2008 was quite a year for the music industry. As with every other year, trends emerged and others faded away. Bands reunited and others disbanded. And albums were released that shattered our souls, broke our hearts, and made memories, while others flat-out sucked.
The year marked the return of Erykah Badu, a Stone Temple Pilots reunion, and David Cook defeating David Archuleta to win the American Idol competition. Tragedy also struck the industry, as the New Kids on the Block returned after a 15-year absence to release The Block. Axl Rose shocked the world, finally delivering Chinese Democracy after 462 years in the studio.
The Verve released their first album since 1997, while AC/DC’s Black Ice represented the band’s first release since 2000. And more hip hop stars pushed back the release dates of their albums, making 2009 the year that 2008 should have been for many of them.
So as we look forward to 2009 and all of the music, trends, possibilities, and heartbreak that awaits, it’s time for one last look back at the best albums of 2008. Here are my picks for the best records of 2008:
15. Black Keys – Attack and Release
This Danger Mouse-produced album is chock full of grungy, dirty guitars and a collection of guests that includes Jessica Lea Mayfield and Ralph Carney.
14. Hercules and Love Affair – Hercules and Love Affair
More than just a disco revival, this record is sad, soulful, meaningful, and powerful. With the mournful vocals of Antony Hegarty poured out over the beats and thumping bass lines, this album is remarkably special.
13. Spiritualized – Songs in A&E
Fascinating soundscapes and lyrics that ache highlight this set of music that doubles as a form of spiritual cover. It is magical, bleak, exciting, and fresh.
12. Randy Newman – Harps and Angels
Staggeringly funny, musically unique, and endlessly sardonic, Randy Newman’s piece has all of the obnoxious bluster of his Disney crap with none of the pointless fairy dust.
11. Karl Blau – Nature’s Got Away
A mesmerizing record that brims with the sounds of natural music-making, tenderness, and attention to detail, this one is all about listening to the flawed perfection it creates.
A beautiful and graceful monster of a record, this piece from the Japanese rock monsters is bloody and brutal.
Article comments
1 - Mark Saleski
fuck buttons?
geezuz, i bet you read pitchfork media too!
;-)
2 - Kate
Funny, you think it's such a tragedy that the New Kids came back, yet their album contains one of the exact songs from your #5 album that you call brilliant. It's a good thing Ne-Yo can recognize talent and wanted to perform with them on it.
3 - zingzing
fuck buttons! see? the canadian gets it.
still, a strange list with a strange ending. i like it.
4 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
I would say that Metallica's latest release is just as tragic as The New Kids reunion. Maybe they should have recorded an album together,at least that would have pushed the envelope...
5 - Mark Saleski
one more time and that'll be 237 times that brian has said he doesn't like the new Metallica. yeesh.
6 - Jordan Richardson
geezuz, i bet you read pitchfork media too!
6.454337/10
7 - Glen Boyd
I like this list cause it kind of balances out the others which have tended to lean pretty mainstream, including my own. Also, it provides us yet another opportunity to say the words 'fuck buttons" until we drop from the ensuing hilarity, and even better it gives the Gupster another forum to bitch about Metallica. Well done Jordan.
-Glen
8 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
Now, why in the world would I read reviews from a crappy f*cking website that raves on about the New Wave of Panzy Rock(Indie). *Ugh*
Oh *BTW*...The new Metallica album makes Seal's latest cover album sound like a f*cking masterpiece(#237)
9 - Donald Gibson
Duffy's Rockferry is gorgeous. One song in particular, "Warwick Avenue," just floors me.
10 - Tan The Man
Very diverse list. Yah for The Black Keys...