Top-10 albums of 2008
Matthew Hadley
Issue date: 1/6/09 Section: Arts & Entertainment
While 2008 may not have had the benchmark albums of 2007; it certainly had a few gems and numerous stellar albums across all genres. While I spent a great deal of time loving albums from all fields of music from punk to hip-hop, rock to country, pop to folk, these were the 10 albums that stood out among the rest.
10. Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes
This album has been topping numerous year-end lists, especially over in the UK. Fleet Foxes is a sprawling debut album that can only be described as elegant. The harmonies of its members and the haunting voice of frontman Robin Pecknold, reminiscent of My Morning Jacket's Jim Jones, are truly something to hear.
Choice Listening: "White Winter Hymnal"
9. Cut Copy - In Ghost Colours
Cut Copy's In Ghost Colours lies somewhere between the '80s and MGMT's two best songs, "Time to Pretend" and "Kids". It's hard not to love an album that's so unabashedly retro on one hand and floats along gorgeously on the other. This album, similar to Justice's 2007 album Cross, will start to catch on with those hipsters on the dancefloor.
Choice Listening: "Hearts on Fire"
8. The Tallest Man on Earth - Shallow Grave
Not much is known of the Swedish singer/songwriter known as The Tallest Man on Earth, but one thing's for certain: his album is fantastic. The songs are bluegrass numbers reminiscent of Bob Dylan's earlier albums, with personal lyrics that tug the heartstrings. It's sometimes weird, but always wonderful.
Choice Listening: "The Gardener"
7. Santogold - Santogold
Santogold's music can best be described as M.I.A. meets The Strokes at times, while at other times it's pure hip-hop. Santogold has written songs for a number of the world's foremost pop stars, and her ability to write a hit shows throughout this entire album - not a single song here isn't infectious.
Choice Listening: "L.E.S. Artistes"
6. No Age - Nouns
Most of you probably missed the heyday of College Rock in the '90s. Luckily, a friend's older sister introduced me to it. Nouns would have fit in perfectly alongside the likes of early Sloan and Thrush Hermit. Mixing sloppy, quick pseudo-punk alongside ambient noise-rock, No Age has made an album worth scouring your record store for.
10. Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes
This album has been topping numerous year-end lists, especially over in the UK. Fleet Foxes is a sprawling debut album that can only be described as elegant. The harmonies of its members and the haunting voice of frontman Robin Pecknold, reminiscent of My Morning Jacket's Jim Jones, are truly something to hear.
Choice Listening: "White Winter Hymnal"
9. Cut Copy - In Ghost Colours
Cut Copy's In Ghost Colours lies somewhere between the '80s and MGMT's two best songs, "Time to Pretend" and "Kids". It's hard not to love an album that's so unabashedly retro on one hand and floats along gorgeously on the other. This album, similar to Justice's 2007 album Cross, will start to catch on with those hipsters on the dancefloor.
Choice Listening: "Hearts on Fire"
8. The Tallest Man on Earth - Shallow Grave
Not much is known of the Swedish singer/songwriter known as The Tallest Man on Earth, but one thing's for certain: his album is fantastic. The songs are bluegrass numbers reminiscent of Bob Dylan's earlier albums, with personal lyrics that tug the heartstrings. It's sometimes weird, but always wonderful.
Choice Listening: "The Gardener"
7. Santogold - Santogold
Santogold's music can best be described as M.I.A. meets The Strokes at times, while at other times it's pure hip-hop. Santogold has written songs for a number of the world's foremost pop stars, and her ability to write a hit shows throughout this entire album - not a single song here isn't infectious.
Choice Listening: "L.E.S. Artistes"
6. No Age - Nouns
Most of you probably missed the heyday of College Rock in the '90s. Luckily, a friend's older sister introduced me to it. Nouns would have fit in perfectly alongside the likes of early Sloan and Thrush Hermit. Mixing sloppy, quick pseudo-punk alongside ambient noise-rock, No Age has made an album worth scouring your record store for.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 3
Mark
posted 1/06/09 @ 3:50 PM EST
i am in wholehearted agreement, that album by Bon Iver is the best album of the year. good call.
jordy
posted 1/07/09 @ 2:13 PM EST
Matt:
good call on the Tallest Man on Earth, everyone else seemed to sleep on it.
Where's the Silver Jews?
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