The RubberSoul Year in Music 2008
The year 2008 was a rather uninspired one for music. Much of the good new music came in the form of singles and, from a stylistic standpoint, it seemed that retro new wave throwback bands dominated the indie music scene. I dont say that pejoratively since I liked many of those records. I just think that it didnt make for an especially inspiring year for new albums. The fact that there was no towering monolith of a classic album (think In Rainbows) released this year didnt help matters, either.
There were, however, a number of small pleasures that are worth noting and also a number of younger artists emerged who I can see having distinguished careers. So, for what its worth, heres the list of my top 20 best albums of 2008 (with thanks to Keith, who gave me the idea to put this list together in the first place - everyone should go check out his list, as well):
1. Volume One She and Him
In a down year for album releases this modest gem of a record stood out like a shiny penny on a dirty sidewalk.
2. Saturdays = Youth M83
The best of a good group of new wave throwbacks.
3. Cardinology Ryan Adams
Adams creative revival, which began with last years Easy Tiger, continues.
4. In Ghost Colours Cut/Copy
Another group of new wave revivalists with a canny melodic knack.
5. Asking for Flowers Kathleen Edwards
Shes not a part of a trendy movement and she doesnt glam herself up like a Hollywood tramp. She just writes some of the best country rock songs of the past 25 years and sings them like an angel.
6. Narrow Stairs Death Cab for Cutie
When a group of the stature of DCFC releases an album this good and is completely ignored in the music press, you know they have (unfortunately) jumped the Pitchfork shark.
7. Conor Oberst Conor Oberst
A decidedly understated affair compared with last years epic Bright Eyes release, Cassadaga, this record grows on you with repeated listens and continues to reveal Obersts deepening maturity and musical vision.
8. Fleet Foxes Fleet Foxes
A tuneful and accomplished record, it nonetheless speaks volumes when an act so heavily influenced by 70s soft rock dross turns out to be this years indie darlings.
9. MGMT Oracular Spectacular
More new wave fun and games, this time with pithy lyrics and funny clothes.
10. Black Kids Partie Traumatic
Its no masterpiece, but any record with two songs as monumentally catchy as Im Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance with You and Hit the Heartbrakes, deserves a place on the list.
11. Army Navy Army Navy
A criminally overlooked blast of El Lay power pop.
12. Jenny Lewis Acid Tongue
Somewhat short on the type of classic songs she wrote for her first solo record and the last couple of Rilo Kiley albums, this is still an interesting and adventurous record.
13. Kanye West 808s and Heartbreak
Breaks from the boring hip hop conventions by using technology to convey real emotion and introspection.
14. Aimee Mann @#%&*!Smilers
She continues her string of smart, tuneful and affecting albums, even if this one is a bit heavy on the slow numbers.
15. Portishead Third
A little overrated by a music press desperate for something big in a year of small pleasures, this was still a worthy addition to their legendary (and sparse) catalog.
16. Glasvegas Glasvegas
Little known in the U.S., these guys sound like a cross between War-era U2 and the catchier moments of Echo & the Bunnymen. Dont be surprised if they hit big in 2009.
17. The Hold Steady Stay Positive
This album runs dry on memorable tunes about halfway through but the playing and production remains first rate throughout.
18. Santogold Santogold
Santi White sounds like the second coming of Dale Bozzio, only with good songs and a better fashion sense.
19. Kings of Leon Only by the Night
Former southern indie rockers go mainstream with generally good results.
20. (tie) The Last Shadow Puppets The Age of the Understatement and TV on the Radio Dear Science
Two albums from well-respected artists that I admire more than I love.
Honorable Mention (old fart division):
All of these veterans released albums in 2008 that were way better than we had any right to expect at this late date and, generally speaking, showed the synth-plinking youngsters what it means to rock.
David Byrne & Brian Eno Everything that Happens Will Happen Today
Elvis Costello Momofuku
(I couldnt find any decent video off Momofuku so here is Elvis doing a cover of the Velvets Femme Fatale on his new TV show on the Sundance Channel, which I highly recommend.)
Jackson Browne Time the Conqueror
Mudcrutch Mudcrutch
R.E.M. Accelerate
Steve Wynn Crossing Dragon Bridge
Paul Weller 22 Dreams
The year 2008 was a rather uninspired one for music. Much of the good new music came in the form of singles and, from a stylistic standpoint, it seemed that retro new wave throwback bands dominated the indie music scene. I dont say that pejoratively since I liked many of those records. I just think that it didnt make for an especially inspiring year for new albums. The fact that there was no towering monolith of a classic album (think In Rainbows) released this year didnt help matters, either.
There were, however, a number of small pleasures that are worth noting and also a number of younger artists emerged who I can see having distinguished careers. So, for what its worth, heres the list of my top 20 best albums of 2008 (with thanks to Keith, who gave me the idea to put this list together in the first place - everyone should go check out his list, as well):
1. Volume One She and Him
In a down year for album releases this modest gem of a record stood out like a shiny penny on a dirty sidewalk.
2. Saturdays = Youth M83
The best of a good group of new wave throwbacks.
3. Cardinology Ryan Adams
Adams creative revival, which began with last years Easy Tiger, continues.
4. In Ghost Colours Cut/Copy
Another group of new wave revivalists with a canny melodic knack.
5. Asking for Flowers Kathleen Edwards
Shes not a part of a trendy movement and she doesnt glam herself up like a Hollywood tramp. She just writes some of the best country rock songs of the past 25 years and sings them like an angel.
6. Narrow Stairs Death Cab for Cutie
When a group of the stature of DCFC releases an album this good and is completely ignored in the music press, you know they have (unfortunately) jumped the Pitchfork shark.
7. Conor Oberst Conor Oberst
A decidedly understated affair compared with last years epic Bright Eyes release, Cassadaga, this record grows on you with repeated listens and continues to reveal Obersts deepening maturity and musical vision.
8. Fleet Foxes Fleet Foxes
A tuneful and accomplished record, it nonetheless speaks volumes when an act so heavily influenced by 70s soft rock dross turns out to be this years indie darlings.
9. MGMT Oracular Spectacular
More new wave fun and games, this time with pithy lyrics and funny clothes.
10. Black Kids Partie Traumatic
Its no masterpiece, but any record with two songs as monumentally catchy as Im Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance with You and Hit the Heartbrakes, deserves a place on the list.
11. Army Navy Army Navy
A criminally overlooked blast of El Lay power pop.
12. Jenny Lewis Acid Tongue
Somewhat short on the type of classic songs she wrote for her first solo record and the last couple of Rilo Kiley albums, this is still an interesting and adventurous record.
13. Kanye West 808s and Heartbreak
Breaks from the boring hip hop conventions by using technology to convey real emotion and introspection.
14. Aimee Mann @#%&*!Smilers
She continues her string of smart, tuneful and affecting albums, even if this one is a bit heavy on the slow numbers.
15. Portishead Third
A little overrated by a music press desperate for something big in a year of small pleasures, this was still a worthy addition to their legendary (and sparse) catalog.
16. Glasvegas Glasvegas
Little known in the U.S., these guys sound like a cross between War-era U2 and the catchier moments of Echo & the Bunnymen. Dont be surprised if they hit big in 2009.
17. The Hold Steady Stay Positive
This album runs dry on memorable tunes about halfway through but the playing and production remains first rate throughout.
18. Santogold Santogold
Santi White sounds like the second coming of Dale Bozzio, only with good songs and a better fashion sense.
19. Kings of Leon Only by the Night
Former southern indie rockers go mainstream with generally good results.
20. (tie) The Last Shadow Puppets The Age of the Understatement and TV on the Radio Dear Science
Two albums from well-respected artists that I admire more than I love.
Honorable Mention (old fart division):
All of these veterans released albums in 2008 that were way better than we had any right to expect at this late date and, generally speaking, showed the synth-plinking youngsters what it means to rock.
David Byrne & Brian Eno Everything that Happens Will Happen Today
Elvis Costello Momofuku
(I couldnt find any decent video off Momofuku so here is Elvis doing a cover of the Velvets Femme Fatale on his new TV show on the Sundance Channel, which I highly recommend.)
Jackson Browne Time the Conqueror
Mudcrutch Mudcrutch
R.E.M. Accelerate
Steve Wynn Crossing Dragon Bridge
Paul Weller 22 Dreams
VIEW 25 of 42 COMMENTS
jena:
By the way, did the bottom picture of the OP scare the shit out of you, too?
coco:
I know, I spammed as much as I could without feeling like a total douche. I have way more online "contacts" than my sister but she hasn't even pimped herself out much! Ah, well... I did what I could.