Earlier this week we passed along the news that NME had released its choice for the best album of 2014. In its esteemed opinion, St. Vincent and her self-titled album took top prize this year, marking the first time in six years that a performer from outside of the "commonwealth" topped the British publication's list. The magazine published its full Top 50 on Thursday. You can check out the full thing here, or scroll down to see at least the Top 10.
What can be said about the list as a whole? Of course every iconic Brit that released an album seemed to get props, merely for existing. Did Morrissey and Thom Yorke deserve a spot within the Top 50? There's an argument to be made and NME is willing to make it. Only four of the Top 10 came from the UK however, with the top native act on the list placing at no. 4 (Aphex Twin and his new collection Syro).
The Top 10 seemed to be clear of any obvious bias, and the fact that neither Kanye West nor Arcade Fire dropped an album this year is probably a good indication that this year's Best Album lists will be more interesting than 2013's. We give our full support to two of NME's choices: The War on Drugs and Lost In The Dream at no. 3 (it will get a similar place in Music Times' end of year rankings, if your correspondent has anything to say about it), and Sleaford Mods' brilliantly caustic Divide and Exit, another wonderful bit of wit from the near-spoken word act.
Check out the full Top 10:
10) Rips by Ex Hex
09) Divide and Exit by Sleaford Mods
08) Carry on The Grudge by Jamie T
07) After The End by Merchandise
06) Trouble In Paradise by La Roux
05) Our Love by Caribou
04) Syro by Aphex Twin
03) Lost In The Dream by The War On Drugs
02) Salad Days by Mac DeMarco
01) St. Vincent by St. Vincent
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