#1 Portishead / Third
This album is wicked good, & it's wickedly creepy. I think most of us were shocked when they first gave Third a listen, it was something different. It is such a challenging listen it's hard to recommend to the uninitiated. But like a dive into icy water, it may sting at first, but you'll emerge exhilarated, and feeling joyfully, utterly alive once you get it. On Third, they dropped the clichéd trip-hop beats, instead they evolved into futuristic soundscapes that include the tripped-out prog vibes of "Small," moog synths in "Machine Gun," and freaked out cacophony of jazz horns on "Magic Doors".
Portishead have become one of the most important and influential artists of my generation. So much so that even Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood recorded an impromptu cover of "The Rip" as an homage to one of Radiohead's favorite bands. Portishead's Third is more than the album of 2008, this is a snapshot of the unknown future
#2 M83 / Saturdays=Youth
Anthony Gonzalez’s fondness for Pretty in Pink is actually a noble cause on Saturdays = Youth, however, his fifth studio album as M83 may be his finest endeavor yet. I couldn’t stop listening to this album for an entire month, maybe even two months. For those of us raised on the Cocteau Twins, Kate Bush, and, well, The Breakfast Club, S = Y is like a long-overdue vindication.
#3 Erykah Badu / New Amerykah
First off I must say that seeing her live performance was a truly inspirational event for me, Ever since her debut album I wait in anticipation for anything new from Badu. I waited 5 years for this one & WOW it was well worth it. New Amerykah is an epic achievement about positioning oneself in the world. While its political leanings suggest an attention to family, community, and national identity, the album is most potent in the personal realm. Ms. Badu is not afraid to explore her own struggles and shortcomings.
#4 Deerhunter / Microcastle
Deerhunter have really pushed the hooks and the melodies front and center on Microcastle and they let their impeccable and absolutely gorgeous songwriting do the talking. Don’t worry the distortion and effects are still there.
#5 Bon Iver / For Emma, Forever Ago
#8 Santogold / Santogold
Santogold hasn’t broken through to the masses quite yet, but it feels like it’s just a matter of time. I love this album cuz it has it all; ‘80s ska on ‘Shove It‘, a touch of Siouxsie Sioux with ‘My Superman‘, but it also has a sound of something new like on ’Creator’. This is a solid debut--it‘s a dark trip that consists of a few pop gems & I am looking forward for more from Ms Santi
White
#9 Fleet Foxes / Fleet Foxes
Harmonies of Crosby, Stills, and Nash and the Beach Boys, the haunted atmospherics of My Morning Jacket, and the whole of Brian Wilson’s “Teenage Symphonies to God” esthetic, and synthesized them into something with a life all its own.
#10 Nick Cave / Dig!!! Lazarus Dig!!!
#11 Lykke Li / Youth Novels
She strikes the perfect balance between art and pop & I just can‘t get enough of it. Ingeniously it was produced by Bjorn Yttling of Peter, Bjorn & John, it bucks convention left and right, the arrangements are actually very clever, acoustic guitar and percussion dominating, but utilized like dance music accompaniment, as opposed to synths doing all the work. Its Charmingly organic, in other words, completely devoid of pretentiousness.
#13 Shearwater / Rook
“Rooks”, the title track, presents itself with all the elements that characterize the whole album. Tension between loudness and softness, simple and symphonic The album has a dark eeriness to it and is echoed by the strange lyrics Jon Meiburg sings in his delicate crooning voice. I had the opportunity to meet & interview the band, and it was an experience that I won’t forget.
#14 Hot Chip / Made in the Dark
The budding catchiness of “Ready for the Floor” may very well be the best song of their short career so far, while even the more emotionally demanding pieces like the seductive “We’re Looking for a Lot of Love” and the swanky “Don’t Dance” prove wildly successful, providing a fair amount of diversity to an album whose genre usually does not demand it. It simply proves that Hot Chip are beginning to think outside of the box and, in doing so, are succeeding dramatically.
#15 Vampire Weekend / Vampire Weekend
You know‘em, well at least by now you should, they are the most loved & most hated band of the year. Their influences are diverse, a little bit of Africa, a lot of New York and something that’s reminiscent of a feel good 80’s movie about girls. There isn’t a bad song on the album, their sound is distinct, enjoyable and survivable of intense multiple listenings.
#17 Vivian Girls / Vivian Girls
Between the initial buzz and the obvious backlash the girls faced they had a really up and down year in the blog world, but when all is said and done and the music is allowed to speak for itself, Vivian Girls made a really solid punk afflicted record. It fits in well with all the hyped up lo-fi sounds being shilled about these days, it rocks. It's that straight forward attitude that really makes this record a keeper and I believe as the ladies perfect their chops we'll be hearing a lot more from them. At least I hope we will, so long as all the blog hate doesn't get them down.
#18 The Raveonettes / Lust Lust Lust
The garage revivalists push their fuzzy retro-rock into gritty, modern territory
#19 The Kills / Midnight Boom
I don't know who thought it would be a good idea to pair The Kills with producer, Armani XXXchange, but thank the gods they did, as the Spank Rock-er injects the primal boogie of VV and Hotel's previous albums with a renewed rhythmic focus and an ear for odd percussive noises. Midnight Boom is all about the rhythm and bounce of great pop music, but it's never at the expense of a good hook. The Kills' latest consists of some of their best songs to date.
#20 Hercules & Love Affair / Self Titled
“Disco revivalism” done extremely well. The first time I heard Antony Hegarty vocals on ‘Blind’ I was in love.
#22 Amadou & Mariam / Welcome to Mali
#24 School of Seven Bells / Alpinisms
Built out of fallen members of two bands, Secret Machines and On!Air!Library!, School of Seven Bells was one of 2008's biggest pleasant surprises for me - a collection of gorgeous electro-pop that strikes a balance between the squelchy, laptop-infused girl-group sounds of Stereolab and the grinding, effects-laden psychedelia of Black Moth Super Rainbow. Most of the songs tend to grab hold of a neat groove and ride it out, and as such could probably benefit from shaving off some seconds, but overall, the band has an impossibly good sound built on hypnotic earworm vocals and erratic, spunky, sound-bath electronica. Top tracks: Prince of Peace, Iamundernodisguise, and Chain.
#25 The Bug / London Zoo
#26 Diplo & Santogold / Top Ranking
Diplo's 35-track mix delves deep, expanding the palette into reggaeton, classic rock and, even, Gerri and the Holograms. Like TV on the Radio, Santi White doesn't so much trample genre as surf its waves, staying upright on the turbulence with an acute sense of balance and conviction.
#27 Foals / Antidotes
The album was released at the end of March on Sub Pop and despite some poor reviews from most notably the NME and Pitchfork who gave it 5.9 I still think it’s an impressive debut album from one most hard working band in Britain.
#28 Starfucker / Starfucker
Starfucker’s first full-length is a catchy stroll through a pop-psychedelic dreamland. Simple, darling beats, paired with little fluffs of cotton-candy. The vocal melodies carry you through the record effortlessly with no bumps to mention. There are certainly a few tunes on this record that shine through as the “hits” but the album as a whole is pulled together really well into a cohesive pop record. Starfucker’s true brilliance in their ability to create engaging three minute songs with only one lyrical phrase repeated throughout. Some call it skimpy or boring but I call it a new pop song formula. Great, great, debut.
#29 The Ruby Suns / Sea Lion
By now you've all seen the Windows Vista commercial and wondered what that wonderful tune was playing in the background. Well it is "Oh, Mojave" by the New Zealand band known as the Ruby Suns. This album was released early 2008 & I was hoping I wouldn’t forget about it come to my end of year list making. The album is a distant, beautiful hum of washed-out vocals delivered in both English and Maori, set to backdrop arrangements that recall Panda Bear’s soundscaped cacophonies at times, more typical folk strums at others. But give it time to take root in your canals and Sea Lion will come alive.
#30 Experimental Aircraft / Third Transmission
I'm sure that I am the only one listing this album on their end of list, maybe that's because I am somewhat predictable when it comes to the bands that fall into the 'shoegaze' category. They’ve found that nice realm of sonic beauty between My Bloody Valentine and driven indie rock. Though Experimental Aircraft's third L.P. features several songs which can be enjoyed individually, songs such as "Stellar", "Remember", "Paintings in the Attic", and "With a Gun", Third Transmission, is one of those albums one needs to listen to in whole to best appreciate. The album flows flawlessly, with each song contributing towards the sixty-mute blur of hazy noise rock, complete with its beautiful musical backdrop, and engaging instrumentation. Pretty good for a band whose previous release was a seven track recording from 2002, huh?
This album is wicked good, & it's wickedly creepy. I think most of us were shocked when they first gave Third a listen, it was something different. It is such a challenging listen it's hard to recommend to the uninitiated. But like a dive into icy water, it may sting at first, but you'll emerge exhilarated, and feeling joyfully, utterly alive once you get it. On Third, they dropped the clichéd trip-hop beats, instead they evolved into futuristic soundscapes that include the tripped-out prog vibes of "Small," moog synths in "Machine Gun," and freaked out cacophony of jazz horns on "Magic Doors".
Portishead have become one of the most important and influential artists of my generation. So much so that even Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood recorded an impromptu cover of "The Rip" as an homage to one of Radiohead's favorite bands. Portishead's Third is more than the album of 2008, this is a snapshot of the unknown future
Anthony Gonzalez’s fondness for Pretty in Pink is actually a noble cause on Saturdays = Youth, however, his fifth studio album as M83 may be his finest endeavor yet. I couldn’t stop listening to this album for an entire month, maybe even two months. For those of us raised on the Cocteau Twins, Kate Bush, and, well, The Breakfast Club, S = Y is like a long-overdue vindication.
#3 Erykah Badu / New Amerykah
First off I must say that seeing her live performance was a truly inspirational event for me, Ever since her debut album I wait in anticipation for anything new from Badu. I waited 5 years for this one & WOW it was well worth it. New Amerykah is an epic achievement about positioning oneself in the world. While its political leanings suggest an attention to family, community, and national identity, the album is most potent in the personal realm. Ms. Badu is not afraid to explore her own struggles and shortcomings.
#4 Deerhunter / Microcastle
Deerhunter have really pushed the hooks and the melodies front and center on Microcastle and they let their impeccable and absolutely gorgeous songwriting do the talking. Don’t worry the distortion and effects are still there.
#5 Bon Iver / For Emma, Forever Ago
Justin Vernon (aka Bon Iver) found himself in an honest battle with life’s confrontations and how to put them into musical form. For Emma, Forever Ago shows that no amount of glossy production and formulaic songwriting can compare to a man with a six-string and real feelings. These nine songs of lo-fidelity demand your attention with every sitting, it’s the most beautiful album that I’ve heard this year.
#6 MGMT / Oracular Spectacular
Hmmm…how to describe this one, it’s a barrage of psychedelic electronica, & cocaine-pop meeting glam. Got it? It’s just crazy good.
Hmmm…how to describe this one, it’s a barrage of psychedelic electronica, & cocaine-pop meeting glam. Got it? It’s just crazy good.
#7 TV on the Radio / Dear Science
TV on the Radio has yet to make a bad album. And I need to thank them for being awesome, yet again.
TV on the Radio has yet to make a bad album. And I need to thank them for being awesome, yet again.
#8 Santogold / Santogold
Santogold hasn’t broken through to the masses quite yet, but it feels like it’s just a matter of time. I love this album cuz it has it all; ‘80s ska on ‘Shove It‘, a touch of Siouxsie Sioux with ‘My Superman‘, but it also has a sound of something new like on ’Creator’. This is a solid debut--it‘s a dark trip that consists of a few pop gems & I am looking forward for more from Ms Santi
White
#9 Fleet Foxes / Fleet Foxes
Harmonies of Crosby, Stills, and Nash and the Beach Boys, the haunted atmospherics of My Morning Jacket, and the whole of Brian Wilson’s “Teenage Symphonies to God” esthetic, and synthesized them into something with a life all its own.
#10 Nick Cave / Dig!!! Lazarus Dig!!!
He’s back on his 14th studio album with funnier black humor, smarter and more wonderfully twisted lyrics.
#11 Lykke Li / Youth Novels
She strikes the perfect balance between art and pop & I just can‘t get enough of it. Ingeniously it was produced by Bjorn Yttling of Peter, Bjorn & John, it bucks convention left and right, the arrangements are actually very clever, acoustic guitar and percussion dominating, but utilized like dance music accompaniment, as opposed to synths doing all the work. Its Charmingly organic, in other words, completely devoid of pretentiousness.
#12 The Very Best / The Very Best Mix Tape (Esau Mwamwaya & Radioclit)
2008 introduced Esau Mwamwaya and his take on African music to the mainstream music world. Teaming up with Radioclit, the pair have created something completely unique by adding an African element to more traditional sampling. Their upcoming debut release is high up on the albums to look forward to in 2009 list. Oh and did I mention, this was released for free via the net.
2008 introduced Esau Mwamwaya and his take on African music to the mainstream music world. Teaming up with Radioclit, the pair have created something completely unique by adding an African element to more traditional sampling. Their upcoming debut release is high up on the albums to look forward to in 2009 list. Oh and did I mention, this was released for free via the net.
#13 Shearwater / Rook
“Rooks”, the title track, presents itself with all the elements that characterize the whole album. Tension between loudness and softness, simple and symphonic The album has a dark eeriness to it and is echoed by the strange lyrics Jon Meiburg sings in his delicate crooning voice. I had the opportunity to meet & interview the band, and it was an experience that I won’t forget.
#14 Hot Chip / Made in the Dark
The budding catchiness of “Ready for the Floor” may very well be the best song of their short career so far, while even the more emotionally demanding pieces like the seductive “We’re Looking for a Lot of Love” and the swanky “Don’t Dance” prove wildly successful, providing a fair amount of diversity to an album whose genre usually does not demand it. It simply proves that Hot Chip are beginning to think outside of the box and, in doing so, are succeeding dramatically.
#15 Vampire Weekend / Vampire Weekend
You know‘em, well at least by now you should, they are the most loved & most hated band of the year. Their influences are diverse, a little bit of Africa, a lot of New York and something that’s reminiscent of a feel good 80’s movie about girls. There isn’t a bad song on the album, their sound is distinct, enjoyable and survivable of intense multiple listenings.
#16 Lucinda Williams / Little Honey
It’s her best and most diverse album since her classic ’Car Wheels on a Gravel Road’.
It’s her best and most diverse album since her classic ’Car Wheels on a Gravel Road’.
#17 Vivian Girls / Vivian Girls
Between the initial buzz and the obvious backlash the girls faced they had a really up and down year in the blog world, but when all is said and done and the music is allowed to speak for itself, Vivian Girls made a really solid punk afflicted record. It fits in well with all the hyped up lo-fi sounds being shilled about these days, it rocks. It's that straight forward attitude that really makes this record a keeper and I believe as the ladies perfect their chops we'll be hearing a lot more from them. At least I hope we will, so long as all the blog hate doesn't get them down.
#18 The Raveonettes / Lust Lust Lust
The garage revivalists push their fuzzy retro-rock into gritty, modern territory
#19 The Kills / Midnight Boom
I don't know who thought it would be a good idea to pair The Kills with producer, Armani XXXchange, but thank the gods they did, as the Spank Rock-er injects the primal boogie of VV and Hotel's previous albums with a renewed rhythmic focus and an ear for odd percussive noises. Midnight Boom is all about the rhythm and bounce of great pop music, but it's never at the expense of a good hook. The Kills' latest consists of some of their best songs to date.
#20 Hercules & Love Affair / Self Titled
“Disco revivalism” done extremely well. The first time I heard Antony Hegarty vocals on ‘Blind’ I was in love.
#21 Cut Copy / In Ghost Colours
2008 was a big year for Australian music. In Ghost Colours was the highly anticipated, follow up to the groups 2003 debut. The album proved the wait was worthwhile, it’s a pleasurable listen from beginning to end. The album also added fuel to the disco resurgence as well as keeping the retro 80’s vibe alive.
2008 was a big year for Australian music. In Ghost Colours was the highly anticipated, follow up to the groups 2003 debut. The album proved the wait was worthwhile, it’s a pleasurable listen from beginning to end. The album also added fuel to the disco resurgence as well as keeping the retro 80’s vibe alive.
#22 Amadou & Mariam / Welcome to Mali
The duo brings their melancholy take on Malian music to the world, taking on electro, reggae and the Smiths like the coolest 50-year-olds around.
#23 Goldfrapp / Seventh Tree
The notion of Goldfrapp going all acoustic and folky makes it seem like they're pandering to the Starbucks crowd in search of the latest drab adult-contemporary dreck, but the album is clever. Gregory's electronic elements remain, but this time the touches are far more subtle, the understated synths and beats actually enhancing the pastoral feel of the acoustic guitar-driven compositions. There's a lot of Kate Bush going on here, but also a lot of Nick Drake, and it makes for a terrific combination on tracks like "Clowns", "Little Bird", and "Some People". The bubbly "Happiness" is a wry little satire of Scientology, the buoyant "Caravan Girl" is the most upbeat, pleasant, downright sunny song Goldfrapp has ever recorded, but the one track that takes the proverbial cake is the drop-dead gorgeous "A&E", in which Goldfrapp eschews her usual enigmatic poetry for a genuinely heartbreaking character sketch of a woman who wakes up in an emergency room, a perfect encapsulation of this album's luminous quality.
The notion of Goldfrapp going all acoustic and folky makes it seem like they're pandering to the Starbucks crowd in search of the latest drab adult-contemporary dreck, but the album is clever. Gregory's electronic elements remain, but this time the touches are far more subtle, the understated synths and beats actually enhancing the pastoral feel of the acoustic guitar-driven compositions. There's a lot of Kate Bush going on here, but also a lot of Nick Drake, and it makes for a terrific combination on tracks like "Clowns", "Little Bird", and "Some People". The bubbly "Happiness" is a wry little satire of Scientology, the buoyant "Caravan Girl" is the most upbeat, pleasant, downright sunny song Goldfrapp has ever recorded, but the one track that takes the proverbial cake is the drop-dead gorgeous "A&E", in which Goldfrapp eschews her usual enigmatic poetry for a genuinely heartbreaking character sketch of a woman who wakes up in an emergency room, a perfect encapsulation of this album's luminous quality.
#24 School of Seven Bells / Alpinisms
Built out of fallen members of two bands, Secret Machines and On!Air!Library!, School of Seven Bells was one of 2008's biggest pleasant surprises for me - a collection of gorgeous electro-pop that strikes a balance between the squelchy, laptop-infused girl-group sounds of Stereolab and the grinding, effects-laden psychedelia of Black Moth Super Rainbow. Most of the songs tend to grab hold of a neat groove and ride it out, and as such could probably benefit from shaving off some seconds, but overall, the band has an impossibly good sound built on hypnotic earworm vocals and erratic, spunky, sound-bath electronica. Top tracks: Prince of Peace, Iamundernodisguise, and Chain.
#25 The Bug / London Zoo
I was instantly drawn to the murky, sinister, dark tones of Tricky's classic Maxinquaye, it was the kind of urban music from the UK that seemed alien to someone like me, but was so engrossing, so incredibly vicious. Since then I have never heard an electronic/hip hop album that has been able to match the mood of Maxinquaye, but much to my surprise this past summer, The Bug came as close as anyone has. From reggae to electronica to grime to dancehall to hip-hop to dubstep, London Zoo is a thick, thumping musical fog; a monstrous tour de force that was simply unmatched this year.
#26 Diplo & Santogold / Top Ranking
Diplo's 35-track mix delves deep, expanding the palette into reggaeton, classic rock and, even, Gerri and the Holograms. Like TV on the Radio, Santi White doesn't so much trample genre as surf its waves, staying upright on the turbulence with an acute sense of balance and conviction.
#27 Foals / Antidotes
The album was released at the end of March on Sub Pop and despite some poor reviews from most notably the NME and Pitchfork who gave it 5.9 I still think it’s an impressive debut album from one most hard working band in Britain.
#28 Starfucker / Starfucker
Starfucker’s first full-length is a catchy stroll through a pop-psychedelic dreamland. Simple, darling beats, paired with little fluffs of cotton-candy. The vocal melodies carry you through the record effortlessly with no bumps to mention. There are certainly a few tunes on this record that shine through as the “hits” but the album as a whole is pulled together really well into a cohesive pop record. Starfucker’s true brilliance in their ability to create engaging three minute songs with only one lyrical phrase repeated throughout. Some call it skimpy or boring but I call it a new pop song formula. Great, great, debut.
#29 The Ruby Suns / Sea Lion
By now you've all seen the Windows Vista commercial and wondered what that wonderful tune was playing in the background. Well it is "Oh, Mojave" by the New Zealand band known as the Ruby Suns. This album was released early 2008 & I was hoping I wouldn’t forget about it come to my end of year list making. The album is a distant, beautiful hum of washed-out vocals delivered in both English and Maori, set to backdrop arrangements that recall Panda Bear’s soundscaped cacophonies at times, more typical folk strums at others. But give it time to take root in your canals and Sea Lion will come alive.
#30 Experimental Aircraft / Third Transmission
I'm sure that I am the only one listing this album on their end of list, maybe that's because I am somewhat predictable when it comes to the bands that fall into the 'shoegaze' category. They’ve found that nice realm of sonic beauty between My Bloody Valentine and driven indie rock. Though Experimental Aircraft's third L.P. features several songs which can be enjoyed individually, songs such as "Stellar", "Remember", "Paintings in the Attic", and "With a Gun", Third Transmission, is one of those albums one needs to listen to in whole to best appreciate. The album flows flawlessly, with each song contributing towards the sixty-mute blur of hazy noise rock, complete with its beautiful musical backdrop, and engaging instrumentation. Pretty good for a band whose previous release was a seven track recording from 2002, huh?
