![As the year comes to a close, we gather to discuss the best music of 2014. As the year comes to a close, we gather to discuss the best music of 2014.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/dentonfracking/20141206122047im_/http://media.npr.org/assets/img/2014/12/03/collage20141203_wide-9fb7bfd1bbba371f4ff0770eccffa01eb422ac6b-s1000-c15.jpg)
Top row: Weezer; Middle row: Run The Jewels, Beyonce; Bottom row: St. Vincent, FKA Twigs, BeckCourtesy of the artistshide caption
The silhouettes of Zoë Randell and Steve Hasset, in a video for the duo's song "Tangled Heart."Courtesy of the artisthide caption
Two astronauts bust a move in a scene from Public Service Broadcasting's new video for the song "Gagarin."Courtesy of the artistshide caption
Top row: Weezer; Middle row: Run The Jewels, Beyonce; Bottom row: St. Vincent, FKA Twigs, Beck Courtesy of the artists hide caption
Helena Hauff's "Heimal Quietus" is one of our favorite dance tracks of November. Courtesy of the artist hide caption
Portrait in New York, in Lead Belly's final days, 1948-49 Dr Richard S. Blacher hide caption
Singer-songwriter Yusuf (formerly known as Cat Stevens) Courtesy of the artist hide caption
Is Yngwie Malmsteen too good at playing guitar for his own good? Courtesy of the artist hide caption
Singer Gary Cherone leaps over drummer Kevin Figueiredo during a performance by the band Extreme. Michael Hurcomb/Corbis hide caption
Sleater-Kinney's Janet Weiss (left), Carrie Brownstein (center) and Corin Tucker (right) join All Songs Considered hosts Bob Boilen and Robin Hilton to discuss new album No Cities To Love. Courtesy of the artist hide caption
Cretin. Sean Wix/Courtesy of the artist hide caption
Clockwise from upper left: A Winged Victory For The Sullen, TV On The Radio, Samaris, Caribou Courtesy of the artists hide caption
"I just love this music. Is this Nurse With Wound's collaborative album with Current 93?" iStockphoto.com hide caption
Guest Quizmaster Brandon Barnes of Rise Against performs with the rest of the band at the Sunset Cove Amphitheater in Boca Raton, Florida. Sayre Berman/Corbis hide caption
Dave Grohl, center, with The Foo Fighters Brantley Gutierrez hide caption
The impressively sleeved Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee takes years of disappointment, frustration and unchecked rage out on a helpless drum kit. Steve Marcus/Reuters/Corbis hide caption
Jim Sauter (left) and Kid Millions, blowin' your ears out. Lisa Corson/Courtesy of the artist hide caption
Guests rate the songs at the All Songs Considered Listening Party in Washington, D.C. Jeff Martin hide caption
Adolphe Sax's invention has found its way into many styles of music. Here, Clarence Clemons plays the tenor sax with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band in Lexington, Ky., in 1984. Lexington Herald-Leader/Getty Images hide caption
José González returns with his first new solo album in seven years. Vestiges And Claws is due out Feb. 17. Courtesy of the artist hide caption