It’s that time of year again for our last post of 2014 and my list of favorite Philly records for this year. My procrastination was strong this year, but once again, I just managed to make it just under the gun. It’s always overwhelming to dig into all the great music that we have been lucky enough to come across throughout the year. I’m sure that there are some albums that have fallen by the wayside of this list, but hopefully you’ll discover or rediscover a new favorite like I have while taking this journey. It’s been fun, and as always, looking forward to seeing you on the other side – cheers! – Q.D. Tran

1. Guilty of Everything (Relapse) – Nothing

2. You’re Gonna Miss It All (Run For Cover) – Modern Baseball

3. Full Of Snakes (Fleeting Youth) – Mumblr

4. 7” (Wilsuns RC) – Sheer Mag

5. The Spirit of the Beehive (Ranch) – The Spirit of the Beehive

You can view the rest of the list HERE.

There is too much great local music happening tonight that you can’t possibly cover and see it all. Here’s a roundup of some shows that you should be at to ring in the New Year this evening. A hot one will be newly signed to Saddle Creek, Hop Along, at Johnny Brenda’s for a sold-out show with Thin Lips and roses. The group recently wrapped up its stint in the studio where they’ve been working on their next label album with producer John Agnello (Kurt Vile, Dinosaur Jr., etc.) so there should be plenty of new material. Philly indie-rock mainstays Man Man, opening for Gogol Bordello at the E Factory, should be a fantastic show. Our friends at PhilaMOCA will be hosting Mannequin Pussy and the Jawbreaker reunion. A Sunny Day in Glasgow are capping off their holiday run at Boot & Saddle. Shaky Jake and his Killer Bangs crew are taking over Kung Fu Necktie with psych outfit Drone Ranger and stoner metalheads Ruby the Hatchet. And take some swings at batting cages/DIY music space Everybody Hits with The Spirit of the Beehive and Mike Bell & The Movies. And the list goes on and on… Share how you’re spending your NYE?

Frank Huang (of Pit Full of Shit blog) captured the pedal to the floor wild beast of a trio, otherwise known as Hound. The footage was captured on December 6, 2014 at Saint Vitus Bar. The video (with its fire-starting effect) is split between two tunes “Mortality Song” and “Cold Sweat.”

Sometimes, when things are tough, it’s a good practice to head to church; First Unitarian Church – that is. Tonight, an exciting air of mystery (that’s not so mysterious) surrounds the guest performer who will step up to the pulpit. Word is that those "Eight Legged Prawn" were shipped in from Lititz. Their singer’s vocals ache and growl in a heartfelt tremor that can shake you to the core with resonance, and instrumentally, they expertly manipulate, gradually climbing an incline and then letting it all show upon reaching the summit. Oh and their long-awaited LP is due out in February via an overweight marsupial. This evening, they will be joined at this reaffirming spectacle by Lithuania, the pairing of Dominic Angelella and Eric Slick, who will wet our appetite for their forthcoming full-length Hardcore Friends via Seagreen Records, with the Domesticated God 7”, an instant surge of infectious raw-edged rock with a slightly disorienting psyche conclusion. "Thy Foes Profanely Rage" (another not so mysterious mystery) headline this evening delivering a sermon you won’t want to miss. First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut St., 8:30pm, $17, All Ages – Michael Colavita

Below is a track from Trophy Wife called "It Comes in Waves… (Neil Young)," off their album all the sides. It may be a surpise to those have been following the duo’s catalogue. The song is a 7-minute mostly instrumental jam with a mantra of "Once beat strong/Beat again"; however, it still keeps the band’s signature intensity, which is generated by Diane Foglizzo’s searing electric guitar and Katy Otto’s in sync pummeling of her kit – only with spaces to breathe to take it all in.

Krust Toons: "Admiration" by Teddy Hazard – please feel free to drop him a line at teddandthehazards@gmail.com if you dig or have any funny ideas. You can also check out more of his illustrations HERE.

Philly crew Radio Ghost can bring the heat when the battle calls for it, but the group still keeps its intensity on more laidback tracks. Made up of producer/emcee Yikes the Zero, Tommy Tucker, E. Grizzly, and O-Severe, they join forces to provide a furious yet cerebral combination on their recordings. Tonight at Kung Fu Necktie, Radio Ghost will be opening Cannibal Ox, who are best known for their critically-acclaimed debut album The Cold Vein, which was produced by El-P and was released on his record label Definitive Jux. Unfortunately, after citing creative and financial difference as well as rumors of clinical depression, it was confirmed that Cannibal Ox would never be working with El-P again; however, the duo of Vast Aire and Vordel Mega have finally returned with a new studio album earlier this year entitled Blade of the Ronin so forget that it’s a Monday night and don’t miss this one. Kung Fu Necktie, 1250 N. Front St., 8pm, $15, 21+ – H.M. Kauffman

Six years after their first collaborative release with Adult Swim, Michigan-based label Ghostly International has dropped a follow-up. Appropriately titled Ghostly Swim 2, the album is packed with thoughtful electronic textures. Mary Lattimore & Jeff Zeigler’s “I Only Have Eyes For You” is a delicate awakening breezily sweeping through with its sense of peaceful mind clearing. You can stream and download the track for free as well as the whole compilation HERE.

Cleveland transplant and now Philly resident, Matt Scheuermann, is currently recording under the moniker roses, which is also the title of his new three-song EP. The emotive, mellow-pop record was produced by Scheuermann and Matt Schimelfenig (of Three Man Cannon), who also recorded Cayetana‘s Nervous Like Me. roses will be opening Hop Along‘s sold-out New Year’s Eve show at Johnny Brenda’s along with Thin Lips. (Cover Art by Frances Quinlan)

Boot & Saddle must be in the holiday spirit, because tonight’s lineup is packed with talent from top to bottom. Let’s start with the opener, Legendary Divorce, a four-piece who originally came together as a Nirvana tribute band for Halloween show in 2012. Their debut EP Make Me is a rugged blend of agitated aggression. The songs have a tendency to immediately pounce on one’s ears. Itarya Leo’s vocals occupy a space were pensive rage and sadness compact themselves. The unfiltered byproduct joins up with steady, slightly dark instrumental tones, which are forceful yet frayed. Leo’s voice etches a path through the noise-punk, thumping music like a fireball amid organized chaos. The soothing psych-shoegaze-y buzzsaw of Creepoid headlines the evening orchestrating a haunting beauty through ominous layers of noise that has a cathartic effect. The garage-pop power trio of Amanda X bridges the gap of their personalized sincere yet catchy tunes. Boot & Saddle, 1131 S. Broad St., 8:30pm, $12, 21+ – Michael Colavita