Supermodel – Foster The People

Year Album Artist Stars Score Genre 2014 Supermodel Foster The People ★★★½ 71 Rock Indie Pop Supermodel might not have the hits that Foster the People’s seminal 2011 debut Torches had, but I think it’s actually a deeper, more rounded record overall that shows maturity beyond the bright, childish, hyper catchy, electronic indie pop theContinue reading “Supermodel – Foster The People”

Morning Phase – Beck

Year Album Artist Stars Score Genre 2014 Morning Phase Beck ★★★ 65 Rock Alternative Rock Indie Folk Beck has always been a bit of a musical shapeshifter, changing the tone and styles of his music as he sees fit to leave an impression on the music industry. And he knows how to make good musicContinue reading “Morning Phase – Beck”

Salad Days – Mac DeMarco ★★★

Year Album Artist Stars Score Genre 2014 Salad Days Mac DeMarco ★★★ 60 Rock Psychedelic Rock Indie Rock Mac DeMarco is a man who knows what he’s doing and knows how to do it well. A lazy, drowsy, trippy, aimless 34 minute collection of short songs like Salad Days is absolutely not for everyone, butContinue reading “Salad Days – Mac DeMarco ★★★”

Run the Jewels 2 – Run the Jewels ★★★½

Year Album Artist Stars Score Genre 2014 Run The Jewels 2 Run The Jewels ★★★½ 74 Hip-Hop Run the Jewels is such a consistent group that it’s hard trying to judge any of their albums against one another. They each have their big highlights. They each show Killer Mike and El-P’s growth as songwriters andContinue reading “Run the Jewels 2 – Run the Jewels ★★★½”

St. Vincent – St. Vincent

Year Album Artist Stars Score Genre 2014 St. Vincent St. Vincent ★★★★ 81 Rock Alternative Rock Art Pop St. Vincent’s self-titled fourth album is the culmination of all the quirky, musical ambition she’s put on display in the past, placed neatly in a tight, 40 minute package. Start to finish, the album runs almost likeContinue reading “St. Vincent – St. Vincent”

Sylvan Esso – Sylvan Esso

Year Album Artist Stars Score Genre 2014 Sylvan Esso Sylvan Esso ★★★★ 82 Pop Indie Pop Indietronica The self-titled debut record electronic indie duo Sylvan Esso is a cute, feel good indie pop album that’s a product of its time in the best way possible. There’s a cool, laid back, sophisticated aura about the recordContinue reading “Sylvan Esso – Sylvan Esso”

Benji – Sun Kil Moon

Year Album Artist Stars Score Genre 2014 Benji Sun Kil Moon ★★★★ 86 Rock Singer-Songwriter Indie Folk On Benji, Sun Kil Moon reflects on his past with highly-personalized story telling that contemplates much of the second-hand trauma he’s witnessed his family, friends and community suffer through. He tells the stories of those who tragically diedContinue reading “Benji – Sun Kil Moon”

Best Albums of the 2010s

by Nicholas Cicale (@nickcicale) We’re already six years into the 2010s, so I thought it would be a good time to list my favorite albums of the decade, so far anyway. This is a tentative list, so as I hear new things and change my mind on other albums the  list list will be update. I’ll tryContinue reading “Best Albums of the 2010s”

YEAR IN REVIEW: My favorite albums of 2014

by Nicholas Cicale (@nickcicale) This article was written in 2014. For an updated list of 2014 albums, songs and reviews, click here to view the 2014 year in review page. Flying Lotus’ electronic-jazz-rap fusion album You’re Dead! is not your typical top album. It doesn’t have singles, catchy hooks, or even discernible lyrics. Instead, You’reContinue reading “YEAR IN REVIEW: My favorite albums of 2014”

2014 MLB Preview #1: St. Louis Cardinals

St. Louis Cardinals (101-61) Team Ace:  Adam Wainwright Breakout Player: Matt Adams The Cardinal’s one weakness last season was their defense, and improving that aspect of their game was the top priority in the offseason.  The Cardinals cut ties with Carlos Beltran in order to get younger, faster and to steal a few more runsContinue reading “2014 MLB Preview #1: St. Louis Cardinals”