I originally wrote those for Buzznet.com (the original post is here), but I’m cross-posting it on here.
I understand that the average age of a Buzznet user lies somewhere between middle and high school, but that’s no excuse to listen to mediocre or even worse – bad music. Okay okay, I get it, this site isn’t exactly set up to cater to my demographic, but if this is going to continue to be a “music driven website/community” I can’t sit back and watch all these horrible year end lists be made without contributing my own horrible tastes. Plus, girlfriend put me up to this.
Top 15 Albums of 2008
(that you SHOULD be listening to)
(but more than likely aren’t because Fueled By Ramen didn’t release them)
(not necessarily in an organized order based on preference)
Doomtree – Doomtree
If I had to pick, this is my “Album of the Year”. Doomtree, a Minneapolis, MN based hip hop collective presented by Rhymesayers Entertainment, is the collaboration of 9 MC’s, rappers, beat makers, and singers who made of the most eclectic records of 2008. Ranging from Wu-Tang song-stylings to multilingual dance pieces, the self-titled record is 21 tracks of constructed, calculated, and intelligent hip hop. Great to bump to in your car, great to dance to in the club, perfect chill music. I don’t want to call it perfect, but they’re damn close.
She & Him – Volume 1
The perfect-pop genius creation of one Zooey Deschanel (Almost Famous, Elf, 2008’s Yes Man) and one M. Ward (incredible indie singer-songwriter), She & Him wrote a record of beautiful pop melodies. Zooey’s beautiful and almost heartbreaking crooning rivals that of your parents favorites Dusty Springfield and Petula Clarke (or better 60’s pop versions of today’s Amy Winehouses and Duffys). Paired with Matt’s perfect song crafting and arranging, this record is gorgeous in every facet. Plus, your parents will like it, too. My Dad bought it on vinyl. I’m considering stealing it from him.
Ryan Adams & the Cardinals – Cardinology
Ryan Adams is better than anything you listen to. Unless you listen to Ryan Adams. The ultra-prolific singer-songwriter has put out 9 LPs (10 including Cardinology) since 2000 and this one doesn’t miss either. 2 years sober now, he can collect his thoughts a little easier and has been writing relentlessly during that time. Cardinology is another perfect collection of alt-rock/country songs about heartbreak and loneliness (like all the FBR records but better) and coming to terms with himself. This one’s a bit more rocking than previous Cardinals records, comparable more to Ryan’s solo stuff (see: Magick) and it’s good change. Ryan has always been pro and arranging incredibly catchy songs with hooks galore.
Thrice – The Alchemy Index: Vols. III & IV: Air & Earth
Thrice’s ultra ambitious Alchemy Index project brought us 2007’s Volumes I & II: Fire & Water, two polarized records, one featuring harsh, heavy guitars and drums (and some over production on guitarist Teppei’s part) juxtaposed against dark, fluid, Kid A reminiscent beauties that I have yet to stop spinning. This years Air & Earth records are less paired to their elements and more about experimenting further outside their normal comfortable playing fields. Air, features 6 tracks of light tracks that feature a mix all the best things from the other 3 element EPs. Whereas Earth is closely paired to lead singer Dustin Kensrue’s solo project an alt-country experience featuring organic instrumentation and raw lyrics. Earth is my favorite of the two from this release (Water being my favorite element disc overall). And I cannot wait for the limited vinyl release of the complete Alchemy Index come February (I already pre-ordered).
Kanye West – 808’s & Heartbreak
Super hyped. SUPER criticized. Kanye surprised us with this release this year, going all super ambitious on us with his T-Pain sing/rapping processed through as much vocoder as physically possible. What the critics won’t move past is the fact, okay, dude can’t exactly sing. Rapping is his outfit. But you can’t punish a guy for trying new things. And what they’re not listening to are what Kanye does best. His beat making and his production work. 808’s is super clean and super catchy. With insane beat hooks in “Love Lockdown” and “Robocop” this is another anthemic release from the Louis-Vuitton Don. I’d go as far to say as this record stacks up against Justin Timberlake’s pop-anthem FutureSex LoveSounds. It’s that good.
Seven Nautical Miles – Every Ocean Reversed
Seven Nautical Miles‘ 2008 debut release, Every Ocean Reversed, is a beautiful and heavy hitting experimental metal album iconified by haunting guitar riffs and drums that change from undulating and mysterious to powerfully driving. Each song on the 6-track record is littered with gorgeous post-rock moments of fleeting guitars to dark, heavy crescendos pushed over the edge by singer Mathias Öystilä’s screaming vocals.
Wale – Mixtape About Nothing
Washington, DC-local rapper Wale partnered with 10-Deep to put out his FREE Mixtape About Nothing this year. Featuring dope beats, intelligent rhymes about race and records, and prominently featuring samples from Seinfeld, this record lies on the genius side of novelty. Mixtape About Nothing is a prime example of free mixtapes put out in 2008 that were BETTER than some actual records that some artists tried to pass off as worthy of your hard earned money. Wale is an artist to watch in 2009 seeing as in the past year he’s partnered and produced with everyone from Kanye to Jay-Z to T.I. Did I mention that the tape is FREE? Grab it here.
The Decemberists – Always the Bridesmaid: A Singles Series
A collection of vinyl or digital only singles, the Always the Bridesmaid singles were 6 little pop melodies that Decemberists singer has been trying to work out of his system for the past 5-6 years. A few a new, a few are older than the band itself, and all of them are just more gorgeous proof of their genius indie-pop construction. I spent 2 weeks on the road with the band back in November, hearing these played every night and you can’t help but fall in love with the raw honesty in Colin’s voice. Simplistically arranged compared to their last release, 2006’s The Crane Wife, the Always the Bridesmaid singles are perfect for Sunday afternoons, rainy days, record players, or people who like good music.
Ace Enders and A Million Different People – The Secret Wars
Former lead singer of my favorite band ever, The Early November, Ace has had trouble his entire musical career with putting records out. TEN’s last release, 2006’s The Mother, The Mechanic, and The Path took over a year to finally get into awaiting hands and ears. His most recent solo release is no different. I don’t know why he picked Drive Thru Records to back him again this time around, seeing their recent trouble with distribution and you know…signing GOOD artists. He was all set to release a full length solo record on DTR before complications arose. Like no one saw that coming. So instead he quickly recorded and assembled 8 tracks in his own studio (which he financed and built himself) and released FOR FREE back in August. The man can do no wrong, as all of these songs exemplify what made me fall in love with The Early November to begin with. Poppy hooks, soaring guitars, and honest vocals. I wish Ace the best of luck in getting out his “proper” record (due out in March…maybe) and I’m sure he knows that I’ll be preordered or bought or whatever the second it’s available. Download The Secret Wars for free at Fuse.tv by clicking here.
Also, check out his Itunes Exclusive Single, a cover of The Verve’s “Bittersweet Symphony” featuring backing vocals and harmonies from Bryce Avery (The Rocket Summer), Alex Gaskarth (All Time Low), Mark Hoppus (Blink-182, +44), Aaron Marsh (Copeland), Duane Okun (Socratic), Craig Owens (Chiodos), Matt Thiessen (Relient K), and Kenny Vasoli (The Starting Line, Person L). If that list doesn’t put a boner in your too tight pants, I don’t know what will. Plus, 100% of the proceeds from the sales of the single benefit VH1’s Save The Music Foundation. Download it here.
Jack’s Mannequin – The Glass Passenger
Andrew McMahon writes incredible music. I’m not even justifying this choice with a list of loosely held together idioms and $10 adjectives because chances are you already bought and listened to it. My advice: listen to it again.
Portugal. the Man – Censored Colors
A musical enigma, Portugal. the Man exhibit influences from a whole host of genres: indie, folk, blues, soul, pop, post-rock. Their peculiar lyric styles are only enhanced by incredible song writing. Censored Colors is no exception. I slept on this record until near the end of the year when I got hooked on the song “And I” and played it on repeat for about a full day. Like all of their previous releases, the album as whole is abstract and eclectic but ties together as a coherent piece by the end. Singer John Gourley’s almost soprano voice is gorgeous, sailing around crashing drums heavy riffs.
Kid Cudi – A Kid Named Cudi Mixtape
Like Wale, one of the top artists to watch in 2009 who ALSO put out a free mixtape on 10-Deep. Maybe you heard one of the dopest beats recorded in 2008 during this season of Entourage, “Day N Nite” is so damn catchy. Play it in your car (can you even drive yet?) and thank me later. Dope club beats, dope lyrics. The man will not be stopped. 2009 could be his year. Look for him on previously mentioned 808’s & Heartbreak by Kanye. He lays down some vocals on track 2, Welcome to Heartbreak. Grab the free mixtape here.
Russian Circles – Station
Experimental indie instrumental metal. What a mouthful. Russian Circles are gods at their craft. Which is creating incredibly powerful, lyricless pieces of intense metal laced with gorgeous fluttering crescendos of post-rock goodness. Their 2006 record, Enter is one of my favorite records. While Station comes off feeling lighter overall, broken down into individual sections you can’t deny its gravity. Drummer Dave Turncrantz is an incredible force in every aspect of their music, live and recorded.
Bon Iver – For Emma, Forever Ago
Bon Iver’s organic and heartbreaking “debut” record is a piece of indie greatness. Relying heavily on his recording space, a cabin in the middle of the woods in Wisconsin, the negative space of For Emma, Forever Ago is filled with creaks and cracks and sounds found only in the seclusion of not only his cabin, but the heart that spills out these wrenching songs.
Anathallo – Canopy Glow
Anathallo are a 7-piece indie experimental band who have absolutely breathtaking arrangements and harmonies. The band recorded this entire record from royalties their received from advertising revenue they saw from putting their song “Yuki! Yuki! Yuki!” (off of 2006’s perfect Floating World) in a Vick’s Vapor Rub commercial in late 2007. The only problem was they recently parted with their label AND management. So after 9 months of shopping Canopy Glow around (including a little help from yours truly) they found a home and hip hop’s own Anticon Records. Odd pick, yes, but who’s judging. Canopy Glow follows up Floating World with more eclectic indie pop featuring beautiful and often odd arrangements of guitars, drums, pianos, glockenspiels, and a whole host of unconventional instruments ranging from pots and pansto velcro. Female melodies and harmonies provided by Erica Froman give the band and the record a certain delicateness that is found nowhere else. Their live show is absolutely incredible. I got chills the last time I saw them.
Runner ups / Honorable mentions
Sigur Rós – Með Suð Í Eyrum Við Spilum Endalau
Icelandic post-rock featuring an entirely made up language for vocals. Gorgeous arrangements.
Copeland – You Are My Sunshine
Beautiful pop melodies and arrangements backed by singer Aaron Marsh’s delicate vocals.
Northstar – Broken Parachute
One of my favorite, now broken up, bands ever. A series of b-sides and rarities.
Tiger Lou – A Partial Print
Sick of the hype around Brand New? Listen to the Swedish version. Alt-rock/poor man’s Brand new.
T.I. – Paper Trail
Radio-ready rap. You’ve probably heard his “Numa Numa”-sampling / Rihanna-collaborating single “Live Your Life”. Or “Swing Ya Rag” featuring Swizz Beats. Or the dope Swagga Like Us featuring Kanye West, Jay Z & Lil’ Wayne.
Mason Jennings – In The Ever
Somewhere between Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan and Jeff Buckley. Mason cites the late Johnny Cash when he says “every record should have songs that make you laugh, make you cry, and make you angry”.
Lil’ Wayne – The Carter III
Definitely not near as good as 2005’s The Carter II. In fact his guest vocalists often outshine him on most tracks. But the man wrote over 300 songs last year. Even if you can’t understand a damn thing he’s saying, that’s impressive.
CRS – Team 20/20 Presents Rebel Music Mixtape
Another mixtape that’s better than actual records put out. The collaboration between Kanye West, Lupe Fiasco (genius), and N.E.R.D’s Pharrell Williams. Dope all the way through. Check out the single track “Us Placers” featuring a Thom Yorke sample.
The Cool Kids – That’s Stupid Mixtape
One last free mixtape for you. Chicago champions, The Cool Kids know how to construct dope beats. 6 tracks of perfect hip hop. Download it here.
Yeah, son.[/cut]
