Top 10 Music Tracks of 2014 -- My Picks (Just Trust Me ...)

Long-time readers of my blog know that I am a passionate music fan with eclectic tastes who attends multiple eclectic music festivals each year in order to foster my eclecticism.  Check out that diversity in my Top 10 music tracks of 2014.  (NOTE -- I am proud to say that I have selected these with a little help from my music-savvy kids, Hunter and Luca ... trust me, these are no Disney-fied tracks!  I believe all are worthy of your time ... and ears ... so here we go ....)

#1 -- Alt-j -- “Left Hand Free” -- this was simply THE song of the year -- commercial, yes -- but, still very authentic to the band’s indie and “out of the box” core -- if you don’t know this band, get to know them -- NOW!  (NOTE -- a second song from their second album, “Every Other Freckle,” easily could have made my Top 10, but I have a "maximum 1 song per band” rule and need to give some others some time and attention!) -- have seen this band play twice already -- and see them next week at a much bigger show in San Diego -- WREX the Halls -- will be great!

#2 -- Banks -- “Waiting Game” -- Banks is a rising star, who is rising meteorically fast -- am proud to say that I first listened to her long ago when no one had heard of her -- now, I have already seen her in concert 2 times -- and I see her next week for my 3rd time with my family (all hard core fans) -- and then we all see her again (for my 4th time) two weeks later on New Year’s Eve in the O.C. -- like Alt-j, she too could have at least one more song in my Top 10 (“Beggin’ for Thread”) -- but don’t forget my “max 1 song per band” rule;

#3 -- Little May -- “Hide” -- a haunting song from a great little known band “Down Under” (those are the best kind, right?) -- check it out -- you’ll be glad you did -- simply great -- have not seen them live yet, but definitely want to ... and will if they come anyplace close;

#4 -- Kyla LaGrange -- “Cut Your Teeth” -- another haunting song from another haunting and very much “under the radar” artist -- several different versions of this song, some faster than others -- but all great -- another artist I have not yet seen, but certainly will seek out;

#5 -- Manchester Orchestra -- “Every Stone” -- an indie band that rocks it out with beautiful and thoughtful lyrics -- true artists -- this song ties it all together and showcases the band’s many talents -- saw this band a couple years back at Coachella -- and they continue to grow ....

#6 -- Lana Del Rey -- “West Coast” -- a change of direction rocking song from a deeply troubled and deeply talented artist -- she is easy to disregard, but only if you don’t open your mind and listen to her music -- I saw her at Coachella this past year (after listening to her for years -- well before she became commercial) -- was impressed;  forget her “SNL” performance (or lack thereof) from a couple years back -- she has come into her own by embracing her inner angst and “weirdness”; THAT’s a true artist -- authentically embracing individuality;

#7 -- Cut Copy -- “Let Me Show You Love” -- need to throw a little electronica into the mix -- why?  because I like it! (spent much of this past Coachella in the Sahara tent) -- and this band consistently creates great infectious beat-driven music -- this track is a perfect example of their throwback ways -- saw them play at Outside Lands (not exciting in concert, mind you, but they let their beats do the talking ... or thumping ....);

#8 -- Flume -- “Drop the Game” -- here we have the down-tempo DJ of the year laying down the track you must have hummed at some point, but never knew who it was -- now you do -- Flume does great collaborations -- this one features singer Chet Faker who broke out on his own later in the year -- stream Flume's other songs as well for a great chill vibe for your next kick-back -- saw him perform live with my family in August at Outside Lands -- his set killed -- stole the show on that bright sunny afternoon;

#9 -- Lucius -- “Turn It Around” -- great song by a little known band that I have not yet experienced -- very Duff-like in its throwback ways -- another song that deserves to be cranked up to 11 -- check it out -- and have fun with it;

#10 -- Jamie T -- “Don’t You Find” -- a slow jammin’ reggae-tinged track by an artist who has high expectations but who hadn’t released anything for 5 years -- a different kind of track to throw into my very different eclectic top 10 of 2014!

(#11 BONUS -- M83 -- “Wait” -- ok ok, I know this was originally released in 2011 -- but it was re-released this year in the soundtrack to the tear-jerking movie “The Fault in Our Stars” -- what can I say? -- yes, I am breaking every rule by including it here -- but, I’m a sentimentalist and that’s why it’s bonus track #11 -- otherwise it would score much higher!  This song is absolutely beautiful in every atmospheric sense -- listen to it at night-time -- let it get into your head -- think about what matters -- and then you will “get” it -- simply magical ... simply epic ... and epic is hard to do ....);

(#12 BONUS -- The Pretty Reckless -- “House on a Hill” -- why a bonus #11 on my Top 10 list?  First, because I can -- that’s what I told my son Luca when he asked!  More importantly, because lead singer Taylor Momson, although previously starring in “Gossip Girl” (forgive her for that earlier sin!), she is the real deal hard core rocker with an amazing rock and roll voice -- and, I saw the band live in San Diego at a small venue with my rockers-in-training kids who turned me onto this band; but, make no mistake, this is no kiddie band -- this is the real deal -- old school rock and roll -- done to perfection -- yes, I feel a bit guilty letting my kids listen to her lyrics -- but, it’s only rock and roll -- and I like it!).

One final magical musical moment for me in 2014.  Pink Floyd ... YES, PINK FLOYD!  Released their first album of new material in over 20 years (as an aside, I saw the band at the Rose Bowl during its last tour in 1993 -- one of the most classic nights of my life).  So, everyone wants to know, "Is the new album worthy of the Floyd?"  Don’t over-analyze it!  Just enjoy it.  Enjoy what it represents.  Enjoy this coda to their classic career -- their tribute to their fallen brother.  In that mindset, you will feel it is definitely worthy.  And beautiful in its own way.

There it is!  Check them out -- let me know if you like them ... or if you don’t.  And, send me your own favorites via LinkedIn.

Happy listening in 2015!