Albums of 2008
(Note: Not always music that came out in 2008, just what I've been listening to this year)
Nine Inch Nails - Ghosts I (2008)
One of two free albums on this list (Although its not still available for free). This one is purely instrumental. As the title would suggest its has some haunting music, but it also some good beats as well. You can also hear little throwbacks to old songs, if your listening carefully.. This is best played low at home, maybe to fall asleep to.
Harvey Danger - Little By Little... (2005)
The second free album on this list, it was released a few years ago, but credits go to Katie B for turning me on to this one. An upgrade from their one hit wonder, Flag Pole Sitta, some very cool music from here. I especially recommend: Wine Women and Song, Cream and Bastards Rise, Moral Centralia, and What You Live By. If your a fan of Foo Fighters, Barenaked Ladies, or Harvey Dangers earlier efforts, this is definately an album worth looking into, especially since you can grab it for free from their website.
Porcupine Tree - Nil Recurring (2007)
For only being 4 songs, I listen to this EP alot. I wasn't the biggest fan of Fear of a Blank Planet, the album this EP comes from, but Nil Recurring sounds more like the Porcupine Tree I love, a more introspective feel, rather then looking out towards society, which is was Fear of a Blank Planet was. Highly Reccomended for Porcupine Tree fans.
Office Of Strategic Influence - Free (2006)
Took me too long to get into this album. OSI is a conglomeration (My spell check actually likes that word. I'm shocked.) of a bunch of cool players, but coolest for me is Kevin Moore (Keyboards, vocals, and production) and Mike Portnoy (drummer of Dream Theater fame) playing together again. If you are a fan of any of Kevin Moores stuff, this band is totally worth picking up.
In Flames - A Sense of Purpose (2008)
I heard alot of bad feedback from people who thought this album was more selling out from In Flames. Fuck that noise, it rocks. Indeed, The Chosen Pessimist is a far cry from their usual stuff, but its certainly a worthy experiment in their music, and one of my favorite tracks on the album. Alias also ranks right up high in there, in the rocktitude meter. Don't listen to people trying to say sellout - This band is just growing and trying out new stuff. Its not like their old albums went away anyways. My second favorite album of the year.
Amanda Palmer - Who Killed Amanda Palmer? (2008)
Astronaut: A Short History of Nearly Nothing is the most played song on my iTunes since I had to get my new computer, and the album only came out a couple months ago. So, theres something. Without doubt my favorite album of the year. I was a bit weary to hear Amanda Palmer strike out on her own, but listening to the album on the way home after picking it up in Portland, Rachel and I were goddamned hooked. And it has yet to release us. If you've ever liked any Dresden Dolls song ever, at all, pick this album up. Right the fuck now. GO.
Nine Inch Nails - Ghosts I (2008)
One of two free albums on this list (Although its not still available for free). This one is purely instrumental. As the title would suggest its has some haunting music, but it also some good beats as well. You can also hear little throwbacks to old songs, if your listening carefully.. This is best played low at home, maybe to fall asleep to.
Harvey Danger - Little By Little... (2005)
The second free album on this list, it was released a few years ago, but credits go to Katie B for turning me on to this one. An upgrade from their one hit wonder, Flag Pole Sitta, some very cool music from here. I especially recommend: Wine Women and Song, Cream and Bastards Rise, Moral Centralia, and What You Live By. If your a fan of Foo Fighters, Barenaked Ladies, or Harvey Dangers earlier efforts, this is definately an album worth looking into, especially since you can grab it for free from their website.
Porcupine Tree - Nil Recurring (2007)
For only being 4 songs, I listen to this EP alot. I wasn't the biggest fan of Fear of a Blank Planet, the album this EP comes from, but Nil Recurring sounds more like the Porcupine Tree I love, a more introspective feel, rather then looking out towards society, which is was Fear of a Blank Planet was. Highly Reccomended for Porcupine Tree fans.
Office Of Strategic Influence - Free (2006)
Took me too long to get into this album. OSI is a conglomeration (My spell check actually likes that word. I'm shocked.) of a bunch of cool players, but coolest for me is Kevin Moore (Keyboards, vocals, and production) and Mike Portnoy (drummer of Dream Theater fame) playing together again. If you are a fan of any of Kevin Moores stuff, this band is totally worth picking up.
In Flames - A Sense of Purpose (2008)
I heard alot of bad feedback from people who thought this album was more selling out from In Flames. Fuck that noise, it rocks. Indeed, The Chosen Pessimist is a far cry from their usual stuff, but its certainly a worthy experiment in their music, and one of my favorite tracks on the album. Alias also ranks right up high in there, in the rocktitude meter. Don't listen to people trying to say sellout - This band is just growing and trying out new stuff. Its not like their old albums went away anyways. My second favorite album of the year.
Amanda Palmer - Who Killed Amanda Palmer? (2008)
Astronaut: A Short History of Nearly Nothing is the most played song on my iTunes since I had to get my new computer, and the album only came out a couple months ago. So, theres something. Without doubt my favorite album of the year. I was a bit weary to hear Amanda Palmer strike out on her own, but listening to the album on the way home after picking it up in Portland, Rachel and I were goddamned hooked. And it has yet to release us. If you've ever liked any Dresden Dolls song ever, at all, pick this album up. Right the fuck now. GO.