Sleater-Kinney make their Chart Show debut, the War on Drugs hold steady as they top year-end list after year-end list and the Decemberists see a big bump as they nearly sell out their upcoming March 24 Minneapolis gig at Northrop.

It's time to vote your Top 89 of 2014, but with so much amazing music coming out this year, perhaps you want a little help narrowing the field. Have a look at what The Current's staffers chose as their favorites as you put together your list.

Celebrating the release of their new concept album Picture (Portrait), Minneapolis' We Are the Willows stopped by The Current to perform tracks off the record live in-studio and to chat with the Local Show's host David Campbell.

Nick Lowe accompanied a friend on an errand to a guitar shop in Portland, Ore.; implored to try a guitar by a store employee, Lowe originally dismissed the instrument as "ugly." But after playing it, Nick Lowe bought it. Read the story and learn about the guitar in the latest installment of The Current's Guitar Collection.

In an interview with Savannah College of and Art Design (SCAD) president Paula Wallace promoting his upcoming “i feel ya” exhibition, Andre 3000 gave an indirect shout out to Lizzo when he referenced the “I FEEL YOU, ANDRE.” shirt she wore during her Late Night with David Letterman performance in October. Lizzo took to Instagram…

Let's do a little bit of research and put together a playlist of songs from bands named after real people. What do you think we should play?

Today on The Morning Show's Eating and Drinking, James Norton chatted with Steve Seel and Jill Riley about some of his favorite places to grab a bite in Dinkytown.

Underlining the national prominence of our local hip-hop scene, Pitchfork’s Paul Thompson has just published a round-up of the best Minnesota hip-hop of 2014. “Minnesota Nice is well established,” writes Thompson, “but 2014 was the year for Minnesota Weird in the Minneapolis-St. Paul hip-hop scene.” Topping Pitchfork’s list is thestand4rd, the group who debuted this year…

Comprising sisters, brothers and cousins, the hip-hop/classical hybrid Nocturnal Unit produces a unique sound. “Nocturnal Unit combines the intellect and precision of classical music with the energy and grittiness of hip-hop,” said Rolf Haas, vocalist and violinist of the group. “I am constantly pushing the boundaries of both classical and hip-hop music.” The members of Nocturnal…

Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson hit no.1 with a horrible song, Bruce Springsteen won in court, and we remember Otis Redding Today in Music History.