Top 20 Of 2008
One of my favorite years for music. |
| 1 |  | Deerhunter
Microcastle
Do I really like Deerhunter that much to give them the top spot in alternating years? Yes. But this is different. "Microcastle" (along with "Weird Era Cont.) destroyed everything else by a hefty margin. In comparison to "Halycon Digest," there isn't one. It's far better. So great that it lands snugly in my top 10 albums ever. You balk at that, but this album is near perfect in my opinion. |
| 2 |  | No Age
Nouns
In retrospect it's quite a bit more rugged than their subsequent albums, but No Age are blistering here, especially with their best song "Teen Creeps." |
| 3 |  | Women
Women
Extremely short, but effective nonetheless. They showed lots of promise with "Black Rice" and improved their sound on the follow up. |
| 4 |  | Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!!
Nick Cave is just a hell of a performer, singer, songwriter, and just overall dude. "Call Upon the Author" flows smoothly from word to word, it's graceful in its pungency. Underrated very much so. |
| 5 |  | TV on the Radio
Dear Science
I'm torn on this band quite a bit. This is the only album of theirs that I own, and the only one I like. I'm not sure why the others just never struck a chord with me, but "DLZ" is ultra cool, and "Dancing Choose" is still one of my favorite songs by them. |
| 6 |  | Titus Andronicus
The Airing of Grievances
"The Monitor" may be a better album, but it's wonderful to hear them less polished, but still just as brash. |
| 7 | | Atlas Sound
Let the Blind Lead Those Who Can See
A bookend Bradford Cox top ten, say what you will about how damn ugly this guy is, or about how much critics love his music, I can't escape the fact that this album is extremely well put together, and sonically pleasing in multiple aspects. The opening segue into "Recent Bedroom" is hypnotic. |
| 8 |  | Fleet Foxes
Fleet Foxes
Their new album pales in comparison (though it is still a fine album). The album submerges you in delicate melodies, something very few albums I feel these days can actually do. |
| 9 |  | Fucked Up
The Chemistry of Common Life
Hardcore is stretching it with this band, but I do appreciate the music aspect of it, even if its overshadowed by the vocals. Still, the sheer force of this band is enough to capture my ears. |
| 10 |  | Abe Vigoda
Skeleton
More surf pop than their follow up, and far shorter in scope and actual length, Abe Vigoda deliver a precise debut that was ripe for evolution. Whether the evolution to a more gothic approach was right or not, is left to be seen fully, but here they're a bit sloppy, which I like. |
| 11 |  | Black Mountain
In the Future
"Angels" is how I noticed this band to begin with, and it's a stable prog rock album that is on par with their follow up. There's moments of pure bliss and pure agony all in the same song. If they could lean out their sound they'd be a ton better. |
| 12 |  | Wolf Parade
At Mount Zoomer
Not their greatest moment, but still an enjoyable listen for the most part. I preferred their previous album but this was squeezes into the list mostly because of "Language City." |
| 13 |  | M83
Saturdays=Youth
My introduction to M83. |
| 14 |  | Spiritualized
Songs in A&E
Not my favorite by them, but still a solid album nonetheless. |
| 15 |  | Times New Viking
Rip It Off
Good, lo-fi, crunchy noise rock. |
| 16 |  | Beach House
Devotion
Probably my least favorite by BH, but still a great album to get introduced to them on. |
| 17 |  | Deerhoof
Offend Maggie
Opening track "The Tears and Music of Love" has one of the best riffs. |
| 18 |  | Be Your Own Pet
Get Awkward
Solid debut. |
| 19 |  | Jay Reatard
Matador Singles '08
Not as good as Blood Visions but still a really great collection of punk. |
| 20 |  | The Dodos
Visiter
Still the best album by the Dodos. |
|
