My Best of 2008
Categories: Shameless Self-Promotion
Lists are problematic for all the usual reasons. As in, I'll probably forget stuff and pay too much attention to labels I tend to frequent. Alas, I still love makin' em.
*edit: I already forgot to mention Grand Archives and the Black Angels. See?
Twelve Of My Favorite Local Albums Released In 2008
Saturday Knights - Mingle
It is my firm belief that these guys could easily be as big as the Fleet Foxes right now if they had just gone on tour. Move the fuck OVER, Gym Class Heroes. The Saturday Knights own you.
The Crying Shame - In A Field
Cracked country. Bloodshot Records need to sign these guys immediately.
Damien Jurado - Caught In The Trees
He just keeps getting better.
Dutchess & Duke - She's the Dutchess, He's the Duke
I think we've probably talked about these guys' '60s pop enough, but I still listen to it a lot. Particularly "Ship Made Of Stone."
Common Market - Tobacco Road
Great hip hop, cohesive concept album.
Man Plus - Hungarian Suicide Songbook
The first time I heard this, I thought, "Wow, this band is WEIRD. A ghost is a ghost is a whaaaa...?" And then, the second time I listened to it, I thought, "Wow, this band is AWESOME." Whenever they start playing shows again next year, definitely make a point to be there.
The Hands - s/t
The Hands sing about rock and roll being dead. But their mere existence proves that it isn't.
Mad Rad - White Gold
To quote Ma'chell D.L.: hooks so sick they need life support. And unlike Kanye, they know how to use a vocoder without wearing it out.
Partman Parthorse - Year Of The Jerk
Freaky dance punk of the highest order.
Wallpaper - On The Chewing Gum Ground
K Records, you never cease to blow my mind with your able cherrypicking of pop bands. I salute you.
Ruby Dee and the Snakehandlers - Miles From Home
If Seattle had just a little more appreciation for twang, maybe this band would change its mind and not move to Texas.
Daedelus - Love To Make Music To
I am not an electronica expert, but I really dig this album, particularly when I'm driving.
Ten Albums That Totally Deserved Every Last Ounce Of Hype They Received in 2008, Locally and Otherwise:
Fleet Foxes - s/t
M83 - Saturdays = Youth
Black Mountain - In The Future
The Hold Steady - Stay Positive
Santogold - s/t
Deerhunter - Microcastle
Vampire Weekend - s/t
Wolf Parade - At Mount Zoomer
TV On The Radio - Dear Science
Moondoggies - Don't Be A Stranger
Five Underrated Albums That Should've Been Way More Popular in 2008
Jeff Hanson - Madam Owl
Death Vessel got all that media love for his record (not that it wasn't deserved) but I personally liked Madam Owl better. Add this one to the "male folk singers with high voices" category.
The Ruby Suns - Sea Lion
World music in indie pop has become the hip thing to do, if Vampire Weekend is any indication. Which is why the Ruby Suns should be getting way more attention.
The Jealous Girlfriends - s/t
The Jealous Girlfriends hail from Brooklyn, and if you like pop with nice ladies singing, oh man. No wheels have been reinvented here, but I don't care, because they're so good.
Karl Blau - Nature's Got Away
I really dug this album a lot, and I know it made it onto someone else's top tenner locally. I just can't remember whose.
Sera Cahoone - Only As The Day Is Long
Meanwhile, back at the Sub Pop ranch, Sera Cahoone made this excellent folk record.
Three Of The Most Disappointing Albums of 2008
Kanye West - 808s and Heartbreak
Everyone thought Kanye could do no wrong. Dude, there is such a thing as TOO MUCH VOCODER. Also, that "poor me I don't have kids, I just have a new sports car" crap is downright nauseating. "Heartless" is all right but...ugh.
Ra Ra Riot - The Rhumb Line
Lord knows I usually love and trust Barsuk's taste, but I could identify absolutely nothing, NOTHING, new or especially interesting about this album. It's not bad, it's just not engaging.
Silver Jews - Lookout Mountain, Lookout Sea
It really pains me to include the Silver Jews, one of my favorite bands of all time, on this list. But when you have really high expectations, it's so much worse when they're dashed.
Soooo...tell me, peanut gallery, what'd I forget?
*edit: I already forgot to mention Grand Archives and the Black Angels. See?
Twelve Of My Favorite Local Albums Released In 2008
Saturday Knights - Mingle
It is my firm belief that these guys could easily be as big as the Fleet Foxes right now if they had just gone on tour. Move the fuck OVER, Gym Class Heroes. The Saturday Knights own you.
The Crying Shame - In A Field
Cracked country. Bloodshot Records need to sign these guys immediately.
Damien Jurado - Caught In The Trees
He just keeps getting better.
Dutchess & Duke - She's the Dutchess, He's the Duke
I think we've probably talked about these guys' '60s pop enough, but I still listen to it a lot. Particularly "Ship Made Of Stone."
Common Market - Tobacco Road
Great hip hop, cohesive concept album.
Man Plus - Hungarian Suicide Songbook
The first time I heard this, I thought, "Wow, this band is WEIRD. A ghost is a ghost is a whaaaa...?" And then, the second time I listened to it, I thought, "Wow, this band is AWESOME." Whenever they start playing shows again next year, definitely make a point to be there.
The Hands - s/t
The Hands sing about rock and roll being dead. But their mere existence proves that it isn't.
Mad Rad - White Gold
To quote Ma'chell D.L.: hooks so sick they need life support. And unlike Kanye, they know how to use a vocoder without wearing it out.
Partman Parthorse - Year Of The Jerk
Freaky dance punk of the highest order.
Wallpaper - On The Chewing Gum Ground
K Records, you never cease to blow my mind with your able cherrypicking of pop bands. I salute you.
Ruby Dee and the Snakehandlers - Miles From Home
If Seattle had just a little more appreciation for twang, maybe this band would change its mind and not move to Texas.
Daedelus - Love To Make Music To
I am not an electronica expert, but I really dig this album, particularly when I'm driving.
Ten Albums That Totally Deserved Every Last Ounce Of Hype They Received in 2008, Locally and Otherwise:
Fleet Foxes - s/t
M83 - Saturdays = Youth
Black Mountain - In The Future
The Hold Steady - Stay Positive
Santogold - s/t
Deerhunter - Microcastle
Vampire Weekend - s/t
Wolf Parade - At Mount Zoomer
TV On The Radio - Dear Science
Moondoggies - Don't Be A Stranger
Five Underrated Albums That Should've Been Way More Popular in 2008
Jeff Hanson - Madam Owl
Death Vessel got all that media love for his record (not that it wasn't deserved) but I personally liked Madam Owl better. Add this one to the "male folk singers with high voices" category.
The Ruby Suns - Sea Lion
World music in indie pop has become the hip thing to do, if Vampire Weekend is any indication. Which is why the Ruby Suns should be getting way more attention.
The Jealous Girlfriends - s/t
The Jealous Girlfriends hail from Brooklyn, and if you like pop with nice ladies singing, oh man. No wheels have been reinvented here, but I don't care, because they're so good.
Karl Blau - Nature's Got Away
I really dug this album a lot, and I know it made it onto someone else's top tenner locally. I just can't remember whose.
Sera Cahoone - Only As The Day Is Long
Meanwhile, back at the Sub Pop ranch, Sera Cahoone made this excellent folk record.
Three Of The Most Disappointing Albums of 2008
Kanye West - 808s and Heartbreak
Everyone thought Kanye could do no wrong. Dude, there is such a thing as TOO MUCH VOCODER. Also, that "poor me I don't have kids, I just have a new sports car" crap is downright nauseating. "Heartless" is all right but...ugh.
Ra Ra Riot - The Rhumb Line
Lord knows I usually love and trust Barsuk's taste, but I could identify absolutely nothing, NOTHING, new or especially interesting about this album. It's not bad, it's just not engaging.
Silver Jews - Lookout Mountain, Lookout Sea
It really pains me to include the Silver Jews, one of my favorite bands of all time, on this list. But when you have really high expectations, it's so much worse when they're dashed.
Soooo...tell me, peanut gallery, what'd I forget?
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