My Top 10 Albums of 2008
Here it is. My top ten albums of 2008:
10. Feed The Animals by Girl Talk
This album makes the list because of the incredible shows Girl Talk puts on. I don’t listen to this album that much, but he pretty much plays them at his shows and they were amazing. I paid $0 for this album, but I would recommend picking it up for $9 on Amazon.
9. Tha Carter III by Lil Wayne
I haven’t found many rap albums in the past few years that I’ve liked. Lil Wayne was a very nice surprise when I discovered Tha Carter II a few years ago. Fast forward to this year and Lil Wayne is possibly the biggest rap star out there. I eagerly awaited Tha Carter III and bought it the day it came out. Initially I didn’t like it very much. It seems more experimental than II, when all I really wanted was some good straight rap. Needless to say, I have learned to like it. Is it as good as II? I don’t think so. But it’s still worth putting on from time to time.
8. Saturday Nights & Sunday Mornings by Counting Crows
I’m a big Counting Crows fan. Have been ever since August and Everything After. I’ve liked every album except for This Desert Life. The last one, Hard Candy, was very good. This one is probably not as good, but still very listenable.
7. The Devil, You + Me by The Notwist
The Notwist’s first album in 5 years. I didn’t love it at first but it has definitely grown on me a lot. I don’t think it’s as good as Neon Golden, but it’s still very good. I really enjoyed seeing them live, which usually leads to me liking the album more.
6. We Started Nothing by The Ting Tings
Best known for ‘Shut Up And Let Me Go’ from the iPod commercial, the Ting Tings debut album is very solid overall. Almost every song is very good. I put this album on a lot as I am leaving the office. It’s just fun and upbeat.
5. Starfucker by Starfucker
I learned about this group and album on Spinner’s CD Listening Party. I didn’t click on it until Friday (albums go up on Monday and last for 1 week only). I ended up listening to it all weekend and ever since. Every song is beautifully crafted. I can listen to it while partying, working and sleeping. A must own.
4. Narrow Stairs by Death Cab For Cutie
I got into Death Cab in 2004 with Transatlanticism. I bought Plans in 2005 and loved it. I was very excited for Narrow Stairs and was not disappointed at all. From the first listen I liked it. It keeps getting better and better. This band is definitely in its prime.
3. Sleep Through The Static by Jack Johnson
Jack Johnson is probably my favorite artist. He is tops on my last.fm charts since I started using last.fm in 2004. Any year that he releases a new album is a good year musically for me. I bought this album right before I went on a 1 week vacation to the Caribbean in February. I listened to it 3 times a day every day on the beach. It is a lot more mellow than his previous albums. Honestly, I probably like all 3 of them better than this one. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t a great album. It definitely is.
2. Oh My Heart by Mother Mother
This album holds a special place in my heart. I first listened to it the week that I built CD Listening Party. The first time I listened to it, I wasn’t really paying attention. Nothing stood out to me except ‘Arms Tonite’. Because I liked that song, I gave it another listen. I’m glad I did. I started liking it more and more until one day it tipped and I fell in love with it. Every song is incredible. Each time a song ends, and a new one starts up, I get excited. The vocals and instruments are great. I have a feeling Mother Mother is going to get pretty big.
1. Evil Urges by My Morning Jacket
The first time I listened to this album, I thought there were 4 songs that absolutely sucked. I was already an MMJ fan from Z, but can’t say I loved them. Some of my friends saw them live and said they were the best act since Phish. I already had floor seats to see them at Radio City, so I gave this album its fair share of listening. On about the 4th listen, I crossed off 3 songs from the ‘suck’ list. By the 10th listen I loved every single song. What really propelled this album to the top spot for me, was the the show at Radio City. Man can they rock. They are an absolute must-see. Every time I listen to this album, I think about the show. I even love Z a lot more than I ever did. MMJ is on their way (are they there already?) to absolute stardom.
