Scott E Hall's 2014 Power Rankings

Hey everybody! 

Here's a list of things I learned to love in 2014. Some of them have been around for a long time, but I never got into until 2014. Some of these things are very much "only-in-2014" things. Things that lasted throughout the year- hobbies, music, public figures- that have never filled my tear before. It's my year-in-review, in list format. Lists & Reviews... my 2 favorite things!

Much like college sports power rankings, I have a top 25.

HERE WE GO

#25: Salt Lake City, UT 

I used to hate SLC, now I love it. I had a lot of great memories there this year, but I got lost downtown back in May and it kinda sucked, thus this isn't in my top 10.

#24: Arthur Russell

"Humble-man's" disco is the coolest idea ever. I've been missing out on this guy! Yet my fave track by him is his James Taylor-esque "I Couldn't Say It To Your Face." 

#23: Annie Clark

I knew she was great before, but really, who else plays guitar like that?

#22: Team rap

I had UGK's "Int'l Player's Anthem" memorized by March. My favorite rap song of 2014 was "Close Your Eyes..." by Run The Jewels. Also got into Kanye's "Gone" for some reason.

#21: Car radios

I'll never forget driving in my 1999 Ford Escort and listening to music with the window down for 10 days in June. This would rank higher if my car didn't shortly self-destruct.

#20: Organs

I LOVE organs! I'm listening to The Band as I write this!

#19: Girls Album

Finally heard this whole album this year. It was surprisingly emotional and lovable. This album is 10 times better than their 2011 crap.

#18: Logan Canyon

Logan canyon isn't the prettiest thing in the world, but I explored the whole thing this summer. The best parts are at the top.

#17: Burial Untrue

I bought this album specifically so I can have 24/7 headphone access to it.

#16: The ever-growing Run The Jewels empire

"Everybody doin' it!"

#15: Steve Kerr

My favorite NBA team hired Kerr as head coach, now they're the league's most dominant team! They used to be a fun, unpredictable team to watch. Now we all just expect them to win!

#14: The Statesman

I wrote music reviews (and occasional news stories) for USU's newspaper in 2014. 

#13: Love songs
I started making themed playlists on spotify: 100 Love Songs, 100 Love Songs pt 2, 200 Love Songs (attempt). There's nothing better than a good, unique love song!
#12: Mark Kozelek
Sun Kil Moon's Benji was my album of the year. I didn't like his other stuff much, but then I discovered Mark's 90s band Red House Painters! "Katy Song" made me cry on the first listen.
#11: Stephin Merritt
Digging into The Magnetic Fields has completely turned my mind around about songwriting. His lyrical content and diverse reflections of "love," make him a unique, personable leader.
#10: Concerts
Neutral Milk Hotel (w/ Elf Power), TV on the Radio (w/ Twin Shadow), Beck (w/ Future Islands). Considering I only go to a couple concerts a year, I think I hit a jackpot.
#9: Providence, UT
I'll never forget driving around Providence and Millville in the first half of the year. I'll never forget running 10 miles on a Saturday morning through Providence as old people waved at me from their porches. I know Providence/west Cache like the back of my hand.
#8: Blogging 
Between posts and drafts, I have over 140 on this 30-month-old blog. 97 were from 2014. I also started 2 new blogs during the year. This is my new hobby. Thank you 2014.
#7: Powerade
I bought a Powerade every day this summer. My obsession was getting pretty bad.
#6: Future Islands "Seasons (Waiting On You)"
The 1st time I heard this song, I was like, "This is good." I thought that all year long and it only grew on me. And I'm not the only one. "Seasons" is on more "top-10-songs-of-the-year" lists than any other song, as well as the most #1 spots. And did you see this performance on Letterman? 2014 Dominance.
#5: Broken Social Scene You Forgot It In People
I never listened to this album until April this year. It was surprisingly life-changing. I expected a very much 2000s indie album, but it's so much more than that. It's a lyrically interpretive, musically energetic, emotional, adolescent experience. It makes me think about running away from everything and being with my friends all at within 55 minutes. Every song on here has a new place in my life.
#4: Taco Bell

Their dollar menu changed my life. In August, I would wait until midnight on Sundays and buy stuff there on the Sabbath's immediate end.
#3: Deerhunter Halcyon Digest / Bradford Cox 
I probably listened to Halcyon Digest more than any other album this year. To me, it's full of joy. Yet it's an awkward, affordable expression of loneliness. I always thought of Deerhunter as some overrated Pitchfork crap, but I realized who they really were once I understood Bradford Cox's personality (you should wiki him). And "Desire Lines" is my new favorite guitar track.
#2: 2014 Albums
Benji. To Be Kind. Run The Jewels 2. LP1. Plowing Into The Field Of Love. Lost In The Dream. Black Messiah. pom pom. You're Dead! ...AM I MISSING ANYTHING? It was just so full of music that I will probably be keeping around for a long time.
#1: Logan YSA 35th Ward 
I loved living on the island. I sometimes miss Cambridge Court. I remember my crazy roommate kicking cars in the middle of the night and getting arrested. I remember talking with my neighbors about dating. I remember waking up to a bird's nest with chicken eggs on my car. I remember being in the Elders Quorum Presidency with Dell Durant, Ryan Burt and Jaque Johansen. I remember people lending me their knee braces when I struggled training for my half-marathon. I remember jam sessions, dinners and game nights. I remember Bishop Skeen pinning one of my Statesman articles on the ward bulletin board. All those things within 4 months! Thanks guys.