Favorite Music of 2008

**Stumpy** · 12-31-2008, 08:03 PM

I'm a huge music fan and always like hearing about preferences and recommendations from different people. What do you think were the top albums of the past year? Here's my top ten:

Mother Mother, "O My Heart" - One part B-52s, one part Pixies. Really solid sophomore album from this Canadian group which displays a great mix of rock, folk, harmony, and technical skill.
The Envy Corps, "Dwell" - Ames locals making a big splash in the UK, have opened for the Killers on a few occasions. Compared constantly (and to varying degrees incorrectly) to Radiohead and Coldplay, they'll be huge one of these years.
TV on the Radio, "Dear Science" - Being called album of the year from a lot of prominent sources (Rolling Stone, MTV, Spin, Entertainment Weekly). Their fourth album which continues to bend genres with aspects of soul, punk, jazz and electro.
Kaki King, "Dreaming of Revenge" - The guitar virtuoso's fourth release, continuing to develop her sound and fill out her arrangements with layers of sound. Good mix of dynamics - instrumental/vocal, soft/intense.
Sigur Rós, "Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust" - The fifth full album from the Icelandic post-rock group, and probably their most accessible. Adds a few more "poppy" songs to their usual dramatic soundscapes.
Vampire Weekend, "Vampire Weekend" - Maybe the most blogged about group of the year. These Columbia grads self-produced their debut album, and what resulted is afro-pop as sweet as Paul Simon's "Graceland."
MGMT, "Oracular Spectacular" - If Vampire Weekend isn't the most blogged about band of the year, this other New York band certainly is. MGMT mixes psychedelic rock with electronic pop sounds, creating an experimental but somehow mainstream collection of songs.
Bon Iver, "For Emma, Forever Ago" - Great story behind the album. In short: Justin Vernon has a breakup with his girlfriend and band, and also falls deeply ill. He goes to his father's cabin in remote northern Wisconsin to recuperate, and ends up recording an album in the process. I'm not so much a fan of the "sensitive bearded guy with a guitar" phenomenon which is somewhat rampant, but Bon Iver presents something different and deeper with great emotional intensity and imagery.
Frightened Rabbit, "The Midnight Organ Fight" - The second full-length studio effort from this Scottish indie band. Fantastic writing and instrumentation whether it is on slower ballads or intense rockers. They're apparently stopping by the M-Shop in January, so watch for them.
Girl Talk, "Feed the Animals" - This is the real oddball on the list. At first listen I thought it would be a one-time novelty and throw-away, but it's proved to be a really well-crafted album. Gregg Gillis creates an album-length mashup - essentially taking the rhythm of one song, the back instrumentation of another, and the vocals of a third (usually trash rap). A few of the highlights include Lil' Mama over Metallica, Salt 'n' Pepa over Nirvana, and Busta Rhymes over the Police. Really an instant party soundtrack, set it and forget it.

Your favorites?

**CyDude16** · 12-31-2008, 08:06 PM

3oh!3- defiently some good music for the teenage/low twentys....they like to mix it up with alternative/rap/electronica/techno type stuff...really cool. Spoiler- two white guys from colorado

**CyForPresident** · 12-31-2008, 08:10 PM

The Racontuers new album.

**jumbopackage** · 12-31-2008, 08:11 PM

Nickleback

**CyForPresident** · 12-31-2008, 08:14 PM

Originally Posted by jumbopackage

Nickleback

The college humor version?

Photograph, a Nickelback Re-Interpretation - CollegeHumor video

**jumbopackage** · 12-31-2008, 08:45 PM

Originally Posted by CyForPresident

The college humor version?

Photograph, a Nickelback Re-Interpretation - CollegeHumor video

Chad Kroeger is really improving lately.

**Angie** · 01-01-2009, 10:46 AM

Okay, Stumpy, you knew you were going to pull me in.

I don't have as much time to flesh out my list, but I'll go with the basics at least (and you know we'll have some in common):

Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend - I fell in love with them before the hype!
Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago - thanks, isucyfan! So beautiful and poignant.
The Kooks - Konk - I don't know why I love them so. Great in concert.
Beck - Modern Guilt - Anything he does is genius.
Kings of Leon - Only By the Night - Not as good as some past efforts, but "Sex On Fire" was great.
She & Him - Volume One - At least one of those actresses-cum-singers has talent!
The Cool Kids - The Bake Sale - Awesome new hip-hop.
Black Kids - Partie Traumatic - So freaking catchy.
Jenny Lewis - Acid Tongue - Not as good as Rabbit Fur Coat, but still fantastic.
Fleet Foxes - Sun Giant EP/Fleet Foxes - I love their other-worldly sound.

**CyGuy33** · 01-01-2009, 11:01 AM

George Straight - Trubidor
The Nadas - Ghost Inside These Halls
Jay-Z - American Gangster
Jamie Johnson - Lonesome Song
Taylor Swift - Fearless

**mwitt** · 01-01-2009, 11:02 AM

Death Magnetic

**dmclone** · 01-01-2009, 12:44 PM

Death magnetic is good. I also like the Black Keys latest cd.

**CyForPresident** · 01-01-2009, 12:46 PM

MIA - Paper Planes

**Clone9** · 01-01-2009, 12:49 PM

Dethklok

**dustinal** · 01-01-2009, 03:19 PM

I need to listen to more music...

**RyCy04** · 01-01-2009, 03:45 PM

Originally Posted by jumbopackage

Chad Kroeger is really improving lately.

Haha!! Improving at recycling the same song with new lyrics?

**isucyfan** · 01-01-2009, 03:56 PM

I haven't listened to near as much music lately, but there were a few releases I loved this year.

Ray Lamontagne: Gossip in the Grain- The sandpaper-voiced soul man does it again. He even includes a funny song about his infatuation with Meg White.

Headlights: Some Racing, Some Stopping- Group from Champaign, Illinois write/perform songs reminescent of New Pornographers.

William Fitzsimmons: The Sparrow and the Crow- Another of those bearded sensitive guys. He has sparse, haunting songs about his recent divorce.