Top Albums of 2008
posted November 29, 2008, 2:07 pm | Log In To Post Comments | 
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One of the hardest things about writing "Best of.." lists is the exclusion of albums you got into this year but weren't released this year. For example, I would LOVE to include Silversun Pickups' album Carnavas on this list. I completely fell in love with this album in '08. Unfortunately it dropped in '06 and therefore, by rule, is excluded from any "Best of '08" list.
Luckily, there were plenty of great albums to fill a Top Ten of '08 so resulting to the inclusion of earlier albums based only on when I first listened to them is unnecessary.
The Mars Volta- Bedlam in Goliath
I've always felt that asking someone to sit through and appreciate Frances the Mute on the first try is like asking a child to drink a cup of coffee spiked with a Cadbury Creme Egg, then color within the lines. For all of their creative prowess, the band's past albums gladly sacrificed ease of consumption for artistic expression. And I happily accepted their offerings for what they were but they weren't exactly lazy day listening material. Now, at last, I have a Mars Volta album that I can repeatedly enjoy. Not only that, but they finally have their perfect introductory album. The Bedlam in Goliath is the CD to give to those who've yet to be enlightened.
Their continued and absolute originality gives them the bonus points needed to propel them over their exceptional peers and earn them the top spot for the year.
Atmosphere- When Life Gives You Lemons..
Ant and Slug offer up a style of hip-hop that is familiar, with its old time simplicity and real modern day lyricism, and completely inventive with a hybrid composition of synthesized leisure funk. I pegged this album as entirely innovative when I first heard it and, months later, I still hold When Life Gives You Lemons.. up as a benchmark for hip-hop. The quality of this album, as well as what it could mean to the future of hip-hop if the right kids hear it, earns it the second spot.
Gnarls Barkley- The Odd Couple
Honesty goes a long way with me when it comes to anything but it's especially appreciated in music. I like songs about demons and bloodletting as much as the next guy but if you can bring some heartfelt pain to the table, man you've got my respect. No one did this better in '08 than Cee-Lo and Danger Mouse. Songs like "A Little Better", "Whatever", and "Who's Gonna Save my Soul" offered up the kind of genuine anguish that should only be read in Cee-Lo's private diary. Add to those the remarkably catchy "Blind Mary", "Surprise" and "Going On" and you've got your number three album of the year.
Protest the Hero- Fortress
Listening to this album is like getting jumped into a primate gang by fifteen four-armed orangutans. From note one, you are trying to hang on for your life as you are whipped around and beaten by the most incredible musicianship of the year, easily. I don't know how the members of Protest the Hero don't (1) jerk off to themselves every night and (2) don't lose appendages while playing their songs live. They're simply unbelievable.
Beck- Modern Guilt
It's no coincidence that Danger Mouse is credited with two of the albums on this list. In both cases, the musicians he accompanies would benefit greatly from never creating music without him again. In Beck's case, the abstract is mixed with Danger Mouse's love of all things vintage and the product is one of Beck's finest offerings. At just over a half an hour long, the only problem you may have is a longing for more of this testimony to 21st century paranoia.
Mouth of the Architect- Quietly
MOTA knuckled up and delivered an album that catapulted them from the intermediate progressive metal acts and sent them screaming towards the ranks of Isis and Neurosis. While not settled among them yet, MOTA is certainly on their way with Quietly. Fans of their previous albums will definitely notice an evolution in their sound and a professional focus that can only make you proud. A more defining uniqueness is the only component keeping MOTA from the heavyweight ranks now.
Meshuggah- obZen
With this album, Meshuggah reminded everyone what true brutality sounds like. Not only does obZen match Nothing for prowess in subject matter, it also competes on the level of instrumentation. This album assaults. Just like every Meshuggah album should, the songs chug along in a rhythmic pounding, filling your head with that all important sensation of oppression. It's that sensation, that feeling of inescapable subjugation, of which all metal bands aspire that Meshuggah perfected again with obZen.
The Sword- Gods of the Earth
The Sword have decided that all you vintage metal bands out there who are playin' around, rippin' off old Dio licks, are a bunch of Nancies and it's up to them to bring some dignity back to the old guard.
Their album Gods of the Earth is definitely old school metal but not the old school metal you've grown accustomed to. No, this is the real deal. This is Geezer Butler, circa 1974, downing a swig of Jack and spraying it all over your precious Wolfmother. This is Leslie West shaking his head at Witchcraft's sorry riffs then breaking into a 30 minute intro to "Mississippi Queen".
This is old school metal.
Torche- Meanderthal
Something about this band and this album in particular reminded me of my adolescence. I got the same sensation I did when I first heard the Butthole Surfers' Electriclarryland. Something about it is deceivingly innocent. Meanderthal is dark but not "kill your parents then lament your solitude" dark. It's more a feeling of trickery, like the band is playing something for you that will eventually blow up in your face as a prank. I don't know, I still can't put my finger on it. All I know is that the album is really good and your teenage son will probably enjoy it a lot.
Tilly and the Wall- O
With O, Tilly and the Wall matured a little. Sure they're still playful, fun-loving musicians but on O their sound has emerged from the childlike youth of their previous offerings and blossomed into rebellious, provocative, adolescence. The final aspect of their live performances was finally captured and the result is a Tilly.. album that I'm no longer ashamed to enjoy.
