By Will, January 12th 2009 — with 2 comments
Here we are finally. I save everything for last minute, and I guess even my music blog falls to this curse. I listened to A LOT of music this year (way too much) and these are the 10 albums that I either listened to the most frequently or just thought were the highest quality albums that did a lot for me. These albums all deserve a chance from any fan of music looking for something new. Anyway lets get to it here they are:
#10. Beck – Modern Guilt
Beck has stayed quite relevant over 8 studio albums. His last two albums “Guero” and “The Information” were good but as a whole didn’t do much for me after a while. However “Modern Guilt” hits the spot a lot better. From start to finish there is not one song that I want to skip. The songs are pure Beck, and pure rock. This is what I really enjoyed, the songs were more in the vein alternative rock than electronic. The songs are dark and full with great sounds that is somewhat due to the usual great production from Danger Mouse. This thing about this album is that it doesn’t try to do too much or experiment. Beck gets straight to the point and I thought this was really effective. “Gamma Ray” is a great rock song that I consider to be one of the best Beck songs in recent memory. Listen to the drums on “Chemtrails” that is some killer stuff. This is not only a good Beck album, but an album he needed. We needed it.
[mp3] : Beck – Orphans
#9. The Walkmen – You & Me
Atmosphere. That is what the Walkmen do best. Using vintage instruments, and the powerhouse vocals of Hamilton Leithauser. His lyrics create powerful imagery that is enhanced when his voice comes and goes into that ever familiar scream. The instruments used on this album give the album a really varied old fashioned sound that fits so perfect with the bands sound its scary. The Walkmen slow things down here and it does them a lot of good. Every bit of the band is heard here and that is what they needed to do. They know how to write beautiful songs full of rich vivid imagery that is affecting. Although the album consists of more slow songs and ballads the few fare shares of faster louder moments that remind us of their classic song “The Rat”. Although there is no “Rat” standout on the album this is as pretty much as strong collection of songs as they come. The songs here really move me and give me a sense of hope in a way. They talk about normal everyday things over such great music, you can’t help but appreciate it. Gotta love that atmosphere.
[mp3] : The Walkmen – Postcards From Tiny Islands
#8. The Rural Alberta Advantage – Hometowns
This is the indie darling story of 2008. These guys went from virtually unknown to one of the most appreciated indie acts on blogs/message boards over the year. This Canadian 3 piece got appreciation from a few blogs due to their similar Neutral Milk Hotel powerful take on indie rock. Eventually this discussion lead to message board discussion and then emusic noticed. Emusic loved them so much that they made them a featured artists on the site which only glorified the bands rise to indie stardom. This is no hype either, these guys have some strong songs to back up their hype. I only found this album last month and it found my way into my top 10. That is saying something. Yes, the vocals do sound like NMH man Jeff Mangum. Let’s get that out of the way. The songs take many different directions from the lush introduction of “The Ballad of The RAA” to the powerful “Drain The Blood” this album doesn’t stay at one sound. The drumming on this album is something I would really like to point out, it is fucking powerful man! There is so much more I could say about this band, however I am going to save that for a feature that I plan to write on the band in the next upcoming days. These guys made quite a story. Oh and they are unsigned!!! *Jump on the bandwagon now, trust me you will see this name all over the place soon*
[mp3] : The Rurual Alberta Advantage -
#7. The Last Shadow Puppets – The Age Of The Understatement
Alex Turner is my favorite song writer at the moment. Yeah it is because of the Arctic Monkeys, but it is also because all of his lyrics are quite unbelievable. His songwriting is growing with each new release and it continued with The Last Shadow Puppets, his side project with pal Miles Kane (of the Rascals). The album almost sounds like it belongs in the 60′s due to their really powerful backing orchestra full of powerful strings. The songs of this debut are simply irresistible. Why? Because Alex and Miles connect so well it is almost scary. Their guitar strums are so clean and connected, their voices are almost indistinguishable. It is this brotherly fashion that they pride themselves in. This is why the project works so well. It is two friends making passionate music that they have nothing relying on. Their is no pressure of them being “the next NME big thing). Alex already achieved that by a mile and he continues to make brilliant music with sweeping melodies, and bold ambition. Good music is still alive.
[mp3] : The Last Shadow Puppets – My Mistakes Were Made For You
#6. Bon Iver – For Emma, Forever Ago
Bon Iver, what would the indie scene be without you? I’m pretty sure Bon Iver got some mention or listing on every single indie/alternative music publication this year. Justin Vernon’s band have crafted one hell of an album full of beauty and poetry in the finest musical form. Justin recorded this album after he isolated himself in a cabin for 3 months, and the result of that album is something breathtaking. Vernon has a lot of things that were bothering him and through Bon Iver he was able to express himself with powerful music leaving all his emotions on the table for you to interpret. The acoustic guitars are strummed with such delicacy and ease, it perfectly suits the lyrics. It is really hard to say anything about “For Emma, Forever Ago” that has not already been said. So I will just summarize that Bon Iver has crafted a powerful set of moving songs that tugs at the heartstrings and captivates you. It is an album that you cannot miss. And I don’t care if it “came out self released in 07. The album was officially released in 2008 so enough of that.
[mp3] : Bon Iver – For Emma
#5. TV On The Radio – Dear Science
TV On The Radio don’t plan to release a dud anytime soon. They keep on bringing us some of the best sounding, well polished indie rock like it is no problem. The songs on “Dear Science” are some of their best yet with a much more mass appeal due to the shinier production and more straightforward alternative rock approach. The sounds glow with every clap, horn, and howl. The album is consistently strong from start to finish. TV On The Radio are on the top of their game with the strongest song structures yet, wonderful vocals from the amazing duo of Tunde Adepimbe and Kyp Malone. The songs just have this glow to them with a really clear focus of what they want to achieve and boy do they succeed. A lot of fan of the band are complaining about this album being too different from their past albums, but I just think the band is still making the same type of music but just taking a different route. Sometimes cleaning up your sound is a good thing!!
[mp3] : TV On The Radio -Dancing Choose
#4. Fleet Foxes – Fleet Foxes
Ah Fleet Foxes. Has any other band honestly received more praise in 2008 than these guys? Nope, and no doubt that they deserve every bit of it. I am picking hairs with my last 4 albums, all 4 are stellar either one of them could have been my #1. Anyway, Fleet Foxes debut really blew me away. I went into the album right when the hype was just starting to build. So the idea of it being #1 album of the year was not in back of my mind when I listened. Right away I was sucked into the harmonies. There music was just such a clean and refreshing takes on folk-rock that so many bands have tried to do and have fallen so short. Fleet Foxes triumph over these other artists with ease. The harmonies and melodies are so good that they seem to come natural. This album is going to receive some backlash because people are expecting too much. If you go into it with an open mind you will be swept away by the harmonies of imagery and story telling that the lyrics give you. Fleet Foxes are one of the 2008′s finest gifts.
[mp3] : Fleet Foxes – Ragged Wood
#3. Cut Copy – In Ghost Colours
Cut Copy. What a beautiful chance of finding them. While browsing Virgin Megastore over the summer I saw this album and had no idea who they were or what they sounded like. The album cover gave me the idea that they were some kind of electronic band, but what does that tell you these days. I had a good feeling on it so I bought it and sure enough it turned out to be my 3rd best record of the year. Cut Copy’s 2nd album “In Ghost Colours” is a wonderful album full of magical dance rock songs that have gotten better with each listen. These songs are what dance music should be, full of energy, color, and sensual. Oh do Cut Copy ever deliver! The album is a triumph of songs that not only remain great, but actually get better and fresher every time I blash them from my speakers. The chorus’s are big and ambitious, and beats are lush, hypnotic and most of all danceable. I have gotten my friends and even my mother into Cut Copy. I hope I can add you to that list too.
[mp3] : Cut Copy – Out There On The Ice
#2. Wolf Parade – At Mount Zoomer
Wolf Parade’s debut album ‘Apologies To The Queen Mary’ was one of the first “indie” albums that I truly found by myself and really got into. (I’m only 18 
) and when I discovered it I was blown away. Point being, there was no way their follow up album would come close to it. Boy, was I wrong. Now I know most people and critics were disappointed with their new album “At Mount Zoomer” but I believe similar to Bloc Party they expected another “Apologies”. Well this is a totally different album and I don’t think you should really compare. The band has changed the way they make their songs. On “Apologie” there was a mixed influence of both singers/song writers Spencer and Dan. On “At Mount Zoomer” there is a more distinctive influence/control of what song is Dans and what is Spencers. However now when they do collaborate such as on the epic album closer “Kissing The Beehive” the results are mind blowing. The band is different in some ways, but if any it is just more polished and mature. They all have so many side projects I think there are enough ideas and sounds that they can add to the band to keep making fucking brilliant albums such as this.
[mp3] : Wolf Parade – Wolf Parade – An Animal In Your Care
#1 Vampire Weekend – Vampire Weekend
This placement is a no brainer for me. From the moment I discovered Vampire Weekend and the Blue-CDR, I fell in love. I knew instantly when their debut album was released that it would be my favorite album of the year. Although there were tons, and tons of other great records this year there was no record that I listened to and enjoyed more than Vampire Weekend. I may be a bit biased since I have seen them live 3 times and met the band 2 out of the 3 times. Even though I met them, it doesn’t take away the fact that this is album is just an absolute pleasure to listen to. The music is fresh and good. They take so many different influences and combine them to create their own sound.
The lyrics are creative, and very observant to details. The hooks and melodies are flying at you left and right, with ease I might add. I mean you could over analyze any form of music all day, but the fact is Vampire Weekend crafted the finest album of 2008 in my mind. There is no album that I wanted to go back to more. The songs are memorable, fun, fun to sing along, and just GOOD. From the opening of “Mansard Roof” to the closing strings of “The Kids Don’t Stand A Chance” I am not bored for one single second. In fact, I love the album so more I probably will just hit repeat or go listen to some singles or rarities. If I had to complain about one thing, it would be that they left “Ladies Of Cambridge” (I like Boston better heh) off the album. That track kills.
I’m sure the backlash will continue, but that was expected. I am sure they could care less. The fact is Vampire Weekend have a lot to offer us, and they are just getting started. This is as promising a record as they come, so look out world. There is too much good stuff going on here, turn off the hate, play some “Upper West Side Soweto” get some boat shoes and rock the fuck out!
[mp3] : Vampire Weekend – M79
