10. Vampire Weekend | S/T : Released Jan 28, 08
The Buzz band of ‘08. I have no idea what they’re talking about. maybe because I’ve never been to Boston, but overall fun, catchy album.
Key Tracks: Mansard Roof, Campus & Walcott.
9. Fleet Foxes | S/T: Released June 3, 08
I’m kind of embarrassed this is on here, because they kind of became the Starbucks house band, but there’s no denying these hippies can sing.
Key tracks: White Winter Hymnal, Ragged Wood & Meadowlark.
8. Nas | Untitled : Released July 1, 08
Nas is hands down my favorite MC, and this album is a little disappointing only because he has set the bar so high from jump, it’s hard to live up to those expectations every single album.
Key tracks: Sly Fox, Breathe & Black President.
7. Erykah Badu | New Amerykah, Pt. 1: 4th World War : Released Feb 26, 08
I never listen to R&B except old school Jodeci and Mary J. Erykah is another exception. Every single album of her’s is a great great listen. This one also does not disappoint.
Key tracks: The Healer, The Cell & Me.
6. Radiohead | In Rainbows: Released Jan 1, 08
This album would probably be number 1 had it came out later in the year, but it already feels like it’s 3 years old. I can’t add anything new that the critics haven’t already said.
Key tracks: House Of Cards, Nude & Jigsaw Falling Into Place.
5. She & Him | Volume One: Released Mar 18, 08
This is probably my daughters album of the year. Zooey Deschanel & M. Ward create an album that sounds like it was made 50 years ago. All songs written by Zooey except her Smokey Robinson cover.
Key tracks: I Thought I Saw Your Face Today, I Was Made For You & You Really Gotta Hold On Me
4. Kings Of Leon | Only By The Night : Released Sept 23, 08
One song on this album, is better than about 75% of anything you’ll hear on the radio right now. Manhattan is probably the greatest KOL song ever.
Key tracks: Manhattan, Sex On Fire & Revelry.
3. The Roots | Rising Down : Released April 28, 08
Best Hip Hop album of the year. 75 bars is Black Thought ripping everyone a new asshole. More guest stars than I usually like, but after awhile it added a new element that i came to appreciate.
Key tracks: 75 Bars, The Show & Rising Down with Mos Def & Styles P.
2. TV On The Radio | Dear Science : Released April 28, 08
TVOTR and KOL are probably the most consistent band putting out music nowadays. Dear Science is near perfection. They might also be the most off putting band that’s able to sell tickets to shows and sell merchandise at the rate that they do, but I’m beginning to think that they might also be the band nowadays that people say they like just to look cool. Bright Eyes, Death Cab and the Yeah Yeah Yeah’s were also victim’s of this hipster curse. This album is also impossible to pigeon hole as well, due to the soundscape being all over the place. Call it abstract, but I think it’s more confusing than that. I call it dope.
Key tracks: Family Tree, Dancing Choose, Stork & Owl, Golden Age, Red Dress & Halfway Home.
1. The Last Shadow Puppets | Age Of The Understatement : Released May 6, 08
This album is number one because I probably listened to it more than any other album that came out this year. Fronted by The Arctic Monkey’s & The Little Flames lead singers, they channel The Kinks, The Monkees and craft pop ditty’s your momma can listen to.
Key tracks: Standing Next To You, Calm Like You, The Meeting Place & My Mistakes Were Made For You.
Honorable Mentions:
Jenny Lewis – Acid Tongue
Conor Oberst – Self Titled
The Cool Kids – The Bake Sale
MGMT – Oracular Spectacular
Tanya Morgan – The Bridge
Q-Tip – The Renaissance
Q-Tip’s album is amazing, but I just got it yesterday, so I don’t know if I’ll still love it in a week.
I did my list a little earlier than usual because I got other shit to do.
enjoy your holidays.
