Best of 2008
Friday, December 19, 2008
Looking back at 2008 I am very pleased with the music that was released. Many heavy hitters dropped new records which did crowd out some of the newer bands but on the other hand I was really hard pressed to find any debuts that really struck me. There were some that were good but none "Knock Your Socks Off, WOW".
As usual, Pitchfork compiled their top 50 when compared to mine, only share 1 cd. Hey that's ok, at least my list is interesting and not the same as every other pretentious indie rock wanker out there. No Fleet Foxes, Vampire Weekend, Crystal Castles, Girl Talk or Deerhunter here, instead good music that you can enjoy not dwell over while trying to one up your tight jeans and scruffy face friend.
20. The Brilliant Mistakes
This is the 3rd cd from a band who has been around for about 13 years. They took an extended break between their last one and this and it seems to have paid off. This small NYC band packs a huge melodic punch with catchy riffs and harmonies.
http://www.thebrilliantmistakes.com/
19. Supergrass – Diamond Hoo Ha
What happens when a bunch of punk kids grow up but continue to play music. Either it gets really boring or the brash and cockiness returns in a new form. Supergrass is the latter and their latest cd captures the energy and layers it with years of influence and wise decisions. Their last cd was great but also very melancholy, this time its rock n roll full of swagger and little remorse. Supergrass does a bit of genre jumping here, pulling from the glam era, current garage scene and 90’s Brit Pop.
http://www.supergrass.com/
18. Jakob Dylan – Seeing Things
I stumbled onto this cd by accident but found myself listening to it over and over. Whether it is an early weekend morning or late evening session, this cd would usually be played from start to finish. Jakob’s voice has hints of his fathers but in an acoustic format shines thru. This is no Wallflowers, no heavy organs or full band, instead its an intimate picture into Jakob’s life.
http://www.jakobdylan.com/
17. Jennifer O’Connor – Here With Me
This is a new artist for me, I discovered her thru eMusic one day and fell in love. The style is pure alt country with a dark and lonely approach. Jennifer reminded me of Jesse Sykes with her vocals but throughout the cd finds her own sound.
http://www.jenniferoconnor.net/
The Verve had a tumultuous history and a very public implosion leading to one of the worst solo careers ever. If reforming was the only way to get Richard Ashcroft from recording, I would take it in a heartbeat. The time off did the band well, it allowed them to get sober, heal old wounds and take a shot at what made them great in the first place. The layered and psychedelic sounds are fresh again and the cd takes you back to the early 90s/shoegazing era. There are long drones and fuzzed out haze sessions that create a wall of sound the world has been longing for.
http://www.theverve.co.uk/
15. The Watson Twins – Firesongs
The Watson Twins received a good introduction when they recorded with Jenny Lewis back in 2006. They returned this year with their official full length shedding any doubt that they were just a backup band. The Watson Twins are actually identical twins from LA by way of Kentucky who brought their southern roots with them. The cd is full of folk rock, Americana, gospel and country. Besides the great originals they do justice to the Cure’s “Just Like Heaven”.
http://www.thewatsontwins.com/
14. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – Dig Lazarus Dig
After a quick side project Nick Cave returned with the Bad Seeds fire in hand and ready to rock out. Grinderman allowed Nick to tap into his dark and sleazy side while keeping his soul searching moments for the Bad Seeds. Instead of making a piano based record Nick decided it was time to take on the Bible and write a concept record based on Lazarus set in modern day.
http://www.nickcaveandthebadseeds.com/
13. Martina Topley Bird – The Blue God
For those of you who may not know Martina, she sang along side Tricky back in the 90s but left after his 3rd album. Surprisingly this is when Tricky started to really suck and go downhill big time. Martina doesn’t rely on the old Trip Hop sound for the whole cd, she plays around with funk, soul and jazz and weaves this into a beautiful electronic sound. You can never grow tired of Martina’s voice, its soothing, alluring and intoxicating all at the same time.
http://www.martinatopleybird.com/
12. The Cure – 4:13 Dream
The Cure is back and now a 4 piece once again which means no keyboards. This takes some getting used to since they perfected both the gloomy and cheerful side of love and loss. The Cure aim to recapture their youthful punk side and remind people that although Robert may be bloated and nearing 50, he still has something to say.
http://www.thecure.com/
11. Ryan Adams & the Cardinals – Cardinology
With only 1 release, this year may be a record for Ryan. Cardinology contains his full band and one that at times plays it too safe which is why he didn’t end up higher in my list. There are some amazing songs here but a few bland ones that seem to have been thrown together and lack the attitude we have come to expect. I will admit I wrote this before seeing him live last weekend and since then came to appreciate this record much more. Hearing some of the songs live really explained the record and what Ryan was going for.
http://www.cardinology.com/
10. Coldplay – Viva La Vida
I will admit it, I like Coldplay, I sing along to many of their songs and I keep them on my iPod. I will say their last cd sucked and I could probably count the times I actually listened to it. I never expected that I would include Coldplay on my best of but this time around they did it and I give all the credit to Brian Eno. He took the band out of their comfort zone and forced them to visualize a new sound and not just play it but also embrace it. The band did so and produced some amazing songs that even after the radio saturation I still find myself enjoying.
http://www.coldplay.com
9. Stereolab – Chemical Chords
Stereolab are unique in the sense that you really don’t sing along, a lot of the vocals are in French and the ones in English you can never really make out anyways. They are not a drive around with the top down band either. They are in their own category and are meant to be enjoyed with a nice set of headphones or live. They sonic landscape they create allows you to visualize their music as a piece of art. The heavy drones are not here, instead some free jazz and a bit of Motown.
http://www.stereolab.co.uk/news/
8. Beck – Modern Guilt
Like REM, Beck overproduced last time around and lost many people with his extra long cd. Taking a que from them, Back hammered out a 36 minute cd with the help of Danger Mouse. The mood is consistent throughout but after close listening, you discover the crazy melodies and instrumentation that made Mutations my favorite Beck record. I love the current layers and tone Beck has settled into, I feel it’s an area that he feels most comfortable in and one that he can own and manipulate on further releases.
http://www.beck.com/default.aspx
7. Crooked Fingers – Forfeit Fortune
I was on the fence with this one, the first listen I was disappointed since I was expecting another Dignity and Shame. The songs do not really flow; you can tell many were recorded at different times and places. Since I have been a fan of the band for years I decided to listen a few more times. Finally the brilliance came thru, Eric Bachmann’s unique voice and uncanny ability to arrange alt country/indie rock with horns overtook any reservations I had. Eric also assembled an all-star cast on this cd and one many bands would be jealous of. Eric plays around with ethnic and world sounds throughout the cd and pays homage to distinct American sounds.
http://www.crookedfingers.com/
6. James – Hey Ma
James took a break after the 2001 Pleased to Meet You and everyone thought it might be the end. Even if it was, James went out on top with that cd and one the band couldn’t be prouder of. 7 years later they resurfaced with a collection of songs that brought back the horns of the late 80s and reflections on the different styles throughout their career. This may be the last James cd, and why its not their best it does do a good job at showcasing the range Tim Booth and Company have given us.
http://www.wearejames.com/
5. REM – Accelerate
People dogged the last REM record and there were rumors that members would leave if they tried the same approach again. I for one loved the cd but not the whole thing. It was too long and could have been cut in half for an amazing EP. This time around REM cut out the filler and clocked in at 35 minutes. They brought the guitars back but not in the same style as Monster. Its not all feedback and reverb, it’s raw and under produced. It’s REM at their core and a sound that has been missing for many years. The songs remind me of the off kilter arrangements on New Adventures in HiFi which is probably why I fell in love with it.
http://remhq.com/index.php
4. Aimee Mann – Smilers
I have always been a fan of Aimee, her voice is unique as well as her style. Many people can play the acoustic folk rock but it tends to get boring, Aimee seems to have a way of keeping my attention. The cd is fresh from start to finish and after a few listens you can start to notice the subtle arrangements that provide a lyrical landscape for Aimee to play in.
http://www.aimeemann.com/
3. Oasis – Dig Out Your Soul
Oasis has yet to top Definitely Maybe but may have come close with Dig Out Your Soul. The heavy reliance on Classic Rock is gone and there is emphasis on layers and Psychedelia. This isn’t a 60’s record it’s an updated sound full of confidence and attitude. The brash and cocky Liam returns ready to start a fight with the first shoe thrower and any subpar English band that needs to be knocked down a few pegs. Live these songs open up and prove why Oasis is one of the best live bands around.
http://www.oasisinet.com/
2. The Kills – Midnight Boom
The Kills are a 2 piece with a guitar and drum machine but you would never know from listening. They got their start during the garage scene a few years ago and built upon that sound with Midnight Boom. This cd still has a bit of garage but it is more polished and layered with a few more electronic elements. There is a sense of electro groove going on and Alison “VV” Mosshart picks up where Justine Frischmann left off blending sex and rock n roll and showing that its not just men who can pull off gritty music. This is a band that if you have never listened to, you need to start from the beginning to understand their style and the progression.
http://www.thekills.tv/
1. The Gutter Twins – Saturnalia
The Gutters Twins are Mark Lanegan and Greg Dulli (Afghan Whigs/Twilight Singers fame). Anyone who thought that the two couldn’t get along or pull off such a project have been proven wrong. The cd is brilliant and a huge stretch for anything Greg has done. The mood is dark, tense and angry and one that drags you down into the seedy underbelly of the Twins souls. There are a few songs that are in a lighter key and more Greg’s forte but even those are still out of his comfort zone. Don’t get me wrong this isn’t a depressing record, its one that is complicated and needs many listens to open and reveal itself.
http://www.theguttertwins.com/
Honorable Mentions (no order)
David Byrne & Brian Eno – Everything That Happens Will Happen Today
Mark Lanegan & Isobel Campbell – Sunday At Devil Dirt
Mark Morris – Memory Muscle
Brett Anderson – Wilderness
Spiritualized – Songs In A&E
Brothers & Sisters – Fortunately
Old 97’s – Blame It On Gravity
Primal Scream – Beautiful Future
Mercury Rev – Snowflake Midnight
Brian Jonestown Massacre – My Bloody Underground
The Kooks – Konk
The Honeydrips – Here Comes The Future
She & Him – Vol 1
Jack Johnson – Sleeping Through The Static
Duffy – Rockferry
Gary Louris – Vegabonds
Moby – Last Night
Spoon – GaGaGaGaGa
The National – The Virginia EP
Ladytron – Velocifero
Foo Fighters – Echos, Silence, Patience & Grace
Travis – Ode To J Smith
Posted by mardenhill 12/19/2008 08:06:00 PM
Labels: Music
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