Podcasts ruled my car’s stereo for the majority of 2014 (Serial, anyone?)
Even so, I did listen to plenty of tremendous musical creations through those well-worn speakers. Nothing received as many replays as Withered Hand, the solo project of 30-somthing Scottish wannabe-loser Dan Wilson. His songwriting is incisive, catchy, self-deprecating and filled with candor and wit. His voice sounds like the lilt of Billy Boyd’s Pippin singing to Denethor, steward of Gondor. He plays guitar. He waxes poetic about California and In-N-Out Burger. He is the world’s most interesting singer/songwriter.
Top Albums of 2014
- Withered Hand – New Gods
- The War on Drugs – Lost in the Dream
- Damien Jurado – Brothers and Sisters of the Eternal Son
- Grouper – Ruins
- Woods – With Light and With Love
- Caribou – Our Love
- Spoon – They Want My Soul
- Death Vessel – Island Intervals
- Luxury – Trophies
- The Notwist – Close to the Glass
Top Songs of 2014
- Fall Apart by Withered Hand
- Moving to the Left by Woods
- Kong by The Notwist
- We Agreed by Death Vessel
- Sinking Stone by GEMS
- Clearing by Grouper
- Silver Timothy by Damien Jurado
- Love Over Desire by Withered Hand
- Closer by FKA Twigs
- In Reverse by The War on Drugs
- Inside Out by Spoon
- Velvet Antlers by Death Vessel
- Red Eyes by The War on Drugs
- Back Home by Caribou
- Eyes to the Wind by The War on Drugs
- Horseshoe by Withered Hand
- Black Tambourine by Withered Hand
- Medusa by GEMS
- California by Withered Hand
- Chandelier by Sia
Joel Manahan 