Best Albums 2008!

Cooper posted her “Best Of” list last week, and so now I bring you mine.  My favorite albums (and one EP) of 2008 are (drumroll please)…

 An Horse – Rearrange Beds - If you haven’t heard of this Australian duo, you need to go out and buy this album immediately. They are awesome and returning to tour the U.S. in March of 2009. The song, Little Lungs, overwhelms me when I listen to it.

 

 Kings of Leon – Only By The Night - If you didn’t fall in love with the Kings of Leon this year, then you live under a rock in the middle of a jungle in some third world country. Only excuse.

 

 

 Santogold – Santogold - I’d have to say the same for Santogold that I did for Kings of Leon. Thank goodness she decided to cross the proverbial tracks over from A&R rep to artist.

 

 

 The Killers -Day and Age - My musical love.

 

 

 

 Robots In Disguise – We’re In The Music Biz - RID is, well… weird. But weird in a good way. Weird like I think I would have a lot of fun partying with them. This album is usual RID sound – weird but fun to party with.

 

 

 TV On The Radio – Dear Science - I have a feeling that this album will be on about 90% of the 2008 “Best Of” lists.

 

 

 

 Friendly Fires – Friendly Fires - Enthusiastic and a little bit odd, I love these guys.

 

 

 

 

 Bon Iver – For Emma, Forever Ago - Bon Iver is good for my heart. In the way that it’s good to have your heart ripped apart and then mended by music.

 

 

 Spinnerette – Ghetto Love (EP) - The comeback of my favorite former lead singer of The Distillers is formidable. Now we need Spinnerette to get out on tour to Chicago!

 

 

 Death Cab For Cutie – Narrow Stairs- DCFC doesn’t change up their sound a whole lot from album to album, but it doesn’t matter because their sound is just damn good.

 

 

Posted by Garvey

My favorite albums of 2008

I have never done year end accolades, but I have never had a music blog before.  These days purchasing an album in it’s entirety seems almost archaic. I feel there are two types of albums now…those that are concept albums and kind of need to be listened to in whole and those gems that have a bunch of really good singles. For this list, I have considered good EP’s too, because it seems a more expedited way, with more rapid turnover to feed our A.D.D. (at least mine) need for new music.  In no particular order….

Viva La Vida/Prospekts March EP - Coldplay  So Coldplay and Brian Eno nuff said. The late year add on EP showed a different side of Coldplay. BTW, they have rescinded there retirement threat.

Turning Down Water For Air  -  James Yuill  Folktronica fans rejoice. This guy is great. Blips and bleeps and scratches can be warm and fuzzy. One of my favorite new artists in a long time.

Youth Novels- Lykke Li     Thank you 90210. Lykke is vulnerable, yet demands your attention.

Emergence- Trifonic   Organic electronica with guitar riffs and everyday sounds, from proteges of BT.

Random Album Title – Deadmau5  This Canadian musician has changed the landscape of dance music. Really!!!

Down to Earth- Jem  Jem invokes gospel, rap and folktronica in spite of poor record label relations. Thankfully they didn’t ruin it for everybody.

Eyes Wide Open – Olivia Broadfield  Just love her. Accessibly. Female best new artist of the year for me. This years “TV made me” winner.

Elephants…Teeth Sinking Into Heart – Rachel Yamagata   Usually a little toasted on stage she is raw and powerful and makes Chicago proud.

Robyn – Robyn  Sugary pop that took 3 years to make it to our shores. Can you handle her?

Elevate- Morgan Page  Tasty originals and remixes including personal favorite Jenny Owen Youngs.

Last Night – Moby  Returning to his roots…no glow sticks necessary.

Strobelite Seduction – Kaskade  His Chicago connection won him resident of the year at Smart Bar. Accessible and always evolving…enter collaboration with Deadmau5

 We Sing, We Dance. We Steal Things – Jason Mraz   Hello – Tristan Prettyman  Cute, fun, poignant and Left Coast love.

Feed The Animals – Girltalk  This is my internal monologue after just one cup of coffee. How anyone cannot have fun listening to this is beyond me.

 

posted by : cooper