2008 In Music

2008 has been a great year. As a matter of fact I think that this has been, for me, one of the best years of the decade. There are many reasons why I think this year rocked but for the purposes of this post I will focus on the best music that 2008 had to offer. As was the case last year my list will compile the best of what I have heard. During the course of the year I have been able to listen to at least 195 albums that have been released in 2008. There is still plenty more that I do not have the time/money/hours in a day to hear it all. My apologies to TV on the Radio, MGMT, Bon Iver, Wolf Parade, Rosebuds, Common and the many more that I did not get a chance to hear yet. And if any one out there knows how I can get my ears on Paul Westerbergs new album 49:00 Of Your Time/Life please let me know, I can't find it anywhere. During these tight economic times I am thankful for Free Napster, cheap used cd's, and iTunes gift cards that make music readily accessible. I also want to give a shout out to Seattle for being such a fantastic city for live music, every artist on this list has performed in Seattle at least once during 2008.

1. Keep Your Eyes Ahead - The Helio Sequence - 29 January 2008

When a friend suggested that I pick up THS's new album back in January I had no idea what I was in for. Having never heard them before I was shocked to find out that I instantly felt drawn to the Portland based duo. I have since listened to this CD at least once a week this year and "Keep Your Eyes Ahead" has become my soundtrack to 2008. Just like listening to Pearl Jam's "Ten" reminds me of being an early teenager, and all that entails, it is my hope that years from now "KYEA" will bring back memories of college and newly wed life in the city.

The album starts of strong with "Lately" one of the saddest, yet relatable songs about unrequited love. The track has a haunting quality that reminds me of the times in my life when I have had to fake it til I make it through a rough time. The next three songs highlight THS unique sound. Track 5 slows the momentum with the Dylanesque "Shed Your Love." The mood is then elevated for the next four songs peaking with "Hallelujah", a rocking, epic song that you need to see live to truly experience. Hearing the album it is hard to imagine that the band only consists of two members. Their reputation as the band of 2008 was cemented in February when Mandy and I saw them live at Nuemos. Any description of a Helio Sequence concert does not do it justice, you have to see it to feel it. At first glance it is just two dudes on stage, but you have never seen a drummer like former Modest Mouse drummer Benjamin Weikel. He plays with so much passion that it is hard to take your eyes off him, it is so unique that it is almost comical. Many albums came my way in 2008 but the one that is closest to me is "Keep Your Eyes Ahead", Hallelujah!

2. Evil Urges - My Morning Jacket - 10 June 2008
My third favorite group released a solid fifth album this year. The best thing about "Evil Urges" is how all over the place it is. Listening to it is like taking a trip through all of the music styles that I love. You have your traditional rock songs, country jams, and whatever you want to call "Highly Suspicious." Jim James's falsetto is getting better and the band is evolving from a southern jam band to a Zeppelin mixed with Allman Brothers dream come true. And I just have to say track #6, "Sec Walkin" has to be one of the most comfortable songs I have ever heard, I want to live in that song.

3. The Grand Archives- The Grand Archives - 19 February 2008

I am loving this new Seattle sound but if there is any thing "Benjamin Button" taught me, it's that nothing stays the same. That is why I am relishing in our cities (I also include Portland in this) bands latest obsession with the sun soaked sounds of '70s California. It's like these guys have read my mind and made music especially for me. Every song on Grand Archives are not only great, they could be a radio hit! I am just surprised that not that many people know about them.

4. Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes - 3 June 2008 My favorite thing to come out of Kirkland, WA since Mandy. Although this album comes in at number four it gets my number one pick for best album cover of the year. Whenever I look at this CD cover and their EP Sun Giant's cover (you really should check it out) I think to myself, that is a place where I want to live. The Fleet Foxes pastoral sound is so smooth and comforting and while it sounds like something recorded years ago it has a freshness to it. Lead singer Robin Pecknold's delicate voice perfectly blends in with the bands harmonies, which can best be heard on "White Winter Hymnal." This album is the ideal early morning music. All year I have listened to this while on the bus at the crack of dawn (actually 7:00AM) on my way to school and it has been the perfect way to start the day. Get this album and support a local Seattle band. Oh yeah and check them out on SNL this week!

5. Stay Positive - The Hold Steady - 14 July 2008

I will remember 2008 as the year I found The Hold Steady. It's safe to say that they are now among my favorite groups recording today. Throughout the year I got all four of their albums and instantly fell in love with each one. My friend described them best when he said they sound like the E-Street Band led by Elvis Costello. It has been awhile since I have heard a group utilize the form of the band the way THS does. Listening to Stay Positive feels like being at a party. While I could list my favorite tracks the truth is the dozens of times I have listened to it I just start at the beginning and listen to it all the way through. I can't wait to see these guys live this summer as I imagine they would be to die for. Oh yeah, It looks like I need to add St. Paul and Ybor City to my must visit list, they are the new Asbury Park!

6. Made In The Dark - Hot Chip - 4 February 2008

What can I say about Made in the Dark? This was the most fun I had listening to an album all year. Anytime I feel like I need to be in a good mood I put this record on and immediately I am dancing like an idiot (at least in my head). I've described Hot Chip to people as sounding like the guys from"The Lonely Island" if the "TLI" guys were to write serious songs. My favorite dance tune is "Ready For the Floor" but the song sure to put a smile on any one's face is "Wrestlers," the most beautiful ode to Monday night wrestling I have ever heard. The acquisition of this gem was purely based on the album cover. Mandy and I were in line at Easy Street and Mandy pointed it out to me as something she thought we would like. Good call Mames!

7. Volume One - She & Him - 18 March 2008
Who would have thought that Jovie from "Elf" would release one of the best albums of the year?Volume One was one of the biggest surprises of 2008. Mandy and I picked it up the week it came out back in March and it has been in our car ever since. It is just so accessible! I was expecting it sound gimmicky, actresses turned singers usually never work out (exception #15) but ZD sounds like a natural. Her voice has a vulnerability to it that is intriguing. I think that the best way to describe Zooey Deschanel's voice is like a young Dusty Springfield mixed with early Carly Simon. ZD is the total package, not only is she an talented actress, and has a great singing voice, she is also a very talented songwriter. The "Him" of the band is Portland's M. Ward. He is who we have to thank for convincing ZD to record this album after hearing her sing in "Elf". Thanks M!

8. Cardinology - Ryan Adams & the Cardinals - 28 October 2008

This is what focus sounds like! Ryan Adams is in a good place right now, and we have The Cardinals and their Grateful Dead, country rock sound to thank for it. The Cardinals really bring out the best in Adams and allow him to do something that he has never done, be consistent. Adams likes to play with genres and explore new territories. I can't blame him, I think I would do the same thing; but with Cardinology he tapped into what made last years Easy Tiger so magnificent, simplicity and intimacy. Track #9 "Crossed Out Name" has been inducted into my top five Adams songs!

9. Blame It On Gravity - Old 97's - 13 May 2008
This was one of my most anticipated albums this year and I am happy to report that I was not disappointed. While I enjoyed Rhett Miller's two solo albums there is something about his voice coupled with the band that just sounds right. As second wave pioneers of alt-country, my favorite genre of music, Old 97's have got there sound down to a science, and I love it! Check out "No Baby I," and "My Two Feet," and "Ride" for an introduction to this great album.

10. 808s & Heartbreak - Kanye West - 24 November 2008

What drew me to Kanye West in the first place back in 2004 was his ear for creative sampling, his unabashed confidence and his biting social commentary. 808s & Heartbreak has none of that! In fact the entire album is recorded with an 808 synth machine and auto-tune, and oh yeah, he sings! Why do I like it so much then? It's because we are able to see a moment of weakness in a giants life. In this album, Kanye is vulnerable and stripped of all of his Louis Vuitton armor. The unexpected death of his mother plus the breakup from his long time fiancee has left him as deflated as the balloon on the albums cover. He wrote this album as a way to cope with the loss in his life and we are left with a wonderful experiment from start to finish. I will cherish this album because I know that next year he will be back to rapping about all things superficial. I do have to say that the guests on this album do not help it at all, in fact one of the dumbest lines in rap comes on the track "Amazing" from Young Jeezy. Says he: "Standing at my podium, I'm tryin' to watch my sodium." Just cause it rhymes does not make it a good line.

11. Furr - Blitzen Trapper - 23 September 2008

Blitzen Trapper are little more rowdy than Fleet Foxes, but they are the same in spirit. This Portland based band has perfected what was best about the 70's California (Harvest era) sound and mixed it with the new Seattle/NW sound. The result is a perfect album, and one I wish could have somehow been a part of. I can't wait to see these guys this summer!

12. The '59 Sound - The Gaslight Anthem - 19 August 2008

Before I started listening to Bruce Springsteen back in high school my favorite band was another group from Jersey, The Bouncing Souls. Imagine my joy when I heard The '59 Sound by The Gaslight Anthem. It is like a marriage between Darkness on the Edge of Town Springsteen and Hopeless Romantic Bouncing Souls (they recently toured with the 'Souls). Even though their influences are prevalent throughout the album there is something about it that is so organic. Listen to the track "Film Noir" and enjoy! Thanks Tyler for the suggestion, I owe you one.

13. Another Country - Tift Merrit - 26 February 2008

Another solid release from one of my "voice crushes," as Mandy calls her. I think that this is my favorite of her three albums because it is the most simple. I think that simplicity is most evident on my favorite track "Keep You Happy."

14. Mudcrutch - Mudcrutch - 29 April 2008

I don't know what good thing I did to deserve this, but Mudcrutch is as good as it gets for me. Mudcrutch was more or less Tom Petty's first band back in Gainesville, FL in the early '70s and this album will transport you right back to that glorious time in music. Although recorded this year, Mudcrutch sounds like a long lost album that you somehow missed when it came out over thirty years ago. The rich country sound is accented by Petty's master use of catchy hooks and a sure sense of what his strengths are. Just listen to "Scare Easy," "Six Days on the Road," and "Topanga Cowgirl" to hear proof that at 58, Mr. Petty is at the top of his game.

15. Jenny Lewis - Acid Tongue - 23 September 2008

Whether she is performing with Rilo Kiley, the Watson Twins, or Fred Savage. Jenny Lewis can do no wrong in my book. She has such a unique voice, it has a haunting quality to it. She is like the girl version of Gram Parsons. Every song on this album rocks but the last song, "Sing A Song For Them" was one of my favorite songs of 2008! She will be at the UW next week, maybe I'll break into the piggy bank so I can go see her live.

16. Such Fun - Annuals - 7 October 2008

First off, love the Bob Ross painting on the cover. Annuals from NC are becoming the band to watch. In their last album, Be He Me, they channeled Pet Sounds and on this one they have progressed into the '70s country rock sound. It's hard to tell where they will settle but for now I'm loving the ride.

17. Loyalty To Loyalty - Cold War Kids - 23 September 2008

While I admit that this album is not as catchy as CWK's fantastic debut Robbers & Cowards, I think that Loyalty To Loyalty is far more interesting. This was one of the few new albums this year that I sat down and read the lyrics while listening to the music. My favorite track is #10 "Dreams Old Men Dream," check it out!

18. Narrow Stairs - Death Cab For Cutie - 13 May 2008

Even though I know that it is in fashion among the cool kids to hate on this band I haven't turned my back on them yet. I think that DCFC gets better with each release, and for me Narrow Stairs is their best. From the first track "Bixby Canyon Bridge" and into "I Will Posses Your Heart" we can hear that NS is darker than their prievious efforts. This darkness provides more depth and proves that DCFC are destined for more than just playing the Baitshop. I stopped feeling guilty for liking them after seeing them live with Neil Young this past fall, they held their own.
19. Field Manual - Chris Walla - 29 January 2008

Bothell's Chris Walla has put out his own "Postal Service." Those who think that DCFC is all Ben Gibbard will be surprised to hear how much their sound comes from Walla. On this album Walla does it all, he played, wrote, and produced it all (for the most part). Check out "Our Plans, Collapsing" and "It's Unsustainable."

20. Real Animal - Alejandro Escovedo - 10 June 2oo8 From the fisrt four chords of the openning track "Always A Friend" I was in. Escovedo truely is one of the premire Texas songwriters. I think that it is a shame that he is not as well known as he should be but he is still releasing material that is as strong as ever. And at 58, long may he rock!

21. @#%&*! Smilers - Aimee Mann - 3 June 2008 To me Aimee Mann is one of the best at making songs that all seem to fit together. She has been a favortie of mine for a long time. Also, she gets the award for coolest album title.

22.Visiter - The Dodos - 18 March 2008 Great album, terrible artwork! Visiter showcases The Dodos wide range of influences: folk, bluegrass, country, and African beats. It is all over the place, but in a good way.