Ugh, this photo. But I couldn’t find a better one.
What a year for Baltimore music. Here are some of my favorites.
14. Fractal Cat — “Tryptide”
Warm and sunny music to brighten a cold winter day.
13. Repelican — “Done”
Jon Ehrens continues his streak of inventive, retro-sounding tunes.
12. Adam Lempel and the Casiobeats — “Jump”
Lonesome nostalgia and tasty ’80s synth hooks. What’s not to love?
11. Viking Moses — “Morning Compromise”
Singer/songwriter Brendon Massei rips his heart out and stuffs it into the microphone.
10. Wing Dam — “Lights”
That guitar tone. So ’90s. So good.
9. Sun Club — “Beauty Meat”
Everything I love about Baltimore’s DIY scene in one song.
8. Second Best Westerns — “Stragglers”
Best band name on this list.
7. Dope Body — “Hired Gun” from Lifer
Music for drinking and/or raging.
6. Roomrunner — “Chrono Trigger”
Their most melodic album yet. It still rocks, though.
5. George Cessna — “Leave Me Alone”
Outlaw country gets introspective.
4. Ed Schrader’s Music Beat — “Televan”
So catchy and so short. I have listened to this song 1,163 times this year.
3. Celebration — “Walk On”
When you feel like everything is going to hell, this song will help.
2. Wye Oak — “Glory”
This album lived in my car this year. It’s my favorite album of 2014.
1. Future Islands — “Seasons (Waiting On You)”
The hardest working band in Baltimore releases its best song ever and everyone loves it.
