2014
Noah’s Barks pages relating to the year 2014.
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The Melvins – “Hold It In” (2014)
The more the Melvins try to sound young, the older they get. This is true of many artists. Nick Cave immediately comes to mind: whenever he tries to rock nowadays, his first priority is convincing the world he still has sex appeal. But much like his testicles, there’s nothing left to get out. Old people can rock… (read more)
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Sun Kil Moon – “Benji” (2014)
I’m surprised at how much less wispy Kozelek’s voice sounds on Benji. I thought it was an age thing, but he brings it back at certain points, so I don’t really like his alternate delivery. A change I care for even less is how overtly literal, yet basic his lyrics are compared to when they… (read more)
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The Smashing Pumpkins – “Monuments to an Elegy” (2014)
Buh buh buh, time to listen to the new Smashing Pumpkins album, Monuments to an Elegy. I’m a real fan, by the way. To prove it, I think the Machina albums are great alt rock all around, that Adore is actually their greatest, and Zeitgeist had a few great songs. I’m not fuckin’ married to… (read more)
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Venus in Fur
It’s impressive and very pleasing to me as a fan that Polanski has still not lost himself after decades of films. Akin to many of his works, Venus in Fur is a single-setting psychological playground where Amalric and Seigner compete for dominance over each other and the screen. The two are wrapped in a clever,… (read more)
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Shovel Knight
Can ‘Shovel Knight,’ a retro indie 2D platformer, reach the heights of its inspirations? (read more)
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Whiplash
A college band drummer spirals into a fierce mental conflict with his ruthless instructor. 2014’s ‘Whiplash’ is an intense psychological thriller about the pursuit of perfection. (read more)
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Aphex Twin – “Syro”
Aphex Twin, my bro, you gettin’ into ’90s and early ’00s video game music? Nice man, that’s my jam. Love that shit. Not as forward-thinking as you usually are, but we all get old. And this isn’t a merely adequate retrospective—it’s a great addition to your influences. You fulfilled the typical “random 1-minute track with… (read more)
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Swans – “To Be Kind” (2014)
Swans used to pummel you into oblivion with giant, cold mechanical fists (well, sometimes they’d squeeze you slowly like an iron giant). This personality conquered any music of a similar nature. It’s what they’re best at, and they still managed to make a diverse, evolving career with it (The Burning World is great, by the way).… (read more)