Blogcritics The critical lens on today's culture & entertainment
2008 marked yet another year in which the music industry saw a decline in total album sales. Of course, that figure looks less bleak when you factor in the big increase in digital music sales.
I can’t imagine anyone actually thinking the industry will collapse so much that it will have to finally embrace the Internet and develop new strategies for promoting its product as well as getting people to buy it.
Ringtones are super popular given the millions of cellular phones being used in the U.S. and also the billions of cellular phones being used worldwide. Video games have also become a viable platform to sell music. Whether music will ultimately be given away for free remains to be seen.
Nevertheless, 2008 was still a good year for music, particularly for indie lovers. That being said, here is my top 5 favorite 2008 albums. None of which were, unsurprisingly among the year’s top 10 selling albums.
5. Adele – 19
British singer-songwriter Adele seemed to never be mentioned when other British soul artists like Amy Winehouse and Duffy were discussed for their vocal talents. For some reason, even four Grammy nominations seems low for the very moving “heartbroken soul” sound of her debut album 19.
4. Ratatat – LP3
New York duo Ratatat continues their synth-driven electronica on their incredible third full-length album, aptly titled LP3.
3. Lykke Li – Youth Novels
Swedish artist Lykke Li (Li Lykke Timotej Zachrisson) uses infectious dance pop to mask the awesomeness of true sensuality in her debut album Youth Novels.
2. Crystal Castles – Crystal Castles
Canadian duo Crystal Castles proves that the electronic remix can be its own genre on their self-titled debut.
1. Beach House – Devotion
Devotion, the sophomore album of Baltimore duo Beach House, brings you as close to divinity as possible without listening to worship music or spending two Sunday morning hours in a church.
Honorable Mention:
El Perro Del Mar – From The Valley To The Stars
Hercules And Love Affair – Hercules And Love Affair
M83 – Saturdays=Youth
The Raveonettes – Lust, Lust, Lust
She & Him – Volume One
