Top 10 Albums of 2008

At the end of every year, I initiate a war with myself by making a list of my top 10 favorite albums. The difficulties occur when trying to narrow these folks down; the list inevitably changes every time I look at it. Over all, this was a great year for folk music and indie rock with hip-shaking beats. So, here's my list in semi-particular order. Of course, it’s subject to change.













1. Bon Iver For Emma, Forever Ago
Justin Vernon’s beardy-man folk music is sonically beautiful and low key without being depressing. I’ll admit, at times you may feel as though you’re alone in a remote cabin somewhere in the mid-west during a snowstorm - most likely because that’s where he wrote and recorded most of these songs - and yet it still makes me smile. Favorite tracks: “For Emma” and “Lump Sum”

2. Sigur Rós Med sud I eyrum vid spilum endalaust
It's arty, trippy, experiemental and fluid - and possibly their best album yet. Med sud I eyrum vid spilum endalaust delivers a mirage of sounds, including cheerful acoustic guitars and drum beats. One of my favorite qualities in their music and with this album is their trademark ability to slow-climb each song with grandeur. It's impetuous and I love it. Favorite tracks: "Bobbledigook" and "Vid Spilum Enda"aust"

3. She & Him Volume One
This album pays homage to classic country influences with a retro flare. The duo combine elements of romance, masculinity and narration that exudes charm. Favorite tracks: “This Is Not a Test” and “Why Do You Let Me Stay Here”

4. M83 Saturday = Youth
As I said before, “This album is synthetically romantic and appropriately named. Saturday = Youth transports you back into eighties in the best way.” If you can appreciate bands like (OMD) Orchestral Maneuvers in the Dark and the Cocteau Twins, then you can appreciate this modern take. Favorite tracks: “Graveyard Girls” and “Kim and Jessie”

5. Kings of Leon Only By the Night
There doesn’t seem to be a whole lot of new bands producing true rock ‘n’ roll music with a southern edge. I’m talking, without those trendy electronic components that so many bands encompass today. That is why this album stands out to me. It’s got it all - melodies, razor-sharp guitar riffs and elements of sex. Favorite tracks: “Closer” and “Sex on Fire”

6. Ray LaMontagne Gossip In The Grain
Here’s another bearded fellow who lives out in the country and produces beautiful ballads. Gossip In the Grain is seductive and emotionally charged. And his soulful voice just does it for me. If Van Morrison and Nick Drake are among my all-time favorites, there’s really no wonder. There’s even a song called “Sarah”. Favorite tracks: “Let It Be Me” and “You Are the Best Thing”

7. TV on the Radio Dear Science
This is a band that continues to get better with each album. If the criteria for a band to be indie rock are that they produce arty and experimental music, then these guys have become the kings of the indie rock. Dear Science brings explosions of funky dance beats and rock guitar riffs. I particularly like the incorporation of strings. Favorite tracks: “Halfway Home”, “Love Dog” and “Family Tree”

8. Portishead Third
Nothing has changed since the last time I wrote about this album, so I’ll quote. “It’s brilliant, but in the same exact way that Dummy was brilliant. This album is an extension to their last, instead of something completely different.” The only noticeable difference I see, is that they seen to have improved in every way. With age comes maturity, which they truly deliver. Favorite tracks: “Silence” and “Machine Gun”

9. Deerhunter Microcastle
This band is proof that Atlanta has a great music scene; perhaps the business of music should pay more attention. Microcastle contains all the right qualities: pop melodies, post-punk influences and ambient overtones. I recommend seeing this band live. Favorite tracks: “Never Stops” and “Nothing Ever Happened”

10. Erykah Badu New Amerykah: Part 1
This is my kind of R&B. It exudes a youthful playfulness that I can totally relate to. It’s socially conscious in a creative way, providing just the right amount of soul and hip-hop. Favorite tracks: “Honey” and “Soldier”

Runners up…
Devotchka A Mad & Faithful Telling
Fleet Foxes Fleet Foxes
Crystal Stilts Alight of Night
Lykke Li Youth Novels

Music to Go with This Heat...

M83, Saturday = Youth
This album is synthetically romantic and appropriately named. Saturday = Youth transports you back into eighties in the best way. You will definitely hear traces of bands like (OMD) Orchestral Maneuvers in the Dark and the Cocteau Twins throughout, but not without a modern take. He’s a pretty talented 26-year-old Frenchman named Anthony Gonzalez. My two favorite tracks are “Graveyard Girls” and “Kim and Jesse.” He’s also into doing remixes and they aren’t bad either. A couple that may be worth checking out are Placebo's "Protège Moi (M83 Remix)" or Depeche Mode's "Suffer Well (M83 Remix)"

The Futureheads, This Is Not the World
I first heard of this band a couple years ago when they did a cover of the Kate Bush song, “Hounds of Love” and thought it was a cleverly upbeat version. I was in ‘da club’ the first time I heard “The Beginning of the Twist” and if I remember correctly, I danced my tushy off. The rest of this new album is not so bad either. It's got a lot of choppy guitars and sporatic drum patterns. It’s pretty unadulterated pop music with catchy as hell lyrics.

She & Him, Volume One
Zooey Deschanel seems to be a pretty cool chic in my opinion. She was in the show Weeds for one (awesome) and just happens to be in one of my favorite films – Almost Famous. She has an independent quirkiness that’s enjoyable. This is exactly what comes out in Volume One. The sound is a combination of pop and old country that is very warm and inviting. “Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?” and “This is Not A Test” are currently in high rotation.

The Republic Tigers, Keep Color
The Republic Tigers are making me happy and I’m really starting to see this album being a very big part of my summer. It’s got a very full sound with many layers. Different themes flow from song to song, each with it's own mood and emotion attached to it. “Fight Song” and "Buildings & Mountains” are two example of this. They're currently opening up for Nada Surf on tour, which should make for a great show.

Portishead, Third
It’s brilliant, but in the same exact way that Dummy was brilliant. This album is more like an extension to their last, instead of something completely different. I might even prefer to have it that way because they were such a big part of my nineties experience. “The Rip” takes me back there most definitely. I’ve heard mixed reactions from my friends. Some are disappointed because they feel like it’s too much of the same, while others love it because it’s the Portishead that they fell in love with. I happen to think that it's great for both of the reasons. One of my favorite tracks on this album is “Silence."