The Best of 2008

I have been reading the top Album list from both Paste & NPR, which I find to be the best of the best of list because it is not done by some snobby music critic but voted on by the patrons of NPR & Paste, true music fans. Many of those albums I also find to be the best albums of the past year. During my time stuck in ATL’s airport (twice in 2 weeks I might add) I revisited and really listen deep to the albums on these list. I strongly agree with the compiled list of top albums and will let you in on some of the best albums from the last year that you might need to pick up if you don’t already have. I am not going to rank them or put them in any particular order, and trust me I am leaving so many great albums off this post…

Vampire Weekend: This self title First Release might be the best album of the year with its upbeat afro-pop sounds. It reminds me & G of very early Police albums in that each song is very well put together and never drops a beat. The guitar playing on it is spectacle awaking; the bass line not only follows the songs perfect but also adds its very own spectrum to the songs. Each song is its own special gem in the collection of great songs. It is a great album for long road trips or getting work done around the home

Fleet Foxes: This is the Seattle’s Based group first album (which is a trend among the top albums of 2008)…the vocals remind me of My Morning Jacket (that whole singing in a Silo thing). It is more of an upbeat folk album with many layers to each song. The album rolls together perfectly, you almost feel like it is one long intertwined song…which is why it is one of the top albums of the year.

She & Him: Now Hollywood types love to venture into music and some make it. She & Him is one example of just that (Zooey Deschanel). This wonderful Folk Due tackles classics while also debuting Zooey’s wonderful song writing talents. While a simple Folk Album can be lost among the large amounts of “popular” music, this album stands out as something special in today’s world of music because of its purity. Her voice is like, well butter.

TV on The Radio, Dear Science: If you thought the last release from them was stunning just wait. This Electro-Rock album will rock you to the core. While other albums on the list are stunning from the start to the end, this one does have a few songs that could be looked over. However the tracks that grab you will make up for it. Tunde Adebimpe has one of the most distinctive voices out there. They went into the studio after their last release and were able to trump what I thought was a brilliant album. I find that to be a sign of a great band, who pushes themselves to make something even better then the last, no phoning it in for this one.

Blind Pilot, 3Rounds and a Sound: Portland Due recording all on their own and again another mellow acoustic album full of interesting sounds surround basic chords and progressions. This album I love, it takes you on an emotional rollercoaster of sounds, with their basic acoustic instruments. Just when you think the album might put you out for the night they bring you right back.

MGMT, Oracular Spectacular: If you ever are feeling down or lazy pop this album in and you are taken back to those college days of staying up all night just because you can and living life fully in the moment. Most albums take me a few listen before I truly judge or like them. Not this release, from the moment my friend gave it to me it has been playing on my IPOD weekly. I am normally a fan of more traditional styles of music (ie classic instruments and not music made on the computer), but this album that is heavily electro based is fantastic though it knows when a real instrument makes the sound perfect. I feel we will be dancing to it for years to come.

Santogold: Imagine if M.I.A & the Brazilian Girls were to collaborate on an album (which would be amazing)…well this is what I hear from this first major release of Santogold. She once led a Punk band from Philly and now is one of the top artists of 2008. All I can say if you like Females who know how to rock, and mix the high energy of the whole process with the creative passion an artist should have then you will enjoy this album…trust me though you will need to play the whole album at least twice through to really grasp how fucking talented she is

These are just a few of the best albums out there, and I could feel many pages on the top albums that came out. One thing that strikes me as a huge positive is the fact that the best albums of 2008 are not from large names but many are debut releases. It gives hope to the newer musicians who are trying to record and get their music out there that with hard work and dedication you too can make it to can make a great album that the world will enjoy and share