Monday, December 22, 2008

Best Albums of 2008

Everyone always has their lists of favorites. I spend a great deal of time dedicated to listening and sampling new music, if almost to an obsession. The basis for my top albums of 2008 is the number of times I went back to these albums to listen, re-listen, and listen to some more.

So, without further ado, my top albums of 2008.

1. Glasvegas, "Glasvegas" (Columbia UK)
Fuzzy guitars create a thick wall of sound, Scottish brogue infused vocals, and some Buddy Holly and 60's doo-wop sentiments makes this Glasgow four piece's debut my #1 go-to album for 2008.


2. The Botticellis, "Old Home Movies" (Antenna Farm)
A great pop album from this California quintet! Sweet melodies torn from the pages of The Beach Boys & Big Star, with vocal harmonies with the charm of Fleet Foxes.


3. The Dodos, "Visiter" (French Kiss)
4. Department of Eagles, "In Ear Park" (4AD Records)
5. Fujiya & Miyagi, "Lightbulbs" (Deaf Dumb & Blind)
6. The Morning Benders, "Talking through Tin Cans" (+1 Records)
7. Vampire Weekend, "Vampire Weekend" (XL Recordings)
8. Ra Ra Riot, "The Rhumb Line" (Barsuk)
9. Lykke Li, "Youth Novels" (Atlantic)
10. XX Teens, "Welcome to Goon Island" (Mute)
11. Titus Andronicus, "The Airing of Grievances" (Troubleman Unlimited)
12. Port O'Brien, "All We Could Do Was Sing" (Self Released)
13. Fleet Foxes, "Fleet Foxes" (Subpop)
14. The Republic Tigers, "Keep Color" (Chop Shop Records)
15. Hawksley Workman, "Between the Beautifuls" (Universal)

Honorable Mentions:
Frightened Rabbit, "The Midnight Organ Fight" (Fat Cat)

Monday, December 15, 2008

Top Ten Concerts of 2008

The best shows I attended in 2008...

1. Jarvis Cocker @ Pitchfork Music Festival
2. The Swell Season @ Chicago Theatre
3. Fujiya + Miyagi @ Mercury Lounge
4. The Veils @ Lakeshore Theater
5. The Rumble Strips @ RedBull Space (CMJ)
6. Monotonix @ Hideout Block Party
7. The Dodos @ Bottom Lounge
8. Eagle*Seagull @ Pianos (CMJ)
9. Rufus Wainwright @ The Venue
10. Unicycle Loves You @ Hideout