The Fashionably Late Top 60 of 2014 #40: Native America

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: Native America

WHAT: Grown Up Wrong

WHEN: November 2014

WHERE: Inflated Records

WHY: Native America has been on my radar for a little while now, and I was stoked to finally hear their latest record, Grown Up Wrong. Full of fuzzy jangling, scuzzy riffs, and a little sassy shimmying, Grown Up Wrong does indeed prove that this Big Easy band has grown up just fine. This collection of songs feels like it's more 60s pop-based than earlier efforts, though they've still got plenty of snarky ne'er-do-well in there.     

My jams: "Rabo," "Dance With Me," "Naturally Lazy," "Old Friends," "Digital Lobotomy," "All About You," "Well Understood," "Jenny" 






[posted 4.11.15]