The Fashionably Late Top 60 of 2014 #7: The War on Drugs

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 War on Drugs

WHAT: Lost In The Dream

WHEN: March 2014

WHERE: Secretly Canadian

WHY: Admittedly, I wasn't immediately taken with the charms of The War on Drugs. But these days, I'm not really sure what took me so long. Lost In The Dream is one of those records that is pure lightning in a bottle. There's magic in it. It's gorgeous, and it's the kind of record that effortlessly makes you fall in love with it. Much like another Philly dream weaver, Strand of Oaks, TWOD incorporates a little bit of chilled 80s nostalgia into the mix, adding to an already timeless feel. If this one somehow passed you by, you might want to stop what you're doing and get to listening.  

My jams: "Under The Pressure," "Red Eyes," "An Ocean in Between the Waves," "Disappearing," "Eyes to the Wind," "Burning," "Lost in the Dream," "In Reverse"






[posted 5.14.15]