Johnny Vinyl searches out top 10

Published 7:00 pm Friday, January 2, 2015

This past year was not a great year for music.

Although it was out there, one just had to exert a bit more effort in seeking out quality audio entertainment. Post rock seems to offer the most hope for the future.

That said, here are my 10 most significant releases from 2014:

10. Opeth: “Pale Communication”

It’s beginning to get very difficult trying to distinguish Porcupine Tree from Opeth. Steve Wilson’s hands are all over both these days. Depending on what camp you’re in, this is either really good or really bad. For those death metal purists, the pummeling guitars and vocals from the crypt are long gone. This is truly progressive music and a pleasure to listen to.

9. Jack White: “Lazaretto”

All of his off-stage behaviors aside, Jack White can rock the socks off most people. “Lazaretto” is a great rock and roll album with a full band fleshing out Jack’s weirdness. He also gets the nod for what he’s done for the comeback of vinyl. “Lazaretto” vinyl edition has a hologram on the ending outer groove on side one; side one begins in the center and moves to the outer edge of the disc; there are songs under the labels on either side. All this under $25.

8. Black Keys: “True Blue”

Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney have finally released the album they have threatened for years. Giving the duo groove a rest, these tunes are full-band recordings that finally let Dan and Patrick let it all hang out. And who knew Auerbach could solo that well?

7. The Nels Cline Singers: “Macroscope”

Nels Cline is one of the most innovative guitarists living today. His recordings and collaborations are both mind-boggling and inspired. In 2004, he joined Jeff Tweedy’s Wilco. Much to everyone’s musical pleasure, Nels continues to record in his various bands. This year’s release from his instrumental free-jazz group, “Macroscope” finds Cline relatively accessible in jazz-rock mode. There’s no one quite like Nels Cline.

6. Earth: “Primitive & Deadly”

The fifth release from Dylan Carson’s Earth is the finest yet. He continues to add to the drone/doom groove he mined prior to the almost decade-long hiatus. This time around there are vocals on half of the songs supplied by Mark Lanegan and Rabia Shaheen Qazi of Rose Windows. The drone element is there, but it’s surrounded by so much more this time around.

5. Boris: “Noise”

These folks from Japan certainly have the western concept of sarcasm down pat. On this, these noise-merchants’ 19th release, they are relatively noise-free. Yes, there is the trademark beautiful-brutality that Boris does so well. “Noise” finds them lightening up and having a good time, much to our benefit!

4. Spoon: “They Want My Soul”

This southern band has been releasing great music since the mid-’90s and few people know of them. Hopefully this release will be their calling card. Great tunes with clever instrumentation. Production by Dave Fridmann, the madman behind monumental recordings by Flaming Lips and Mercury Rev, adds a whole new dimension to their sound.

3. The New Pornographers: “Brill Bruisers”

The New Pornographers are one happy bunch if their new release “Brill Bruisers” is any indication. Named after the famed building in New York where the likes of Neil Diamond, Carole King and Leiber & Stoller wrote the hits that made 1960s popular music. You’ll be humming and singing along by the second or third listen. Repeat listens will become required.

2. SWANS: “To Be Kind”

The reunion that no one ever thought would happen, continues. “To Be Kind,” like 2012’s monumental “The Seer” before it, is a 2-hour plus, three LP release that does all of the things that SWANS do best. The 30-plus minute songs, pummeling guitars, primitive chants, industrial noise and tribal drums are present and accounted for. The only thing keeping it from the top spot — it’s still no match for “The Seer.”

1. Peter Frampton: “Hummingbird in a Box”

Peter Frampton is one of the most versatile and under-appreciated guitarists on the planet. In 2006, Frampton released “Fingerprints,” his first completely instrumental album, winning the 2007 Grammy for that category. This resulted in Frampton being approached by the Cincinnati Ballet to write several songs for them, which led to “Hummingbird in a Box.” Some of the best guitar music released anywhere recently, this is among the best guitar-based music of Peter Frampton’s career. The song “Friendly Fire” rivals anything he’s done by either Humble Pie or solo. The production quality is impeccable. The only drag about this release is that it’s merely an EP at 28 minutes. It will leave you wanting more.

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Johnny Vinyl is a music connoisseur. His column, Ride the vibe, focuses on entertainment. Contact him in c/o tmalgesini@eastoregonian.com