The Fashionably Late Top 60 of 2014 #16: The Black Angels

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 Black Angels

WHAT: Clear Lake Forest

WHEN: July 2014

WHERE: Blue Horizon

WHY: Austin's psych rock powerhouse The Black Angels does EPs better than just about anyone, and Clear Lake Forest is another fine example of their prowess. Creeping, shadowy specters of the Velvets and the 13th Floor Elevators are ever-present, as too are Spector-ian walls of sound and 60s pop shimmy to set off all that fuzz. As far as I'm concerned, these folks never put a foot wrong.  

My jams: "Sunday Evening," "Tired Eyes," "The Flop," "An Occurrence at 4507 South Third Street," "The Executioner"







[posted 5.10.15]