Top albums 2014 numbers 1-5

So the top5.

5 - Swans 'To Be Kind'
It took the previous Swans album, The Seer, and added Krautrock. There's almost trance-like vibe in some of the tracks, although it's still brutal and an almost physical aural assault. Which is nothing compared to seeing them vibe, the manchester uni O2 has a cavern like approach to sonics and adding in the nut shredding volume the Swans play at, somewhat intimidating.

4 - Jakob 'Sines'
New Zealand's post-rock lads delivered a superb album this year, strings by Rhian Sheehan (who has popped up in other years top10 lists). All win this album.


3 - Alcest 'Shelter'
More post-rock/shoegazer, this time French. Alcest have dropped the cookie monster vocals, and gone for glorious soaring melodies. Definitely worth a punt.


2 - Abel Ganz 'Abel Ganz'
It appears to be my most played album this year (from a quick look at last.fm), prog / rock / pop / celtic - a little hard to categorise this one. But it's wonderfully tune/melody based. It also has a brass band, more pop music needs brass. [that may not be true] Apparently AG have been going for some time, but this album is a big departure for their style. I've since picked up the previous album, and I'd strongly recommend this new one.


1 - Opeth 'Pale Communion'
The days of Opeth as a black metal band are well and truly behind them. The previous album was a big lurch towards 70s prog, and Pale Communion continues that. A quite stunning combination of prog, jazz, funk and metal, which reflects how the band approach playing live. Admittedly live you get the feeling all band members are doing all those styles within the same track, and not at the same time. Brilliant album.

Love, B