I've been postponing actually writing this entry for quite some time because I'm honestly still a little undecided about it. I've convinced myself that one of these days I'll wake up and the entry will write itself; that I'll know exactly how I feel about each album and be able to rank them accordingly. Nope. Not happening. This is my best shot.
Here it is:
1. These New Puritans - Beat Pyramid
I anticipated this release since TNPs composed the track "Navigate, Navigate" for Hedi Slimane's Dior Homme show. They wrote and recorded the thirteen minute track in less than a week, at a time when not one of the members was more than nineteen years old. At no point does this album disappoint. TNPs have truly perfected the genre. Since it's release in March I have listened to Beat Pyramid, from beginning to end, almost every day. It might not be the most inventive, technically perfect, timeless album, but for this year, it made its impression.
2. Portishead - Third
I acquired this album four times this year: when it was leaked, I bought it on iTunes, the CD, and then the box set. Twelve years later, breaking out of the genre of trip-hop, Portishead put out a relevant and incredibly solid collection of songs. When it all feels like it might be getting a bit too heavy, they break the mood with "Deep Water", a simple acoustic track that is far more along the lines of Beth Gibbons solo work, but nonetheless fits perfectly. This album, and Beach House's "Devotion" acted as the soundtrack to much of my late winter, early spring.
3. TV on the Radio - Dear Science,
As you'll later find out, I forgot about this album. How did I do that? I blame sleep deprivation. This album should not be forgotten. "Halfway Home" is possibly the best opening track of any album this year, so much so that I often have a hard time not listening to it over and over instead of letting the album play. However, once I burn myself out, I'm reminded that the rest of the tracks are equally as great. From the immense sound of "Stork and Owl", to the catchy handclaps on "Golden Age", and the cacophonous build in "Love Dog" this album runs the gambit. I must say, though, does "Family Tree" sound a bit too much like "Adventures in Solitude" by The New Pornographers to anyone else? Not necessarily a bad thing, but it's distracting.
4. The Kills - Midnight Boom
This album is unrelenting. Like on "Keep on Your Mean Side" and "No Wow", every track plays its part in creating a fluid whole. Because of this, it's hard to pick a favorite track on the album. There seems to be something for everyone, and every mood. I can still only remember bits and pieces of seeing them in Seattle as the whole experience was a bit surreal. Thanks goes to Jared for introducing me to their music.
5. The Muslims - S/T
If there was one band I wish I could have seen in 2008, this is it. Their take on simple, American garage rock makes me yearn for simpler times. Many people have said they sound like The Strokes of 2008, which is understandable, but to me discredits The Muslims. The Strokes released their first album in a time when their genre was thriving. In a year ruled by synth pop, mash-up, vocoder and autotune, this band stuck true to a timeless sound. Let us hope more people come to their senses and we can witness the extinction of vocoder and autotune.
6. Hot Chip - Made In The Dark
I forget how much I like this album. Hot Chip has always been great at juxtaposing their quick, danceable tracks with their slower lovelorn ballads. My qualm with this album, however, is that it completely loses me after "Don't Dance". The last two tracks may as well not exist for me because it is always at that point that I restart the album. I've tried my damnedest to let them grow on me, but there's only so much trying will achieve.
(This is why I've been putting this off... It is at this point I've realized that I forgot about TV on the Radio, which means I have to go back and try to figure out where it fits. Fuck.)
7. Beach House - Devotion
Upon seeing them play two years ago at Crazy Daisy, of all places, I fell in love. The follow-up to their self-titled debut was perfectly executed. Many sophomore releases fail by trying too hard to be different from the first, but Beach House stuck to their guns and hit the mark. When I listened to "Astronaut" for the first time I was put off, but, with less than a minute left on the track, the song evolves into something, if only briefly, delightfully catchy. Their new single "Used to Be" is definitely worth giving a listen.
Beach House - Heart of Chambers
8. Crystal Castles - S/T
I don't really have that much to say about this album, that hasn't been said already. Over the top at times? Yes. But I still listen to it at least once a week. It's good. That's all I have to say.
9. Clinic - Do It!
I feel that at this point it is necessary to clarify that this list is based on many different things. One of them, which plays a large role is some sort of emotional connection to the album. I have always liked Clinic, and while this album isn't groundbreaking, it is comfortable and that's not always a bad thing. And while I find myself listening to 2007s B-side release "FUNF" on more occasions, "Do It!" is still a great album. I think Clinic is the reason I like Vampire Hands as much as I do; they have very similar sounds. Also, the last track "Coda" is possibly the most effective closing track on any album this year. When it comes on you know they're wrapping things up. It leaves you with this feeling of, "Really? Already?" but doesn't leave you feeling empty.
10. Santogold - S/T
The number ten spot was easily the hardest to fill. There were several bands in the running but ultimately I feel like I can't overlook this album. The range on this album is incredible, and the list of collaborators is equally as impressive. There's nothing more I can tell you that you don't already know: This album is great.
By the way, I know this entry is long as hell, and I apologize. Stay tuned for the honorable mentions and bonus round...
P.S. Blogger is the most fucking finicky site. Apparently, when you copy and paste from another program, blogger likes to remember any previous formatting and then make it impossible for you to remove it. That's why this post looks janky. Laugh hard Eric, this is karma for being so anal about spaces. Imagine how much this is bothering me...
2 comments:
I was going to delete the above comment but I'm so baffled by the fact that there is spam commenting on a blog as small as ours that I wanted everyone else to bear witness.
Hello spam. How have you been. I feel like its been forever since I've heard from you. What, with all the advances in spamming technology that gmail and other services have advanced in. I almost kinda missed you. Wierd.
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