THE BEST OF 2008

Here we go, my lovelies. Here are my top picks for the best ALBUMS OF 2008!!!

Everyone has their faves, but as you know, my faves are the only ones that count. Hahaha. Not Jk.

Shall we?? These are in no particular order by the way..








***** BEST ALBUMS OF 2008 *******

BON IVER- FOR EMMA, FOREVER AGO-
This mans voice is so soothing and beautiful. His music establishes a mood right off the bat. Great instrumentals. Great lyrics. Favorite tracks of mine, FOR EMMA, SKINNY LOVE, THE WOLVES and BLINDSIDED. Just a well rounded cohesive album in my opinion. I can play SKINNY LOVE on my ukulele. SO yeah +2 points! ANND the album was recorded in a log cabin. Does it getting anymore raw than that?


AA BONDY- AMERICAN HEARTS-
ANother very talented set of vocal chords. This year I have embraced a ton of folk music. Bondys tunes are so heartfelt and thought provoking. He definitely brings that soulful religious element to the table which might not be for everyone. But to me, his album flows well, gets you thinking about current events and relationships. His raspy voice is oh so sexy too. AMERICAN HEARTS, THERES A REASON, RAPTURE, hell all of them are amazing.


MGMT- ORACLE SPECTACULAR-
Standing ovation on this one. This band kinda makes you want to hate them because of their wacky style that seems so overdone. Neon, sweatbands etc.. But wow, this album crosses over seamlessly to main streamer top 40 fans while keeping us elitists interested and wanting more.. How tacky did that just sound?? Insert barf there. I cant even tell you how many people heard KIDS in my car and became obsessed with that "weird band" They became the signature summer pool party, any party band. TIME TO PRETEND is right behind KIDS with ELECTRIC FEEL right up there too. Great great electro band! Just so upbeat. Great great album. Oh, and, brooklyn peeps. REPRESENT!!

COLDPLAY- VIVA LA VIDA-
Thats right, while we are talking mainstream, lets do this. Although I dont particularly care for MARTINS writing, lyrics wise, I really enjoyed this album and continue to play it. LOST is one of my favorite tracks, especially the acoustic version of it. The chanting vibe throughout was a nice addition to the album, something new and refreshing for coldplay. LOVERS IN JAPAN is another favorite of mine. In all honesty, I can listen to this album straight through. Two words- BRIAN ENO.


OKKERVIL RIVER- THE STAND-INS-
WIL SHEFF. Genius. Talented. I absolutely love this album. I loved seeing them live. He keeps raising the bar with each album e releases. This last one dealing with a bit more heartbreak than the others. He gets into it. Really deep, leaving us feeling his words. Searing and real. His voice is just amazing. Living up to his reputation, he has a way of making fun of himself as well which cuts the tension just when you think youre feeling it a bit too much. But then again he has quite a few upbeat songs, a perfect mix. I love this album. Love love love. I wish I could pick my favorite tracks, but I cant because they are ALL so great. But here- LOST COASTLINES, ON TOUR WITH ZYKOS, POP LIE, CALLING AND NOT CALLING MY EX.


CONOR OBERST AND THE MYSTIC VALLEY BAND- CONOR OBERST-
I really dont need to torture you all again on this one. I gave a really lengthly review on this album back in the summer. Yes, I love CO, No, he can do no wrong in my eyes, well not really, but I just really love this album. Recorded in Mexico, refreshing new sound, soothing, centered and festive at times.


SHE & HIM- VOLUME I-
The most adorable FOLK record of the year. Love ZOOEY DESCHANEL and M WARD so how can this one be a flop? So sweet and heartbreaking. So easy to listen to with a very retro sound to it. Her voice is playful and multi layered. He brings his deep even voice to the table, perfectly blending the two into a masterpiece. The harmonies are delicious and catchy. Her writing is so relatable. You almost feel like youre reading her diary. They kind of remind me of LINDA AND RICHARD THOMPSON, funny how I read that someone else felt the same way!


FLEET FOXES- FLEET FOXES-
Great album. Great vocals. This SEATTLE based band has a formula. There are no lead singers in this band. A heavily harmonic album. Lending a very psychedelic vibe. A beautiful work. My favorite track on this album is WHITE WINTER HYMNAL. Beautiful progression, layered so nicely. These guys made a conscious decision to write and structure their songs however they felt like, abandoning usual song structure, and surprisingly it worked out really well. This album might not be for everyone, but definitely deserves a listen. SUN IT RISES and OLIVER JAMES are really good too. YOUR PROTECTOR, great too.


TV ON THE RADIO- DEAR SCIENCE-
I love when an album starts off with an amazing track that sucks you right in. Wow, does this album ever. HALFWAY HOME does just that. Pumps you up, has a bit of a RAMONES feel during the first few seconds, and then slowly spreads out into an amazing joyride. The albums continues to wow throughout. These guys have come a long way. Im not going to lie, I didnt see this on coming AT ALL. They had fly by night potential, but TVOTR lets us know that they dont plan on going anywhere but up. Well done.



THE KILLS- MIDNIGHT BOOM-
I love this duo. Great album. Great tracks and instrumentals. So raw and hot. These two are the picture of rock and roll. Sexy, in your face, dont give a shit filth. Hands down amazing album. Even better live. I LOVE EVERY SINGLE TRACK. For real. URA FEVER starts the album off with a boom, pardon the pun! CHEEP AND CHEERFUL, great anthem. BLACK BALLOON, a nice wind down track. This album is perfection. Seamless, flowing, gripping and chilling. Establishes a mood and keeps you interested til the very end. Impossible not to like these guys.



MATES OF STATE- RE-ARRANGE US-
This husband and wife duo deliver a great album. Catchy tracks with lyrics that are impressive all the while remaining light and fun. Their songs are the type that put you in a great head. The kind that you like to play on repeat over and over again, then hum them when youre not listening to them.


MY MORNING JACKET- EVIL URGES-
MMJ is a must have for every music collection. Alternative country rock at its best. Easy listening. Flows nicely. JIM JAMES has a very distinctive voice. Easily recognizable. Country vibe and WILCO like, so im partial. Nice accompaniments. SEC WALKIN is a great track. Great harmonies. With a song called, TOUCH ME IM GOING TO SCREAM.... How can one resist?! LOOK AT YOU is a sweet romantic track. TWO HALVES is a nice reflective track. Might actually be my favorite track on the record. REMNANTS and SMOKIN FROM SHOOTIN are excellent as well. Its nice to see them branching out and embracing new styles while staying true to their sound.


THE RACONTEURS- CONSOLERS OF THE LONELY-
JACK WHITE and BRENDEN BENSON are a great team. The album is gritty rock and roll with some pop accents. SALUTE YOUR SOLUTION is a great track along with many others. I finally see them as an established band as opposed to a fun side project. Their sound is lively with great garage rock infusion. Check out THESE STONES SHOOT. CAROLINA DRAMA brings the album to a nice close.


DEERHUNTER- MICROCASTLE-
This band is that band that always own up to their end of the deal. Theyre tracks are infamous for their momentum and wide vocal range. Each track is as refreshing as the last. Heavy on the electronic instrumentals yet their tracks never suffer from it, which is rare. TWILIGHT AT CARBON LAKE is an eerie track but manages to keep you interested til the very end. Im a big fan of ATLAS SOUND, btw, BRADFORD COX's electro side project.



****HONORABLE MENTIONS******




THE HOLD STEADY- STAY POSITIVE-
Keep the hating at bay. I know most people see this as one of the best of all time. Im putting them on here because I just havent given them enough play time to fall in love. Its at the top of this list. I like what Ive heard. Im just not sure that theyre all theyre love is happening. I like to feel it early on in.

KINGS OF LEON- ONLY BY THE NIGHT-
SEX IS FIRE rocks my world. Yes, this song is pure sex. Love the guitar, bass, the whole thing. Yum. The rest of the album is really good too. I just wasnt "wowwed" by the whole album as much as I expected to be. They are always a favorite though.

BECK- MODERN GUILT-
Loved CHEMTRAILS, Smooth psych like track. Almost a bit haunted. Great instrumentals. Good album. Ethereal. Something new by someone not so new to the scene.

LITTLE JOY-LITTLE JOY-
FABRIZIO MORETTI'S (of THE STROKES) side project. A fun playful album. The type that you can listen to all the way thru while sitting by the pool on a hot sunny day kicking back a few. That was the first thing that came to mind when I heard the first 20 seconds of the album. Summer day. Pina Colada style. Almost in the SHE & HIM realm. Something our parents wouldnt be opposed to listening to either while entertaining.

VAMPIRE WEEKEND- VAMPIRE WEEKEND-
I loved these guys when they first came out. Sadly, I tired of them easily. No need to worry about them, they hit mainstream pretty fast. Definitely noteworthy of an honorable mention.

BLACK KIDS- PARTIE TRAUMATIC-
A fun florida based band. Silly, playful and just out there. Fun lyrics, great stage presence. A little something to get your ass moving.

DEATHCAB FOR CUTIE- NARROW STAIRS-
Gibbard does what he does best. Sad, melancholy beauty.

SANTOGOLD- SANTOGOLD-
Rap meets Electro. Fun. Refreshing. Catchy.

GIRL TALK- FEED THE ANIMALS-
A mix of everything mashed into one album. Electro, funk, pop and rap. A nice parcel with a red ribbon.