The Inevitable Year End List(s), Part One
December 19th, 2008 by spangleyHey! It’s ali! (Or spangley, on the internets.) I never post on here because, as my buddies would tell you, I’m lame. However! I am resolving in the New Year - y’know 2009 - to post more on this here site. So consider this your introduction.
We at AxJ are busily wracking our brainz to compile our favourites/best ofs/things that made our 2008 better & brighter and more enjoyable to our ears. We know that everyone makes these lists but whatever, you know you’re DYING of curiosity. Plus, we might pick some things that you may have missed out on and are worth discovering!
With that, we’re off!
spangley’s Top 10 Favourite Albums of the Year (Based Strictly On MY Personal Preference & Enjoyability):
1. Frightened Rabbit - The Midnight Organ Fight (buy) What can I say about this album other than - AWESOME. Seriously, if there were a soundtrack to my year, this would be it. It’s super rad to see these guys get the praise & attention that they deserve.
2. Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago (buy) Normally I can be put off by sad sack music, but Mr. Vernon made an album that seemingly spoke directly to my soul. Corny? Yes. But you cannot deny how beautiful, moving, and spare this album is.
3. TV On The Radio - Dear Science (buy) They can do no wrong. Truth.
4. Passion Pit - Chunk Of Change (buy) It took me a while to get into this album but once I did - whoa boy. Falsetto, funky beats, songs about lurve. I bebop around town with this on my iPod regularly. So good.
5. The Helio Sequence - Keep Your Eyes Ahead (buy) One of my favourite bands ever, puts out of one the best albums of the year. I think these Portlanders are criminally overlooked, and if you don’t believe me, listen to the last two minutes of “Hallelujah”. You will be converted.
6. Santogold - Santogold (buy) This was my soundtrack to my trip to New York in May, I listened to it constantly walking around the streets of Manhattan & Brooklyn and on the subway. Definitely love the varied influences all over this album - the Pixies (”I’m A Lady”), the Cars (”Lights Out”) - and I must admit I thought that “L.E.S. Artistes” was some Tegan & Sara remix when I first heard it. D’oh!
7. Headlights - Some Racing, Some Stopping (buy) Headlights toured with the Submarines (whom the company I used to work for manage) this past spring & I am lucky enough to say that I was the one who suggested them for the tour after seeing them at SXSW and at the Hemlock here in SF. I’ve been a fan since their debut album, and Some Racing… did not disappoint. Catchy & melodic - it’s pure indie pop goodness. Plus, Tristan is my tri-city homie. Word.
8. The Broken West - Now Or Heaven (buy) Another SXSW ‘07 discovery, this, their debut follow up, endeared them to me more than I was prepared to endear. (Endear looks weird when used in that tense. Hmmm.) This shows real growth in their songwriting & musical direction - perhaps influenced by their Merge labelmates (and personal faves) Spoon? So many great tracks on this album. I’m curious to see how the continue to develop.
9. The Stills - Oceans Will Rise (buy) A-ha! They’re back! My gloom & doomers, The Stills! *This* is the band that I know & love from Logic Will Break Your Heart. I saw them at SXSW this year & was definitely intrigued/encouraged by their new songs and the album definitely lived up to my expectations. Welcome back, kids.
10. Ra Ra Riot - The Rhumb Line (buy) I don’t think you could squeeze another ounce of cuteness into this band. Such a solid album & they are definitely worthy of the hype they’ve garnered from their live show. Earnest is not a dirty word, despite what some music lovers might have you believe.
Aaaaaand that’s my Top 10 - I, as well as the other Jackets, have more on the way but stew on these for a while & check back for more updates this week ’til the end of the year!