top albums of 2008

so, it's time for my annual roster of my top albums of 2008. i promise to be brief this time, so let's get right to it, shall we...

#10 --> No Age - Nouns

can't say too much about this album other than it rocked. this band (as well as other greats like Abe Vigoda) are giving california hope for providing great bands again.


#9 --> Lil Wayne - Tha Carter III

the album art alone put this in my top 10 for the year.





#8 --> Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Dig!!! Lazarus Dig!!!

i'll be honest, i'll probably stick this guy in my top 10 for every album he releases. mr. cave took a break on this album from ranting about the damnation of the old testament god, as well as the benevolence of the new testament god in order to talk about some of the more lighter sides of the good ol book.

i had the opportunity to shoot some photos for pitchfork at his show at the 9:30 club earlier this year...the tour was as stellar as the album. plus, my 13 year wait to see him in the flesh was finally over.

#7 --> The Walkmen - You & Me

their first album was good, not great...and mostly hard to listen to. their following two albums pretty much followed suit.

however, surprisingly, even after every suburbanite 15 year old girl started liking them after being featured on the abomination of a television show "the o.c.", the boys turned around and made a beautiful NY album, all w/o one single! in my heart, these guys are a success story for how any band can still turn it all around (take heed shins, death cab, etc.).

also, these guys made "prep school rocker" chic popular before any of the members of vampire weekend had attended their high school junior prom. so there.

#6 --> Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes

what is it with all these pacific northwest boys making appalachian folk rock uber-marketable?

regardless, this is a great album, and sure to be a suitable stand-in for the mediocre my morning jacket album that was released this year.

#5 --> The Dodos - Visiter

just a damn good album.








#4 --> Spiritualized - Songs in A&E

to be honest, i was just happy to have jason pierce alive after all the ordeal he's been through.

however, on the consumer side, the album is spectacular. in scope, it's a definite departure from his previous albums. the production is scarce on some songs, while epic on others. in essence, the album is almost as bipolar as the man who wrote it.

#3 --> MGMT - Oracular Spectacular

this isn't a great album. it's not classic. what it IS? my andrew w.k. of 2008.

wherever i am in life, this album will bring me back throughout the entire year: bonnaroo, countless parties, and many other unmentionables.

#2 --> Radiohead - In Rainbows

i can already hear it...yes, controversial pick. is this a 2007 release, or a 2008 release?

does a digital release count as a release? no. the release date is the day evan can purchase the album on vinyl in the united states. the definitive answer. have bush write it into law before he leaves.

as far as the album itself? i don't need to write anything. it's radiohead. it's good. allison and i saw them the day after our wedding...if they're good enough to travel through 6 hours of DC traffic AND get in an accident the day after your wedding - then their album doesn't need further press in my book.

#1 --> Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago

this is the best album of the year. go buy it and you'll know why.





Other great albums of note from 2008:
TV On The Radio - Dear Science
Cut Copy - In Ghost Colors
The Magnetic Fields - Distortion
Sigur Ros - Med Sud I Eyrum Vid Spilum Endalaust
Department of Eagles - In Ear Park
Blitzen Trapper - Furr

Here's a list of my top albums from 2007 too!