Biggest Musical Surprise in 2014

My personal picks are (not in any particular order):

- new Aphex Twin release
- new D'angelo release
- Sleater Kinney announcing they are recording a new album together

 

The Rolling Stones Live Archives on vinyl.

 

Biggest surprise: Whatever became of the Lumineers and Mumford and Sons? And the whole hipster movement for that matter?

 

U2 finally put out a new album out. For free!
Pink Floyd put out a new album after 20 years. Not for free.

 

Simple Minds put out their best album, Big Music, since the early eighties.

 

Yeah. I'm SO U2'ed and Pink Floyd'ed out...zzzzzzzz.

 

Ariana Grande's My Everything was a surprise for me. I think it's a really well made album.

 

Lol! No offense. All I meant was that I've outgrown both bands. This year it also happened with the Beatles. Ewww, now I'm really in trouble.

 

None taken. It's all good.

 

Phew! Thanks. However, I still love Simple Minds...how's the new album?

 

If you love Simple Minds, you'll enjoy this. I haven't liked a record of theirs this much since the days of New Gold Dream and Sparkle in the Rain. It retains their trademark sound with uplifting keyboard-driven anthems. And it sounds fantastic on a car stereo.

 

Great to hear. Are they releasing it in vinyl? Love New Gold Dream but only have Once Upon a Time on vinyl. I'm excited now!! Thanks.

 

It looks like you can buy it on vinyl as a double LP according to SimpleMindsshop.com

 

Yay! Love that cover. Now I know what my personal Xmas gift will be. I assuming it comes with a free download?

 

On Amazon it says the vinyl comes with a free MP3 version of the album.

 

Biggest surprise of 2014 must surely be Kate Bush playing live again.

No one would have expected that at the start of the year.

 

Killjoy. This thread's definitely over!

 

Kate Bush's return to the stage trounces everything.

Personally, I was also very pleasantly surprised at Neil Young's Storytone album being so great.

 

Kate Bush wins this I reckon.

Second is probably the announcement of the Complete Basement Tapes - that one really came out of the blue. Even though people had it on their wishlist for the Bootleg Series I doubt anyone really thought it would happen.

 

The Who and The Kinks releasing greatest hits albums?

 

Neil Diamond's AMAZING new album.

 

How about those Basement Tapes!

 

Look what Santa done brought us !




A whole new direction for a band which had just taken a whole new direction with their last album... at a point where most bands just keep making the same album. Outstanding !

D.D.

 

Slowdive tour. I waited a long time for that one! And yes, announcement of new Sleater-Kinney. I can't wait for the new stuff!