my 10 favorite albums of 2008
so, 2008 was overall a disappointing year for me, musically, but there were many albums I liked and a few that I loved. Here are ten of my favorites:
10. Estelle - Shine
Shine is a fine example of how to sample a little, sing a little, rap a little and come up with something fresh and memorable, playful and engaging.
9. Adele - 19
19 is a nice reminder that less is more when articulating heartbreak and love.
8. Mariah Carey - E=MC2
E=MC2 is everything that is great about pop and, though not quite Emancipation, a solid album.
7. Robin Thicke - Something Else
Although Robin himself is looking more and more like daddy every day, his vocals are sweet and the production is soothing.
6. Raphael Saadiq - The Way I See It
The Way I See It is just a gem of an album-fun, classic, beautifully sung and effortlessly cool.
5. Bloc Party - Intimacy
Intimacy is a full-course album, layered in delicious sound, sumptuous rhythm and, well, more intimate lyrics than either of their first two albums.
4. Jack’s Mannequin - The Glass Passenger
As a sucker for Andrew McMahon’s nasal voice and over-the-top piano playing, I was sold by the time we dove into the first track-but “Hammer and Strings (A Lullaby)” is evidence that my love is perhaps slightly warranted.
3. Joshua Radin - Simple Times
Simple Times is whimsical and cheerful and entirely unlike the Joshua Radin who sang “Closer” and “Winter” (the Joshua Radin I knew and loved), but the barefoot-in-the-park melodies and free-spirited asymmetry won me over in the end.
2. John Legend - Evolver
Evolver is a better album than most people can even dream of making, but only loses out on the top spot for me because I know he can do better (Once Again being perhaps my favorite album of all-time); there are many moments of true gold, but it ultimately feels like a collection of really good songs and not an album.
1. Ne-Yo - Year of the Gentleman
Year of the Gentleman is a bit of Raphael and Robin’s throwback ideals with the heartbreak of Adele, the longing of Jack’s Mannequin, the pop intuitions of Mariah and the soaring vocals of John mixed together to be original and smart, sexy and sad, and simply wonderful.
10. Estelle - Shine
Shine is a fine example of how to sample a little, sing a little, rap a little and come up with something fresh and memorable, playful and engaging.
9. Adele - 19
19 is a nice reminder that less is more when articulating heartbreak and love.
8. Mariah Carey - E=MC2
E=MC2 is everything that is great about pop and, though not quite Emancipation, a solid album.
7. Robin Thicke - Something Else
Although Robin himself is looking more and more like daddy every day, his vocals are sweet and the production is soothing.
6. Raphael Saadiq - The Way I See It
The Way I See It is just a gem of an album-fun, classic, beautifully sung and effortlessly cool.
5. Bloc Party - Intimacy
Intimacy is a full-course album, layered in delicious sound, sumptuous rhythm and, well, more intimate lyrics than either of their first two albums.
4. Jack’s Mannequin - The Glass Passenger
As a sucker for Andrew McMahon’s nasal voice and over-the-top piano playing, I was sold by the time we dove into the first track-but “Hammer and Strings (A Lullaby)” is evidence that my love is perhaps slightly warranted.
3. Joshua Radin - Simple Times
Simple Times is whimsical and cheerful and entirely unlike the Joshua Radin who sang “Closer” and “Winter” (the Joshua Radin I knew and loved), but the barefoot-in-the-park melodies and free-spirited asymmetry won me over in the end.
2. John Legend - Evolver
Evolver is a better album than most people can even dream of making, but only loses out on the top spot for me because I know he can do better (Once Again being perhaps my favorite album of all-time); there are many moments of true gold, but it ultimately feels like a collection of really good songs and not an album.
1. Ne-Yo - Year of the Gentleman
Year of the Gentleman is a bit of Raphael and Robin’s throwback ideals with the heartbreak of Adele, the longing of Jack’s Mannequin, the pop intuitions of Mariah and the soaring vocals of John mixed together to be original and smart, sexy and sad, and simply wonderful.