I don’t listen to enough albums in a year to really quantify a “best of” list, so instead I provide you with the music that I listened to the most over the course of 2008. This process of putting together year end lists is, to say the least, unpleasant. Of course these recordings were all released in 2008.

Before I forage into this list, I have to say that some of the lists that I have seen, have been a bit…interesting. Interesting is a safe enough word? I’m sure that the same could be said for the list that I’m putting together as well.

-Dead Confederate Wrecking Ball

Shouldn’t be of any surprise to anyone, should it? To stand alone musically these days is an accomplishment that few bands could ever hope to achieve. While Dead Confederate stand tall on the shoulders of giants, they stand tall with their bootstraps tight and their own sound wound deep within the trenches of those giants. Understanding a bands influence is one piece of the puzzle, but understanding the band’s talent aside from those influences is where many critics have failed this band. In a society of now, and in seconds, Dead Confederate take the time to create music that demands a patient listen. You may not get it in 5 min, or 10 min, but if you give it the time it deserves, patience will be rewarded. It’s everything that is, can be, and has always been great about rock-n-roll.

MP3> Dead Confederate ‘Goner’

-Bon Iver For Emma, Forever Ago

Aside from my addiction to guitar heavy rock, I have a lighter, patient, acoustic, singer-songwriter side to me that I indulge from time to time. There’s nothing more completely inspiring to me than an individual that can sit down with a mic and a guitar and craft songs so intimate, so personal, and so complete within the minimalist confines of that structure. Bon Iver tapped into that side with me with the incredibly beautiful and haunting release For Emma, Forver Ago. It’s one of those recordings that you put on, absorb quietly, and then suddenly realize that you have reached the end, wishing for it to start over once again. Hopefully you all know the story by now, and if you don’t, it’ll provide you with a greater appreciation for the recording. We’ll all be keeping eyes on Justin Vernon over the next couple of years.

MP3> Bon Iver ‘Blindsided’

-Colour Revolt Plunder, Beg, and Curse

I’m probably one of few that is putting Colour Revolt on their year end list, and I’m damn proud of that fact. Back to my desire for guitars, these guys have 3 working in the band, and working damn fine if I might say. Yes Andy, you were right. The 5 guys in Colour Revolt, hailing from Mississippi, are doing something special. They confront and question in dark lyrical passages wrapped in complex, building song structures accentuated with math-like guitar work. Vocalist Jesse Coppenbarger screams are the honest voice that many of us fail to find or exercise and the music so perfectly sets the tone for that honesty.

MP3> Colour Revolt ‘Elegant View’

-Land of Talk Some Lakes

I’ve been a fan of Elizabeth Powell ever since I witness her passive aggressive youthful performance while touring in support of Hiss, Boo, Cheer last year. Some Lakes finds Powell in a more patient writing mode, finding and exploring the essence of each song, understanding the true potential for taking time to complete the journey. Lyrically playful, musically, a talent of minimalist structure that works extremely well.  A truly unappreciated attempt, is what I feel this recording will end up being, much to my disbelief. As a side note, Justin Vernon worked on this recording, you know the guy from Bon Iver? I think that he and Powell are pretty good friends.

MP3> Land of Talk ‘Death By Fire’

-Fleet Foxes (self-titled) & Giant EP

Well, well, well, if it isn’t the mighty Fleet Foxes. If there is any buzz band that I hopped on board with this year it has to be these guys. I resisted, and resisted, and finally caved. There is an honest pureness, humility, and sense of genuine that this band exudes that cannot be denied. That, and they are some talented guys who harmonize like muther fukcers. What is to come from the band in 2009 will confirm or deny their ability to remain relevant.

MP3> Fleet Foxes ‘Ragged Wood’

-Frightened Rabbit The Midnight Organ Fight

MP3> Frightened Rabbit ‘Heads Roll Off‘

If you are anything like me, Frightened Rabbit has a song for you. The Scottish band of 2 brothers, formulate songs that spell out a regular diet of alcohol hazed events and relationships as a result of, that speak volume’s to many. If you think back hard enough, you’ve  been there, like it or not, and they say it better than you wish you would’ve at the time. A hazy love affair with modern folk music that is quite…honest.

-Deerhunter Microcastle

I know what you’re thinking.. jump on the bandwagon muther fucker! To be quite honest, I first saw the band @ Emos inside awhile ago, and not knowing anything about them, I was drawn to the music. I bought the Kryptograms release and was marginally unimpressed. I didn’t forget them though, as they left a mark on me for some reason.  2008, Microcastle is released, and as the album is much more palatable, the live show seals the deal. The recording is ambient, rock, and sometimes simplistic, yet it conveys a sound that represents a band that is in control of something, something that feels and sounds good.. Sometimes it’s a package with the recording and live performance that seals the deal.

MP3> Deerhunter ‘Agoraphopia’

-The Walkmen You & Me

MP3> The Walkmen ‘Red Moon‘

Not going to lie, I built my original liking for The Walkmen based on the single “The Rat”, which coincidentally is a song title on the Dead Confederate album aforementioned. Aside from that, this latest recording reveals a band bound in romantic ideals of relationships connected to a sense of constant movement. As if the main character bounds about the globe with the constant reminder in his suitcase of the life that is, or could have been.  Once again, the live performance from this band secured my belief in the music. Incredibly executed, with simple instrumentation, and not so simple passion. Classic and modern.

Well, that’s my list, I did it and have to admit, it wasn’t all that bad. I apologize if I offended anyone with the muther fucker language, and yes I am aware that it’s mispelled once. 9 recordings, not 10. I could’ve stretched to the usual round number of ten, but it would have been a stretch. I didn’t count until I had finished writing, so it wasn’t something that I had planned. Hope you enjoy. Now go out and buy some damn music!

This entry was posted on Thursday, December 18th, 2008 at 10:33 pm and is filed under mp3's, recommended.