Floorshime Zipper Boots Top 20 Artists of 2014

Today is the second installment of our Top 20 Artists of 2014, featuring #10 - #1. The artists included were determined by our readers pageviews.

#10 Westwood



#9 Goodman



#8 The Foreign Films



#7 The Vagoos



#6 Adelaida



#5 Lo Fat Orchestra



#4 Dead On TV



#3 Dana



#2 Plastic Inevitable



#1 Hang In Balance

Floorshime Zipper Boots Top 20 Artists of 2014

Welcome to the Floorshime Zipper Boots Top 20 Artists of 2014. Today we start the countdown with numbers 20 - 11 and we'll finish up tomorrow with numbers 10 - 1. As always, our best of lists are based on our reader's individual page views.

#20 Arrange



#19 Mothers



#18 Camilla Sparksss



#17 The Invisible World



#16 Prins Obi



#15 Shocking Pinks



#14 Snooker Emporium



#13 Rachel Thomasin



#12 Repeat After Me



#11 Teen Men

Floorshime Zipper Boots Top 10 Videos of 2014

Here are this year's Top 10 Videos to appear on the blog, based on our reader's individual pageviews:

 

#10 Savage Sister: Cocoon

#9 Cloud Seeding: Mirage

#8 Cassie: Old Light

#7 The Noise Figures: Out of Your Mind

#6 Postcode: Losing The Battle

 

#5 Mad Ones: Walking The Ceiling

 

#4 Prettiest Eyes: Live at Los Globos
 

 

#3 Bruch: Take Me Home Vienna



 

#2: The Callas: Disaster



 

#1: Foreign Films: Teardrop Town
 







Last Hymn: The Touch

 

Leeds UK's last Hymn have released their debut album, The Touch. The eight tracks are an exploration of sound and textures. Using both electronic and acoustic instruments, the album melds melody with unexpected sonic flourishes. Deep, engaging and beautiful, with vocals that draw one deep into the music, this is a superlative record. Stream and buy The Touch at the link below.

 



Stars & Letters Records: The Complete Catalog

 

Our friends at Brooklyn label Stars & Letters Records have a huge Christmas gift for everyone. From December 24th through January 1st, they are giving away their entire catalog for free download (or name you price). That includes the incredible return double album from Shocking Pinks, as well as works by Bad Blocks, Black City Lights, Misfit Mod, Gpsymth, We Are Temporary, Ruane Maurice and Empathy Test. That's 111 tracks in all. Readers of this blog should be familiar with all the fine music released by this label. So, here's your chance to get it all. The label's only request is that you tell your friends about the music via social networks, email and word of mouth. Get busy spread the word; stream and download Stars & Letters Records, The Complete Catalog at the link below.

 

We Are Temporary: I Can't Breath (In Memory of Eric Garner)

 

Brooklyn based electronic auteur We Are Temporary, aka artist/producer and head of Stars & Letters Records, Mark Roberts, has released a stirring new single, I Can't Breath (In Memory of Eric Garner). Inspired by the events of the day, this track is an urban vision of dark realities, shattered dreams and an oppressive police culture. The track is available for free download, but all "pay what you want" funds will be donated by the label to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). Stream and buy I Can't Breath (In Memory of Eric Garner) at the link below.

 

Floorshime Zipper Boots Top 20 Artists and Top 10 Videos of 2014

Our year end best of lists are on their way. As always our best of will be based on our readers page views. The Top 10 Videos will appear on Monday December 29th, followed by the Top 20 Artists on Tuesday December 30th with #20 - #11 and then #10 - #1 on Wednesday December 31st.

Axons: Unmanageable

 

Whenever we think about the great music coming out of Chicago, our thoughts turn to Adele Nicholas, one of the busiest people in that fair city's music scene. Nicholas is an artist with multiple entities, an accomplished record producer and head of indie label Impossible Colors. Nicholas has come with a new album, Unmanageable, under her solo moniker, Axons. With lightly textured vocals, combined with darkish synths, melodic guitars and minimalist pads, she creates an ethereal sonic vibe of trippy beauty. This album is a must have. A limited edition CD-R is already sold out, but the release is available on hand packaged cassette or digital download. Stream and buy Unmanageable at the link below.

 



The Bandicoots: No Turn On Red

 

Ontario indie rockers, The Bandicoots, have released the second single, No Turn On Red, in advance of the upcoming EP, This Is Why We Can't Have Nice Things. The track is an indie rock gem that is reminiscent of Arctic Monkeys. The EP was produced by Michael Keire (The Dirty Nil, Wildlife), and mastered by Brian Lucey (The Black Keys, Arctic Monkeys). The video for the song was filmed & edited by the band in true DIY fashion. The video is 3 minutes of channel surfing; making pit stops on some of the most ridiculous commercials, t.v. shows, and movies from the 50's, 60's and 70's  (Including the band's twist on Happy Days, Monty Python, and A Hard Days Night). Watch it below and then stream and buy No Turn On Red at the link below.

 



Frank Alexander: 5x5

 

Experimental artist/producer Frank Alexander releases an imaginative format EP, 5x5, on North Carolina's Silber Records. Delivering 5 songs in 5 minutes, this EP blends elements of post-rock, shoegaze, ambient, electronic and jazz into a format that passes all to quickly. Grab this one before it's gone. Stream and buy 5x5 at the link below.

 

Clara Barker: Indigo

 

UK indie label, Small Bear Records has released the  digital reissue of Clara Barker's acclaimed debut album 'Indigo'. Originally released in March 2010, this edition has been gently remastered and sees the addition of the 'Christmas In New York' single. 'Indigo' contains a variety of songs, ranging from the joyous and playful 'Cowboy, Ninja, Bear!' to the more downbeat and dark title track and features many live favourites such as 'Abigail' and the original version of 'Sangion' Watch the video for the track Abigail and then stream and buy Indigo at the link below.

 



Dave Kerzner: New World

 

New World is the debut solo album from former Sound of Contact keyboardist, Dave Kerzner. The eleven tracks comprise a concept album that follows the protagonist from being lost in the desert to finding his way back to his biodomed home city. Kerzner’s 78-minute concept album features an all-star cast of guest musicians including Steve Hackett (Genesis), Francis Dunnery (It Bites), Durga McBroom (Pink Floyd), Keith Emerson (ELP), Nick D’Virgilio (Tears For Fears), Simon Phillips (The Who), Billy Sherwood (Yes), David Longdon (Big Big Train), Heather Findlay (Mostly Autumn), Colin Edwin (Porcupine Tree), Jason Scheff (Chicago), Russ Parrish (Thud) and more. Check it out at the link below.

 



Quinn Tsan: Good Winter

 

Good Winter is the debut EP from Chicago singer/songwriter Quinn Tsan. The six tracks range from quirky pop songs to deep folk rock ballads. What really grabs one right off are the superb vocals, that flow into some fine songwriting, with engaging lyrics. This is all tied together with excellent musicianship and production. There is always a plethora of good music coming out of Chicago and given that, this EP is a remarkable standout. Stream and buy Good Winter at the link below.

 



DRLNG: Icarus EP

 

The Icarus EP is the debut from NYC and Paris based band DRLNG on Silber Records. The four tracks are dynamic shoegaze anthems with some phenomenal vocals and instrumentals. Bright, fresh and inventive, with sterling production and a thoroughly compelling vibe, this is one of our favorite releases of the year. This is a record just too good to miss and is a definite must have. Stream and buy the Icarus EP at the link below.

 



Big Lonely: Close Your Eyes, Keep Talking

 

Close Your Eyes, Keep Talking is the debut album from Ontario indie rock quartet Big Lonely. The band of Jake Heise, Cole Mortillaro, T.J Bowman and Ciarán Downes deliver ten tracks of tight, well produced music. Furthering the tradition of fine Canadian indie music, this album is full of solid, radio ready, rock gems. Laced with wonderful melodies, crisp guitars and a rhythm section that never quits, this album is a must have. Stream and buy Close Your Eyes, Keep Talking at the link below.

 



Snooker Emporium: Snooker Emporium

 

Snooker Emporium is the self-titled debut album from this Montreal based experimental pop band, on Halifax indie label Poncho Records. The eight tracks are an exploration of psychedelic music as a more extended art form. The record is a dichotomy of expression; at times flashing with brilliant passages and otherwise appearing as a thoroughly pretentious exercise. This is clearly a band with a gifted musical vision, that is unfortunately lost in their self-absorbed need to appear as great auteurs, rather than being satisfied to make enjoyable pop music. For those into psychedelic retro indie music, this record will appeal to some and will completely put off others. Listen for yourself. Stream and buy Snooker Emporium at the link below.

Sava Marinkovic: Evocation

 

Evocation is the sophomore album from Serbian ambient artist, Sava Marinkovic, on the Italian DOF Label. The seven tracks deliver over 40 minutes of  darkish explorations featuring abstract guitar and electronic synthesis. Woven with poignant melodies, minimalist beats and well worn noise, the album reflects the influences of artists like David Sylvian, Christian Fennesz, Eivind Aarset. Stream and buy Evocation at the link below.

 

Prins Obi: Notions

 

Prins Obi is the moniker of singer/songwriter George Dimakis, leader of Greek psych rock outfit Baby Guru. Dimakis has just released his debut solo album, Notions, on Inner Ear Records. The eleven tracks are psychedelic and trippy sensations and hallucinations,  with some recently written and others dating back 10 years. The album was recorded with the assistance of King Elephant and featuring special guests such as Sir Kosmiche, Kon Kon, KU and Christina. It is an amalgam of pop songwriting and electronic music (with particular emphasis on the use of the Moog synthesizer) and carries psychedelic frills and an aroma of late 60's-early 70's, but with unexpected changes in style. Stream and buy Notions at the link below.

 



Ando Laj: Miriam Transmission

 

Miriam Transmission is the debut EP on Hacktivisim Records by electronic artist/producer Ando Laj, aka Andy Lajeunesse. The Toronto based artist delivers six tracks of synth music that ranges from 80's retro sounds to dark post-apocalyptic soundscapes. While clichéd in places, the EP offer up some inspired passages and takes the listener through a forest of noisy sonic textures. Stream and buy Miriam Transmission at the link below.

 

Standards: Kids

Ontario punk band Standards have released their new EP, Kid. This record can be described in one word...perfection. With influences playing out to the likes of like The Clash, The Sex Pistols and shades of Irish bands, Standards are able inheritors. Raucous, loud and brash, the four tracks are simply perfection with lo-fi production and an ethereal din worthy of reverence. Stream and buy Kid at the link below.

 

I/II: Eathquakes Usually Come Around At Night

 

Austrian label Totally Wired Records steps out with a splendid release, Earthquakes Usually Come Around At Night, from electronic/synthpop producer I/II. Fusing experimental rhythms and electronic melodies that are all propelled by dance beats, the five tracks drip new wave, bringing forth retro images of Rick Astley, with a modern techno sheen, . Stream and buy Earthquakes Usually Comes Around At Night at the link below.