A Year In Music As Reviewed By A Mentally Young 51 Year Old Caucasian in 2014

   
 So we are going to take a look at some of the music I enjoyed in 2014.  There will be many areas of the musical world that will not be mentioned here.  Basically, I will be mentioning catchy Pop tunes and semi-obscure songs that I can share with friends and family.  The only common thread I can find in my semi-obscure songs is that most of them make the listener want to remain still.  I find that important in my music as I don't like to move around too much,

FAVORITE POP SONGS

I don't claim to know all about the 2014 Pop music scene, but I know enough for this blog. It is safe to say that Pop music was dominated by females in 2014.  My three favorite Pop songs from last year were all by females.  Also, I liked a few songs from Iggy Azalea, who seemed to be all over the place in 2014.  Here are my favorite pop songs from last year:

1)  "Bang Bang" by Jessie J, Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj = I was immediately sold on this song as soon as I saw them perform it on one of the MTV Award shows.  It has everything I like in a song, plus some things I didn't even know I liked in a song.  Two thumbs up!

                 
2) "All About That Bass" by Meghan Trainor = what a catchy tune and fun lyrics!  video perfect too!
3) "Shake It Off" by Taylor Swift = love everything about her!  hugely talented.

Honorable Mention goes to the band Magic for their song "Rude."  They aren't female, but they did throw together a memorable song from 2014. Also, have to mention they are a Canadian reggae band. Who knew there was even such a thing?

SEMI-OBSCURE SONGS THAT GARY LIKES FROM 2014

"Dangerous" by Big Data = This was absolutely my favorite song of 2014.  The fact that the video is sexy and disturbing at the same time, only added to the allure.
               

Below are other favorites:

"Beware the Dog" by The Griswolds
"Take It As It Comes" by J Roddy Walston & the Business
"Scare Away The Dark" by Passenger
"Budapest" by George Ezra
"West Coast" by Lana Del Rey
"Drive In Movies" by Ray LaMontagne
"Habits" by Tove Lo
"Sunken Ship" by Will Dailey
"Water Fountain" by Tune-Yards
"Come Up Man" by G Love & Special Sauce



SEMI-OBSCURE SONGS THAT GARY LIKES THAT MAY HAVE COME OUT IN 2013


"Three Headed Woman" by Boy & Bear
"Emmylou" by First Aid Kit
"So American" by Portugal. The Man
"Take Me To Church" by Hozier
"Cool Kids" by Echosmith

LOCAL CD's RELEASED IN 2014 BY BANDS I TALK ABOUT CONSTANTLY

"Good Luck" by Girls Guns and Glory
"Love Whip Blues" by Erin Harpe and the Delta Swingers
"Fake It 'Till You Make A Hit" by Pat and the Hats

BEST CD BY A DISTANT RELATIVE RELEASED IN 2014

In  2014, I found out from my Aunt Pat that her grandson, or my cousin Jodie's son, is a drummer in an up and coming band from the Nashville, TN area.  His name is James Alan.  They put out an EP this year that I think is excellent.  The name is below and I included a video of one of their songs.

"Won't Be Long" by Wabash

                     
SONG I LIKE TO PLAY AT START OF EVERY NEW YEAR

"Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen) by Baz Luhrmann

You will know this song/speech, as soon as you hear it.  Something about it always puts my brain in a good place.  Once per year is probably not enough to hear it.