Velvet’s Best 40 Rated Albums of 2014

Something slightly different to last years, list.

This is 1 of 2, Velvet album lists.

Part 2 will be online after 6pm (GMT +0)

Certain albums will be given specific accolades to accompany the sound of the record, e.g. Album of the Summer, Best Punk record, etc. Another new ‘feature’ is the adjustment to scores of the reviewed records. A small number of records, have seen improved marks after numerous play throughs (shown in neon green font). While others have diminished (shown in red font). The top 10 sees the largest change to independent scores, with only two of the four 10/10 albums, retaining their full marks. This ‘devaluing’ of scores, is based upon the following reasons:

• A record losing appeal after a numerous amount of plays.
• Reviewing the review, then viewing the album as ‘slightly overrated’.
• When placed with records of the same mark, the record appears unable to match the competing records (Not in style of genre).

Any improved marks have been increased by no more than .8; while any lower marks have been decreased by no more than .8.

Any album that scored lower than a 7.0, was not considered for this list.

All of the titles of mentioned albums, are linked back to their original reviews (if a review was completed). By clicking on the title you will be sent to the review.

So after all the formalities (I mean bloody hell!), let’s begin!

40. Howler – World Of Joy (7.5)

39. Brother Earth – Positive Haywires (7.6)

38. The Men – Tomorrows Hits (7.7)

37. PAWS – Youth Culture Forever (7.7)

36. The Tea Street Band – The Tea Street Band (7.8)

35. White Lung – Deep Fantasy (7.8)

34. Hookworms – The Hum (7.8)

33. Real Estate – Atlas (7.9)

32. Protomartyr – Under Color Of Official Right (8.0)

31. YOUNG FATHERS – DEAD (8.0)

30. Young British Artists – A Change By Any Other Name (8.0)

29. Perfume Genius – Too Bright (8.0)

28. September Girls – Cursing The Sea (8.1)

27. Michael Flynn – Face In The Cloud (8.2)

26. The Jezabels – The Brink (8.2)

25. The Horrors – Luminous (8.3)

24. Cheatahs – Cheatahs (8.3)

23. Axxa/Abraxas – Axxa/Abraxas (8.4)

22. Champs – Down Like Gold (8.4) (Best folk/ singer-songwriter album)

21. Halls – Love To Give (8.4)

20. Ballet School – The Dew Lasts An Hour (8.4) (Best pop album)

19. The Vacant Lots – Departure (8.4)

18. Gerard Way – Hesitant Alien (8.5) (Best solo debut album)

17. SOHN – Tremors (8.5)

16. Lust For Youth – International (8.6)

15. The Orwells – Disgraceland (8.7)

14. Adult Jazz – Gist Is (8.8) (Best experimental/world album)

13. Tape Waves – Let You Go (9.0) (Best summer album)

12. Acab Rocky – Sara (9.0)

11. East India Youth – Total Strife Forever (Best Electronica album) (9.1)

10. Horsebeach – Horsebeach (9.2)

9. Band Of Skulls – Himalayan (9.4)

8. NO – El Prado [Black English – NO] (9.7)

7. Eagulls – Eagulls (9.7)

6. Patterns – Walking Lines (9.7)

5. The Trouble With Templeton – Rookie (9.7)

4. Breton – War Room Stories (9.8)

3. clipping – CLPPNG (Best Hip-Hop/Industrial/Provoking album) (9.9)

2. The Amazing Snakeheads – Amphetamine Ballads. (Best Rock album). (10)

1. Merchandise – After The End. (10)