The Fashionably Late Top 60 of 2014 #57: Avi Buffalo

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: Avi Buffalo

WHAT: At Best Cuckold

WHEN: September 2014

WHERE: Sub Pop

WHY: At Best Cuckold is clean, it’s sharp, it’s polished, it’s battered but not broken. Effortlessly appealing, the vocals are perfectly breathy and bruised and backed by impeccable instrumentation. “Two Cherished Understandings” is especially noteworthy, with the “Knocking on Heaven’s Door” strumming and overall ethereal quality. Simply delightful.

My jams: “So What,” “Can’t Be Too Responsible,” “Two Cherished Understandings,” “Overwhelmed with Pride,” “Found Blind,” “Won’t Be Around No More”







[posted 3.12.15]