2008, part 1

I've read Rolling Stone, EW, Paste, Under the Radar, and Spin...to find that each has a very different idea of what the best albums of the year are.

Here is my list of my personal favorite albums and songs as well as my New Year's resolutions for the big '09...Just go in knowing you won't agree.

So here we go.

Fantastic albums of 2008 that I haven't gotten 100% in to yet, but have a perfectly legitimate reason as to why I didn't.....

Skeletal Lamping - Of Montreal
- OK, I was massively in love with Hissing Fauna, so I'm still not totally over that one. This new one is a solid album, as Kevin Barnes doesn't really ever fail to impress...but everyone knows that Of Montreal's appeal is in their live spectacle. Their live show just gets more and more elaborate, outrageous, and lively; this to the point that I still don't really remember what songs I enjoyed during their two-hour set. I blame it on the live show. I really need to start fresh with this one.

A Mad and Faithful Telling - Devotchka
- I will always love Devotchka, as they are extremely talented musicians and piece together fantastic, eclectic sounds that you just don't hear often. That accordion is stunning as is the viola, tuba, and trumpet. The mandolin is great...I can go on. They're easily one of the more classical-sounding bands out there, but mend their sound into new, innovative things. And their live show featured an acrobat. Seriously.

Dear Science - TVOTR
- I will never forget the Staring at the Sun EP and will always long for that sound. The new one is polished, produced, and includes sounds that I'm still picking out for the first time. I didn't get to see them this year, but am always floored by their live sets. I blame this one on school and their Wiltern show falling on a Monday. Otherwise, I know I need to catch up with this album, seeing as how it ended up #1 on two of the five magazines mentioned above. Tunde Adibimpe is so full of life and Dave Sitek's production are super clean, even with the mish-mash of instruments and sounds TVOTR employs. I already know this album's great, I just need to listen a bit and realize exactly why.

Nouns - No Age
- I get it but I don't get it. Art-punk. I've heard punk and I've heard artsy indie stuff, but maybe I missed the old art-punk movement that everyone likes to talk about. Either way, I saw these dudes twice in the last year in two different cities, and enjoyed every minute of them. They hail from LA (their Night Rippers album cover is a building about 2 blocks from my work!) and have a gritty feel to them. They're loud and lo-fi (which is a test for the ears) but integrate long soundscapes that I figure are put the "art" into their sound. For two guys, they sure can make your ears buzz...not always such a bad thing.

Modern Guilt - Beck
- Beck is Beck and that's all there is to it. If this album was a debut, it'd easily be in the top 5 of everyone's list. Beck is just that good. The guy works his ass off and produces albums that make everyone else look...well, not as fun. Beck can get a party moving with massive beats or freak you out a little with samplers and drum machines. All this while doing his pseudo-rap-thing. He's definitely earned his reputation and has solidified himself as one of LA's finest exports. Beck can bring it. Because he's Beck.

Elephant Shell - Tokyo Police Club
- I'm still caught up on their EP. That's only 4-5 songs...but I cannot get enough. I've been putting this one off for far too long. So I'm listening to it as I blog here. And it's pretty nifty so far...

The Bedlam in Goliath - Mars Volta
- What can be said about Mars Volta that hasn't been said already? Bedlam is more of the same...but by the same I mean it's innovative, unique, prog-thumping, art-inspired, craziness. I love it...but still miss the De-Loused days.

Feed the Animals - Girl Talk
- I'll admit it, I don't like the source material so how could I fully dig the album? Well, to debate Gregg Gillis' talent would be a stupid, stupid move, since they guy is an absolute genius. What he does here is amazing, simple as that. Like the Avalanches a few years back, I am floored by the amount of time and work that went into this album. This is like the Monet of sampling. Taking mostly boring material and creating something amazing. But although I respect it, I always thought impressionism was just okay. It's more personal taste than merit. Girl Talk is still amazing.

The Stand Ins - Okkervil River
- I know it's good. But I'm still hung up on Don't Fall In Love With Everyone You See. I just got into them a year or so ago. Give me some time to catch up...

...That being said, I haven't had a chance/been in the mood for these...yet. Their time will come...
Microcastle - Deerhunter
Offend Maggie - Deerhoof
The Age of the Understatement - Last Shadow Puppets [even though I bought it in London...]
For Emma, For Ever Ago - Bon Iver
Furr - Blitzen Trapper
The Hawk Is Howling - Mogwai
Acid Tongue - Jenny Lewis

Before the favorites, let's examine the let-downs...
Intimacy - Bloc Party
- I have nothing against emo, but this is like emo-techno that really doesn't make a lot of sense.

Fasciination - The Faint
- I wanted to so very badly, but I could not get into this album. A long way from Blank Wave Arcade. Ironically, released on The Faint's new label, Blank Wav.

Evil Urges - My Morning Jacket
- I don't even want to talk about this one. I don't understand how people understand it. I must be out of the loop. But "Highly Suspicious" sounds like drunk karaoke. I was supremely saddened by this one...I tried.

Something for the People - Broken Social Scene
- It's Brendan Canning's work. Maybe I'm not too big a fan of his and really really have a special place for Kevin Drew's stuff. It's not a bad album by the least...but it's a far cry from the s/t.

She and Him
- I don't get it. I want more M Ward.

And finally, my all-favorites list of 2009...I'll write it in a few days.