The Fashionably Late Top 60 of 2014 #23: Thee Oh Sees

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: Thee Oh Sees

WHAT: Drop

WHEN: April 2014

WHERE: Castle Face Records

WHY: Drop is all over the place, and I absolutely love it. Consider it a case of multiple personality psych rock (MPPR, to get technical about it). Thee Oh Sees mastermind John Dwyer is no retiring violet, and Drop isn't a record to shy away from your eardrums. Each song is alive with manic energy, be it wrapped in sludge or a more frenetic effort. It's all over the place, but it makes perfect sense.       

My jams: "Penetrating Eye," "Encrypted Bounce," "Savage Victory," "Drop," "Camera (Queer Sound)," "Transparent World," "The Lens"







[posted 4.28.15]