They Want My Soul-Spoon-Aug 5, 2014-Loma Vista

-They want my soul is a welcome return from Spoon’s three year hiatus. Their new album reached number four on the US Billboard 200 and number three on US Top Albums. With this album Spoon reached their fifth “universal acclaim” tag. This album easily keeps pace with their last hit album “Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga” which was number one on Billboard Top Independent Albums. Pure and simple, this is one of the best albums of the year.

Phish-Fuego -Jul 24 2014-JEMP

– One of the biggest most legendary touring bands in existence, Phish released their twelfth studio album on July twenty fourth. Studio albums have always been the bane of any “jam band’s” existence but Phish has gotten pretty close to a bullseye with “Fuego”. From the silly grooves and , nonsensical lyrics in “Wombat” to guitarist Trey Anastasio’s epic solos in “555”. Phish has graced us all with their genius again on this album and even though they’re getting older they’ve proved their “Fuego” is still hot

Jack White-Lazaretto -Jun 10 2014-Third Man, Columbia, XL Recordings

– While “Lazaretto” doesn’t have the “big riffs” that Jack had used in the White Stripes, this isn’t a White Stripes album and Jack White makes sure that you know in one of his most full, angry works in his solo career. The album also has a unique style I think you would only hear from Jack White with it’s extreme attention to detail and epic genre shape shifting throughout the album.

The Black Keys-Turn Blue May 12 2014-Nonesuch

– The Black Keys have changed a lot over the years for better and for worse. Unfortunately this time it was for worse. While “Turn Blue” has received good reception from critics, this album strays away from the classic Black Keys raw blues rock and goes for a more psychedelic, garage rock sound, which isn’t bad, but it sounds too safe and generic. It is certainly okay for bands to go in new directions but overall, this is quite the dissapointment from the Black Keys.