My Top 25 Albums of 2008

[Myrrhman]

Not my favorite year in music, but it led my tastes in directions I never expected. I'll try to post a track for every album (get em' while they're hot), and the write-up's will get lengthier every 5 or so. Feel free to comment, I love a good discussion about music.

Honorable Mentions:
Destroyer - Trouble In Dreams
Earth - The Bees Made The Honey in The Lion's Skull
Jacaszek - Treny
Kelley Polar - I Need You to Hold on While The Sky is Falling
Arthur Russell - Love Is Overtaking Me


THE LIST:
25. The Hospitals - Hairdryer Peace
24. Amadou & Mariam - Welcome to Mali
23. Air France - No Way Down [EP]
22. Fuck Buttons - Street Horrrsing
21. Atlas Sound - Let the Blind Lead Those Who Can See But Cannot Feel
20. G-Side - Starshipz and Rocketz
19. Vivian Girls - Vivian Girls
18. Kingdom Shore - ...And All The Dogs To Shark
17. Benoît Pouliard - Temper
16. No Age - Nouns
15. Wavves - Wavves
14. British Sea Power - Do You Like Rock Music?
13. The Walkmen - You & Me
12. Crystal Antlers - Crystal Antlers [EP]
11. The War On Drugs - Wagonwheel Blues
10. Women - Women
09. High Places - 03/07 - 09/07 / High Places
08. The Dodos - Visiter
07. Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes
06. Various Artists - HEALTH//DISCO
05. Lindstrøm - Where You Go I Go Too
04. Gang Gang Dance - Saint Dymphna
03. Hercules & Love Affair - Hercules & Love Affair
02. Deerhunter - Microcastle / Weird Era Cont.
01. Cut Copy - In Ghost Colours

[Myrrhman]

25. THE HOSPITALS - HAIRDRYER PEACE


The first of many lo-fi bands to make the list is also the most musically abstract and abrasive. Within is the marriage of the puerile exploration of noise and punk. Sounds are so muddied that their ambiguous forms sound more like broken appliances singing their swan songs than the instrument notes they actually are. I don't expect many to not find it obnoxious, but it certainly has some of the most inventive sounds I've heard all year, and I admire the ambition and unfettered vision.

Key tracks: Getting Out of Bed, Rules for Being Alive, Animal Act Natural

[Myrrhman]

24. AMADOU & MARIAM - WELCOME TO MALI


When I first heard "Sabali" maybe a month and half ago, I knew no matter how it was packaged it would be one of my favorite recordings of the year. Compelling in its simplicity, and majestic in its power the track is just a revelation. You may not understand what Mariam is singing, but you can feel it's beauty and heart-melting sentiment. It transcends the language barrier, as music is ought to do. The rest of the album may not reach "Sabali"'s heights, but it features groove after groove of effortlessly virtuoso guitar work, complex rhythms, and a certain soul that most bands forgo when they think they've become "serious musicians". Well, these guys are true musicians, in the fact you can still tell that they love what they do, and they have every reason to be: they're great at it.

Key tracks:
Sabali, Ce N'est Pas Bon, Je Te Kiffe, Sebeke

[Myrrhman]

23. AIR FRANCE - NO WAY DOWN [EP]


With Swedish compatriots The Studio and The Tough Alliance, Air France has been known to take The Avalanches style of sampled collages to the tropics. Or, at least in their 2006 effort On Trade Winds, on No Way Down while still having sleepy vocals and breezy arrangements, it seems like a summer rain has fallen over this two piece. The heavier emphasis of synths makes the tracks have an 8o's sheen and almost contemplative quality. In this way, it overcomes the pastiche and becomes something original and subtly beautiful in it's own right, without feeling the need to hit you over the head with over-compressed beats. This is how pop should be thought of.

Key tracks:
Maundy Thursday, June Evenings, No Excuses

[Myrrhman]

22. FUCK BUTTONS - STREET HORRRSING


I was a pretty harsh critic when this originally came out earlier in 2008 (and I still hold that it has the worst cover art of the year). I found it to be an uninspired amalgam and brief history of the noise genre. Going all the way from keyboards of CAN to the screamo of The Blood Brothers (of course with the tribalism Brooklyn acts like Black Dice thrown in as well.) In many ways it still is a combination of all these acts, but mainly it's a celebration that shakes the stagnation of the genre by allowing it to take form. Using an array of non-classical instruments (electronic toy microphones, other toy electronics) they create a startling tapestry of noise that is both monumental, ever rising, and even sometimes pretty. Not always pretty though, sometimes just raw and atmospheric, but always with a propulsion that latches onto your psyche, terrifying or seductive. Still not sold on the harsh throat screaming, but the music is doing more fascinating things.

Key tracks:
Sweet Love For Planet Earth*, Ribs Out**, Colours Move



* most indicative of their sound
** favorite track (this is always the one I link in other posts, unless noted otherwise like now)

[Myrrhman]

21. ATLAS SOUND - LET THE BLIND LEAD THOSE WHO CAN SEE BUT CANNOT FEEL


Another one I didn't like from the get-go (although, moreso from disappointment), Bradford Cox's (of Deerhunter) side project seemed like a limp novelty, a safe retreat from all the adventurous sounds that were made on the band's album "Cryptograms". These sounded like B-sides with simple structures and some tape loop noise gimmick to give it edge. Basically, its subtlety flew over my head. While it's not perfect, and at times I feel it is tame, Cox has an incredible ear for textures and layers (turn up "Ready, Set, Glow" as loud as you possibly can, and see what I mean). In the right mindset, this albums kind of slinks down your conscious, Cox's notorious use of vocal repetition becoming like a mantra in the back of your head, and all of a sudden it all kind of makes sense. While Deerhunter is Cox's external act, all brash, loud, and creepy, Atlas sound delves into the internal mirk where melodies still hold the innocence of when you first write them—and this is his plea to keep them like that. We're just now privy to it. (Although, I can't forgive him for ruining my favorite Deerhunter song "After Class" with the incarnation he presents here).

Key tracks:
Recent Bedroom, Quarantined, Cold as Ice, Ready Set Glow, Ativan

[Myrrhman]

20. G-SIDE - STARSHIPZ AND ROCKETZ


Unfortunately, the only hip-hop album to make the list, but I feel it would trump other albums regardless of what year it came out. This is the Alabama hip-hop scene via space. The album shines in it's smooth and stellar production. It takes the last few years of synth fetishizing hip-hop and perfects it so it communicates something beyond the surface. Despite being relatively underground, the group have a confidence and ambition that's deserved and will help them soon dominate their peers. But, honestly, they may not care; they're probably the best producers in the game, but their on another world, and thank god they gave us a sample of starry universe they see. This is bangin' and if I had discovered it earlier, I can assure it would have been in top 5.

Key tracks:
G-SIDER, Strictly Buzinezz, Hit Da Block, Speed Of Sound

[Myrrhman]

19. VIVIAN GIRLS - VIVIAN GIRLS


Taking from the 90's tradition of twee and shoegaze, Vivian Girls sculpt their self-titled debut as a concise, immediate, and rollicking 20 min pop album. What they don't have in technical skill they make up for in heart and strong melodies and constructions (as well as inventive use of doo-wop girl group vocals, i.e. "Such A Joke"). It's true that this year had a lot of bands just re-appropriate older fringe genres rather than contributing anything fresh, but Vivian Girls add to the genre they love, and it becomes more than a admiring tribute but an additional document to the sound. This is fun, carefree music, best enjoyed without pretense, but with an appreciation of the DIY spirit. It's a testament that you can listen to this on repeat for hours and still find it's pop hooks timeless.

Key tracks:
Such a Joke, Wild Eyes, Where Do You Run To, I Believe In Nothing

[Myrrhman]

18. KINGDOM SHORE - ...AND ALL THE DOGS TO SHARK


By far the most erudite album on my list, and I have only scratched the surface. Composed with only 4 violins, this music is horrifying, startling, evocative, and always a few steps ahead. Imagine a schizophrenic Arvo Part with a penchant for horror films or Steve Reich studying under The Nation of Ulysses and you might get a glimpse of what this is like. This is not an accessible album, but a pure testament of the artist making no allowances for appeal. Once your ears get accustomed to the incredibly intricate structures, rhythms, counter-rhythyms, and harmonics you'll find something constantly engaging and constantly evolving. It's not higher up only because I believe I need to listen more, but nevertheless I present to you the most stimulating thing you'll probably hear all year. Whether you like it or not.

Key Tracks:
Stray Bullets Singing “It’s Not What You Say But Who You Give It To (excerpt), ...And All Dogs To Shark, Little Birdie, Little Birdie, Why Do You Sing Your Song? Such A Short Time To Be Here, And A Long Time To Be Gone.

[a happy song]

I'm so out of the loop and I really need not to be, so thank you for this thread. Lots of exploring to be done.

[Myrrhman]

17. BENOîT PIOULARD - TEMPER


Following up his promising debut "Precís" the cultivated persona Benoît Pioulard gives us more autumnal strumming, airy vocals, and found soundscapes, but now with a little more interest in drone (check out the Stars of the Lid-esque "Modèle D'éclat"). Truthfully, the album doesn't constitute much growth on his part, but that does not stop it from being incredibly pleasant, deft, and a perfect companion to long winter walks. What separates him from the slew of boring and innocuous singer/songwriters is his affinity for texture. All of the sounds seem like field recordings and he bathes them in a celestial drone and beauty, creating a nostalgia around his work that can be called contrived, but ultimately, it works. Although it may not show progression, this is still gorgeous stuff, and why try to fix what's not broken... yet?

Key tracks:
Ahn, The Loom Pedal, Modèle D'éclat, A Woolgathering Exodus, Hesperus

[Myrrhman]

I'm so out of the loop and I really need not to be, so thank you for this thread. Lots of exploring to be done.

No problem. :)

[Myrrhman]

16. NO AGE - NOUNS


Some point to these guys for the neo lo-fi trend emerging, but they'd probably shrug it off. They're not as concerned with the genre trappings as capturing the spirit of their LA community in an artful and appropriate way. Although these songs may seem to be bent on creating little nuggets of pop rock, underneath the surface is an interest in the artlessness and innocence of adolescense. These songs sound like archives of the music an older brother would play, or what someone's first party would be like, condensing all the awkward emotions into all-over wall of sound (which is impressive given that this is only two guys) and contemplative ambience (e.g. "Keechie). I guess there are a few perks of being a wallflower.

Key Tracks:
Miner, Eraser, Things I Did When I Was Dead*, Sleeper Hold**



* - favorite track
** - track most indicative of their sound.

[Myrrhman]

15. WAVVES - WAVVES


A somewhat complement to No Age is Wavves, another emerging lo-fi artist. Although they share an interest in lo-fi and teen culture, Wavves focus more on writing concise pop songs than the emotions behind them. Sure they're there, but it's a celebration rather than contemplation; this is meant for the beach and the summer, juvenile pranks and mishaps. They too revel in noise in the same way The Hospitals do, but they package it in a much more accessible way with actual hooks. It may not be all that developed in terms of lyrics, but this is a surface record, meant to be immediate and fun. Highly recommended.

Key Tracks:
California Goth, Wavves, Vermin, Side Yr On

[Myrrhman]

14. BRITISH SEA POWER - DO YOU LIKE ROCK MUSIC?


I'll admit, I'm not as hot on this album as I was when it first came up, but feeling the nostalgia and excitement I felt when I first heard it was enough for it to get this far. This is pure unadulterated stadium rock, by the one band that, despite their irony, can deliver such a promise. They obviously wanted something huge and epic, and musically, they succeeded. This thing cascades in reverb, bounces off the walls, and on the few tender moments, lilts along despite the enormous pressure they put on their shoulders to "bring it" (i.e. "Open the Door", probably their most beautiful mid-tempo song). Unfortunately, although they nail the music, they don't quite get what makes classics like Joshua Tree and Born To Run what they are—memorable lyrics. This band has always been known for their non-sequitors but they don't translate to this sound. However, this is still good fun, and this band knows how to craft a tune. Now if they spent a little more effort on writing, they might make it to where they want to be.

Key Tracks:
Lights Out For Darker Skies, No Lucifer, Waving Flags, Atom, Open The Door.

[toasters]

Truthfully the only thing I've heard of out of all of this so far is No Age. I appreciate the fact that while you seem to be leaning towards lo-fi you've included a good variety of other genres. I've got some searching to do now ^^

[Lenny]

At first I was thinking "Hey, stop xtuple-posting!", but this is actually pretty good material. I can't say I've heard all of the albums, but I'll see if I can find some on Last.FM or something like that.

[Myrrhman]

Truthfully the only thing I've heard of out of all of this so far is No Age. I appreciate the fact that while you seem to be leaning towards lo-fi you've included a good variety of other genres. I've got some searching to do now ^^

Haha, you should wait til the top ten; things go in a completely different direction.

[Myrrhman]

13. THE WALKMEN - YOU & ME


This band grows with me like a best friend. From late high school now to late college, I've been with them thick and thin. Through their maudlin rants to their hard break-ups and now to this. By far their most mature work, they take all of their elements that define their identity (the main singer's tipsy croon, organ, surf guitars, and inventive drumming) and cultivate them to something that's confident and casual. They're not trying to define or break into any scenes, they're just some guys recording some great songs that seem ageless. Because of their organ and penchant for sleigh bells, this band has always been associated with Christmas, and I couldn't argue that. The embody the strange mix of emotions of visiting the neighborhood you grew up in or seeing relatives and friends you hardly ever see outside of the Holidays. Most importantly, they have a wit and swagger to them that makes you relate. Not to mention, the music is pretty damn good at this point.

Key Tracks:
On The Water, In The New Year, Postcards From Tiny Islands, Four Provinces, I Lost You

[Skyling]

Wow. Your writing style is quite good at capturing the characteristics of the music, and I can't wait to listen to all of these records. I'm glad that you're willing to put forth this much effort for the sake of enriching our community, and I commend you for it. Considering that I don't have much music at all from 2008, I'll be looking forward to the rest of this list.

Excited for Merriweather Post Pavilion, by the way? :)

[Myrrhman]

12. CRYSTAL ANTLERS - CRYSTAL ANTLERS [EP]


Nothing really prepared me for this band. As British Sea Power do stadium rock, Crystal Antlers do, well, heavy-psych-whatever rock. It doesn't really matter, as these guys really pull out all the stops and go straight for the jugular. Hardly a pause in this melange of breakneck riffs, time-signatures that change on a dime, prog keyboards, caterwauling vocals, and blues-laden bass. All with an excitement that seems uncool these days, you can feel the energy these guys give out (and their live performance is something to behold.) They're immensely talented musicians, and quite varied in their backgrounds. But that's all thrown out for an honest to god rock record (well, ep). They run the gamet, from psych tinged dirges to shuffles to marches, these guys are good, and they're breaking through, not with a whimper but a bang.

Key Tracks:
Until The Sun Dies (Part 2), A Thousand Eyes, Parting Song For the Torn Sky

[Myrrhman]

Wow. Your writing style is quite good at capturing the characteristics of the music, and I can't wait to listen to all of these records. I'm glad that you're willing to put forth this much effort for the sake of enriching our community, and I commend you for it. Considering that I don't have much music at all from 2008, I'll be looking forward to the rest of this list.

It's my pleasure.

Excited for Merriweather Post Pavilion, by the way? :)

oh my god yes.

have you heard the leaked track my girls yet?

if not, shoot me a pm.

[Myrrhman]

11. THE WAR ON DRUGS - WAGONWHEEL BLUES


Another surprise. I figured this would be some MOR indie band that cling onto their gimmick because they realize it's the only thing keeping them relevant, but after a few listens, the music really grew on me. It could be my bias on the particular sound but this sounds like Bob Dylan via 8o's jangle and 9o's shoegaze. Despite this high concept, the music yields more than just a fascinating novelty, it actually works and shows incredible promise for this young band. They're not entirely mashing two genres, they add their own flair in several ways, such as their use of voice as instrument in "Taking the Farm" or their use of the oppressive and overbearing church organ that forms the base of the anthem "A Needle In Your Eye #16". All these elements combined make it the ideal road album of 2008, one that you can ride endlessly in it's crystal guitar plains.

Key Tracks:
Arms Like Boulders, Taking The Farm, A Needle In Your Eye #16, Show Me The Coast

[Myrrhman]

Top 10 Tomorrow!

[Clovic]

Hmm. I am interested in listening to this stuff just from the work you've put into it. I will report back, sir.