The “Best” Of The Year?
Yes, it’s that time of year, and the lists have begun.
I picked up a copy the Dec/Jan issue of Paste Magazine, and they have their year end “best” of lists, including Album of The Year. I listen to a lot of music, but not nearly enough to argue too many lists that will come out, so no personal commentary on their number 1 pick. She & Him take the prize with Volume One.
As I begin to think about my list, I’d be curious as to what some of you folks out there might be thinking. That is, if anyone reads this blog anymore?
Best album of the year (for me) has to be Laulu Laakson Kukista by Paavoharju.
I listened to MGMT’s debut and really liked what I heard. I see a new genre emerging. Fashion influence seems to strong. Gay/homeless seems to stand out. Their music is actually quite infectious with seeming to be pretentious or forced. Lyrically, they seem to have their fingers on the pulse of the discontented crew of new grads who must face a threadbare post-Bush economy. Who can deny “This si our decision, to live fast and die young, we have our vision, so now let’s have some fun” from Time to Pretend.
She and Him, is a home-run. M. Ward has long been an underground secret. If Tom Waits and Beck had a baby and had lamaze classes in Haight Ashbury, M. Ward would be that lucky tot. And Zooey, she can look cute in a dime-store skirt AND rock the mic? Who knew?
I love reading best of lists because i see how others think. this is my top 10 of 2008.
1. sun kil moon – april – simply put this collection of songs are simply amazing. I love mark kozelek especially when he adds electric guitars.
2. tv on the radio – dear science – i think this band gets stronger with each album.
3. my morning jacket – evil urges – as much as i want to put this #1 i think there are some great songs but the overall cohesion of the album is lacking for me. i understand why the band wanted to make a record to challenge there fans and live the songs are better but there are some clunkers (highly suspicious, librarian).
4. bob mould – district line – a solid return of an alt legend. one of his best in years.
5ryan adams – cardinology – by far his best disc since cold roses.
6. bon iver – for emma forever – probably my favorite debut of the year.
7. drive by truckers – brighter than creation – i think this is probably there strongest album to date.
8. r.e.m. accelerate – a return to form.
9. dead confederate – wrecking ball, another steller debut disc.
10. Nada surf – lucky – the power pop album of the year.
some singles of the year( in no particular order)
supernatural superserious – r.e.m.
family tree – tv on the radio
skinny love – bon iver
mercy – duffy
the light – sun kil moon
sex on fire – kings of leon
the rat – dead confederate
I won’t teach your boyfriend how to dance – black kids
In the new year – the walkman
Still read the blog on a daily basis, keep up the great work!
I’m still working on my top-10, this is going to be a tough year since there was so much good stuff. Among them will certainly be Drive-By Truckers, Dead Confederate, and Shearwater.
This is a no-brainer. And the winner is…Dead Confederate “Wrecking Ball”
Album
Glasvegas – Glasvegas
1) Fleet Foxes – Fleet Foxes
2) Why? – Alopecia
3) TV on the Radio – Dear Science
4) Frightened Rabbit – The Midnight Organ Fight
5) Man Man – Rabbit Habits
6) Vampire Weekend – Vampire Weekend
7) Wolf Parade – At Mt. Zoomer
9) Hercules and Love Affair – S/T
10) Cloud Cult – Feel Good Ghosts
Song
Black Mountain – “Tyrants”
1) Sigur Ros – “Inni Mer Syngur Vitleysingur”
2) Fleet Foxes – “White Winter Hymnal”
3) MGMT – “Kids”
4) Frightened Rabbit – “Keep Yourself Warm”
5) Vampire Weekend – “M79”
6) Why? – “The Vowels Pt 2”
7) Glasvegas – “Daddy’s Gone”
9) Pete and the Pirates – “Mr. Understanding”
10) Ra Ra Riot – “Ghost Under Rocks”
She & Him? Is that a joke. I love M. Ward but that really surprises me
I dropped my top 10 list (perhaps a little prematurely) last week, and there will be a follow-up list of those records that just missed out on being included maybe within the next day or two. Meanwhile, none of my lazy fellow blogmates have posted theirs. Slackers!
http://ondeafears.com/2008/12/08/jasons-top-ten-albums-of-2008/