered the songs were by Future Islands. Somehow this record hasn’t been placed high on many end of year lists, despite it being such a quality release.
http://future-islands.com/

Mitch Jackson - CKCU - Ottawa, ON

National Hum - Tuesdays 2-3pm

Pith and the ParenchymasSong of the Neverending Ugly Lizard – (Independently released)
This record really deserves some serious attention outside of Ottawa. The lyrical content alone is simply outstanding and unlike any other band I can really think of. Vocalist and guitarist Chris Love’s ability to go from a soft croon to something that resembles a hardcore growl adds an even greater punch. And beneath this is probably one of the tightest and craziest bass and drum duos west of the Rideau.
http://pithandtheparenchymas.bandcamp.com/releases

Owen Maxwell - CKCU - Ottawa, ON

Theme Songs  - Mondays at 10am

Lady Gaga & Tony Bennett - Cheek to Cheek – (Columbia)
Ever since I got the chance to see Lady Gaga for free, I’ve been frantically trying to convince people that not only does she put on a show comparable to KISS, that rockers will love, but also that the woman can really sing, and is more than just a pop throwaway. This record of jazz standards was mostly overlooked this year but it showcases this talent greatly covering her entire range. The selection is great too and is one of the few records this year I feel like I could listen to with my parents and both of us would enjoy, a feeling I rarely get to share.
http://www.cheek2cheek.com/

Max Szyc - Ottowa, ON

Survival KnifeLoose Power – (Glacial Pace)

Was I the only one excited for the musical return of ex-Unwound frontman Justin Trosper? While I wasn’t expecting Trosper’s latest project to immediately trump the accomplishments made by his prior post-hardcore outfit, I expected a better reception than it received. It’s a shame that Survival Knife’s debut garnered mostly mixed reviews from the few who covered it, as Loose Power is an exceptionally competent and straight forward rock and roll album. Hopefully the band will catch on with album number two.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/loosepower

Alan Ranta - Exclaim, Georgia Straight, Vancouver, BC

Sisyphus - Sisyphus (Asthmatic Kitty)
People fear the unknown, so most of the negative criticism around the eponymous album by the disparate supergroup of Serengeti, Son Lux, and Sufjan Stevens focussed on their genre hodgepodge, but it opened a new world to those who didn't try to put it in a box.
http://sisyphus.bandcamp.com/album/sisyphus

Matt Simmons - Interrobang CICK - Smitthers, BC

Interrobang - Tuesdays 9:30-12 PST
Interrobang After Dark - Wednesdays 9-11pm

Dixie's Death Pool - Twin Galaxies (Leisure Thief)
It's beautiful, in so many ways.
http://dixiesdeathpool.com/

Ming Wu - CHUO 89.1FM Ottawa Canada

Photogmusic LIVE

Sea Oleena – Shallow
Shallow is a great dreamy electro-pop album.
Didn’t get the attention it deserves.
http://seaoleena.bandcamp.com/

 

 
comments powered by Disqus
header bottom