10. Of Montreal, Skeletal Lamping (Polyvinyl). In my opinion not as stunningly catchy as most of 2007’s Hissing Fauna the Destroyer (depression at a broken marriage had ne’er been so rocket-fueled), the follow up Skeletal Lamping is still good enough to make a best of 2008—a clear testament to the genius of singer-songwriter, wild entertainer Kevin Barnes. SL is, well, kind of nuts. Songs threaten to explode from a structure, even while they're composed of heavily structured pop sequences.
“Wicked Wisdom,” for example, begins with a kind of accelerated synth riff recalling Bowie’s 1980 classic “Fashion,” then moves into something like contemporary R&B, only to move into some bizarre jackbooted rhythm ("Anarchy in the UK"?) to erratic electronic background and a harpsichord spraying notes like an out-of-tune wind chime. A number like “For Our Elegant Caste” puts upbeat falsetto soul-disco vocals over clapping-hand rhythms and synth riffs that recall Hot Chip (if only this were as simple!), until la-la-las and a drum machine fade it out. WTF? Barnes is one of a kind. He can levitate you musically and lyrically, cut the cable on your elevator, or build a dance fire under your ass—all in one song.
Very Honorable Mention: Los Campesinos, We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed. Smart twee was never so given to slam-dancing.
The Black Keys, Attack and Release (Nonesuch). Stripped down bluesy psychedelic rock, between Hendrixx and Jon Spencer.
Wolf Parade, At Mount Zoomer (Subpop). Lush, elaborate arrangements, seductively dark.
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