2008 was a very odd year for me. 2007 was absolutely amazing, with huge performances and wild shows throughout. From the Decemberists at the Bowl (with Band of Horses & Andrew Bird) to Wolfmother at the Warfield to Arcade Fire 3 times over, 2007 was one of those momentous years filled with epic events and albums (Neon Bible, In Rainbows, Sound of Silver, All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone).
2008 came around, and from the start, I realized it'd be very unpredictable...there were a few key albums I was dying for (Loyalty to Loyalty, At Mount Zoomer), but had no real idea what to expect. I honestly thought 08 would be somewhat of a relax year, a break from the hard hitters of 07.
As I look back at the last 12 months, I realize that 2008 was another epic year in music. I really need to stop doubting the scene. 08 was different, however; it was full of the oddities and more subtle acts that filled the clubs rather instead of the amphitheaters. There were a few huge performances (MMJ, Sigur Ros), but the year was punctuated by emerging bands - who will eventually play those outdoor venues - and more technical, specialized acts that could make the club crowds move. 08 was a fantastic year for music, one that stands out for me since my expectations were so ambiguous. Classics were released this year, things that I'll be listening to for years to come. Thank you, 2008, for surprising me in the best way.
My favorites of 2008...
Albums-
At Mount Zoomer - Wolf Parade
- It was my most anticipated album of the year, and it lived up to expectations. I'm just a huge Wolf Parade fan, so there's bias, but with good reason. The little elements that Dan Boeckner and Spencer Krug bring to the table are fantastic, as they compliment each other's songs extremely well. Boeckner's folk-based rock makes for catchy pop-centered hooks and an edgier feel...Krug fills open space with eerie atmospheric sounds and can conjure thundering, fist-pumping anthems as well as slow burning epics. "California Dreamer" is a standout track, illustrating Krug's unique flavor and his ability to build a catchy song on top of unconventional sound. "Kissing the Beehive", silly name aside, is the grand finale of the album, and is the first song Krug and Boeckner did together. It still sounds like two separate songs...you can tell where each comes in and out...but it still mixes in very well and, about 8 minutes in, makes you move.
Fleet Foxes/Sun Giant EP - Fleet Foxes
- This debut EP/LP has to be one of the brightest debuts of 2008. Robin Pecknold's voice carries with it a gravitas that forces you to listen; the band's harmonies just add to the epic feel of their music. They play a style of folk-indie-rock that brings to mind Band of Horses and My Morning Jacket; yet they have a distinctly Northwesterly feel to them. One tends to think of trees, snow, and rain when hearing this band, a perfect portrait of our isolated Pacific Northwest. Fleet Foxes' debut album is a steady ride, inviting the listener to feel clean, open melodies, catchy hooks, and harmonies unrivaled in the scene. This album is a perfect listen during long, dark stretches on the road, or cozied up near the fireplace.
Loyalty to Loyalty - Cold War Kids
- Cold War Kids have managed to shift their perspective from the third-person, anecdotal narrative of Robbers and Cowards to a more intimate first-person narrative present on their sophomore effort, Loyalty to Loyalty. They continue to utilize the garage-rock, gritty feel of their debut, yet have decided to let their songs breathe with ambient piano keys, guitar plucks, a a lot more open space. Through a series of short-story-narratives, the Cold War Kids have taken their sound to a new level of intimacy. Songwriting on this album is poetic and tragic, describing the lives of anyone from an anonymous hero (Golden Gate Jumper) to a lovesick woman (Every Man I Fall For). The album is solid proof that Cold War Kids have their sights set high, and we are enjoying the fruits of their massive ambition.
Með suð í eyrum við spilum end - Sigur Ros
- Sigur Ros' new album was recorded all over the globe, the first time they've recorded anywhere outside their native Iceland. The result is a far more eclectic album, adding different folk ideas while maintaining their massive, sweeping soundscapes. The album includes the first ever English-language song (All Alright) from Sigur Ros. It's obvious that Sigur Ros is far from "Heima", which served as a ballad to the Icelandic people. This album is a call to the rest of the world to wake up and feel something. Nowhere is this felt more than on the opening track, "Gobbledigook", whose heavy drums complimented by the band "la la la's" add a playful feel that Sigur Ros never really captured before this effort. The result is a timeless piece of music that spans generations and borders.
Hold on Now, Youngster & We are Beautiful, We are Doomed - Los Campesinos
- The two albums released in 2008 from this fantastic Welsh band are each a wonderful trip through twee and pop, complete with lots of glockenspiel and shout-alongs. The seven members of the Campesinos play at a frantic pace, initially sounding like a mishmash of pop music featuring a whole lot of instruments. Upon closer listen, however, it's obvious that the band is extremely talented with a knack for blending multiple instruments together into one, unifying sound. That this sound is so upbeat and cheery juxtaposed with sad (albeit cheeky) lyrics makes the Campesinos one of most entertaining new bands of the year. They can pump out a catchy tune, soaked in fiddles and glockenspiel, while wailing lyrics of a desperate soul fighting for and against love. The result is a frantic yet structured, cheery yet disillusioned style of music that leaves you wide eyed and jazzed to hear more.
A Guide to Love, Loss, and Desperation - The Wombats
- The Wombats have only three members who make a large amount of sound and harmonize like few others can. Their lyrics are witty and entertaining, incorporating pop culture and wicked metaphors. The sound is punk-inspired pop, complete with catchy hooks, steady riffs, and stinging lyrics. They have a distinctly UK sound to them, building on the Arctic Monkeys and others, but adding small twists here and there that set them apart from their European peers. Their harmonizing ability is fantastic, and they are not afraid to showcase it; the first track is an a capella piece about boys, girls, and marsupials. These tongue-in-cheek lyrics are not only hilarious, but also compliment the catchy, quirky sound the band relies on. It's still purely pop music, not much more, but certain bands (Wombats, Kooks) can just bring it in a way others can't (Kaiser Chiefs).
The Devil + You + Me - Notwist
- The sound of this German band is entirely unique. They blend pop with electronic effects and very subdued vocals to create large, sweeping sounds that maintain a certain catchiness to them. The vocals are subdued and subtle, acting as more of a bridge between beats and effects than a focal point. This album builds upon their previous effort, Neon Golden, continuing to bring a pop-aesthetic and accessibility to their style of electronic music. The effects the Notwist utilize are amazing as well, they seamlessly transition from a hard-hitting beat to long, drawn out ambiance...Easily one of the best live shows of 2008.
Other Favorites of 2008 -
Narrow Stairs - Death Cab
Attack & Release - Black Keys
Antidotes - Foals
Oracular Spectacular - MGMT
Conor Oberst - Conor Oberst
Honeysuckle Weeks - Submarines
I could go on forever......
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