1. Portishead, Third
With stanza after stanza of lyrical astuteness (“I can’t deny what I’ve become, I’m just emotionally undone,” Gibbons warbles on “Magic Doors,”), Third was scanty and ominous like 1970s Krautrock marrying English post-punk despair. The record was entirely pragmatic and new, using synthesizer patches and esoteric grooves that hip-hop producers can never touch again. Third is the best album of 2008.
2. Shugo Tokumaru, Exit
The opening guitar plucks of Exit’s first album cut, “Parachute,” signal a dense musical offering and a staggeringly gifted little Japanese man making big waves. Unbelievably talented, he apparently plays over 100 instruments alone in his cramped Tokyo apartment. The complexities of his arrangements are smart yet accessible – this is incredible stuff.
3. Flying Lotus, Los Angeles
When Warp records heard the music of Flying Lotus featured on Adult Swim, the label signed him immediately. Music runs in his family, he is the nephew of the legendary Alice Coltrane, and it’s evident in his brain-melting futuristic instrumental hip-hop. With cues from J Dilla, Los Angeles is both unpredictable and refreshing.
4. TV On The Radio, Dear Science
No big surprise here: we knew they had it in them. Every critic was ogling over this record when it came out in October as a late edition to 2008. Some even went as far as calling it the new OK Computer. Nonetheless, Dear Science was magnificent from start-to-finish.
5. Paavoharju, Laulu Laakson Kukista
Finnish independent imprint Fonal is a label to watch in 2009, with many talented artists like Paavoharju. This album is filled with sparse, electro-folk soundscapes; evoking cold pastoral imagery. A challenging listen, yes, but this a deep record, so what do you expect? Plus the song titles are fun to try to pronounce.
6. James Pants, Welcome
Welcome is a strong argument for why contemporary electronic music remains interesting. This is like Cameo on acid, with way too many vintage synthesizers; retro-boogie-sounding electro-space funk from the future; originating, of all places in Spokane, WA. One hopes Stones Throw founder Peanut Butter Wolf further grooms the young artist to his full potential.
7. Koushik, Out My Window
Koushik is based out of Vermont, and I like to imagine him making Out My Window hunched over a sampler, surrounded by thousands of obscure records from the 1960s, while looking out his window at the rolling green scenery. Signed to arguably the best indie hip-hop imprint, Stones Throw, his entire aesthetic of shoe-gaze vocals meshed with crispy boom-bap drums works wonders.
8. Department Of Eagles, In Ear Park
Until Grizzly Bear releases their highly anticipated new LP, this will have to hold us over. And it does quite well. Grizzly Bear co-songwriter Daniel Rossen has unleashed 11 songs of alarming effectiveness that reveal more and more after each listen. At 26-years-old, he writes endearing lyrics beyond his years.
9. El Guincho, Alegranza
With comparisons to Panda Bear, Manu Chao and Os Mutantes!, it’s hard to imagine Alegranza not being a fun listen. The loops he uses recall the melancholy of Portuguese fado, the immediacy of West African rhythms (move aside Vampire Weak-end!), and the overall appeal of World music. This record is relentless.
10. Cut Copy, In Ghost Colors
Having free-reign at DFA headquarters in New York to use innumerable vintage synths, disco-era percussive implements, and choice samples, Cut Copy knocked-it out-of-the-park with In Ghost Colors. It reaffirms producer Tim Goldsworthy’s genius, and that Australia is a hot-bed for appropriated new-disco and effortless indie-pop.
– Jon Dempsey
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1.Radiohead, In Rainbows
Released online for free the first day of 2008, In Rainbows showcases the next step of Radiohead’s ever-maturing sound, blending their raw grunge origins with sophisticated electronic experimentation.
2.Flight of the Conchords, S/T
A combination of fantastically witty lyrics and surprisingly catchy rhythms, the Flight of the Conchords’ fourth full length release is a shoe-in for the best of 2008. Want to brush up on your French? Listen to the opening track: “Faux De Fa Fa.”
3.Vampire Weekend, S/T
Vampire Weekend made quite a statement with their self-titled debut LP, which has already gone gold. With pop-friendly indie, heavily influenced by traditional African music, such as Congolese soukous, this album will have you dancing from start to finish. If you love Paul Simon’s Graceland, you will adore this album.
4.Sigur Ros, Med sud í eyrum vid spilum endalaust
It seems this Icelandic ensemble refuses to quit releasing sublime albums of epic porportions. This album features their first English language song: “All Alright.”
5. The Roots, Rising Down
The Philadelphian hip-hop band has done it again. With guest artists including Malik B., Talib Kweli and DJ Jazzy Jeff, Rising Down helps prove the legitimacy of hip-hop in a time when 50 cent and Kanye West have made over-produced “entertainment” the norm.
6. The Mars Volta, The Bedlam of Goliath
In a scientific experiment where salsa musicians are given acid, speed and distortion pedals, The Bedlam of Goliath is the correct hypothesis. Following suit with their repertoire of in-your-face experimental progressive rock, The Mars Volta rock out so hard on this album I dare you not to move.
7. Nightmares on Wax, Thought So . . .
With groovy rhythms and slick vocals, Thought So . . . plays out like Bonobo and Sublime’s love child. The enchanting beatscapes flow with ease through the 11 tracks and seem less nightmares on wax and more, say, daydreams on magic mushrooms.
8. Dr. Dre, Detox
Yes, that’s right, it’s not even released yet. Having not heard the album I cannot rank it within the top five, but based off 2001 and all the hype garnered through announcements of collaborators, Detox is sure to make a splash and end 2008 on a good note.
9. Anthony Green, Avalon
A long awaited solo album from the front man of Circa Survive and formerly of Saosin. Avalon, titled after the city in which it was recorded, features tracks old and new, soft and hard. A work in progress for so long it can almost be considered a compilation of his greatest works.
10. RZA, Digi Snacks
What happens when the rap games’ best producer releases the third installment of his Bobby Digital series? Well, amazing beats and a long list of guest artists that’s what. RZA himself describes the album as “a perfect blend of reality, fiction, sci-fi and martial arts.”
– Tyler Alty
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1. Dr. Dog, Fate
The year’s most unforgettable album with every song just as good as the next. It’s one of those albums that you’ll sing along to on the second listen.
2. Beck, Modern Guilt
When Danger Mouse was announced as Beck’s surprise producer, big things were expected. Modern Guilt did not disappoint.
3. Little Joy, Little Joy
With a taste of The Strokes over melodic perfection, Little Joy has created the perfect debut.
4. Kings of Leon, Only By The Night
This family band from the south never ceases to amaze. You can spot their dinner-time vocals from miles away.
5. Fleet Foxes, Fleet Foxes
Perfection in vocal harmonies defines this debut album. The tracks are easy listening, but won’t make you fall asleep. You won’t want to stop listening.
6. Ryan Adams & The Cardinals, Cardinology
Ryan Adams’ ever-changing music style has been tamed to consistency over the past few years with The Cardinals. That said, their tunes are getting tighter.
7. The Roots, Rising Down
After announcing they would be going on hiatus from recording and touring to become Jimmy Fallon’s backup band when he replaces Conan O’Brien, this album became an instant classic.
8. Belle & Sebastian, BBC Sessions
This record is more or less summarizes their career, with songs recorded from 1996 to 2001. It’s a beautiful album with a striking rendition of “Here Comes the Sun.”
9. The Raconteurs, Consolers of the Lonely
Who thought they would release a sophomore album with Jack White’s busy schedule? They’re still going strong and getting better, steady as she goes.
10. Death Cab For Cutie, Narrow Stairs
A lot of instrumentals bring out a different sound from this familiar band. Narrow Stairs really does show the uniqueness and evolution of DCFC.
– Jarred Coxford
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1. The Dodos, Visiter
Infectious melodies and mind-bending rhythms fuel this cacophonous collection of songs with mad insanity.
2. The Muslims, The Muslims
Troggs-style bullet-proof gritty retro hooks from four Californians who have inexplicably changed their band name to The Soft Pack.
3. Paavoharju, Laulu Laakson Kukista
No idea what this group of Finnish ascetic Christians sings about, but the way they weave from abstract interludes to accessible pop songs is quite intriguing.
4. The Ruby Suns, Sea Lion
Tropical, cheerful, breezy, and partly sung in Maori, this sophomore album sounds like a collection of colourful adventures around picturesque New Zealand shores.
5. Crystal Stilts, Alight of Night
Grim nonchalance hasn’t sounded this good since Lou Reed. It’s stylishly dark, ethereal and energetic despite vocalist Brad Hargett’s sleepy vocals.
6. Au, Verbs
With a majestic, larger-than-life sound and a balance between carnival-craziness and summer-porch laziness, this album is a nice follow-up to Au’s self-titled debut.
7. Beach House, Devotion
Like an eerily cozy romp around an old abandoned church, this album envelops you in its jingling spacey drones and steady percussion.
8. Tie: The Bug, London Zoo / Menahan Street Band, Make The Road By Walking
This is a toss up between The Bug’s raw jungle dancehall beats and the Menahan Street Band’s soulful hip-hop. Both albums will shake your hips, the difference being that London Zoo will have you grinding, while Make The Road By Walking is a mellower head-bobbing, afternoon cruising affair.
9. The Raveonettes, Lust Lust Lust
Sune Rose Wagner’s grating guitars and Sharin Foo’s sublime vocals make for an edgy, charged collection of songs that haunt and seduce you.
10. Duchess Says, Anthologies des 3 Persoirs
This Montreal outfit’s paradoxically polished lo-fi is powerful and commanding, while the tremulous female vocals beckon you to take a bite of its gritty deliciousness.
– Anna Chigo
