The Fashionably Late Top 60 of 2014 #18: Dead Professional

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: Dead Professional

WHAT: Hard Hard Hard EP

WHEN: November 2014

WHERE: Olympico

WHY: In a way, I've already loved up on this EP...in a different version (in 2013). Polished and perfected, Dead Professional (primarily John Harouff) really knocked it out of the park with Hard Hard Hard. It's an EP of five smart, undeniably catchy songs grounded in simplicity and realism. Comparisons to Tom Petty aren't wide of the mark, though there's even more than meets the eye with Dead Professional. All five songs are crucial, but the title track gets an extra nod from me, just because I do so love those lovelorn ditties. 

My jams: All of 'em.







[posted 5.10.15]