2014 Albums of the Year

As 2014 draws to a close, it is once again time for me to share my top albums of the year. I'm posting it on my blog this year because I can do a little bit more with it in terms of format from my iPhone than I can directly on Facebook. So, without further ado, here is my list. I hope you enjoy and maybe that you'll find some new music to enjoy as well. I'll also include a link to a Spotify playlist which is composed primarily of one song per album and a few stand-alone singles and songs done for movie soundtracks.

40. Resurrection - New Found Glory

39. Fight the Silence - For Today

38. Devil - Chiodos

37. Disgusting - Beartooth

36. New Bodies - Akissforjersey

35. The Grand Budapest Hotel (Original Soundtrack) - Alexandre Desplat

34. Our God Is Unstoppable - Summit Worship

33. Neon Steeple - Crowder

32. Get Hurt - The Gaslight Anthem

31. Extremist - Demon Hunter

30. ††† - Crosses

29. Young and Courageous - Tides of Man

28. Lowborn - Anberlin

27. Rooms of the House - La Dispute

26. Rest And Let Go - The Overseer

25. Smoke EP - House of Heroes

24. Rise - Trip Lee

23. From Parts Unknown - Every Time I Die

22. Volcano Crowe - Halfnoise

21. The Cabin EP - Golden Youth

20. Bloom & Breathe - Gates

19. I'm Almost Happy Here, But I Never Feel At Home - Hotel Books

18. Amour & Attrition - Casey Crescenzo

17. My Favourite Faded Fantasy - Damien Rice

16. Keep You - Pianos Become the Teeth

15. the night god slept - Silent Planet

14. Crimson Cord - Propaganda

13. Cope/Hope - Manchester Orchestra

12. Ghost Stories - Coldplay

11. A Dotted Line - Nickel Creek

10. Fantasize - Kye Kye

Much like Chvrches album last year, this album really surprised me. Unlike Chvrches, I had heard of Kye Kye before as they had worked with Come & Live! on their previous album and I really liked their song "Broke". This album, in my opinion blows away Young Love. It's a very moody album, but the melodies are beautiful. It makes tons of sense that Chad Howat of Paper Route produced this album, as elements of "Fantasize" are very reminiscent of Paper Route's "The Peace of Wild Things." My only complaint with this album is that it's often hard to understand Olga's lyrics of you're not reading along with the song.

Highlights: I Already See It, Honest Affection, People, Scared or Selfish, Dreams (2 AM)

9. Decensus - Circa Survive

I was somewhat disappointed with Circa Survive's previous album, "Violent Waves", with the exception of a handful of songs, it just lacked a lot of what "Blue Sky Noise" had. My excitement for this album was pretty high between seeing them live in August (even though they didn't play any new songs) and their claims that this would be their heaviest album. Then they released the first single, and really began to hope that this album would be a return to form. They definitely made good on their promise of this being their most aggressive album, even though two of the songs are very slow and subdued, they're a lot better than the slower songs on "Violent Waves". Circa Survive also has continued trying new things in terms of composition (almost math rock bridge section on "Child of the Desert", and guitar tones, 80s-esque lead on "Decensus"). I'm really bummed I missed out on seeing them with Pianos Become the Teeth.

Highlights: Schema, Child of the Desert, Only the Sun, Phantom, Decensus

8. Anomaly - Lecrae

Leading up to the release of this album, and before he had put out the single "Nuthin", I wasn't really looking forward to Lecrae's new album. I never got "Church Clothes 2" because I just didn't like anything I heard from it. It wasn't even close to "Church Clothes 1" and it just felt like a pretty weak effort after "Gravity". Once I heard "Nuthin" I felt that this was going to be a different album from Lecrae. I think this is his best album yet. 

Highlights: Nuthin, Fear, Timepiece, Dirty Water, All I Need Is You

7. In Humor and Sadness - '68

It's been just over a year since The Chariot called it a day and finished their farewell tour. I was sad to see my favorite hardcore/mathcore (whatever core you want to call them) end, but it wasn't long after that vocalist Josh Scogin announced a new band in the works. It's easy to just say '68 sounds like The Chariot because of Josh's vocals, but his delivery (which features some actual signing in contrast to his signature screaming) is different here along with the fact that he is also playing guitar. Joined by former Becoming the Archetype drummer, Michael McClellan, the duo hit the road hard this year before even releasing this album. They remind me some of the garage rock sound of The Black Keys and The White Stripes, though obviously more aggressive, and even some Nirvana thrown in for good measure.

Highlights: Track - R, Track 2 - e, Track 4 - r, Track 5 - e, Track 9 -

6. Time In Place - Artifex Pereo

Let's be honest, it's been a while since Tooth & Nail signed a new band that a lot of people were excited about. So when I first heard "Hands of Penance" before the release of this album and it reminded me a lot of I the Mighty, I was cautiously excited. Once the full album was unleashed upon the world, it was clear that Artifex Pereo was not just a "good first single" band only. Nor was that first song representative of the diversity found within "Time In Place." This is a band who seeks to push boundaries and try different things, whether it's going from a driving rhythm to a section with a wailing organ in the background ("Laugh & The World Laughs With You") to a song with no repeated chorus ("Apeiron"). Artifex Pereo's sound harkens back to the glory days of the early to mid-2000s of Tooth & Nail, and with that brings anticipation of what is coming next.

Highlights: No Stranger To Worry, To Listen & Say Nothing, Hands of Penance, Laugh & The World Laughs With You, Liable For Tragedy, Apeiron, Cut Sign

5. Lazaretto - Jack White

Jack White is quite an interesting man. Apparently, much of the lyrical content of this album was written when he was 18. Aside from that, however, the man has a lot of ideas for music and how it's presented that are quite ingenious. Not many artists or bands out there change genres from song to song on a given album. It can be jarring and just feel wrong. However, Jack seems to change it up with ease throughout the course of the track listing of "Lazaretto" going from blues to rock to bluegrass, without skipping a beat. This is easily my favorite vinyl of the year as it has some pretty crazy features: the A side playing from the center of the record to the outside, it also has a 3D image of an angel etched into the inside of the record where there are no grooves, the end of the A side has locking grooves so that once that side is done it loops the last few seconds of the final track, the B side has two different grooves for two different intros (acoustic and electric) to the song "Just One Drink," the whole B side has a matte finish, giving it a more classic look, and it also has locking grooves to loop the last few seconds of the final track. Lastly, there are two hidden tracks (one on each side) underneath the center label, which both play at different speeds. I haven't been able to play these songs, unfortunately, as the arm on my turntable cannot go that close to the center.

Highlights: Lazaretto, Temporary Ground, Would You Fight For My Love?, High Ball Stepper, Just One Drink, That Black Bat Licorice

4. VxV - Wolves at the Gate

To say that this was one of my most anticipated albums of the year would be quite an understatement. Wolves at the Gate has become easily one of my favorite metalcore/post-hardcore bands in recent years, both for their hard hitting, yet melodic tunes and for their theological and Christ-centered lyrics. On "VxV", Wolves has taken all of those elements and cranked them up. The album even starts out with an intro track containing a portion of a John Piper sermon before your eardrums are punched in the face by the song "Wake Up." This album is dominated by lyrics that offer the hope of the gospel.

Highlights: Wake Up, Dust to Dust, Return, Relief, The Bird and the Snake, East to West, Majesty in Misery, The Father's Bargain

3. The Albatross - Foxing

It seems like almost every year I'll discover a band that just instantly "clicks" with me. I was honestly blown away the first time I heard the song "Rory." Obvious comparisons to mewithoutYou came to mind, but after hearing the whole album it became apparent that Foxing was not just a copycat and had much more to offer as a new addition to this recent "emo revival." Foxing exudes so much emotion, not just due to Connor Murphy's often painful sounding yelps. The guitars on this album are absolutely brilliant and beautiful, blending in a solid dose of post-rock from song to song, to also including some post-hardcore and math rock. I'm so beyond bummed that I missed their set with Brand New. 

Highlights: Inuit, The Medic, Rory, Bit By a Dead Bee (pts. I and II), Quietus

2. Absent Sounds - From Indian Lakes

From Indian Lakes was my Foxing of 2013, so I was thrilled that they were releasing a new album this year. Initial listens brought to light a change of pace for the band, overall. Gone, for the most part, were some of the overdriven guitars and more Circa Survive sounding rock songs from "Able Bodies." But what is found on "Absent Sounds," I feel, is a more mature and complete form of this young band. Joey Vannucchi's vocals are in top form throughout the album and are perhaps a little more reminiscent of Wes Blaylock of Deas Vail than on the previous FIL album. Though it's not as "rocking" as its predecessor, "Able Bodies" does a great job of creating tension in other ways than just typical power chords through chunky sounding guitars.

Highlights: Label This Love, Breathe Desperately, Ghost, Awful Things, Runner

1. Ixora - Copeland

"Copeland is back!" By the way it's April Fool's Day. Admittedly not the best way to announce their return to being an active band, Copeland has indeed returned after six years from their last album, "You Are My Sunshine." I know there has been some mixed feelings among fans, but I love this album and I think it was well worth the 6 years we had to wait for it, especially when you consider that no one had any clue we'd ever get another Copeland album. I mean, come on, how many of us went to their farewell tour? It's great to see that they picked up right where they left off, even though I know a lot of people want to hear more guitar-driven Copeland, that band doesn't exist anymore, and I think we are all better off for it. 

Highlights: Disjointed, I Can Make You Feel Young Again, Erase, Ordinary, Like a Lie, Chiromancer, In Her Arms You Will Never Starve

http://open.spotify.com/user/jamos4184/playlist/6iMNLmZ9un7BmBW9RfQrAY

 

To Be Thankful

It's been a great day! We had originally planned to drive to my sister and brother-in-law's place sometime yesterday, but 9 inches of snow caused us to change those plans. We all had a really good time just hanging out, watching football, eating food, talking and sharing things we are thankful for. And there is so much to be thankful for! Health, nearly 40 years of marriage, growing to love a job, experiencing God bringing about a change of heart, new life, a new job and direction in life were all things that were shared by family and friends. And yet, as I sit here on the eve of one the greediest day of the year, I find myself being tempted to not be satisfied. After all, there are still so many other things I desire for in my life. Mind you, these are not bad or sinful things, in and of themselves for me to want. But there is a distinguishing line between having a desire for these things - marriage, kids, and a job to support them - and the priority I give these things in my life. As one pastor put it, "Idols are often things that start out as good things, which we turn into a god-thing, which becomes a bad thing to us."

Paul has much to say on the subject of contentment in the book of Philippians.
- "But everything that was a gain to me, I have considered to be a loss because of Christ. More than that, I also consider everything to be a loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Because of Him I have suffered the loss of all things and consider them filth, so that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own from the law, but one that is through faith in Christ - the righteousness from God based on faith. My goal is to know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, assuming that I will somehow reach the resurrection from among the dead." (Phil. 3:7-11)

- "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Don't worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." (Phil. 4:4-7)

Here are two passages that I believe speak directly to our hearts and challenge us to question what, or more importantly, Whom, is the source of our contentment, joy and peace.

You see, as Paul points out, when we are focused on Christ, and truly strengthening our relationship with Him, we are completely sold out to Him. Nothing else in this life that the world can offer us can even come close to fulfilling our lives as a right relationship with Christ does. Can we honestly say that we consider even good things "filth" compared to the greatness of knowing Christ?

But don't think that means we should all just rid ourselves of all material things and move to a monastery or a cave out in the middle of no where. Because the very next chapter we find Paul encouraging us to bring our requests to God. Does he also then tell us, "After that just sit back and wait for God to give you anything and everything you ask Him for."? Of course not, but he does tell us that God will bring us peace. I believe Paul is echoing David in Psalm 37:4 which says, "Take delight in the Lord and He will give you your heart's desires." Again, the idea here is not that we approach God as this supernatural genie who is here to grant us all the wishes we want. The point is that when you and I truly "take delight in the Lord" our desires for our lives will align with His desires for our lives.

I hope that you all had a wonderful day with friends and family reflecting on the goodness and provision of God in your lives!

On a lighter note, how about those Eagles??!! Definitely one small thing I was thankful for today!

Why am I awake right now?

It's amazing, the things that will keep you awake. But I find even more than that, when nothing in particular does the trick. I suppose that may not be entirely true for me tonight, considering I just turned 30 three days ago. It doesn't really bother me, I don't feel any different than I did when I was still in my 20s. I do feel a sense of urgency that I haven't felt in some time, though, again, nothing to do with age. No, this has everything to do with the fact that I am one step closer to my goal of being done with Starbucks in favor of working full-time in a church. Four weeks ago I began a new job as the Communications Assistant ("Assistant Communications Director" if I wanted to Schrute it up a bit, haha) at Parker Hill Community Church in Dickson City, PA. It's been an awesome experience so far, and I'm learning a lot, and hope to learn much more (Photoshop and some other programs are on the list). But this sense of urgency has come from being reminded that my life isn't about me. Everything I have has been given to me, and what am I doing with all that has been entrusted? I think time is the biggest resource that we're given as believers, and consequently, the one we squander the most. Am I making the most of my time here on earth for the cause of Christ? As believers, we're called to "works prepared in advance for us (Ephesians 2:10)." I can think of no better way to live this life than to immerse myself in things that draw me closer to Christ, the natural outpouring of which, I believe would be to serve the church and reach out to the lost.

It's been a tough year. A broken (but healing) heart, an incredible amount of uncertainty about my future and a move despite not knowing where I would end up. God has challenged me to trust Him more this year, and probably within the last 6 months specifically than any other time in my life. And yet, He has provided in amazing and unexpected ways! I'm often reminded of the Attalus song (no eye-rolling allowed, I didn't even play on this one) "A Country Road in Two Seasons" and the line Seth sings, "The seasons have come, the seasons have gone / they've given this road a different hue / the winter and fall / I've walked through them all, but this road keeps leading me to You". It reminds me of God's sovereignty, in that no matter what I'm going through or dealing with, He is always leading me.

I'll admit it, I'm also thinking of ideas for a multi-church gathering that I've been thinking/dreaming of for churches in NEPA inspired by The Summit Church's "Church at the Ballpark" over a year ago. I think it could be a truly awesome thing to see the Church come together from a few local churches and focus on sharing the Gospel in a way that it maybe it hasn't been in this area in a long time.