Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its volunteers’ top albums of 2014. Our next list is from DJ, Assistant Music Director and Merchandise Manager Matt Garman.

As much as we want to think we're looking for the newest trend, I've come to accept that for the most part I respond to nostalgia on a regular basis: I like new music that sounds a little bit like old music I love. Indeed, I'm working to fully embrace this fact. In spite of the fact that my favorite albums of 2014 (and 2013, 2012, etc) include new albums by artists I have loved for years, I still tried harder this time around to listen to as much new music as possible than perhaps ever before... I literally made a spreadsheet, attempted (and failed) to create a formula for my personal like-value per album, scanned music criticism sites, dug through all my playlists from 2014, and simply paid attention when anyone anywhere near me was talking about new music. As a result, I considered approximately 100 albums in order to come up with this list of stuff that sounds like stuff I love. Forgive/indulge me.

PLUS, as if he intentionally wanted to muck up my entire system (if he were aware I exist), D'Angelo goes and releases a fantastic new album on Dec. 15, after I thought I had this whole thing buttoned up. Upon realizing how incredibly good it is, I had to revise the entire list.

Now then:

Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its volunteers’ top albums of 2014. Our next list is from DJ and Assistant Music Director DJ Dead Alive (Dave Toropov).

Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its volunteers’ top albums of 2014. Our next list is from DJ and Record Fair Director JimK.

I love this game. Looking back on past years is great, too! I do not purport to know that these are the best of 2014, just that they are some of my faves. No particular order....just load 'em up & hit random.

Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its volunteers’ top albums of 2014. Our next list is from DJ (6-9am Thursdays) Amelia Hruby.

Sitting down to make this year's list wasn't so tough. Looking back through my library and 2014 playlists, I found that I had marked a number of stand-out albums that jumped onto the list without a second thought. You may notice that 7/10 are female soloist or female-fronted groups. That wasn't particularly on purpose, women just seemed to run the rock world this year. You go girls!

Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its volunteers’ top albums of 2014. Our next list is from volunteer Kelsey Phillips.