Normally, it would be the custom to do one of those top-ten best-of articles for the year right about now. The thing is, at least if I am being 100-percent honest, I would have a pretty hard time filling such a list this year.
It's not there wasn't any good music out there in 2008 — because there most certainly was. It's just that unlike say, 2006, when you had a record that really stood out the way that Dylan's Modern Times did, or even 2007, when you had no less than great new albums by Wilco, Springsteen, and Radiohead to consider, there just weren't any new albums that stood head and shoulders above the rest of the pack the way that those did.
Although I will admit that I considered Radiohead for this year's list. My reasoning there being that although In Rainbows was first released in 2007 in its download-only version, the physical release which came out on January 1st of this year simply sounded so much better.
Oh well, I guess I'll leave that for the folks at the Grammys to decide.
Anyway, what I ended up doing was going back through all the articles and reviews I did this year, as well as revisiting a few releases that for whatever reason I never actually ended up writing about. So, this list is not necessarily a best of the year for 2008. It does however represent the music I probably listened to the most this year. It is also in no particular order.
Brian Wilson - That Lucky Old Sun
Brian Wilson's love letter to his beloved California is also one of the most personal, bittersweet sounding pieces of music I have heard by just about any artist in recent memory. While much of the music here recalls the simpler, more innocent vision of what he calls the "Heartbeat Of L.A." (read: vintage surf and sand Beach Boys) — especially on songs like "Forever My Surfer Girl" — other songs like "Oxygen To The Brain" and "Midnight's Another Day" provide an open-book, autobiographer's sort of sketch into the artist's often troubled life. The music is sweeping and gorgeous throughout.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - El Bicho
B.B. King - "One Kind Favor" doesn't make your top 20? I demand a recount. Maybe "See That My Grave Is Kept Clean" strikes too close to the bone for old-timers, but that's one of the best damn songs of the year. If it doesn't affect your heart and soul, it's likely you ain't got either.
2 - Glen Boyd
I have to be honest here Bicho and say that I haven't heard the whole thing. That said, I love what I have heard. It just wouldn't have been honest to include something based on great word of mouth and the bits that I have heard (which are excellent).
I mean, can you say Maxim?
-Glen
3 - El Bicho
Well, I read you stole the MMJ album so I don't see why you couldn't get B.B. as well. Is he he not good enough for your thieving ways? Save the $300 the next time Neil comes to town and do yourself a favor and get it.
4 - Glen Boyd
Its on my list El B...ya' know, Christmas is coming buddy...??
-Glen
5 - Mark Saleski
geezuz! toss that Marillion crap and get the King!
;-)
6 - Pico
I give this article my meager endorsement on the inclusion of Steve Winwood's Nine Lives alone. It's astonishing that 40 plus years into his career he produces what is likely his finest solo album ever and can stand up against most of the Traffic records as well. And yet, hardly any publicity about it.
It's a great record because it's Winwood doing all the things he does best. And Clapton once again proves he's also a phenomenal session player in case anyone forgot.
7 - Glen Boyd
Thanx Pico. 100% agree with you.
Saleski...I didn't expect Marillion to be one of the more umm, "popular" choices here (and feel free to jump in here anytime Tom Johnson...), but the fact remains I think its a beautiful piece of work. It should also be restated, this isn't a "best of the year list" but rather just what was on my player most often this year. The King is definitely in my future I'm sure.
-Glen
8 - Donald Gibson
So the Scarlett Johansson album must've just missed the cut, huh?
9 - Glen Boyd
Yeah, it was either that, Marillion, or BB King.
-Glen
10 - Paul Roy
An average Marillion album is still better than most of the other crap that came out this year. I cannot wait to get my hands on the new Steve Wilson album (and the forthcoming Porcupine Tree DVD). I have been hesitant to shell out money for the new Steve Winwood CD, but you may have just convinced me.
11 - Mark Saleski
Saleski...I didn't expect Marillion to be one of the more umm, "popular" choices here (and feel free to jump in here anytime Tom Johnson...), but the fact remains I think its a beautiful piece of work
i know glen! that's what the smiley face was for...just pullin' yer leg.
just having some fun with the fact that we're on opposite sides of the Marillion love/hate divide.
12 - Tom Johnson
Well, I'd love to stump for Marillion, but it may not make my list. I'm always torn whether to put things on my list because I'm a fan and I'm going to listen anyway, or because I truly, deeply love something. This year, a couple of long-time favorites just aren't doing it for me - the new releases from Marillion and Aimee Mann. That doesn't mean they won't get a lot of play because these are artists whom I love and generally listen to a lot of a large part of their catalog, especially newer stuff, but I'm not feeling "best of year" in relation to these albums. They don't blow me away like many others this year did. Fleet Foxes, Calexico, Lambchop, no-man, Elbow, Byrne/Eno, James, Radiohead (or does that qualify as 2007?), Squarepusher, Steven Wilson . . . these are the albums that defined my year, and my list will reflect that, along with some others that are slipping my mind at the moment.
And, yeah, BB King's new album is amazing. I literally just got it, so it's hard to include it on my list since I haven't lived with it, but had I grabbed this when it came out, it surely would have been on my list.
13 - Douglas Mays
hhhmmm...I give a vote to the Raconteurs.
What is the deal with those Fleet Foxes? Being a Seattle scenester, I can't figure it out. Modest Mouse, Death Cab, Fleet Foxes. Yet I hear that they are quite good in concert and that the album is good as a whole, from start to finish. That is a nice feature of a band.....
Anyway, I do like this 2008 indy release from Seattle by UPCHUCK entitled 'Gone But Not Forgiven'on Dadastic Records. Another release of proto grunge. Pearl Jam was into this guy as a young band. Like the X-15 that came out of here.
Actually, it seems like at least some substance is starting to work it's way into music, a bit...
best,
DM
14 - Jason | GetYourOJ.com
I got as far as the part as you saying there's no record that stands out this year and that's where I had to stop. I respect different opinions and tastes, and maybe for you there was no stand out album. But go listen to MGMT Oracular Spectacular. How does that album not stand out? I'm fairly certain it will make most top ten lists. There are countless artists who put out good albums this year. Lykke Li, The Streets, Oasis, Kaiser Chiefs, I could go on all night.. but I haven't got the time at the moment.
Anyway, to think there's not at least one stand out album a year in just about every genre of music is fairly absurd given the number and scope of the srtists there are out there. Anyone with access to the net shouldn't have a problem finding great music from 2008 that stands out. It's everywhere.
Jason | GetYourOJ.com
15 - Jason | GetYourOJ.com
Now I've read through the article and admire the diversity found on your list. The My Morning Jacket album is great, the Coldplay not so much IMHO
off the top of my head I'll add The Black Keys as another great one. And the Justice live album.
There are so many..
16 - zingzing
oh jeez... coldplay? metallica? (seriously?)
here's a dozen you apparently missed:
tv on the radio
portishead
spiritualized
the new year
mount eerie
amadou & miriam
hercules and love affair
fucked up
fuck buttons
excepter
deerhunter
beach house
17 - JC Mosquito
Yeeha! Year end, and we all get to pick over various Top Ten lists. I'm not being facetious, but maybe the world oughtta establish different fiscal/musical year end zones or something so we can enjoy this on a monthly basis - a Christmas in July kinda thing.
A good pastiche of a list, Glen - a little of everything for everyone, like a loaded Christmas Eve pizza before Rico's shuts the ovens down early for the night so the whole family can make it to midnight Mass. Happy holidays, everyone.
- Skeeter.
18 - primo rosario
Good Job....
19 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
Really, Glen?? This list looks more like a job application for SPIN. Steven Wilson's release seems to be the only thing you nailed that isn't an "in crowd" favorite. Well, that and the new (boring) Marillion album. Hell, I haven't even listened to Insurgentes, I'm just giving him the benefit of doubt. Seriously, Coldplay & Metallica??
*UGH!!*
20 - Pico
I can't wait to see Guppus' "out crowd" list!
21 - Glen Boyd
Guppus,
The truth is I spent the better part of my younger years trying to "out-hip" everyone too and I just don't give a shit about that anymore.
The criteria for my list this year just came down to what I heard this year that I liked. Period. I knew going in that Coldplay wouldn't be a popular choice among the hipsters. But I liked it. And quite frankly, I just don't care if their "bigness" somehow negates consideration for a "hipper than thou" best of the year list. I liked "X&Y" too if that makes a difference.
I also know that Metallica outlived their "hipness" credentials years ago, even amomgst "metallurgists" such as yourself. But for me, it was a kick to hear them doing what they once did so well again.
SPIN? Don't make me laugh. I had two reviews published in that magazine back when they mattered, and if I wanted a job there now all I'd have to do is rewrite press releases for the most obscure "underground" band out there, and I'd probably be hired on the spot.
Thats why I do my thing for Blogcritics these days. I can just write about what I like without fear of reprisal for my "un-hipness."
But don't worry Guppy, you're a smart enough guy that you too will one day get there.
-Glen
22 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
Glen,
That's fine if you review & praise the music that you like. Maybe you just need to listen to more music(I doubt it!). Personally, I think anyone can make an argument for any of those bands/artists that you listed because their releases are readily available. Those were easy choices & they don't truly speak to me about the author.
IMHO, I don't care to be a f*cking pretentious "Hipster"! Being hip was never a state of mind for me when I thought about music! I have always had a similar attitude,"I like what I like & F*ck you if you don't!"! My main goal is to speak my mind and maybe cast a little light on the bands that deserve the credit. I'm sorry, I don't care what you say,but, Metallica & Coldplay both wasted plastic by releasing their brand of crap on CD.They were hardly worth listening to, never mind the best of 2008!
Metallica didn't out live their "hipness", they just forgot how to play Thrash and for them to get all of this attention with a piss poor album just really tells me that most of America doesn't have a f*cking clue about good Goddamn Metal!!
Oh well, I don't know how to close this comment...
I guess that is the great thing about Blogs. The average man can write a review about something he loves and then another average man can piss all over it(Just Kidding)
23 - Christopher Rose
Glen, who exactly were you in to in your younger years when you were trying to "outhip" everybody?
24 - Glen Boyd
Glam, then prog, then punk pretty much in that order.
-Glen
25 - Christopher Rose
Those are genres, not bands... Who in particular?