2008 was a pretty good year for music. I think I probably heard more quality albums released last year and in 2006, but there were still some very solid and interesting albums put out this year.
Some of them, I am still digesting as I've only recently heard about them after receiving wide praise in national publications putting out their own "best of" lists. If there's a trend to be gleaned from the artists shown below, I'm not sure I know what it is. I'm glad to have caught some pretty fantastic new (to me) acts like Son Lux, Bon Iver and Frightened Rabbit, but was also gratified to see that established bands like The Raconteurs, The Walkmen, and The Hold Steady are still making vital music.
So, below, you should find a sampling of songs from some of my favorite releases - I believe all are legitimately sanctioned videos for distribution on a blog, but I wil be happy to remove any where there is no permission granted to use. Let me know what you liked this year. I always am looking for good music. Enjoy:
The Raconteurs - "Old Enough" from Consolers of the Lonely.
The Walkmen concert - first few songs from 2008's You & Me
Why? - "Song of the Sad Assassin" from Alopecia.
Son Lux - "Break" from At War With Walls and Mazes
The Hold Steady - "Stay Positive" from the album Stay Positive.
The M's - "The Big Sound" from Real Close Ones.
Bon Iver - "Flume" from For Emma, Forever Ago
Wolf Parade - "Language City" from At Mount Zoomer
David Byrne & Brian Eno - "Strange Overtone" from Everything That Happens Will Happen Today
Frightened Rabbit - "Heads Roll Off" from The Midnight Organ Fight
The Dodos - "Fools" from Visiter
My Morning Jacket - "I'm Amazed" from Evil Urges
Thievery Corporation - "Sweet Tides" from Radio Retaliation
British Sea Power - "No Lucifer" from Do You Like Rock Music?
Vampire Weekend - "Oxford Comma" from their self-titled album
Tapes 'n Tapes - "Hang Them All" from Walk it Off
Secret Machines - "Atomic Heel" from their self-titled album.
Conor Oberst - "Souled Out" from his self-titled album
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I'd heard most of these songs before, but a few were new to me.
A couple indie releases that ought to be included in this best of 2008 montage:
Janelle Monae's "Metropolis: Suite 1"
Destroyer's "Trouble in Dreams"
The Cool Kids' "The Bake Sale"
and on the more mainstream tack:
Alejandro Escovedo's "Real Animal"
T.I.'s "Paper Trail"
Lil' Wayne's "Tha Carter III"
Kanye West's "8o8 and Heartbreaks"
Thanks again,
Take your pick of any of the mad jubilant tracks off of Los Campesinos album Hold On Now Youngster. It's like running through a burning shopping mall, laughing.
I don't think the album is out yet, but the song "Toe Jam" by Fatboy Slim with David Byrne and Dizzy Rascal. Luckily for you, the video is available on line, but I have to emphasise Do Not Watch This At Work. That being said, it is the most strangely happy music video I've ever seen. Watch it with someone you love (but not your kids).
REM's "Supernatural Superserious" off of Accelerate. Proof that there's life in the boys yet. More mid-90's superstar REM than mid- 80's indiestar REM, but quality REM nonetheless.
Rodriguez's "I Wonder" and "Sugarman" off of the re-issued Cold Fact (originally from 1970, but no one--and I mean no one-- noticed him back then).
The Walkmen were my new find of the year, saw them at Bumbershoot in September and was blown away. Now, what about the Fleet Foxes? Everyone's ga-ga over them here.
Donna & William: I have not yet heard Fleet Foxes, which I keep kicking myself for because of all the good reviews I've read. It's not an omission due to a negative opinion.
Craig - Thanks for the suggestions and, if I may....my children are HUGE fans of the Chad Vader series and I'm going to get instant cred from them having you comment on my blog!
I was also going to add that I haven't heard the new TV on the Radio yet either and I know that'll be good.
Also - because I couldn't find postable videos, I ommitted a couple of great albums that I've been listening to like mad:
Bob Dylan - "Tell Tale Signs" - this is part of the bootleg series and includes remakes, unreleased and live tracks from Dylan's later work - which, for me, has been so fantastic. It's a two-volume set and the number of songs I haven't heard before was almost a full album worth.
The other that comes immediately to mind is Beck's - "Modern Guilt." For me, it's the best thing he's done since "Sea Change." And it comes in at a very economical 30 minutes.
Edgar - I actually am really taking to the new Kanye, which is odd because I've usually found him overrated. I have a friend who is effusive about both T.I. and L'il Wayne's albums so I will definitely be listening to them soon.
Stephanie - I can imagine the disappointment in not getting to see Bon Iver, even if you'll get more chances. That setting sounds perfect for his music - small and intimate. I'm slowly developing a strong attachment to that album and I've only just started listening to it. There's something almost Elliott Smith-like about him. Not QUITE the same tone, but the intimacy is there. I hope to see him live some day.
Two '08 albums stood out for me: Adele's 19. I've listened to it scores of times and imagine I'll be listening to her 30 years from now. I'd be hard pressed to pick a favorite, but, if pushed, I suppose the jazzy "Best for Last" would do: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBMHYpOkDGM
The other huge winner for me was Juana Molina's startling "Un Día." I probably like "Dar (Qué Dificil)" best, but I can't find a YouTube link. However, the title track is stunning as well: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBMHYpOkDGM
Chambao from Spain
Buika from Spain
Lila Downs from Mexico
and
Alex Cuba from Cuba
Okay and for a fun Dylan-esque sound that is reborn from 1969 and well, just a great story check out Sixto Rodriguez Cold Fact. This guy's album tanked when he released it (no one listening...fell through the cracks) and he went on with his life. 30 years later during Apartheid the soulful anti establishment lyrics and psychedelic effects are topping the charts in South Africa. Everyone figured this guy was dead. Nope. Just working construction in Detroit. So now he tours. He's 66. It's so cool check out SugarMan and I Wonder.
Yes, my favorites tend to be male-centric. I think part of that is the fact that I listen to music that I can personally connect with and I find it more likely to feel connected to a male voice. This isn't to say there aren't female artists I don't really like. But when I look at my list of most listened to artists on last.fm, I see that it's overwhelmingly male. I have female artists but I just try to listen to the stuff that moves me the most and I don't know if that means I'm sexist or it's just reflective of my male-ness.