Wow, I can’t believe it’s almost August! With all of the happenings around town every week, it’s easy to lose track of time, and there’s so much awesome new music that has been released so far this year, I haven’t even heard half of what’s on my “listenlist.” While there have been some great country, hip-hop and pop releases, you know I’m a rocker at heart so rock music is what I will be featuring this week, as usual. As we’re a little more than halfway through the year, I’d like to share with you my six favorite rock albums from the first half of 2014.

 

Croz
By: David Crosby
Released: January 28
    Back for his first studio album in 20 years, David Crosby has, “this stuff that I need to get off my chest.” Further speaking about the album, Crosby told Rolling Stone, “I wanted to challenge myself. Most guys my age would have done a covers record or duets on old material. This won’t be a huge hit. It’ll probably sell nineteen copies.” I don’t know about you, but that quote alone makes me want to listen to this album. The songs are about personal and revealing experiences throughout his life, including going to AA for more than 14 years. The album received generally favorable reviews, earning 71/100 on Metacritic.com.

 

Morning Phase
By: Beck
Released: February 21
    Fans of Beck’s 2002 slower tempo and almost minimalist sounding album Sea Change are in for a treat. Most of the same personnel who worked on the 2002 release are back in the lineup, and this album is meant to be its companion piece. However, a big change in the album is its positive tone. Sea Change was written after his relationship with his fiancée ended after nine years. Needless to say, that album wasn’t very happy. But Beck said of Morning Phase that it, “harkens back to…that record, while surging forward with infectious optimism.”

Turn Blue
By: The Black Keys
Released: May 12
    The Black Keys are on a roll right now, releasing four albums in the past six years. Since 2008’s Attack & Release, the duo has formed a partnership with producer Danger Mouse, who has grown to be the band’s co-songwriter. Sadly going on a theme here, the album was being recorded as guitarist and vocalist Dan Auerbach was divorcing his wife, so the lyrics have much to do with that and the album as a whole is much slower paced than the usual upbeat tempo of the band. Still, the hooks are there, and the album received mostly favorable reviews, giving it a 72/100 on Metacritic.com.

 

Lazaretto
By: Jack White
Released: June 10
    With songs inspired by stories, poems and plays written by Jack White as a teenager that he found in his attic, his second solo album is just as weird and unorthodox as any of his other work, and that’s a good thing. The most interesting aspect about this album is the many special features of the vinyl copy. The “Ultra” LP (which is the standard release of the album) contains hidden songs in the center of the album, secret grooves that play an acoustic version of a song if the needle is placed correctly and a hologram that displays while the record is playing.

 

Fuego
By: Phish
Released: June 24
    Their first release in five years, this album contains a mix of rock, soul, reggae and bluegrass. As is tradition in the band, all four members contribute to the songwriting together. While the band is known much more for its live performances than its studio albums, this release has received favorable reviews, with some saying the album sounds full and relaxed, while not trying to replicate the band’s live sound. When Phish announced the album, they did it in typical fashion at a concert where they also played several of the new songs. Three songs from that performance aren’t on the album, so hopefully a deluxe version will be released soon.

 

Mandatory Fun
By: “Weird Al” Yankovic
Released: July 15
    OK, I lied. For once, I actually did include a pop album, but since it’s primarily a comedy album, I’ll let it slide. Seemingly one of the only people in the world who doesn’t age, Weird Al is back and as big as he’s ever been. This album contains spoofs of many recent popular songs such as “Royals” by Lorde (“Foil”), “Blurred Lines” by Robin Thicke (“Word Crimes”) and “Happy” by Pharrell Williams (“Tacky”). Last week, Yankovic released a music video to eight of the album’s songs each day; and thanks to the power of the internet, this is expected to be Weird Al’s first album to hit #1 on the charts. The songs are as hilarious as you expect, and I recommend everyone watches the music video of “Word Crimes” at least once in their life; it’s classic Weird Al.