A New Life/ The Best Albums Of 2008

So, i did this last year and had a lot of fun, i thought before all the bullshit work piles on for finals i would quickly like to give to you my favorite albums for the year of 2008. *Let me just say that i did not listen to every album that came out this year, but out of the albums i did listen to, these were my favorites:

11. Flying Lotus- "Los Angeles" I won't lie, i did just get on this but you need to check this record immediately. Definitely for fans of JDILLA and those laid back relaxing chill straight beat albums.
key tracks- GNG BNG, comet course, sexslaveship


10. Wolf Parade- "At Mount Zoomer" This album is no "Apologies" (their previous album), it is a well crafted alternative rock album however. This band has so many side-projects that they become difficult to follow. I was waiting for this release for a while and when it finally came out i wasn't as excited as i thought it would be. This record has that special moldy power to grow on you slowly. Like i said before, this album dosen't have those same great songs right after one another but it is sure to make you bop your head just the way you like it, perv.
key tracks- "call it a ritual", california dreamer, the grey estates


9. The Black Keys- "Attack and Release" Before this album came out, i had not been a fan of this band at all. I thought their sound was way too distorted and had too much of an uncomfortable loud noise vibe feel. The Keys are definitely one of those cool bands that i had wanted to get into but never could accept into my I-tunes library. When you mix Danger Mouse with anything, you can do no wrong, so when i heard that he was producing this album i gave it another listen and was instantly hooked. It has a much more cleaner sound than past releases and you can really grasp onto that soul influence that can be found on each one of the songs. Definitely recommend this album for all you blues rockerz.

key tracks: Strange Times, Remember When (Side B), Things Aint Like They Used to be


8. Vivian Girls- " s/t" I love women, i love women who rock, and i love women who make things simple. This album has all of those mentioned traits and dosen't let you down for a moment. This band is relatively new, and has the potential to be this years Vampire Weekend, whatever that means. It's fresh, it's tight, it's melodic, it's got punch and it's not too long. Which is always a plus. (Insert masagonistic joke here)
key tracks: I'll tell the world, wild eyes, where do you run to?

7. Girl Talk- "feed the animals" There is something that you don't want to like about this DJ. Is he even a real DJ? I don't really care that much, but this guy consistently puts out a great party album every fucking time he tries. I don't know any other album that you can put on at a party that will make both the guys and girls go as crazy as this record does. If you haven't seen him live, do yourself a favor and stop being a lump. One more thing, HE USES A BAND SAMPLE!!!! That's enough to make this list.
key tracks- Still here, No Pause, In Step


6. Bon Iver- "For Emma Forever Ago" - I had a chance to go see this band last night, and although it didn't change my life, i had a great time even though i got ripped off on my ticket. From what i know, the guy who wrote the album recorded it a log cabin out in Wisconsin after having to go through a failed relationship, was in a state of depression, and hunting his own meat. Yeah, crazy shit. Anyway, you can tell how "raw" this album is just by the first track. I'm a sucker for vocal harmonies and this album gives that term a new name. It's as if you combined 3 voices into one but still new that they were separate. Does that make sense? Listen to the album, you'll understand.
key tracks: flume, for emma, skinny love


5. The Delay- " The Keys EP" Staten Islands finest deliver one the best rock albums of the year and it's only 6 songs long. From the first song to the last, this album smacks you hard and dosen't cease until the end. It might be a little unfair to rate this album alongside other national acclaimed artists, but it's just that the "acclaimers" haven't found this band yet, because when they do, you'll hear about them because they won't be able to stop telling you how great they are. I am a giddy child when i talk about this band, they get me that excited.
key tracks: ALL OF THEM!


4. Vampire Weekend- "s/t" Yeah Yeah, overrated i know, unless you actually listened to the album you would know that this isn't overrated. I can't stand the haters of this band who go on to say how the no age album is groundbreaking. This is a pop album, pop albums don't have to smart or astonishing, they just have to sound good and that's what this album does. I will give it you that they might not have "earned the cred" that some of the bands who have been trying to gather for a while, but either did NO Age. Wear them boat shoes proud, hipster.
key tracks: oxford comma, Bryn, Walcott


3. Mates Of State: "Re-arrange Us" I went through a lot of hard shit this summer and this album along with the next two really helped me get out of that rut. Compared to previous albums this album sounds way more produced. It dosen;t have that distinct keyboard sound that the others had. Although those songs sounded great, this album is definitely a step in a more serious direction. Although most of the songs are about getting through tough times and being together and loving your children, i found that this album great throughout and that's real tough for some musicians to these days. Yay! for them.
key tracks: get better, the re-arranger, blue and gold print


2. The Hold Steady- "Stay Positive" If you like beer, if you like being in Memphis, and you if like staying positive and you haven't heard this album yet, something may be wrong with you. With lyrics like " Me and my friends are like, the drums on lust for life" and "Everybody's coming on their navy sheets/everyone wants to suck on something sweet" This record is for the boozehound and bro-dude alike. It might take a little while to get aquainted with but give it some time because it will be well worth it. Minneapolis bar rock at it's finest.
key tracks- Sequestered in Memphis, Navy Sheets, Stay Positive.

1. Tokyo Police Club- "Elephant Shell". For some reason no one is giving this album any recognition. I know it definitely came out this year, so it it boggles my mind why no one is creaming their pants over this band? It is by far the most fun you will have out of any album released this year and that includes the new Guns and Roses. I had a chance to see them play a secret show @ Mercury lounge this year, and they sure know how to put on a show. Don't be like those elitist music bloggers, go out and listen to this album, YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT!
key tracks- juno, your english is good, Centennial


Now the bad shit.


Dissapointments:
Death Cab for Cutie " Narrow stairs" enjoyed the single the rest of the album put me to sleep.

Conor Oberst- "s/t" Cape Canaveral is a great track, then it goes downhill, i guess i was just expecting more.

Bloc Party- "intimacy" i don't know why i try anymore with this band.

Coldplay " blah blah blah" 2 songs! that's all you can give me even with Brian Eno, o c'mon!



best show- radiohead live in masfield mass.


Look out for these band new releases in 2009
Space Ghost Cowboys
Phoenix
Moving Mountains
Grizzly bear
The Decemebrists
Dr. Dre?
AC Newman
Bon Iver
Clipse


Thanks for reading. Please feel free to comment/discuss.
Love Always,

Sam