2014 Second-Quarter Lists #3: Runners-Up

This is the just the list below the toppers. Failings: Bit short, bit long, couple tracks more inferior, some flaw in the sound, some flaw in the stars. Still albums I like a great deal.

1. Lilly Allen, Sheezus

2. Suzy Bogguss, Lucky

3. Camper Van Beethoven, El Camino Real

4. The Faint, Doom Abuse

5. Monica Giraldo, Que venga la vida

6. Kasai Allstars, Beware the Fetish (contender for top 10 title of 2014)

7. Tommy Malone, Poor Boy (sure whomps anything I can remember by the Subdudes)

8. Pixel, We Are All Small Pixels

9. Marc Ribot Trio, Live at the Village Vanguard

10. SamRobertsBand, Lo-Fantasy (is it too late to do something about the name?)

11. Noura Mint Seymali, Tzenni

12. Imharhan Timbuktu, Akal Warled

13. Tokyo Police Club, Forcefield

14. Trampled by Turtles, Wild Animals (is it too late to do something, etc. etc.)

Two Bummers, One Stinker and Five Cheers (More to Come Later)

Bummers:

Ricardo Lemvo & Makina Loca, La Rumba Soyo. Guess this sometimes fiery and freewheeling Afro-Caribbean fusionist (love a couple of his records and expected great things) has completed his circle. He started LA blah and has now come down with what sounds like a terminal Case of the Mellows.

Dave Alvin and Phil Alvin, Common Ground: Play and Sing the Songs of Big Bill Broonzy. Deluxe concept that will be overpraised and that I insist is stiffer and flatter than even low expectations called for. Interesting reasons why, though. I will try to say more a bit later.

Stinker:

Various, The Rough Guide to Psychedelic Cambodia. “… live on in the memory of survivors and exiles as cherished treasures of a lost past.” I sure can’t imagine why anyone else would want to bother with it.

Cheers:

Free Nelson Madoomjazz, The Shape of Doomjazz to Come/Saxophone Giganticus. I know, I know, this semi-stuntish project could last maybe another release before burning out, but it made sure I was tickled in brain and nodding to groove even as I laffed at concept.

Lilly Allen, Sheezus. Take it from somebody who rejected the Kanye namessake, this is the series of ‘tudes to cop. I mean, who wouldn’t be out for blood if your brother had his dick chopped off in front of millions?

Suzy Bogguss, Lucky. Merle Haggard covers. Lots of fun, bears repeated plays, conquers male C&W territory without a blink and salutes my favorite gender-neutral Hag madness, “Let’s Chase Each Other Around the Room.”

Arto Lindsay, Encyclopedia of Arto. At first I thought this was perverse and impudent and defied all common sense for an overview. About the third listen I decided that was mucho consistent with what he was about and learned to dig it a bunch.

Bahamas, Bahamas Is Afie. This took me even more listens to penetrate but, by George, I think he’s got it with 2014 love songs. A total-sensibility voice.