Today's List:

Top Ten Albums of 2015 So Far!

At the end of each year after I've compiled my top ten list of the year I always wonder what's left for the next year. And then I repeat the process over and over again every year. Well, It happened again with 2014 being a stellar year for music and 2015 is shaping up to be right on the same caliber, possibly better? I mean we've reached the halfway mark and i'm already struggling to make a top ten so far list. There are just so many good albums coming out and I want to give them all the love I can, but the line has to be drawn somewhere. Well I guess this is my attempt at that line. 

10. Alabama Shakes- Sound & Color

Blues and funk mixed with a modern electronic vibe setting the course for my summer vibes. 
Favorite Track: Gimmie All Your Love

9. Chon- Grow

Technical and melodic, Grow is one of the best instrumental records I've heard in awhile. 

Favorite Track: Splash

8. Father John Misty-  I Love You Honey Bear

A perfect blend of witty sing along lyrics and beautiful moments. An album that immediately felt familiar.

Favorite Track: The Night Josh Tillman Came To Our Apt

7. Ghostface Killah & BadBadNotGood- Sour Soul

Its the atmosphere of this album. I feel like I'm in an underwater night club with a late 60's deco. Ghostface's lyrics leaves me wanting more lyrically, but BadBadNotGood kill it.

Favorite Track: Gunshowers

6. Donnie Trumpet & The Social Experiment- Surf

Chance and the boys created one of the most fun records of the year so far. This album is like the ultimate sugar rush.

Favorite Track: Slip Slide

5. Unknown Mortal Orchestra - Multi Love 

Questions of faith and love told through drug laced lyrics and terribly catchy tunes. 

Favorite Track: Puzzles

4. MeWithoutYou- Pale Horses

Songs about the apocalypse told through the lips of one of my favorite story tellers. MeWithoutYou combine all of they're best moments to create possibly they're best release yet. 

Favorite Track: Mexican War Streets

3. Sufjan Stevens- Carrie & Lowell

Music should be an escape. A place where you can go to feel happy, sad, angry, or in the case of Carrie & Lowell, grief. Sufjan lays his heart out on this record and in turn has created a masterpiece that will live on forever. As we pass on to the clearing at the end of the path, music endures and carries our feelings with it forever.

Favorite Track: Death With Dignity 

2. Hiatus Kaiyote- Choose Your Weapon

A monster of an album that is totally its own thing. I confuse people when I say things are heavy that aren't metal, but dammit this album is heavy! But its also groovy and beautiful and its one of my favorite things. 

Favorite Track: Borderline With My Atoms

1. Kendrick Lamar- To Pimp A Butterfly

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Growing up I was raised on Rush, Deep Purple, and Van Halen. In High school I discovered Circa Survive, The Dear Hunter, and The Mars Volta. In 2015 my favorite album of the year (and I don't think its going to change) is a rap album. Blasphemous slander if my father would hear, but damn its the truth. Kendrick tore down what should be expected in hip hop. He raps over freestyle jazz, created a killer concept of an album, and has one of the best messages out there right now. He is one of my most respected artists right now and this album changed my life.
Favorite Track: These Walls

Today's Suggestion:

New Release Summer Jams Part One-

Caravela, Miami Horror, Alabama Shakes, Hiatus Kaiyote, and Ratboys!

Caravela- Brooklyn, NY:
Sunny Indie Pop
Caravela Forever- Released 3/10/15, Self Released
For fans of Young Statues, A Great Big Pile of Leaves, and Summer Heart

This is one of the first albums to catch my attention this year. I knew Frank Graniero started this project after he left Moving Mountains so of course I've tried to keep tabs on it. Also, his brother Stephen plays drums, and whats better than a brother two piece? The first track, Actress, immediately grabbed my attention with its hooky guitar riff and breezy synths. The album carries the momentum of Actress up until Harbor Breeze where it slows down a bit. It picks up again with Cattia, but leaves me a bit disengaged for the rest of the album. Don't let that steer you away from this album though, because the first six tracks are fantastic! The combination of Frank's catchy riffs, sun drenched lyrics, and unique vibrato filled voice makes this an album to play at the beach all summer long!
Favorite Tracks: Actress, Ascent, and Young Pacific
https://caravela.bandcamp.com/

Miami Horror- Melbourne, Australia:
Electropop
All Possible Futures- Released 4/10/15, Die Alone Records/Haven sounds
For fans of Phoenix, Daft Punk, and Wild Moccasins.

I was browsing best of the year lists for 2015 the other day and found this album. At first the album cover grabbed my attention and then the lush synths of American Dream washed me away. This an album that could fit right in an 80's Comedy flick. I can picture it now, Cellophane (so cruel) being played as characters try on different outfits in a montage. Pink blazers and expensive sunglasses will be present. Back on point, with fifteen songs you'd expect it to drag at some point, but it doesn't. New ideas keep sprouting while retaining a cohesive feel. If you feel like buying a 1980's VW Golf convertible and driving down a coast somewhere, while wearing a pink blazer with expensive sunglasses then this is the album for you!
Favorite Tracks: American Dream, Cellophane (so cruel), and Colours In The Sky
http://www.miamihorror.com/

Alabama Shakes- Athens, AL:
Indie/Blues/Funk/Rock
Sound & Color- Released 4/21/15, ATO Records
For fans of Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Black Keys, and Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings

I didn't jump on the Alabama Shakes band wagon until this album came out. I knew they could play and I knew Brittany Howard could sing, but something was missing, That something was Sound & Color. The Shakes blend old and new sounds so perfectly with this release. If you don't believe me then go ahead and skip right ahead to Guess Who and listen to how flawlessly they mix electronic beats with that beautiful string arrangement. And if you cant appreciate that note in the beginning of Don't Wanna Fight, then I don't wanna be friends with you. Lyrically nothing much is different, want love, need love, can't get love, same old same old. That being said, this is for sure an album you'll want to catch at a festival or at a backyard barbecue. 
Favorite Tracks: Gimmie All Your Love, Guess Who, and Shoegaze
http://www.alabamashakes.com/

Hiatus Kaiyote- Melbourne, Australia:
Future Soul
Choose Your Weapon- Released 5/1/15, Sony Music
For fans of Hiatus Kaiyote

This is an album I've been excited for since the By Fire Ep came out last year. Hiatus Kaiyote is a band unlike any other. They defy genres and have created something totally unique. Every part of this album leaves you guessing and your head bobbing. I'm sorry, but if you're not at least tapping your foot to  Shaolin Monk Motherfunk then you have no soul. I love this album, it's no secret! The drums are so tastefully done. He never tries to overdo it. The bass is always funky, the synths are unique and perfectly executed, and how bout that baboon on the cover, eh? Nai's guitar work and voice topped off with her gorgous poetic lyrics are like that first sip of an ice cold Pepsi; indescribable. The band takes each song and develops it until they've reached every territory possible. And once thats done they threw in a few minute length songs to cleanse the pallet before the next journey begins. If you want your life changed or a great groove to get down to, then listen to this album.
Favorite Tracks: Every damn one
http://hiatuskaiyote.com/

Ratboys- Chicago, IL: 
Indie Folk Rock/ Post Country
Aoid- Relleased 6/9/15, TopShelf Records
For fans of Wilco, Someone Still Loves You Boris Yelstin, and Laura Stevenson

In June I was introduced to TopShelf Records newest Indie Alt-Country darlings, Ratboys. They're knack for writing catchy tunes and fun witty lyrics have left me feeling the good summer vibes. Bouncing from acoustic driven songs to fun/fast/fuzzy distorted filled riffs make my legs wanna groove. Julia Steiner's vocals are so cute that my face hurts from all the smiles. this album is a lot of fun and is great in its stance to stay simple. But don't let the simple structures in these songs fool you. If the middle of Charles Berstein is any indication, these guys are gonna get weird in the future. If you want good driving or good walking through the park tunes this summer then here's an album for you!
Favorite Tracks: Tixis, Charles Berstein, and Pivotal Dates
https://ratboys.bandcamp.com/