The Fashionably Late Top 60 of 2014 #52: The Blue Angel Lounge

2014 was quite a year. Not the best of years, on a personal level, but a rather good year from a music standpoint. Having given a listen to record after record after record from the year that was, I’ve pulled together a list of favorites, finding it next to impossible to whittle the list down any further beyond 60 (I tried). In this group of 60 you’ll find records from old, faithful friends, upstart newcomers, and even a headscratcher or two. You’ll probably see some records that were a Big Deal not on this list. I either didn’t bite or didn’t buy the hype. I’m pleased as punch with this list, and I hope you’ll come across something that might have otherwise passed you by. And so, without further ado, my favorite records of 2014.

WHO: The Blue Angel Lounge

WHAT: A Sea of Trees

WHEN: May 2014

WHERE: A Records

WHY: The short version is that A Sea of Trees is a beautiful record. Beyond that, it’s cut with the chill that comes with this kind of visceral, atmospheric noise that mixes psych rock with something a little darker. With this record, The Blue Angel Lounge creates a world that is alive with ghosts and winter and storms, and it’s a glorious place to be.

My jams: “Winter,” “Melloch Halb & Halb,” “Woods (Sea of Trees),” “Walls,” “In Distance,” “The Pain You Got From Me”







[posted 3.14.15]