Best Albums of 2008 By Dennis
posted December 1, 2008, 6:06 pm | Log In To Post Comments | 
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Tags: Michael Franti and Spearhead, Torche, TV On The Radio, Vampire Weekend, Meshuggah, Best albums of 2008, top albums of 2008, lists
- Michael Franti and Spearhead - All Rebel Rockers (Anti) : I don't know why I didn't see this album on anyone else list. Was it only released in Canada? This is the most fun, all round album I have heard in years. It's something I wish that Ben Harper would take a lesson from. Good dance tracks, good singer/songwriter songs, good reggae... It's all here.
- Torche - Meanderthal (Hydra Head) : This one took me be surprise. I didn't think that Torche would be able to ever make it on one of my lists. I had heard their last album but tracks like "Across The Shields" grab you by the pants and demand your attention.
- TV On The Radio - Dear Science, (Interscope) : No real surprise here. I was so excited when the Brooklyn boys announced another album. This one is so accessible that it will end up on most people's list. So catchy this time around. They got everything right.
- Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend (XL) : There was so much buzz over Vampire Weekend that I approached the album cautiously. I still turn to this album for great pop entertainment. Seriously good pop.
- Meshuggah - obZen (Nuclear Blast) : I hadn't listened Meshuggah before obZen. This album blew me away with the sheer sonics. It made Tool pale in comparison. If you like metal listen to obZen.
- Elbow - Seldom Seen Kid (Geffen) : I always new that Elbow had this album in them. It just incorporates so many elements of what's great about British rock these days, mellow, rocking, dramatic, dynamics.
- The Black Keys - Attack & Release (Nonesuch) : Attack & Release is one album that I didn't expect to like as much as I did. I've had The Black Keys on my year end list before but I didn't think they could impress me like this.
- Hold Steady - Stay Positive (Vagrant) : Again, I didn't think The Hold Steady would ever beat their first two albums but Stay Positive incorporated the gritty raw feel of their first two albums and the polished feel of the last one. Amazing album!
- Sigur Ros - Med Sud I Eyrum Vid Spilum Endalaust (XL) : I've always had a soft spot for Sigur Ros but they've never been a "favorite". Med Sud I... changed that. The added vocals really added a dynamic to their music that made it touch home for me. It started with the Harf/Heim album and continued here.
- Opeth - Watershed (Roadrunner) : Opeth is another band that blew away expectations with Watershed. One of those bands you think have peaked but then out do themselves. That's exactly what this album did for them. A great year for metal releases.
Short List: Children of Bodom - Blooddrunk, Iron & Wine - The Shepherd's Dog, Lucinda Williams - Little Honey, The Bug - London Zoo, Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago, Walkmen - You & I, Foals - Antidote, Throw Me The Statue - Moonbeams, Kills - Midnight Boom, Russian Circles - Station, Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes, Scar Symmetry - Holographic Universe, Enslaved - Vertebrae, Protest The Hero - Fortress, Kings of Leon - Only By The Night
Truest return to form: The Mars Volta - Bedlam in Goliath
Big Disappointments: My Morning Jacket - Evil Urges, The Gutter Twins - Saturnalia (decent but not up to what I was expecting)
Best Band You've never heard: Western Fifth - Stand Like A Thief
