Legendary Kids Press Counts Down - Top 10 Albums of 2014

10. The Ready Set - The Bad & The Better
The Bad & The Better was a long time coming and not just for fans of 25-year-old Jordan Witzigreuter. Before signing to Razor & Tie, the musician had dealt with years of major label trouble, limiting what he could release and therefore giving listeners little in the way of new music. So when he announced he’d be releasing his second full-length, fans went crazy - and rightfully so. The Bad & The Better is an accumulation of what Witzigreuter has gone through the past few years and showcases him as a stronger and more well-rounded musician. Throwing multiple genres into his normally sugar-coated pop, he stepped outside the box and showed critics he’s capable of more than they give him credit for. Overall, it’s an amazing album, and one that solidified why The Ready Set is my favourite artist. Download: Higher
9. Breathe Carolina - Savages
I know I wasn’t the only one who was skeptical when I saw Breathe Carolina moving toward more of an EDM sound than their usual mix of post-hardcore and electronic-pop, and I am incredibly happy to say that the guys have outdone themselves with Savages. While the album contains very little screaming (“Sellouts” is the only one to feature any), it’s well-composed and listeners can definitely tell the guys are releasing music they enjoy and listen to themselves. Rather than dwell on the fact that the old BC is no more, listeners should revel in the fact that the band are writing some of the best music of their career, and I’m stoked to see what they’ll come up with next. Download: Chasing Hearts
8. Blitz Kids - The Good Youth
Blitz Kids came onto my radar earlier this year with the release of their new album The Good Youth and I honestly haven’t been able to stop listening to them since. Taking a look at their back catalogue, the record is definitely the band’s best release to date and features solid rock music, enough to keep listeners entranced for (in my case) a long time to come. Lyrically, every track is superb, with each carrying its own throughout their 3-4 minutes time lengths. The Good Youth shows that Blitz Kids are the next big thing in British rock and it wouldn’t surprise me to see the guys playing main stage at Reading and Leeds or with the likes of You Me At Six in the near future. Download: Perfect
7. Issues - Issues
Metalcore as a genre is evolving and Issues are at the forefront of its evolution. The band are mixing the genre’s heavy elements with samples of pop, R&B and hip-hop - and it’s working in their favour. Issues is a solid debut album, showing promise with every passing track. Everything the band packed into this album magically works together to create something unique and it’s a release that has fans wanting more. Hey, with someone like Tyler Carter on their team, how could one expect anything less? Download: Never Lose Your Flames
6. State Champs - The Acoustic Things EP
It’s rare for a band to do what State Champs have done with The Acoustic Things. Not only did the band write a handful of truly beautiful new tracks, they took old fan favourites and turned them into something new and inspired. By toning down the vocals and lessening the intensity of the instruments, State Champs were able to reinvent their songs and create something that’ll have everyone feeling pretty much every emotion possible. Download: If I’m Lucky
5. Yellowcard - Lift A Sail
I initially called Lift A Sail an “ace in the hole” and that statement still rings true two months later. The album is Yellowcard’s first with Razor & Tie and incorporates everything fans love about the band and so much more. By blending elements of old-school pop-punk with modern electronic melodies, the four-piece were able to create something that stands out from their previous releases and solidify why they are one of pop-punk’s best. Download: MSK
4. We Are The In Crowd - Weird Kids
Weird Kids is collection of growth and talent that no other band was able to showcase this year. We Are The In Crowd are one of the most hardworking and progressive bands in the alternative scene today and this record is a prime example of that. When compared to 2011’s Best Intentions, one can hear tighter melodies, stronger vocals and deeper lyrics that show the band are growing as both musicians and people. We Are The In Crowd are one of my all-time favourite bands and Weird Kids definitely has me excited to see what they’ll come out with in 2015. Download: Manners
3. Hands Like Houses - Reimagine EP
It’s never been easy to classify Hands Like Houses under one specific genre and that has been, at least for me, one of the band’s appeals. They released an acoustic EP this past September and it is definitely one of the best releases their label, Rise Records, has ever put out. Transforming five tracks from their sophomore album, Unimagine, the band were able to showcase their pure talent. The true feeling of each song is able to shine through when everything is toned down, and overall, Reimagine is an absolutely beautiful release. Download: Release (A Tale Of Outer Suburbia)
2. This Wild Life - Clouded
This Wild Life have seemingly burst onto the scene in 2014 and for good reason: their label debut Clouded is amazing. Their take on acoustic music is inspired and catchy, appealing to both metal and pop fans alike. Not many bands or artists in the scene are doing what this duo are and they’re showing how beautiful and captivating an acoustic guitar and a piano can be. Download: Concrete
1. PVRIS - White Noise
PVRIS’ debut album is, without a doubt, the best release to come out of 2014. Not only is it filled with infectious electronic-rock that doesn’t miss a beat, but one can hear the trio’s drive to succeed with every passing note. For a band who are still relatively new, White Noise is a brilliant release that shows the talent of groups twice as old as PVRIS. Rise Records definitely took a risk by signing a band that was so unlike their usual output, but it definitely paid off and resulted in the year’s best release. Download: Ghosts
By Clare Fitzgerald
