Here we go, into the top 20 folks! These are the great albums that I had to debate whether or not to put in the top 10 or not. Some of these didn’t get as many spins as I needed to put them into the top 10. Some of these were even in the top 10 at one point but failed to maintain the spot. I hope you enjoy these picks, and please feel free to share your like/dislike of my choices! Check out #50-41, 40-31, & 30-21 as well!
#20. Frightened Rabbit – Midnight Organ Fight
It took me some time to get into Frightened Rabbit’s 2nd album. I don’t know why, but once I got into it I couldn’t turn it off. These Scots really made a very rounded album full of emotion, anthem driving guitars, pounding drums and well written songs about love and loneliness. “Midnight Organ Flight” sounds and lyrics don’t always correlate. Some of the lyrics discuss unhappier things that the singer has done, and this is a refreshing take on a love song. How can you not love that accent either? This is just one hell of an album
[mp3] : Frightened Rabbit – Modern Leper
#19. British Sea Power – Do You Like Rock Music?
British Sea Power’s newest album “Do You Like Rock Music?” is an appropriate title. This album is everything a rock album should be. Bold, ambitious, and urgent. This album is full of songs with stadium worthy status, big chorus’s, with sharp guitars, and haunting strings. The album as a whole works perfectly. “Waving Flags” and “No Lucifer” demonstrate all of the band’s strengths perfectly. And yes fellas, I do indeed like rock music.
[mp3] : British Sea Power – Lights Out For Darker Skies
#18. The Hold Steady – Stay Positive
The Hold Steady are a special band. Over heavy guitar riffs their lead singer Craig Finn gives us crafty storytelling about teens becoming adults and other parts of life. This album mentions some of the previous characters that were mentioned by Finn on previous Hold Steady albums. The riffs are heavier than ever, and the result is one of the band’s best albums yet. They are motivated by classic rock, and they mix that motivation along with a new creative approach to give off an amazing appeal. These guys have delivered great albums left and right!
[mp3] : The Hold Steady – Slapped Actress
#17. Little Joy – Little Joy
Little Joy was one of the best surprises of 2008. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I read that The Strokes drummer Fabrizio Moretti had a side project. Ther result was one of the most relaxing albums of the year. The songs are both laid back and catchy, a combo that is irresistable. Songs like “Don’t Watch Me Dancing” give us some of the most sincere moments of the whole year. I want the Strokes back just as much as everyone else, but if the side projects continue to be this good I can make it a little longer….
[mp3] : Little Joy – No Ones Better Sake
#16. Beach House – Devotion
Honestly when you hear the band’s name you think of some lo-fi graceful indie pop that you could listen to at night right on the beach with your feet edging the water. The band gives off a dark relaxing atmosphere that develops off of singer Victoria Legrands enchanting vocals and those haunting organs. This album just makes me really happy providing me with a very pleasurable listen to an album filled with quality songs from start to finish.
[mp3] : Beach House – Devotion
#15. Kanye West – 808’s & Heartbreak
Kanye’s 808’s & Heartbreak may become one of the most polarizing albums of all time. After 3 highly succesful albums Kanye completely leaves that style behind going to auto-tuner and spilling his heart out on this album instead. Many people hated it, I however was really pulled into it. I was able to connect with his lyrics and emotions and I thought some of the beats were his best yet. Give this thing some time to sink in. This album shows Kanye’s ability to do a lot of different things, and I thought it was a success.
[mp3] : Kanye West – Street Lights
#14. MGMT – Oracular Spectacular
What hasn’t already been said about MGMT? They probably are the biggest band in 2008 aside from Vampire Weekend. Their popularity has completely soared over the year and it shouldn’t be a surprise. They have crafted one of the most enjoyable albums of the year with catchy psych-rock. The songs are weird enough to be memorable, and the hooks are all over the place. “Time To Pretend”, “Kids” and “Electric Feel” pretty much sums it all up. The album actually gets better after a while too! Songs like ‘Pieces Of What’ and ‘Of Moons, Birds & Monsters’ have been seeing more plays than any other tracks from the album.
[mp3] : MGMT – Of Moons, Birds & Monsters
#13. Ra Ra Riot – The Rhumb Line
The story behind Ra Ra Riot is just as incredible as the bands music. They lost their good friend and drummer John Ryan Pike after he accidentially drowned but didn’t give up. They used the songs he helped write and his memory to inspire them to continue on as a band and finish their album. The Rhumb Line is the best thing they could have done to honor their friend. The album is a perfect blend of pop songs, sincere songs, sad songs, and happy songs. The strings really compliment everything well. Ra Ra Riot is a young band but that doesn’t show at all here. John is smiling down happily at them and their success.
[mp3] : Ra Ra Riot – Ghost Under Rocks
#12. Sigur Rós – Med Sud I Eyrum Vid Spilum Endalaust
Sigur Rós are truly one of a kind. They make some of the most beautiful music in the buisiness today, and I don’t even know what they are saying. The fact that they are speaking in Icelandic only enhances their dreamy music. First single “Gobbledigook” was very different from the band’s usual sound and got them comparisons to Animal Collective! Although the album is a lot different, there are still plenty of the majestical etheral moments like in ‘Festival’ that make Sigur Rós so special. I cannot imagine Sigur Rós with lyrics I could understand. However that changes with their first english track “All Alright” and it is a jaw dropping result. These guys have such a magical appeal to them. How can you not like them?
[mp3] : Sigur Rós – Festival
#11. The Dodos – Visiter
Psychedelic-folk. Tell me that isn’t a badass way to describe a band? Well that is actually a perfect description for The Dodos. Meric Long’s strums of the guitar are almost furious enough to make it drum-like to perfectly assiant the rediculously fast paced drums. They use all of this to creative melodies, harmonies, keeping their pop sensability. “Red and Purple” and “Fools” were two fantastic songs from the year that always had me hitting repeat. The most impressive part is that the band uses pretty much all acoustic instruments and are more effective at “rocking out” than most bands can that try to are. This is a diverse album with ballads, pop songs, fast paced rockers, and everything in between. This is a great example of instruments being used to the highest potential creative effective music. Drumsticks become the drummers hands throughout this album. Fucking cool.
[mp3] : The Dodos – Ashley
**look out for the top 10 soon. please comment with your thoughts so far!!!**
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