The Year in Music: 2008
Zach's top 10 albums of 2008
1) Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks - “Real Emotional Trash”
The best record of the year came from a nearly middle-aged pioneer of mid-90’s indie rock. Malkmus is an unrivaled songwriter in the genre and knows what it takes to make a good tune a brilliant one: The brief pauses and restraints in the chorus of “Out of Reaches” are perfect examples. The title track is a great guitar jam with fuzzy guitars and pianos with lyrics that never stray from storyteller roots. On the whole it could obviously be compared to Malkmus’s most famous efforts in Pavement, and fans of the disbanded group should find refuge here. No album this year had more heart or felt as genuine.
2) The Mars Volta - "The Bedlam in Goliath"
Latino progressive rock: loud, fast and danceable. The Volta continues their streak of experimental concept albums while building layers of sound like those found on “De-Loused in the Comatorium.” Omar Rodriguez-Lopez maintains his evolution of the guitar, becoming one of the most imaginative musicians to use the instrument since Tom Morello. Cedric Bixler-Zavala equally innovates, overwhelming the numerous operatic hooks and establishing himself as a leading voice in modern rock.
3) TV on the Radio - "Dear Science"
The best hip-hop of the year wasn’t found on a rap album, it was found here on this indie-electronica release. Horns, chugging bass lines and funky choruses make for the best party record in 5 years. There are moments of Prince-like soul and others that stretch to the realms of psychedelic rock.
4) Opeth - "Watershed"
One of the most consistent acts in progressive metal, Opeth delivers another set of terrifically ambitious songs. While the album won’t win the group many new fans due to its familiar balance of soft/loud sounds, they did introduce some new elements with organ play and chaotic percussion. Also, no band has ever found a more peaceful mix of death metal growls and gorgeous power vocals.
5) Black Mountain - "In the Future"
The stimulating riffs churn like a classic 70’s Sabbath release and the combination of male and female vocals echo those of classic psychedelic bands like Jefferson Airplane. Grand walls of sound surround each track, but the highlights are the 16 minute “Bright Lights,” a frenzied all out jam and “Wucan,” a song that exudes a sexual groove more intense than anything you can find playing at your local club.
6) Beck - "Modern Guilt"
The melodies are dripping with sweet sugar as usual and the beats are terrific. Beck is more reserved here than we have seen over the past 5 years, mewing his lament gently over most of the spacey bass lines, but he and producer Danger Mouse craft a modern rock album to classic effect.
7) MGMT - "Oracular Spectacular"
Funky, synthetic and ridiculously fun, Rolling Stone magazine labeled this the band everyone wants to be in. The duo of fresh young hipsters hit it big with their catchy keyboard tune “Time to Pretend,” which was one of the best singles of the year. The rest of their debut album is nearly as good, with “Electric Feel” bringing more funk to the pop circuit than anything since the late 80’s. They also scored big with wonderfully provocative music videos.
8) Erykah Badu - "New Amerykah Part One (4th World War)"
In what was one of the worst years for hip-hop and R&B in recent memory, Badu offered a little sense of escape from the mundane. Jazz, soul and spoken word are thrown together in a well-seasoned tossed salad. And even though Badu has moments that challenge the listener, like the crass ending of “Me,” she shows an ability to come right back with an ear-pleaser like the Lauryn Hill-esque “Soldier.” Maintaining the equilibrium is where the album excels.
9) Lights Out Asia - “Eyes Like Brontide”
The most engaging post-rock album of 2008 is like a condensed Godspeed! You Black Emperor with more drum, bass and occasional vocals. It’s both insanely atmospheric and relaxing, but features constant time changes and a soaring piano backdrop.
10) Guns N' Roses - "Chinese Democracy"
Anything less than album of the decade is a disappointment with this record, but all the same it holds a few of Axl Rose's greatest works. Over the top and bombastic, yes, but it fits. More Elton John than anything comparative to 80’s hair metal, it’s an autobiographical album in the sense that you can feel elements from the past 10 years in every song. In besting recent comeback albums (in terms of creative content) by other famous acts like Metallica, AC/DC and the Smashing Pumpkins, Axl proved he wasn't entirely crazy.
Honorable Mentions:
Portishead - “Third”
In Mourning - “Shrouded Divine”
Conor Oberst - "Conor Oberst"
Ben Folds - "Way to Normal”
Fleet Foxes - “Fleet Foxes”
1) Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks - “Real Emotional Trash”
The best record of the year came from a nearly middle-aged pioneer of mid-90’s indie rock. Malkmus is an unrivaled songwriter in the genre and knows what it takes to make a good tune a brilliant one: The brief pauses and restraints in the chorus of “Out of Reaches” are perfect examples. The title track is a great guitar jam with fuzzy guitars and pianos with lyrics that never stray from storyteller roots. On the whole it could obviously be compared to Malkmus’s most famous efforts in Pavement, and fans of the disbanded group should find refuge here. No album this year had more heart or felt as genuine.
2) The Mars Volta - "The Bedlam in Goliath"
Latino progressive rock: loud, fast and danceable. The Volta continues their streak of experimental concept albums while building layers of sound like those found on “De-Loused in the Comatorium.” Omar Rodriguez-Lopez maintains his evolution of the guitar, becoming one of the most imaginative musicians to use the instrument since Tom Morello. Cedric Bixler-Zavala equally innovates, overwhelming the numerous operatic hooks and establishing himself as a leading voice in modern rock.
3) TV on the Radio - "Dear Science"
The best hip-hop of the year wasn’t found on a rap album, it was found here on this indie-electronica release. Horns, chugging bass lines and funky choruses make for the best party record in 5 years. There are moments of Prince-like soul and others that stretch to the realms of psychedelic rock.
4) Opeth - "Watershed"
One of the most consistent acts in progressive metal, Opeth delivers another set of terrifically ambitious songs. While the album won’t win the group many new fans due to its familiar balance of soft/loud sounds, they did introduce some new elements with organ play and chaotic percussion. Also, no band has ever found a more peaceful mix of death metal growls and gorgeous power vocals.
5) Black Mountain - "In the Future"
The stimulating riffs churn like a classic 70’s Sabbath release and the combination of male and female vocals echo those of classic psychedelic bands like Jefferson Airplane. Grand walls of sound surround each track, but the highlights are the 16 minute “Bright Lights,” a frenzied all out jam and “Wucan,” a song that exudes a sexual groove more intense than anything you can find playing at your local club.
6) Beck - "Modern Guilt"
The melodies are dripping with sweet sugar as usual and the beats are terrific. Beck is more reserved here than we have seen over the past 5 years, mewing his lament gently over most of the spacey bass lines, but he and producer Danger Mouse craft a modern rock album to classic effect.
7) MGMT - "Oracular Spectacular"
Funky, synthetic and ridiculously fun, Rolling Stone magazine labeled this the band everyone wants to be in. The duo of fresh young hipsters hit it big with their catchy keyboard tune “Time to Pretend,” which was one of the best singles of the year. The rest of their debut album is nearly as good, with “Electric Feel” bringing more funk to the pop circuit than anything since the late 80’s. They also scored big with wonderfully provocative music videos.
8) Erykah Badu - "New Amerykah Part One (4th World War)"
In what was one of the worst years for hip-hop and R&B in recent memory, Badu offered a little sense of escape from the mundane. Jazz, soul and spoken word are thrown together in a well-seasoned tossed salad. And even though Badu has moments that challenge the listener, like the crass ending of “Me,” she shows an ability to come right back with an ear-pleaser like the Lauryn Hill-esque “Soldier.” Maintaining the equilibrium is where the album excels.
9) Lights Out Asia - “Eyes Like Brontide”
The most engaging post-rock album of 2008 is like a condensed Godspeed! You Black Emperor with more drum, bass and occasional vocals. It’s both insanely atmospheric and relaxing, but features constant time changes and a soaring piano backdrop.
10) Guns N' Roses - "Chinese Democracy"
Anything less than album of the decade is a disappointment with this record, but all the same it holds a few of Axl Rose's greatest works. Over the top and bombastic, yes, but it fits. More Elton John than anything comparative to 80’s hair metal, it’s an autobiographical album in the sense that you can feel elements from the past 10 years in every song. In besting recent comeback albums (in terms of creative content) by other famous acts like Metallica, AC/DC and the Smashing Pumpkins, Axl proved he wasn't entirely crazy.
Honorable Mentions:
Portishead - “Third”
In Mourning - “Shrouded Divine”
Conor Oberst - "Conor Oberst"
Ben Folds - "Way to Normal”
Fleet Foxes - “Fleet Foxes”