Top Ten Albums Of 2008
2008 was not the bold-faced year like that of 2007, which saw releases from Bruce Springsteen, Alicia Keys, Wilco and superlative-laden indies Arcade Fire. Though I constantly bemoan that my tastes reflect that I was born into the wrong era, this era put out some definite gems in the last twelve months. Let’s explore.
10. The Black Keys, Attack and Release
One of my oldest and dearest friends sent me this record, simply saying, “you’ll love it, trust me.” He was right. Listen to the organ and drums in track one, “All You Ever Wanted,” two minutes and eighteen seconds into the song. They come out of nowhere and bloom into this visceral experience that makes you want to pump your fist in the air. This record truly came out of nowhere for me. Produced by Danger Mouse, and executed by the two, (yes, there are only two) band members, Patrick Carney and Dan Auerbach. It’s blues. It’s Southern rock. It’s twinged in bayou. It’s worth a buy. I’ll forgive them for having a song on Gossip Girl.
How to listen: With a bottle of whiskey and chipped ice.
9. Vampire Weekend
I normally shut off my brain and hear crickets chirping when stumbling upon the newest “it” band from Brooklyn and/or Manhattan, but I didn’t this time with Vampire Weekend. This is probably due to the fact that they put out Paul Simon’s Graceland for the internet generation. Artists constantly borrow from each other; no one lives in an underground cave without musical references. Some of it sounds like anyone probably could have programmed it after attending a GarageBand seminar at the Apple Store, but it is fun, and we need fun music. The staying-power turning point for these ivy-league kids will be if their lyrics grow deeper with the next record… if it’s not on my best of list of 2009, you’ll know how I really felt.
How to listen: At home, with a keg of beer, plastic cups, your college buddies and Super Nintendo.
8. MGMT, Oracular Spectacular
Like I said, crickets chirping. It took me until November to pick this bad boy up, but let me tell you, when artists have the guts to say, “I’m feeling rough, I’m feeling raw, I’m in the prime of my life/Let’s make some music, make some money, find some models for wives/I’ll move to Paris, shoot some heroin and fuck with the stars/You man the island and the cocaine and the elegant cars” as the first verse of the first song on their debut, the entire rest of the album could be absolute shit, and I would still admire their keen ability for the tongue in the cheek.
How to listen: After you finish listening to Vampire Weekend and achieve a high score at MarioKart, throw this one on to dance around, drunk with your college buddies.
7. My Morning Jacket, Evil Urges
A studio record does not do justice to this live act. Period. In order to totally get it, you have to see them. I read a review of their set at this year’s Bonnaroo, in which the writer was, literally, peed on by the guy standing next to her. And she didn’t move. He couldn’t be bothered to miss a song by venturing to a port-a-potty, and she couldn’t be bothered to move away from the peeing man and be distracted. Evil Urges is the next best thing to a MMJ live show. Thankfully, urine is not included. Jim James vacillates between being a rocker and being a muppet, but I mean that as a compliment. “Touch Me I’m Going To Scream (part 1)” will make you wish you could lie in bed with your lover all day long.
How to listen: Either lying in bed with your lover, or on your morning commute. Same thing, really.
6. Jakob Dylan, Seeing Things
There is a place for chill, mostly acoustic guitar music and a calm, beautiful voice. Sorry Jack Johnson; your disc did not make my cut; Jakob Dylan will get you my pretty and your little dog, too, any day in songwriting and production value. “Seeing Things” is where you should look if you want a record for a train ride through the most boring of scenery; it will somehow make everything more beautiful, even if you drift in and out of sleep while listening. This effort stands on its own; it doesn’t matter that his Dad is revered as a demi-god in some circles.
How to listen: While doing housework, homework, or at your boring day job.
5. Dr. Dog, Fate
I wrote about this record upon its release earlier this year, and I absolutely stand by its beauty five months later. This band is an absolute MUST if you were (like me) born at the wrong time, salivate over vinyl, find platonic lust in stories about Woodstock and The Band, and wish you could have been alive to meet a Pet Sounds-era Brian Wilson. Dr. Dog is yet another reason to love analog tape and camaraderie over music. Strings, harmonies and inherent joy between five dudes, known as one lettered pseudonyms, Thanks, Triumph, Taxi, Tables and Text. This is the real deal. Truth.
How to listen: In headphones, so you can hear the layers. Don’t multitask while listening, just sit and soak.
4. Thievery Corporation, Radio Retaliation
Dude. Man. This album is KILLER. This one was also reviewed and it’s the gift that keeps on giving. I give major props to the packaging; definitely buy the in-the-flesh disc. The liner notes are the best you’ll find; a pull out of inspiring quotes from Einstein, Chomsky and Chief Seattle, to name a few.
How to listen: While hosting a barbeque, or on a plane to somewhere fantastic.
3. Andrew Dost, Columbus
Call it a concept album, call it a musical, or call it like I do; a gorgeous ride that I wish I could hear again for the first time. This is the musical equivalency of the lean-in-and-pause of the first time you kiss someone you really, really like. It is available online RIGHT HERE and vinyl-loving nerds will be pleased to know that they can be satiated with a purchase. I speak without hyperbole when I say that I can’t wait for the day that ‘Columbus’ tours as a collective rock show, or finds life in an off-Broadway theatre. Move over Duncan Sheik; his name is Dost and the texture in his score will kick Spring Awakening’s ass.
How to listen: From beginning to end, without stopping.
2. Randy Newman, Harps And Angels
There are some true doozies on this album. Leave it to Randy to talk about Korean parents’ strict standards for their children, on the same record as one of the most tender love songs you’ll ever hear. If Randy Newman released an album on which he recited the Moscow phone book, in Russian, resplendent with harsh accent, I would still buy it.
How to listen: In the car with Dad, if Dad has a sense of humor.
1. TV On The Radio, Dear Science
OK, OK, OK, fine. I really, truly, sincerely detest agreeing with the masses, unless it pertains to popular (and seemingly correct) opinion about January 20, 2009. Every other top 10 list has this at their number one slot….and it deserves every glass of Dom Perignon raised in its honor. Hearing it is like hearing OK Computer or Yankee Hotel Foxtrot or Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band for the first time; you feel that it is something different, something that will burst your consciousness open, something that will re-instill your faith in music meaning something. I have to admit, I still don’t totally ‘get it.’ I think that might be ok, and I think that might be the point.
How to listen: Wherever, whenever…if you’re like me, you’ll probably need to give it multiple listens, but you’ll pick up on something new with each turn.
Most Highly Anticipated Album Of 2009? Not-yet-but-soon-to-be-titled debut album from Fun, arriving Spring 2009
If the names ‘Anathallo’ ‘Steel Train’ and ‘The Format’ perk your discerning ears, then Fun is destined to be your new favorite pseudo-super-group. Formed early in 2008, this trio, with a revolving roster of friends, have been eating, half-sleeping and breathing a record in a dimly lit, tapestried, Los Angeles studio, book ended with an acoustic tour opening for Jack’s Mannequin. 2009 promises to be a Fun one. www.myspace.com/fun
