Bon Iver
Some have described 2008 as an "off" year for new music. In many ways I agree with this sentiment. If you asked me twelve months ago which albums I was most excited for in 2008, I would have answered the remastered and expanded Replacements records - well at least Let It Be, Tim and Pleased To Meet Me. And yes, they are awesome as are the remastered and expanded New Order catalog as well as R.E.M.'s Murmur. But what about new music, what was good? Albums by Bon Iver, Crooked Fingers, The Hold Steady, The Sea and Cake and Thao with the Get Down Stay Down topped my list. Save the Bon Iver album, none were mind blowing, just solid, well written rock and roll albums. So as we head toward 2009 (new Andrew Bird, Rival Schools, Neko Case, Morrissey) we'll leave you with our top 20 songs of 2008. Enjoy.
20. Paint It Black - Past Tense, Future Perfect
File this under "Mid 30's male who still enjoys a bit of the punk rock".
19. British Sea Power - Down On The Ground (stream)
I get the impression that the guitarist listened to Judas Priest in high school. At least, I hope he did.
18. Caithlin De Marrais - The Fire (stream)
Yet more evidence that Caithlin was the most important piece in the Rainer Maria puzzle.
17. Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks - Baltimore
I will never know what Steve is talking about and I kind of don't care.
16. Santogold - L.E.S. Artistes
This one caught me by surprise.
15. The Hold Steady - Stay Positive
Being a 36 year old who has two children and still loves to go to rock shows I now realize that Craig Finn is talking to me directly through my record player.
14. French Kicks - Abandon
My buddy Josh's brother used to play guitar for the French Kicks. It would be cool if he still did.
13. The Helio Sequence - Keep Your Eyes Ahead
Same building as Death Cab for Cutie, though I can listen to this guy's voice for a lot longer without getting sick.
12. Crooked Fingers - Your Control
Eric Bachmann is quickly becoming my new Paul Westerberg. Having the great Neko Case to duet with doesn't hurt either.
11. Ladyhawk - S.T.H.D.
This came across my radar very late (like two weeks ago). I love any song that clocks in under two minutes with that kind of chorus.
10. Cansei De Ser Sexy - Rat Is Dead
The song that settles the argument - this band is no joke.
9. Gnarls Barkley - Run
Anyone else see them on Saturday Night Live? Genius!!!
8. Oxford Collapse - The Birthday Wars
The second best song of the year that sounds as if recorded in a vaccuum (see #1).
7. Thao with the Get Down Stay Down - Swimming Pools
The best singer-songwriter to come out of Northern Virginia since Neko Case. Gets my vote for second best album of the year.
6. Mother Mother - O My Heart
Someone has been listening to Surfer Rosa on repeat... and that's a good thing, by the by. A shout out to 3Hive for introducing me to this song.
5. The Hold Steady - Constructive Summer
The best track one side one of the year - no debate. Craig Finn sets the tone for his murder mystery/long playing record with this little number and continues his name checking along the way - Joe Strummer, Dillinger Four (doublewhiskeycokenoice).
4. The Mountain Goats - Sax Rohmer #1
John Darnielle is probably the best story teller in music.
3. Parts & Labor - Nowheres Nigh
Rule #491 of rock and roll: When you want your last chorus to kick ass take it up a half step (or even a whole) and the result will be magic. See Cheap Trick's Surrender for the best example.
2. Bon Iver - Skinny Love
Haunting. From the best album of the year.
1. The Gang - Sea So
I first heard this song about a year ago as it was floating around the internet (yes, I think it was 3Hive that turned me on to it) although it wasn't released on record until this past summer on the album Zero Hits (Absoultely Kosher). How this song didn't break through is one of the greatest puzzles of the universe.
20. Paint It Black - Past Tense, Future Perfect
File this under "Mid 30's male who still enjoys a bit of the punk rock".
19. British Sea Power - Down On The Ground (stream)
I get the impression that the guitarist listened to Judas Priest in high school. At least, I hope he did.
18. Caithlin De Marrais - The Fire (stream)
Yet more evidence that Caithlin was the most important piece in the Rainer Maria puzzle.
17. Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks - Baltimore
I will never know what Steve is talking about and I kind of don't care.
16. Santogold - L.E.S. Artistes
This one caught me by surprise.
15. The Hold Steady - Stay Positive
Being a 36 year old who has two children and still loves to go to rock shows I now realize that Craig Finn is talking to me directly through my record player.
14. French Kicks - Abandon
My buddy Josh's brother used to play guitar for the French Kicks. It would be cool if he still did.
13. The Helio Sequence - Keep Your Eyes Ahead
Same building as Death Cab for Cutie, though I can listen to this guy's voice for a lot longer without getting sick.
12. Crooked Fingers - Your Control
Eric Bachmann is quickly becoming my new Paul Westerberg. Having the great Neko Case to duet with doesn't hurt either.
11. Ladyhawk - S.T.H.D.
This came across my radar very late (like two weeks ago). I love any song that clocks in under two minutes with that kind of chorus.
10. Cansei De Ser Sexy - Rat Is Dead
The song that settles the argument - this band is no joke.
9. Gnarls Barkley - Run
Anyone else see them on Saturday Night Live? Genius!!!
8. Oxford Collapse - The Birthday Wars
The second best song of the year that sounds as if recorded in a vaccuum (see #1).
7. Thao with the Get Down Stay Down - Swimming Pools
The best singer-songwriter to come out of Northern Virginia since Neko Case. Gets my vote for second best album of the year.
6. Mother Mother - O My Heart
Someone has been listening to Surfer Rosa on repeat... and that's a good thing, by the by. A shout out to 3Hive for introducing me to this song.
5. The Hold Steady - Constructive Summer
The best track one side one of the year - no debate. Craig Finn sets the tone for his murder mystery/long playing record with this little number and continues his name checking along the way - Joe Strummer, Dillinger Four (doublewhiskeycokenoice).
4. The Mountain Goats - Sax Rohmer #1
John Darnielle is probably the best story teller in music.
3. Parts & Labor - Nowheres Nigh
Rule #491 of rock and roll: When you want your last chorus to kick ass take it up a half step (or even a whole) and the result will be magic. See Cheap Trick's Surrender for the best example.
2. Bon Iver - Skinny Love
Haunting. From the best album of the year.
1. The Gang - Sea So
I first heard this song about a year ago as it was floating around the internet (yes, I think it was 3Hive that turned me on to it) although it wasn't released on record until this past summer on the album Zero Hits (Absoultely Kosher). How this song didn't break through is one of the greatest puzzles of the universe.
