The Culture Brats Guide To The Best Of 2014

Album Of The Year

Charli XCX, Sucker

With Sucker, Charli XCX has created a new kind of pop music: it's got the punk attitude combined with some of the catchiest choruses you'll hear all year (and all of next year on the radio) with a few new wave nods. This is the album that will make Charli XCX a superstar. Favorite tracks? "London Queen" and "Breaking Up." Bonus info: purchase the Target version for a cover of "Money (That's What I Want)."

Runners-up: Bleachers' Strange Desire, Sledding With Tigers' A Necessary Bummer, Against Me!'s Transgender Dysphoria Blues, Andrew Jackson Jihad's Christmas Island

Song Of The Year

Taylor Swift, "Blank Space"

Prior to the release of 1989, Taylor Swift was a guilty pleasure of mine. But with the release of this album and, in particular, this single, I couldn't hide my love any longer. This is pop perfection with a side of crazy. Awesome.

Runners-up: Deers' "Bamboo", Bleachers' "I Wanna Get Better", Sleepy Kitty's "What Are You Gonna Do When You Find Bigfoot?," Becky G's "Shower" (the earworm that wouldn't quit)

Television Show Of The Year

Fargo

I was dead wrong. "There is no way Fargo the TV show will be anywhere as good as Fargo the movie." Hell, it ended up being the best television show of the year. But how could it not with smart, tight writing, a killer storyline, and actors like Billy Bob Thornton, Kate Walsh, Oliver Platt, Bob Odenkirk, and Martin Freeman involved? But it was Allison Tolman's amazing performance as Molly Solverson that drew us all in.

Runners-up: Key And Peele, American Horror Story, Broad City, The Walking Dead

Movie Of The Year

Top Five

Top Five tackles relationships, the longing to become more than just a one-trick pony, race relations, fame, reality television, and more, but does so without veering to far from its comedic center. Top Five is Chris Rock's defining moment as a writer, director, and actor.

Runners-up: Gone Girl, Guardians Of The Galaxy, Birdman

Seven Questions In Heaven With Hannah Gill

Today we're spending Seven Questions In Heaven with Hannah Gill!

Describe your music for our readers who may not be familiar with you.
My music is a modern spin on indie jazz music. We try to keep our songs very soulful with lots of horns and upright bass. I think we really try to bring the feel of classic jazz into a pop culture world.

Who are your musical influences and idols?
I love lots in all honesty. My major influences have always been Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Dr. John, The Black Keys, and The Avett Brothers.

What was the first album, cassette, or CD you bought with your own money?
Oh wow. I am pretty sure it was The White Album by The Beatles. I remember I would listen to those CDs everyday after school.

What was the strangest gig you've ever played?
I think that would have to be at a beer garden in Fairfax, VA. We drove 3 hours just to play for 45 minutes, only 5 people really listened. But luckily they all bought CDs!

What is your current favorite guilty pleasure?
Right now it has to be the movie Chocolat. It is perfectly girly and fantastic in every way. I have probably watched that movie 50 times.

If they named an ice cream flavor after you, what would be the name and why?
Hannah's Expresso Chip. I LOVE a good strong cup of coffee. I have to have at least 2 cups in the morning.

Final question: You're the opening act of a music festival. You can get any five artists, living or dead, to perform on the bill with you. Which five do you choose and what song do you all perform as the final jam?
That is a HARD ONE. After about an hour of thinking I have decided I would sing Ray Charles's "I Got A Woman." It goes without saying that Ray Charles would be one of my five. Along with Ray I would want to have Louis Armstrong play trumpet and sing. For my others I would want to have the legendary Aretha Franklin, Ella Fitzgerald, and of course the amazing Van Morrison. Even though the five I chose are primarily singers, it would be my honor to sing on stage with them.\



More Hannah Gill: Official | Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud

Song Of The Day: Frontier Ruckus, "Bathroom Stall Hypnosis"

From 2014, here's Frontier Ruckus with "Bathroom Stall Hypnosis."

Enjoy!

Seven Questions In Heaven With Jacquie Lee

Today, we're spending Seven Questions in Heaven with Jacquie Lee!

Describe your music for our readers who may not be familiar with you.
I would describe my music as pop with soul and meaning. I'm not really a fan of bubblegum pop. I like songs that can connect globally but also have depth.

Who are your musical influences and idols?
I have so many influences and idols. I love classic artists like The Beatles and Led Zeppelin to newer artists like Adele, Lana Del Rey and Ed Sheeran. Sam Smith is a current favorite. I also love Michael Jackson and Radiohead. So it’s a big variety but I would say the common element is high quality music.

What was the first album, cassette, or CD you bought with your own money?
A Vanessa Carlton album. I was obsessed with her music.

What was the strangest gig you've ever played?
Well, I played a gig at an Italian restaurant once! It was a radio show. The food was yum!

What's the first thing you look for when you hit a new town?
FOOD! I love a good restaurant!

If they named an ice cream flavor after you, what would be the name and why?
Indecisive Chocolate (it would be a mixture of favors that taste good of course) because I like a variety of different genres.

Final question: You're the opening act of a music festival. You can get any five artists, living or dead, to perform on the bill with you. Which five do you choose and what song do you all perform as the final jam?
Sia, Prince, Adele, Ed Sheeran, and Beyonce and we sing "Purple Rain."



More Jacquie Lee: Official | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube

Song Of The Day: Kaitlin Riegel, "System"

From 2014, here's Kaitlin Riegel with "System."

Enjoy!

Seven Questions In Heaven With The Yetis

Today we're spending Seven Questions In Heaven with Allentown's The Yetis!

Describe your music for our readers who may not be familiar with you.
Nick (rhythm guitar): Poppy surf garage rock.

Christian (lead guitar): Vintage indie rock 'n' roll pop.

Stefan (bass guitar): Surf indie rock.

Patrick (drums): Guitar pop.

Who are your musical influences and idols?
Nick: Buddy Holly, The Beach Boys, Arctic Monkeys.

Christian: Elvis.

Stefan: David Bowie, The White Stripes, Smith Westerns.

Patrick: The Beatles, The Smiths, The Strokes.

What was the first album, cassette, or CD you bought with your own money?
Nick: Room On Fire by The Strokes.

Christian: Dookie by Green Day.

Stefan: Elephant by The White Stripes.

Patrick: Laundry Service by Shakira.

Video Premiere: Kady Z, "Ordinary Girl"

We've got something extra special for you today: the premiere of Kady Z's "Ordinary Girl" video! Kady Z is the daughter of Pia Zadora who is quickly making a name for herself with Ordinary Girl Undone, an EP she released in September that consists of acoustic versions of five tracks from her 2013 debut album, Ordinary Girl.

Here's what Kady Z had to say about the track:

"'Ordinary Girl' is about taking comfort in the fact that, at the end of the day, we are all facing the same struggles and fighting the same battles. And sometimes our strength comes from admitting that we are delicate and we can't do it on our own all the time."

It's a beautiful, honest song and we're excited to share the awesome video with you today!



More Kady Z: Official | iTunes | Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr | Instagram

The 2014 Culture Brats Holiday Gift Guide

Guess what? Here's the official 2014 Culture Brats Holiday Gift Guide for your viewing and consuming pleasure. Everything a music lover could want!

AwoX StriimLIGHT mini Color
I'm going to tell you why you will want need a light bulb for Christmas: the AwoX StriimLIGHT mini Color will do anything you need except carve your turkey. First of all, the bulb has 16 million colors. No, it doesn't come in 16 million different colors, it emits 16 million colors. You can pick your favorite or just have it smoothly move from one to another. Plus, it has a 3W speaker and Bluetooth so you can transmit your favorite playlists from your phone to your light. Seriously, this thing is from the future. And did I mention it comes with its own remote control too?

Sol Republic PUNK Wireless Speaker
This is the perfect little wireless Bluetooth speaker: small enough to pack anywhere, but loud enough to pack a punch. It's sleek and comes in seven eye-catching colors. This is perfect for a dorm room, bedroom, or your cubicle.

It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back (Deluxe Edition)
Fear Of A Black Planet (Deluxe Edition)

Look: we all love these albums. We ranked Nation Of Millions as the best rap album of the '80s. The Deluxe Edition of Nation Of Millions contains thirteen remixes. The Deluxe Edition of Fear Of A Black Planet boasts eighteen remixes. If you're a Public Enemy fan, these belong in your collection.

Unplugged 1991/2001: The Complete Sessions

R.E.M.'s 1991 concert on MTV's Unplugged was one of the best of the series, and a pivotal moment for the band and its fans. Coupled for the first time with the band's 2001 appearance on Unplugged, this 33-song set is a must for every R.E.M. fan.

Songs From The Big Chair (Super Deluxe Edition)

We crowned Songs From The Big Chair the best album of 1985, so to say we were pretty psyched about this release is an understatement. The Super Deluxe version comes with 4 CDs and 2 DVDs. There are tons of remixes, as well as acapella, instrumental, and live versions of all your favorite songs. If you loved Songs, you need this.

Clothes, Clothes, Clothes. Music, Music, Music. Boys, Boys, Boys.

This is the captivating autobiography of The Slits' Liv Albertine. Albertine pulls no punches in Clothes, especially when she turns the microscope on herself. Hell, the book starts out with the following introduction: "Anyone who writes an autobiography is either a twat or broke. I'm a bit of both," so you know you're in for a great ride. The book is packed with fascinating stories and images from the punk guitarist that influenced countless musicians, and is perfect for any fan of The Slits or punk music.


Disclosure: We received review copies of the products mentioned above for consideration of inclusion in our gift guide. These are the best of the items we received.

Neon Hitch: The Culture Brats Interview

You probably know her from "Yard Sale." Or "Fuck You Betta." Or possibly from guesting on Gym Class Heroes' "Ass Back Home." Well, Neon Hitch will be releasing her debut album, Eleutheromaniac, soon and you can help by contributing to her Indiegogo project and help her create a fan label. We recently spoke with Neon about the album, the fan label, her Yard Sale Tour, and what she wants for Christmas.

How are you doing today?
Doing wonderful. I'm surprised if you can hear me over the crickets. They're singing very loud right now. Or frogs, whatever they are.

It's taken four years, but your debut album is going to be released soon. Would you like to talk about all the dealings you've had with the music industry over the years that's led you to this place?
All of the details would take too long for this phone call, but I will tell you this: I have learned so much along my journey and I am so much wiser. But I'm also kind of back to where I'd begun belief-wise and I feel good about it. I feel like I've been to college and I now have a degree and I'm ready to go out into the world on my own. So that's why I've teamed up with Indiegogo because the only thing that I really need is the financing because I'm ready to do this, just me and my fans.

You're funding the album, like you said, through Indiegogo and you're also starting a fan label. What exactly is a fan label?
A fan label is something I'm doing right now. In Puerto Rico, I'm working with a fan and she's actually on The Voice in Puerto Rico. I decided to do a song with her.

It's basically giving fans power. They give the artists power, I believe they deserve power equally. Fans are taking the place of the executives that were in my life. They're far more excited and passionate about me as an individual and they understand me so much more. I feel that it's the answer. It works for me.

Song Of The Day: People On Vacation, "You May Not Believe In God"

From 2014, here's People On Vacation with "You May Not Believe In God."

Enjoy!

Song Of The Day: Night Terrors Of 1927 feat. Tegan And Sara, "When You Were Mine"

From 2014, here's Night Terrors Of 1927 feat. Tegan And Sara with "When You Were Mine.".

Enjoy!

Song Of The Day: Kate Pierson, "Mister Sister"

Have a listen/look at "Mister Sister," the debut single from Guitars And Microphones, Kate Pierson's upcoming debut solo album.

Enjoy!