So, I've been out of commission after a major surgery to my
right arm, which has given me a chance to listen to a lot of the releases of 2008 that I haven't been able to get around to. I decided that it would be good to do a little list of the best that this year has had to offer, since we're at the halfway mark and all. Just a quick side note, I've been listening to some different bands lately so this list might not be the hippest, but well, fuck being hip.
10. Andrew Jackson Jihad- Only God Can Judge Me
Like I said, I've been listening to some different things lately, and this qualifies as one of them. Can't really remember how I first heard this folk punk two-some, but I was really pulled in from the first banjo twang. This EP demonstrates that the band can do more than play fast, and lyrically, they are as good as ever.
9. Silver Jews- Lookout Mountain/ Lookout Sea
This one was not as great as I expected, but, come one, anything by my main man David Berman can't be too disappointing. I might need to digest this more before I move it either up or completely off the list, but until then, it sits at 9.
8. Why?- Alopecia
I have never been to into this threesome until the most recent release. Alopecia marginally surprised me, and I was actually pretty impressed and found myself actually listening to the whole album through. I'm not sure if it's due to the fact that there wasn't much being released around the time of this one, but either way, it's pretty damn good.
7. m83- Saturdays= Youth
I've always been a staunch critic of dance/ club music and how some of these "artists" can swagger around the indie scene with such pride. I may be turning as I have found the most recent release from Anthony Gonzalez absouletely brilliant! If I was a leather pants-clad hipster-doofus, I would've put this higher on the list, but I still think most electronic music sucks.
6. Destroyer- Trouble in Dreams
This is another album I need to log a few more listens into, but even after the first time I heard this release I was impressed. This might move up the list by the end of the year.
5. Fleet Foxes- Fleet Foxes
This was an awesome album that I was really looking forward to hearing after their EP came out. I heard the leak pretty early and sadly, I had really over-listened it by the time of the actual release, but I think this was everything I was expecting from this up-and-coming indie group.
4. Bonnie 'Prince' Billy- Lie Down in the Light
When I first heard this album, I thought it would be a mood- sensitive album, like there rest of his releases; boy, was I wrong. I could listen to this album back to back through any activity, mood, weather, or apocalyptic disaster. This is one that I can guarantee will be on the end of the year list!
3. Girl Talk- Feed the Animals
Cries of "Overrated!" could be heard from bloggers coast to coast as the release date approached for Greg Gillis' project's 2008 release. After being thrust into the limelight with his magnum opus, Night Ripper, many expected him to fade away like so many blog-darlings do. But Greg would not relent, he would not give up, he would fight his way to the top! And with this awesome album he does just that, expect this to be an '08 party starter!
2. Santogold- Santogold
Santi White has done what many artists expect to do in a decade in less than a year. After the release of her self-titled album, which absolutely blew me, and many I know, away, she has gone on to record with Pharrell and is even about to tour with Coldplay (you know how I know she's gay... oh, forget it.) This is a must have for anyone, with any musical taste.
1. The Gaslight Anthem- The '59 Sound
This will probably be disputed by most other bloggers, and really anyone who claims to have a refined indie taste. Well, don't let these charlatans swindle you out of hearing one of the best rock n' roll albums of all time. So what if it sounds like Springsteen, these guys make him look a tutu-wearing creep. I picked this album as number one because it really stuck on me, I find myself telling everyone I know to check it out, and listening to it every chance I get. To get the full effect, chug a beer, and another, and another, then enjoy.
I had avoided the hype on this album and only heard 2 songs before it's release, "LES Artistes" and "You'll find a way". The prior definitely jumped out at me and I knew this album would be special. As soon as I got through that song, the first on the album, I found out the version of "You'll find a way" that I had was a remix, and the album version is a ska influenced rendition that couldn't be further away from what I had heard. I was pleasantly surprised and my expectations for the album shifted. Santi's debut jumps through influences, touching on dub, new wave, hip hop and pop sounds without ever feeling jarring. Her vocals range from yelps to smooth pop singing. A talented singer with a diverse backdrop to shine on. Great album.
Production duo Kingston and Young God are back with an album showcasing their instrumental prowess. 2006's A Heap of Broken Images was what hooked me, with the instrumental disc outshining the main disc with appearances from rappers. This album stands alone and continues with a similar sound and feel. A bit less dark, but the production is top-notch. Rich, atmospheric, often haunting instrumental hip hop. The sound is different from most well-known producers, relying less on obvious sampling and creating smooth, flowing music where the mood often shifts dramatically throughout the song. Unlike most instrumental hip hop releases which are either beats wishing for an MC or the instrumental accompaniment to an album, BSBD's production is moving and rich enough that there isn't even room for vocals. I've only had time to listen to this album a couple of times, but I suspect that like Heap of Broken Images, the appeal will last for years as I discover more and more nuances of their rich soundscapes.
