Throughout December we at PT:HQ are bringing you end of year lists from bands, labels and promoters. We’ll have a new one for you everyday so keep your eyes peeled for them! See all the lists here.

Greg Barnett (The Menzingers)

 

Top three albums of 2014 in no particular order:

Tigers Jaw – Charmer

It’s crazy that Pat, Dennis, Ben, Adam, and Brianna were able to write and record this album under the circumstances they were in. They not only managed to write one of the best records of the year, but also the best of their career.

Ryan Adams – Ryan Adams

I was listening to this record with my brother recently and he mentioned how he never listened to Ryan Adams because it reminded him off Bryan Adams. Thats dumb, but fair. Probably my most listened to album this year.

The War on Drugs – Lost in the Dream

This record will be on a lot of year end lists and I’ll save the flattering writeup for someone more qualified. Simply put, it’s incredible. My favorite long van ride record.

Top Four Songs of 2014 in no particular order

The Smith St. Band – Something I Can Hold in My Hands

This intro is fucking beautiful. Will really knows how to rip your heart out. We toured together twice this year and we’d often talk about each others lyrics and lines we wish we wrote. I wish I wrote this whole song.

Cayetana – South Philly

Augusta’s old block was no joke. “I wake up to the sound of violence, and I wake up to the sound of sirens” sums it up perfectly. An incredible song written by three inspiring women I’m lucky to call my friends.

The Holy Mess – Nervous Sister

I don’t think there could have been a better thing to happen for these guys then Jeff Riddle joining the band. When he sings “shit faced on a Tuesday man, can’t sleep so I keep on drinking. Smoking to keep from drinking, drinking to keep from thinking about you” I’m all ears. Its such a simple and brutally honest line thats more relatable then anything I’ve heard this year.

Top picks for 2015

The Sidekicks – Runners in the Nerved World

Ok, so I might be lucky enough to already own this record, but I’ll put money on it being one of the best records of 2015. Its unreal.

Title Fight – Hyperview

Title Fight do whatever they want and that’s why I love them. I’ve heard this record a couple times through and it’s wild. Get ready for all the young bands who used to sound like old Title Fight to sound like new Title Fight.