In one corner: Flagpole Music Editor Gabe Vodicka, itching to unleash his list of Top 10 non-local albums of the year onto a probably-suspecting public. In the other corner: News Editor Blake Aued, a new father whose awareness of 2014 music is limited to "Shake It Off" and Pharrell's giant hat. From Dec. 22–31, Gabe will count down his list, and Blake will review each album in response.

5. Beck: Morning Phase

Gabe: Was Morning Phase the record of 2014, a Very Depressing Year on Planet Earth™, with its tectonic arrangements, its mortalist imagery? Was it a secret Scientologist message? A Sea Change rehash? WAS IT THE BEST ALBUM OF BECK'S CAREER? Or was it none of those things but, I dunno, man, I spent like a few months listening to it over and over and over and that's gotta mean something, right? 

Blake: Fuck Sad Beck.

Freaky Beck FTW.

Gabe's Top 10, so far:

10. Aphex Twin: Syro
9. Chris Forsyth and the Solar Motel Band: Intensity Ghost
8. Daniel Lanois: Flesh and Machine
7. Freddie Gibbs & Madlib: Piñata
6. Against Me!: Transgender Dysphoria Blues
5. Beck: Morning Phase