Best Of 2014: #30-21

#30: Madlib - "Rock Konducta Vol. 1 & 2"

Madlib making beats from psychedelic rock samples? Yes, please.

Key track: "Harmonia Inventions"

#29: Open Mike Eagle - "Dark Comedy"

I really enjoyed his previous album, but he improved a lot in between them, and this new one shows that growth. I feel like Mike will really be someone to watch for in the coming years, and this album might only be just the beginning.

Key track: "Dark Comedy Morning Show"

#28: Bike For Three - "So Much Forever"

Buck 65 had a pretty busy year last year, between this collaboration with Greetings From Tuskan and 2 solo albums, and all 3 projects turned out really nice. I think this is a slight step up from the first Bike For Three album, which I enjoyed a lot.

Key track: "Full Moon"

#27: Antemasque - "Antemasque"

The reunion of Cedric Bixlar-Zavala and Omar Rodriguez Lopez sounds a lot more like At The Drive In than The Mars Volta, but is still a nice middle ground in between those 2 group's sounds.

Key track: "Drown All Your Witches"

#26: Boylan - "BOYLAN ITZ 2k14 ITS TIME FOR SOME BOYLAN"

This is a super fun EP. These songs make me smile and put me in a good mood.

I can't find any links for individual songs, but you can listen to and purchase the album here.

#25: Silk Rhodes - "Silk Rhodes"

This was a nice surprise from a new artist on Stones Throw. This almost sounds like a demo tape, but like the best possible one you could hear. Very raw and low budget but still extremely listenable. Reminds me of Mayer Hawthorne, D'Angelo, and Cody Chesnutt, if that makes sense to you.

Key track: "Pains"

#24: Traxman - "The Unforgiving"

This EP really grew on me over the course of the year and kind of stood out a little within all of his releases.

Key track: "Tha Unforgiving"

#23: Ras G - "Raw Fruit Vol. 3"

I think this series just keeps getting better with each volume, and this is probably my favorite of all the series' he has going on now.

Key track" "2 Kushy"

#22: Mac DeMarco - "Salad Days"

This is a really solid rock album from a new and unique voice.

Key track: "Passing Out Pieces"

#21: The Acacia Strain - "Coma Witch"

Probably my favorite album so far from this metal band.

Key track: "Cauterizer"