A little later than planned, here’s the continuation of my Top 20 of 2014.
Number 15 – Divide and Exit – Sleaford Mods
The first of two entries for the Sleaford Mods in this years top twenty. This is, I guess, their break through album, but, in my opinion, isn’t as immediate as their last album Austerity Dogs and doesn’t have has many really great tunes as Chubbed Up has (see later in the chart). Nevertheless, this is still excellent music with Tied up In Nottz providing an excellent commentary on inner city life.
Download Sleaford Mods – Divide And Exit
Number 14 – Wilco Johnson and Roger Daltrey – Going Back Home
With the awful news that Wilco Johnson has incurable pancreatic cancer he decided to ignore the chemo and press on with his music career, playing many live dates and recording this album with Roger Daltrey…and what an album. Harking back to the R&B stylings of Dr Feelgood you can immediately spot Wilco’s classic guitar sound and Roger Daltrey absolutely blasts the songs out with great gusto – A really enjoyable bluesy album that entered the UK charts at Number 3…and the great news that Wilco had a radical operation that has cleared his cancer followed soon after.
Download Wilco Johnson and Roger Daltrey – Going Back Home
Number 13 – Mad Caddies – Dirty Rice
One of my favourite bands from the last 15 or so years, the Mad Caddies hadn’t released an album since 2007 so I was really looking forward to hearing this one. Whilst not as strong as a couple of their earlier albums this didn’t disappoint. Sadly they didn’t produce much in the way of “official” videos for the album, however this live video of Down and Out from the album does a good job…
Download Mad Caddies – Dirty Rice
Number 12 – The Talks – Commoners, Piers, Drunks and Thieves
A new(ish) ska band from Hull who I’ve been following for a year or two – saw them at Rebellion and they were excellent. This is their second album and is really strong – plenty of the tracks have been released as videos and it was tricky just picking one to include here…so here’s Don’t Look Behind You.
Download The Talks – Commoners, Peers, Drunks & Thieves
Number 11 – Rhoda Dakar sings The Bodysnatchers
The first entry from a Pledge Music album. Absolutely delighted I supported this album which far surpassed my expectations. Some really strong songs on here begging the question why The Bodysnatchers hadn’t been more successful than they were…not helped by the fact that they had split up before they were in a position to record an album. A great Two tone band and well worth a listen. By the very nature that the album was made following the pledge system no official videos exist – but here’s a live version of Too Experienced from the album launch party.
Download Rhoda Dakar – Sings the Bodysnatchers
Click here for Numbers 10 to 6
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