The Fashionably Late Top 60 of 2014 #41: Merchandise

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: Merchandise

WHAT: After The End

WHEN: August 2014

WHERE: 4AD

WHY: It might be hard to categorize Merchandise, but it's damned near impossible not to love them. Stubbornly anti-shoehorning, the Tampa outfit still sounds like a trip down an English musical memory lane while at the same time turning their defiant attitude into an album of majestic, sprawling songs. With one of the best voices around, as well. After The End isn't the record I had been expecting from Merchandise, and that's a great thing indeed.  

My jams: "Enemy," "True Monument," "Green Lady," "Telephone," "Little Killer," "After The End," "Exile and Ego"








[posted 4.11.15]