May 26th, 2015 
Drew Caruso 
Everyone has a moment where they stumble upon a release that hits them in a certain way; it changes the way the rest of your day, week, month, even foreseeable future will feel and look like. But, within this sonic euphoria, how defeated does one feel to find out that said album was released a year prior? Something so close within the past, yet heaps of time that could have been devoted to this specific art lost. Under our noses, how could one let their new favorite album slip by in a sea of mediocre releases and half-assed expression?
Here at UTG, we decided to pour together all the releases that we missed from 2014, in the hopes that no one moves on musically with the chance of their favorite piece of art still going undiscovered. Each writer gave samples of releases specific to them that sadly passed them by in 2014, but thankfully made it to our ears this year. Each writer has a different experience, so note that each release talked about is specific to the writer mentioning it. Some albums were listened to by some of our writers, but not all. That is the essence of why we are here isn’t it? To share and enjoy?
David Bazan – David Bazan Monthly: Volume 1
This is easily the most upsetting for me. As a huge fan of Pedro The Lion, and Bazan’s solo material, finding this collection of songs well into the winter of 2015 felt like a huge failure. Maybe it was the feet of snow weighing Boston down, or maybe it was the way the songs were released (two a month for 5 months), or maybe it was other things — either way, I am glad I finally got a chance to find these exciting and fresh songs from one of my favorite seasoned musicians. Don’t sleep on any of it, though “Nobody’s Perfect” is unreal. — Drew Caruso: Staff Writer (Twitter)
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Simmer – Your Tonal Mess
Simmer is a band that I am really excited about. With their 2014 debut release, Your Tonal Mess, the band released four tracks crafted in ways that seemed to be meant for bands far into their careers. With the vast, Deftones-esq “Understudy,” to the blistering “Emerald,” the band has solidified themselves as one of my favorite new acts. This only heightens with the recent release of their awesome EP, Yellow Streak, but Your Tonal Mess is a great place to start. Here’s to new music from the UK act Simmer, and here’s to them making their way to Boston ASAP. — Drew Caruso: Staff Writer (Twitter)
Brontide – Artery
Having completely missed 2011’s Sans Souci, Brontide was nowhere near my radar come Artery‘s release in 2014, much to my dismay. Chock full of guitar-led, instrumental, experimental rock, Artery is a helluva ride in just 8 tracks. Boasting elements of post-rock and math-rock, the band will surely appeal to fans of Fang Island, Adebisi Shank, And So I Watch You From Afar and Minus The Bear. There are a lot of great textures here and plenty of interesting songwriting. It’s ambient and dynamic and wholly entertaining. — Brian Lion: Co-owner, Editor (Twitter)
Strand Of Oaks – HEAL
HEAL was the album that originally sparked this editorial idea. How could I have missed such a dense, but wonderfully and truthfully written rock album? From the opening nostalgia of “Goshen ’97,” to the harrowing “JM,” and the fan-favorite “Shut In,” Strand Of Oaks songwriter Timothy Showalter writes about learning how to write, being an introvert, and a welcomed life of solitude ridden investigation. — Drew Caruso: Staff Writer (Twitter)
Turnover – Blue Dream
I personally never followed up on Turnover after their 2011 EP. Their first full-length, Magnolia, expressed a lot of potential but for no particular reason, never stayed with me, either. It wasn’t until I binged on their fantastic new record, Peripheral Vision, that I decided to look back on their older material. I was pleasantly surprised with how lovely Blue Dream came to be. It was like Turonver’s rebirth; their sound stripped down into its purest form, strapped onto transparent lyricism. Any doubts I had about this band was cast away instantly. — Dana Reandelar: Staff Writer (Twitter)
My experience here is nearly identical to Dana’s. I know I at least gave Magnolia a chance, but for whatever reason, it didn’t resonate with me. I remember Blue Dream coming out last year and I allowed it to just slip by me without even so much as a single listen. I wholly regret that now. I gave Peripheral Vision a chance this year as I couldn’t escape the buzz, and I fell in love. After several spins I thought it might be best for me to go back and see if Blue Dream was something I could enjoy just as much. It was rather bittersweet discovering that it was. — Brian Lion: Co-owner, Editor (Twitter)
Spooky Black – Leaving EP
Back in January, Jon Simmons of Balance and Composure tweeted out his love for Spooky Black, and as a huge B&C fan, I figured that this was more than enough reason to check the 17-year-old Minnesotan out. Before long, Spooky’s pulsing basslines and hypnotic croon became the soundtrack to my winter, keeping me company during long night drives and quiet, introspective mornings. While I wouldn’t call it my favorite EP of 2014, I can lose myself within each and every track on Leaving, and that really says something considering I am in no way an avid R&B fan. Tune out and ~*~vibe~*~. — Kyle Florence: Staff Writer
Jakob – Sines
I had been seeing the name Jakob around for some time, and I think, for the most part, in my mind I would always think it was Jakwob, the EDM producer, so I would typically have little to no interest. However, at some point very early this year, I saw a year end list from 2014 that caught my eye and the description for this album was clearly not that. After listening through, I was pretty irritated with myself for having made such a mistake as Sines is a gorgeously lush post-rock/post-metal juggernaut of instrumental excellence. — Brian Lion: Co-owner, Editor (Twitter)
Hundred Waters – The Moon Rang Like A Bell
Nothing this beautiful should go unnoticed. It appears that I will annually make the mistake of missing a heart-crushingly beautiful album. This year it is Hundred Water’s The Moon Rang Like a Bell. Before, it was Daughter’s If You Leave. Don’t sleep on this album. In fact, wake up and breathe it in. — Drew Caruso: Staff Writer (Twitter)
Protomartyr – Under Cover Of Official Right
There was a seemingly wide hole in my iPod that needed to be filled. I was itching for a post-punk album as wonderfully crafted as Under Color of Official Right. Protomartyr’s second release, the album is a vast collection featuring 14 tracks of muddled guitars and drone delivery, providing an album that is easy to fall into for any situation. — Drew Caruso: Staff Writer (Twitter)
Microwave – Stovall
Microwave are one of my favorite discoveries of all time. I don’t think I’ve ever listened to a record as much as I’ve listened to Stovall in such a short period. The introductory track seems to sway most in the best way; and although I do love that track, I would have to go with “Trash Stains” as my favorite. This record is hands down, the best possible indie-rock/pop-punk hybrid that I am proud to know all the words to. Listeners along the “punk” spectrum will find at least one thing that makes their heart swell with happiness. — Dana Reandelar: Staff Writer (Twitter)
I pre-ordered this record on vinyl based solely on good things I had heard from peers who I trust, and I could not have been happier with the outcome when I pressed play for the first time. I’m not sure what I initially expected from Stovall, but I certainly wasn’t expecting the emotionally heavy, Manchester Orchestra-influenced opus about bad luck, being broke, and complacency with inadequacy that lies between the opening and closing notes of this record. Fans of Taking Back Sunday’s early output, the grungy, 90s guitar tones and lyrical honesty of Weezer’s Pinkerton, and the aforementioned Manchester Orchestra will feel right at home with Stovall. For a taste, I’d recommend starting with “Grass Stains,” which offers a bit of everything I’ve grown to love about this band. John Bazley: Staff Writer (Twitter)
Other Minds – Close Enough
This EP is elegant and devastating and criminally overlooked. It’s an amalgam of emo and alternative rock with crushing lyrics and perfectly fitting instrumentation. It’s beautiful and understated. It’s a lot of things and it’s something that should be listened to at high volumes, maybe at its most effective after a painful breakup, as you melt into your floor with your feelings burning from your bones out through your skin. It’ll be the perfect soundtrack as you break everything around you, passionately and in slow motion. — Brian Lion: Co-owner, Editor (Twitter)
Mac DeMarco – Salad Days
Deemed by Mac DeMarco himself as “jizz jazz,” Salad Days is an airy escape through 11 jangle pop tracks created in a bedroom in Brooklyn (because what isn’t these days?). Pop riffs that move like waves behind hushed delivery, founded by jazz-like drums and bass lines, Salad Days is a fun journey that should be at least tried by most. — Drew Caruso: Staff Writer (Twitter)
I don’t have much to say that Drew didn’t cover. I found this album late and I listen to it a lot. It’s good. Yeah. — Brian Lion: Co-owner, Editor (Twitter)
Iceage – Plowing Into The Field Of Love
A punch to the gut in the form of songs that are so gritty in delivery it’s a masterful beauty the way the Copenhagen act get through each track with such ease, though I surmise most of the charm of Plowing Into the Field of Love comes from the band’s disillusioned methodology and getting emotions out, contained by clever songwriting and lyricism, and abstractly pushed forward in delivery. This is surely an album I wish I had to get me through 2014. — Drew Caruso: Staff Writer (Twitter)
Rozwell Kid – Too Shabby
I was just a smidgen too late to find this album in time to make my year end list for 2014. Luckily, the hype train is still boarding but should be leaving the station any minute as Rozwell Kid travel on to far bigger things. Remember the first time you fell in love with Weezer? This was a lot like that for me. Too Shabby might be my most listened to record of 2015 and it came out last year. It’s so focused and clever and so much fun. It’s a party, full of distorted jams and good vibes. Just listen to it, 100 times and more. — Brian Lion: Co-owner, Editor (Twitter)
Spoon – They Want My Soul
Apparently Spoon has been around for a while, and if They Want My Soul is only the beginning of my inattentiveness with the band, I have a lot of catching up to do. Calling They Want My Soul a pop-rock album would be the easy way out, for Spoon garnish each track with hooks, ambiance, crisp guitars, synths and much more that bring each track to life, revitalizing the listener. Closer, “New York Kiss,” is sure to give listeners the final push into summer we all desperately need. — Drew Caruso: Staff Writer (Twitter)
Antarctigo Vespucci – I’m So Tethered
This EP wasn’t necessarily something I missed. It was something I didn’t pay enough attention to, and something that didn’t make my End Of The Year list. I’m So Tethered, Antarctigo Vespucci’s second effort after Soulmate Stuff, offers as much power-pop bliss as its predecessor. All four tracks are lyrically very quirky and their sonic qualities constitute for lots of bouncing off walls. — Dana Reandelar: Staff Writer (Twitter)
The Mire – Glass Cathedrals
Until about a month ago, I had unfortunately never heard of The Mire. Since discovering them, I’ve had Glass Cathedrals on a perpetual loop. The album is heavy, dense and atmospheric. It’s a massive wall of sound filled with soaring, distorted guitar work, intense vocals and pummeling percussion. The band allows the occasional breather as well, though, such as with the title track, where you’re hypnotized by three minutes of clean vocals and an ethereal aura of soothing delivery, and again with the beautifully simple interlude in “Black Waltz.” — Brian Lion: Co-owner, Editor (Twitter)
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