* List limited to albums released in the year 2008
10. Times New Viking- Rip It Off
Columbus's TNV got me quite excited about the year in music when they released Rip It Off early in '08. The album is noisy and, at least for me, can't be listened to at my normal volume because of a lingering buzz in my ear. That is part of the charm. What makes this album great is that in spite of any aural discomfort, it is ridiculously addicting and compelling. The songs are short and catchy, obscured behind a blanket of itchy wool. I was lucky enough to see the band live this fall--they were no less noisy, but even more charming in person. I became re-addicted to this album upon seeing them and probably will remain so, at least until something bad happens, like if my ears start bleeding. The songs "Teen Drama" and "Relevant: Now" are really quite exceptional.
Columbus's TNV got me quite excited about the year in music when they released Rip It Off early in '08. The album is noisy and, at least for me, can't be listened to at my normal volume because of a lingering buzz in my ear. That is part of the charm. What makes this album great is that in spite of any aural discomfort, it is ridiculously addicting and compelling. The songs are short and catchy, obscured behind a blanket of itchy wool. I was lucky enough to see the band live this fall--they were no less noisy, but even more charming in person. I became re-addicted to this album upon seeing them and probably will remain so, at least until something bad happens, like if my ears start bleeding. The songs "Teen Drama" and "Relevant: Now" are really quite exceptional.9. Stephen Malkmus + Jicks- Real Emotional Trash
This summer, out in the desert that is central Washington, I thought I saw god. And he wasn't wearing a toga, nor did he have a big white beard; he was a lanky, shaggy-haired white guy with a red sweater wielding a guitar (no lightning bolts). In all seriousness, Stephen Malkmus is an incredible musician and lyricist, and even though I am a bit biased, I really do think this album is his best since Pavement went on "hiatus." The songs stretch-out and get pulled apart, yet they remain focused and interesting. Malkmus remains his witty, wordplaying self, but he has developed and perfected a sound that is now an entirely different animal than his previous band. And I like that.
8. Oxford Collapse- Bits
OxC are constantly referred to as a throwback to college rock in the 80s sense of the term. While I understand such a description, I feel it is a disservice to this great band, since the music they make seems more vibrant than just a left-of-the-dial Frankenstein monster. On Bits, the band keeps its bouncy, pulsating sound, but they have become more consistent in crafting a complete record, at least compared to their last album. "The Birthday Wars" is one of the best songs the band has written, but the album as a whole works because other tracks like "Back of the Yards" and "B-Roll" help paint a fuller picture. (Full Disclosure: The band gave me a free button after I saw them live so I am naturally eternally indebted).
OxC are constantly referred to as a throwback to college rock in the 80s sense of the term. While I understand such a description, I feel it is a disservice to this great band, since the music they make seems more vibrant than just a left-of-the-dial Frankenstein monster. On Bits, the band keeps its bouncy, pulsating sound, but they have become more consistent in crafting a complete record, at least compared to their last album. "The Birthday Wars" is one of the best songs the band has written, but the album as a whole works because other tracks like "Back of the Yards" and "B-Roll" help paint a fuller picture. (Full Disclosure: The band gave me a free button after I saw them live so I am naturally eternally indebted).7. The Walkmen- You & Me
I have long been a fan of music that sounds somehow anachronistic. This album feels to me that it was recorded in some other time, likely somewhere far away. You and Me manages to create an aura and a pervasive mood, yet at the same time it doesn't feel stale and stagnant. Hamilton Leithauser's unique voice is able to shine in standout tracks like "In the New Year." The band has developed a distinct sound that is vibrant and swoony. The Walkmen are a solid indie rock band that appears understated, yet they somehow have created an album that feels as vital and significant as any classic album should feel.
I have long been a fan of music that sounds somehow anachronistic. This album feels to me that it was recorded in some other time, likely somewhere far away. You and Me manages to create an aura and a pervasive mood, yet at the same time it doesn't feel stale and stagnant. Hamilton Leithauser's unique voice is able to shine in standout tracks like "In the New Year." The band has developed a distinct sound that is vibrant and swoony. The Walkmen are a solid indie rock band that appears understated, yet they somehow have created an album that feels as vital and significant as any classic album should feel.6. Okkervil River- The Stand Ins
I really dug The Stage Names and after seeing the band perform this summer, I had high expectations for this album. This companion album is as strong as its predecessor, highlighting Will Sheff's trademark witty songwriting. I certainly like bands that are literate and sometimes force me to Wikipedia lyrical references to find out what they're talking about. This album is not weighed down by purely intellectual discourse, though. The songs are catchy, well-orchestrated pieces that would stand up even without smarty pants name-dropping. The band shows emotional urgency on "Blue Tulip" and pointed social critique on "Pop Lie." And if I were making a list of the best songs of 2008 (though sadly I am not), "Lost Coastlines" would definitely make a good showing. All told, it's a great album from a great band.
5. No Age- Nouns
Out of pure principle, I dismissed No Age before I even listened to them. The HYPE surrounding the band and this album before its release seemed to be quite heavy, and I was (quite wrongly) turned off before I had turned up. Once I heard a few tracks off Weirdo Rippers, I became intrigued. When I finally heard this album, I became obsessed. The album captures a lot of the sounds and feelings in older songs by great bands, yet it manages to not sound derivative, but totally fresh and new. I am a sucker for at least a moderate level of "lo fi" noise-ish music, so this album does not disappoint in that department. Much like Times New Viking, No Age manage to to scratch out beautifully catchy and compact tunes out of a muck of seeming disorder. As urgent and restless as the album seems, nearly every part feels like the right part. The band also deserves props for appearing on MTV this summer and premiering the video for "Eraser" on FNMTV--certainly an improvement over Miley Cyrus.
Out of pure principle, I dismissed No Age before I even listened to them. The HYPE surrounding the band and this album before its release seemed to be quite heavy, and I was (quite wrongly) turned off before I had turned up. Once I heard a few tracks off Weirdo Rippers, I became intrigued. When I finally heard this album, I became obsessed. The album captures a lot of the sounds and feelings in older songs by great bands, yet it manages to not sound derivative, but totally fresh and new. I am a sucker for at least a moderate level of "lo fi" noise-ish music, so this album does not disappoint in that department. Much like Times New Viking, No Age manage to to scratch out beautifully catchy and compact tunes out of a muck of seeming disorder. As urgent and restless as the album seems, nearly every part feels like the right part. The band also deserves props for appearing on MTV this summer and premiering the video for "Eraser" on FNMTV--certainly an improvement over Miley Cyrus.4. Women- Women
Somewhere in the blog vortex, I stumbled upon the song "Black Rice" a few months ago. I was, frankly, floored. I waited patiently for the Albertans' album to be released south of the border and when it did, I found my way down to CD Alley to pick it up. Quite surprisingly, the album was even more adventurous than even "Black Rice" had indicated it would be. It's like a swirl of chimes and fuzz and melody and jaggedness that seems to fit together just right. I admittedly know less about this band than any other on this list, which partially explains why I have been surprised at my own reaction to it. It feels somewhat mysterious in that way; it is a puzzling concoction of sounds and melodies that just happens to include everything I would hope to find in a solid album- a little bit of melody, a little bit of noise, a little bit of jigsaw puzzle. Without having much backstory, I am intrigued by which direction this band will take, but if this album is any indication, it should be quite interesting.
Somewhere in the blog vortex, I stumbled upon the song "Black Rice" a few months ago. I was, frankly, floored. I waited patiently for the Albertans' album to be released south of the border and when it did, I found my way down to CD Alley to pick it up. Quite surprisingly, the album was even more adventurous than even "Black Rice" had indicated it would be. It's like a swirl of chimes and fuzz and melody and jaggedness that seems to fit together just right. I admittedly know less about this band than any other on this list, which partially explains why I have been surprised at my own reaction to it. It feels somewhat mysterious in that way; it is a puzzling concoction of sounds and melodies that just happens to include everything I would hope to find in a solid album- a little bit of melody, a little bit of noise, a little bit of jigsaw puzzle. Without having much backstory, I am intrigued by which direction this band will take, but if this album is any indication, it should be quite interesting.3. Los Campesinos!- Hold on Now Youngster/ We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed
Firstly, let me state that these are definitely two distinct albums. I decided to put them as one since the band released them within the same calendar year, and I could have easily placed either in this position, so I decided to put them together. I can think of no other band that seems more "2008" than this one, and not just because they released two albums and supplied a great deal of the soundtrack of my year. Something about the youthful exuberance, the subsurface twittering angst, the angular and lushly orchestrated guitars and shouting. Maybe it's the subtle rage, the chaos of seven musicians, the rambling blog-like confessionals, the elation and the downgazing jitter, or something else entirely, this band just seems to be very much of the times. That being said, the melodies and the poignancy of these works seem to indicate that these albums will be seen as more than flashes in the pan in the future. I am very much looking forward to seeing the band live in a couple weeks, and hearing what their musical progression in the coming years.
2. Dodos- Visiter
My first experience with this band came in the form of the song "Fools," which I found to be amazing and haunting. The whole of Visiter is frighteningly real and alive. It is a juxtaposition of simplicity and complexity, ease and discomfort. There are enough layers that even after countless times listening to it, I still feel like I am hearing it for the first time. Every song on this album works individually and as part of a larger piece of art. If there were an award for the album I've listened to the most this year, Visiter would win it. It has just seemed appropriate on roadtrips, rainy afternoons, or a late night of conversation. It is a testament to this album's depth that the diverse number of people I have shared it with have come away with similar positive impressions.
My first experience with this band came in the form of the song "Fools," which I found to be amazing and haunting. The whole of Visiter is frighteningly real and alive. It is a juxtaposition of simplicity and complexity, ease and discomfort. There are enough layers that even after countless times listening to it, I still feel like I am hearing it for the first time. Every song on this album works individually and as part of a larger piece of art. If there were an award for the album I've listened to the most this year, Visiter would win it. It has just seemed appropriate on roadtrips, rainy afternoons, or a late night of conversation. It is a testament to this album's depth that the diverse number of people I have shared it with have come away with similar positive impressions.
1. Deerhunter- Microcastle/Weird Era Continued
I thought Cryptograms was a great album, but I didn't really expect to like Deerhunter's latest as much as I have. In seeing Deerhunter live a couple months ago, I really felt I was witnessing something great, something quite important. Maybe it's the volume or the intoxicating nature of massive guitars, but Deerhunter blew me away. Out of the tons of songs on these two discs, there are too many standouts to even count, though "Nothing Ever Happened," "Twilight at Carbon Lake" and "Vox Celeste" are all excellent. The songs all seem to grow and twist in interesting and surprising ways, though they are never seem to be overdone. Bradford Cox's voice seems to float down from the heavens and glide around the guitar-driven force. This band has managed to melt its impressive and disparate influences into a new form that feels familiar and brand new at the same time. The album is dizzying and impatient and powerful and timeless. In short, it's the best album I've heard in 2008. So there.
I thought Cryptograms was a great album, but I didn't really expect to like Deerhunter's latest as much as I have. In seeing Deerhunter live a couple months ago, I really felt I was witnessing something great, something quite important. Maybe it's the volume or the intoxicating nature of massive guitars, but Deerhunter blew me away. Out of the tons of songs on these two discs, there are too many standouts to even count, though "Nothing Ever Happened," "Twilight at Carbon Lake" and "Vox Celeste" are all excellent. The songs all seem to grow and twist in interesting and surprising ways, though they are never seem to be overdone. Bradford Cox's voice seems to float down from the heavens and glide around the guitar-driven force. This band has managed to melt its impressive and disparate influences into a new form that feels familiar and brand new at the same time. The album is dizzying and impatient and powerful and timeless. In short, it's the best album I've heard in 2008. So there.
Other Mentionables of Honour: Beach House-Devotion, Titus Andronicus- The Airing of Grievances, Born Ruffians- Red, Yellow and Blue, The Sea and Cake- Car Alarm, Vivian Girls- s/t, Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin- Pershing
