This retrospective likely will be tweaked and prodded as I finish finding all the great music from a fantastic year of albums. So, I'll likely be updating this bitch often. I digress, here they be:
Grading Scale
95-100 = Amazing, albums to be worshiped.
90-94 = Brilliant, stellar.
85-89 = Very good.
80-84 = Better than most.
70-79 = Lacking, but worth a gander.
- 69 = Eh.
* This list is limited to LPs and Compilations, but I'm thinking of throwing together a love list of EPs in the near future.
Last Updated on: November 11th, 2009
To add shortly:
- Elliott Brood, Mountain Meadows
- Helio Sequence, Keep Your Eyes Ahead
- Fucked Up, The Chemistry of Common Life
- GZA/Genius, Pro Tools
- Of Montreal, Skeletal Lamping
- The Mountain Goats, Heretic Pride
#80
The Raconteurs
Consolers of the Lonely
I don't know... I had high expectations for The Raconteurs, but I really can't say I like them all that much. I found myself digging the album a few times, but all in all I was rather unimpressed. 71/100
Genre: Alt-Rock; Folk-Rock
Favorite Tracks: TBD
#79
Erykah Badu
New Ameryka, Part One (4th World War)
Erykah Badu typically annoys me. She's a racist bitch, but I figure... "eh, she makes good music." But I was let down with New Amerykah. I mean it had some solid tracks, but overall it seems a bit thrown together. 71/100
Genre: Indie-Hip Hop; Neo-Soul
Favorite Tracks: "The Healer," "Soldier," "The Cell"
#78
Camille
Music Hole
Definitely different. Albeit slightly annoying, I find this album slightly intriguing. If you like different shit, vocally speaking, give it a whirl. 72/100
Genre: Chanson
Favorite Tracks: "Home is Where It Hurts," "The Monk," "Katie's Tea"
#77
The Roots
Rising Down
I would've liked to see more of just The Roots on this album. Seemed like 3-4 featured guests were on every track. Nonetheless, a talent-driven album. 73/100
Genre: Hip Hop; Alternative-Rap
Favorite Tracks: "Rising Down," "Criminal," "Unwritten"
#76
Anthony Hamilton
The Point of It All
Hamilton has a fantastic voice, but his "style" is a little too new R&B for me. But I definitely enjoy him from time to time. 73/100
Genre: R&B; Neo-Soul
Favorite Tracks: "Soul's on Fire," "Diamond in the Rough," "Hard to Breath"
#75
R.E.M.
Accelerate
I wasn't blown away by the album, but it wasn't half bad at all. I really haven't been an R.E.M. fan since their early days, though. I dug the guitar work and the overall sound of the album. 74/100
Genre: Alt-Rock
Favorite Tracks: "Man-Sized Wreath," "Mr. Richards"
#74
Mates of State
Re-Arrange Us
A bit poppy for my typical taste, but I dug it. My foot got a-tapping, found myself liking most songs. 74/100
Genre: Indie-Pop
Favorite Tracks: "My Only Offer," "Now," "Blue and Gold Prints," "Great Dane"
#73
Hercules and Love Affair
Self-Titled
I love Antony, but I found that his voice on some of the tracks just didn't fit. Very odd. On the other hand, I was impressed with many of the songs- pretty much split down the middle of indifference on this one. 74/100
Genre: Indie-Disco; House; Dance-Punk
Favorite Tracks: "Time Will," "Blind," "Iris," "This Is My Love," "Hercules Theme"
#72
Thieves Like Us
Play Music
Pretty decent Electronica. Nothing great, but definitely worth the perusal. 75/100
Genre: Electronica; Indie-Pop
Favorite Tracks: "Your Heart Feels," "Fass," "Miss You"
#71
Crystal Castles
Self Titled
I didn't enjoy this as much as a lot of my friends thought/said I would. They're solid Electronica artists, butI really liked half of the album, and the other half I was eh. But overall not bad. 75/100
Genre: Electronica; Indie-Experimental
Favorite Tracks: "Crimewave," "Magic Spells," "Reckless," "Vanished"
#70
Drive by Truckers
Brighter Than Creation's Dark
A pretty solid Alt-Country album, I thought. This is the first I've listened to the band and based on it I would definitely listen to their earlier works, too. 75/100
Genre: Alt-Country; Folk-Country
Favorite Tracks: "That Man I Shot," "The Purgatory Line," "Checkout Time in Vegas"
#69
No Age
Nouns
A rather unique and eclectic sound, this Noise-Pop duo has put together a pretty damn good album. I really liked the diversity on it, and can't wait to get more familiar with it. 76/100
Genre: Noise-Pop; Experimental-Rock; Indie-Rock
Favorite Tracks: "Teen Creeps," "Errand Boy," "Impossible Bouquet"
#68
Portishead
Third
If I were a huge Portishead fan, I'd be upset with the album, being that it has been a seldom thing that they put out an album. But overall, I liked it. The song Nylon Smile is haunting, powerful. And the album as a whole is mature, and isn't over the top. Definitely worth the time to listen to whether you are a longtime fan or not. 76/100
Genre: Experimental Rock; Indie-Electronic; Trip Hop
Favorite Tracks: "Hunter," "Nylon Smile," "Machine Gun," "Small"
#67
Cold War Kids
Loyalty to Loyalty
Not bad at all, not bad. I dug it despite the tone and vocals initially giving me a slight irk. 76/100
Genre: Indie-Alternative
Favorite Tracks: TBD
#65
Vampire Weekend
Self-Titled
I was in Target early this year, looking for a particular album, when some younger guy asked if I needed help. I told him I was looking for an obscure album, likely not in stock there. We began chatting about music, as we had similar tastes, and he'd just seen Vampire Weekend the night before, and told me to check it out. Aside from hearing a song or two on Left of Center, I didn't know much about the band. Very cool, unique. I like the Surf-Rock style blended with an Indie feel. A really fun, and intriguing album. 76/100
Style: Indie Rock; Post-Punk Revival; Afro Pop
Favorite Tracks: "The Kids Don't Stand a Chance," "Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa," "A-Punk,"
#65
Kaiser Chiefs
Off with Their Heads
This album teeters with the Post-Punk Revival genre (of which I am a huge fan), and I personally think it's their best album to date. 76/100
Genre: Post-Punk Revival; Indie-Rock
Favorite Tracks: "Never Miss a Beat," "Always Happens Like That," "Good Days Bad Days," "Addicted to Drugs"
#64
Beck
Modern Guilt
Although I've seen Beck in concert, and enjoy his music, I would hardly consider myself a "huge" fan of his, but I really enjoyed "Modern Guilt." It is a lot of fun, and it's a solid album. Shit, he's a Scientologist... and I fucking hate them. Well at least he was born into it! :) 77/100
Genre: Alternative Rock, Indie-Rock
Favorite Tracks: "Soul of a Man," "Gamma Ray," "Youthless"
#63
Girl Talk
Feed the Animals
Girl Talk is definitely not my "genre" of music, but I really found myself digging his shit. I lol'd quite a few times hearing some of the music that he blended together. Uber-talented dude. Often, when listening to his work, I am awed in how the hell he can hear a similar beat amongst the various tracks he strings together. 77/100
Genre: Mashup; Experimental-Dance
Favorite Tracks: N/A... the whole album is like one long ass query string of music.
#62
Shugo Tokumaru
Exit
Shugo is kind of like a lighter Nip version of Sufjan Stevens. I enjoyed the album quite a bit. Definitely worth your time if you are into folk/indie-pop. 77/100
Genre: Indie-Folk; Indie-Pop; Psych-Pop
Favorite Tracks: "Clocca," "Future Umbrella," "Green Rain," "La La Radio"
#61
Max Richter
24 Postcards in Full Colour
I found way of Max Richter's work via Balmorhea, as they list Richter as an influence. He makes very mellow orchestrated music with just enough vibrancy. A new piece of classical styled music. 77/100
Genre: Classical; Orchestrated-Post-Rock
Favorite Tracks: "A Song for H, Far Away," "Circles from Rue Simon-Crubellier," "I Was Just Thinking," "Berlin by Overnight," "Found Song for P."
#60
Q-Tip
The Renaissance
I've always been a fan of Tip and all the guys from Tribe. Being a big Raphael Saadiq fan, I've been exposed to his circle of music makers and have since been listening to Q-Tip and DeAngelo and others a bit more. A really good album with the right amount of guest stars... nothing over the top. Saadiq, DeAngelo and Norah Jones were my favorites. 79/100
Genre: Hip-Hop; Indie-Rap; Neo-Soul
Favorite Tracks: "Won't Trade," "We Fight/Love," "Life Is Better," "Manwomanboggie,"
#59
Kathleen Edwards
Asking for Flowers
A pretty good album for Edwards here. Great mix of Folky twang and Alt-Country. 79/100
Genre: Folk-Country; Indie-Folk; Alt-Country
Favorite Tracks: "Run," "Oh Canada," "Goodnight, California"
"Move"
#58
Elbow
Seldom Seen Kid
Wow. Elbow shocked me with such a fucking incredible hit as "Grounds for Divorce," and shocked me even more with how subdued its album was in comparison. It has a really cool blend of tempos. "Seldom Seen Kid" is one of the albums of 08 I loved, but wish to listen to a lot more. This was my first exposure to the band, and since have visited their three prior albums. The album won the prestigious Mercury Prize. 80/100
Style: Indie-Rock
Favorite Tracks: "Grounds for Divorce," "The Fix," "An Audience with the Pope"
#57
Conor Oberst
Self-Titled
I never was a Bright Eyes fan, but I'm definitely a Conor Oberst fan. I love him more Folky, and when he sings out a line, not whines it. For me, this self-titled and his 09 album with the Mystic Valley Band are his best two endeavors yet. 80/100
Genre: Indie-Folk; Folk-Country
Favorite Tracks: "Lenders in the Temple," "Moab," "Eagle on a Pole," "Cape Canaveral"
#56
Ben Folds
Way to Normal
From the Ben Fold Five days, I've been a mild fan of Folds. Each album, he seems to please me with a few songs- nothing changed with Way to Normal. 80/100
Genre: Alternative-Rock
Favorite Tracks: "Hiroshima (BBB Benny Hit His Head)," "You Don't Know Me," "Bitch Went Nuts," "Errant Dog," "Effington"
#55
El Ten Eleven
These Promises Are Being Videotaped
El Ten Eleven is pretty much win. It's hard to believe all that sound comes from a duo, but they're damn good. Great uptempo album in comparison to earlier works. 80/100
Genre: Post-Rock; Math-Rock
Favorite Tracks: "K10," "Fat Gym Riot," "Paranoid Android"
#54
Langhorne Slim
Self-Titled
A pretty decent Folk album from Sean Scolnik, owner of the moniker Langhorne Slim (Langhorne is the town in which he grew up, and in my neck of the woods, as well). There were some raw parts to the album that I liked quite a bit, and some raw parts that were a wee bit annoying. Overall, I liked it. 80/100
Genre: Folk; Indie-Folk
Favorite Tracks: "She's Gone," "Colete," "Diamonds and Gold," "Sometimes"
#53
Old Crow Medicine Show
Tennessee Pusher
Ever since OCMS finished writing Bob Dylan's Wagon Wheel, I knew I had a go-to Mountain Band... and a badass one at that. Dylan actually gave Ketch Secur, OCMS' Frontman, co-writing credit for the song. Very cool. Anyhow, that launched OCMS into gear. Ever since then, they've been putting out great Mountain music albums, with a hip twist of the 21st Century. Some great harp action and great banjo playing to boot. 80/100
Genre: Indie-Bluegrass; Folk; Country
Favorite Tracks: "Methaphetamine," "Hotel in Memphis," "Highway Halo," "Tennessee Pusher"
#52
Cat Power
Jukebox
I heart Cat Power, and enjoyed Jukebox. I was hoping for something "different" from her usual sound, but shit... anything she does is great. Not only one of the sexiest voices in the world, she's one of the sexiest women in the world. 80/100
Genre: Indie-Rock; Indie-Pop; Singer/Songwriter
Favorite Tracks: "Metal Heart," "Silver Stallion," "Don't Explain"
#51
Blitzen Trapper
Furr
A fun, subdued album that reminds me of the Indie-Folk side of Tom Petty. I have a feeling the more I listen to this album, the more I'll like it. 80/100
Genre: Indie-Rock; Experimental-Folk; Indie-Folk
Favorite Tracks: "God and Suicide," "Furr," "Black River Killer," "Saturday Night"
#50
Bonnie "Prince" Billy
Lie Down in the Light
I'm really into BPB these days. Very subdued, yet powerful. A cool type of Folk. 80/100
Genre: Indie-Folk; Alt-Country
Favorite Tracks: For Every Field There's a Mole," "You Remind Me of Something (The Glory Goes)"
#49
Bloc Party
Intimacy
Nothing lives up to Bloc Party's debut album, Silent Alarm, but Intimacy shows the band's maturity and evolution in music making. A solid, upbeat, fun album. 80/100
Genre: Post-Punk Revival; Alternative Dance; Indie-Rock
Favorite Tracks: "Ares," "Mercury," "One Month Off," "Better Than Heaven"
#48
Wavves
Wavves
I am not too into Noise-Pop, as it can get on my nerves QUICKLY, but if it is done just right, I find myself really enjoying it. That was the case with Wavves. This duo has something going for them... hopefully the drug and alcohol abuse and their meltdown on stage in Spain won't cut things short. 81/100
Genre: Lo-Fi Punk; Noise-Punk; Shitgaze; Noise-Pop
Favorite Tracks: "Vermin," "Spaced Invader," "Lover"
#47
Foals
Antidotes
A big surprise for me with only hearing "Balloons" going into the album. Definitely a talented band here to watch in the coming years. I dug the entire album. 81/100
Genre: Post-Punk Revival; Indie-Rock; Dance-Punk
Favorite Tracks: "Two Steps, Twice, " "Tron," "Balloons," "Red Sock Pugie," "Olympic Airways"
#46
Jape
Ritual
Jape won the Choice Music Prize in 08, and deservedly so. I love their blend of Folk and Electronica. A nice little find of an album. 81/100
Genre: Electronic-Rock; Electronica; Folktronica
Favorite Tracks: "Replays," "Phil Lynott," "Strike Me Down," "Graveyard"
#45
Why?
Alopecia
Definitely a cool style of Indie-Hip-Hop. Nothing over the top, nothing stretched out- solid all the way around. 82/100
Genre: Indie-Hip Hop; Alternative-Rap; Indie-Rock
Favorite Tracks: "These Few Presidents," "Song of the Sad Assassin," "Simeon's Dilemma"
#44
Shearwater
Rook
The boys of Okkervil River were busy this year. Shearwater is a side project of a few of Okkervil's members, pretty much formed to house the softer material they write. I love them, but I am a huge Okkervil River fan though. Some nice subtleties and haunting tones jump out at you immediately. 82/100
Genre: Indie-Folk; Indie-Rock
Favorite Tracks: "Rooks," "Leviathan Bound," "Home Life," "Lost Boys"
#43
Beach House
Devotion
A pretty subdued listen, but catchy. I haven't really gotten into Beach House all that much, but they've got something good going. 82/100
Genre: Indie-Rock; Dream-Pop
Favorite Tracks: "Some Things Last a Long Time," "Turtle Island," "All the Years," "Home Again"
#42
Lucinda Williams
Little Honey
A really nice album, filled with some guests spots with the likes of Elvis Costello. An Alt-Country gem, IMO. One of Lucinda's best albums to date in her very long career. 82/100
Genre: Alt-Country; Folk-Rock; Indie-Folk
Favorite Tracks: "Circles and X's," "Jailhouse Tears," "Plan to Marry," "Tears of Joy," "Knowing," "If Wishes Were Horses"
#41
Los Campesino!
We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed
Their second album as a band, and second album of 2008. They're a really fun, talented band that is producing very unique music. This album is definitely more coherent and serious than their first one (which isn't a good or bad thing, and isn't saying much in comparison to how crazy their first is). Both are great, the songs are much more catchier on the first, but the instrumentation on the second is slightly better. 82/100
Genre: Indie-Pop; Indie-Rock
Favorite Tracks: "Ways to Make It Throw the Wall," "You'll Need Those Fingers for Crossing," "We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed," "Documented Minor Emotional Breakdown #1"
#40
The Knux
Remind Me in 3 Days
Cool. Best word to describe this New Orleans brother duo. A great mix of Indie-Rap styles with rock instrumentation. I never got bored with a track on the entire album. 83/100
Genre: Alt-Hip Hop; Garage Rock Revival; Indie-Rap
Favorite Tracks: "Roxanne," "Bang! Bang!," "Life in a Cage"
#39
Coldplay
Viva la Vida Death and All His Friends
I cannot believe I just wrote Coldplay on my Indie Music blog, or that they are ranked this high. I pushed off even listening to the album until 2009, actually. But... it's pretty fucking good. 83/100
Genre: Alternative-Adult-Rock
Favorite Tracks: "Lovers in Japan/Reign of Love," Violet Hill," "Death and All His Friends," "Viva la Vida"
#38
The Walkmen
You & Me
I love The Walkmen's sound, and they tuned things down to a more "subtle pretty" sound on You & Me. I really enjoyed it. 84/100
Genre: Indie-Rock; Post-Punk Revival
Favorite Tracks: "Canadian Girl," "Blue Route," "In the New Year," "On the Water"
#37
Ryan Adams & the Cardinals
Cardinology
I have to admit, I was a bit disappointed with "Cardinology" for a couple reasons. Mainly because Ryan Adams is my favorite artist of all time, and his ability to crank out albums is unparalleled. His label, Lost Highway, limits his production, and this being the first full length album since the great "Easy, Tiger" I was expecting a lot, I guess. And secondly, because of its title. Nonetheless, a solid album, but one that ranks towards the bottom of Adams' stockpile, perhaps dead last. Definitely worth listening to, and I am sure many will find my view of it skewed, because.... then again, a poor Ryan Adams album is still better than most albums. 84/100
Genre: Alt-Country; Folk-Rock
Favorite Tracks: "Born into a Light," "Crossed out Name," "Fix It"
#36
Ra Ra Riot
The Rhumb Line
At first, I wasn't too keen on the album's sound, aside from hearing Ghost Under Rocks on the Left of Center daily, but after a few listens to the album, it definitely grew on me. I love the violin with Indie-Pop sound. Good stuff. And I'll admit, my Little Lady got me more into these guys with "Can You Tell" being played a bazillion times. 84/100
Genre: Indie-Rock; Indie-Pop
Favorite Tracks: "Can You Tell," "Too Too Too Fast," "Ghost Under Rocks," "Oh, La"
#35
Cut Copy
In Ghost Colours
I just get more into Electronica and Electro-Pop every year. Luckily, this was a fucking fantastic year for it. Cut Copy has a great ear for blending music, and reverberates of the 80s and its great music makers, yet all the while sounding very "today." 84/100
Genre: Electro-Pop; Electronica; Indie-Pop
Favorite Tracks: "Lights and Music," "Hearts on Fire," "Feel the Love," "Midnight Runner"
#34
The Hold Steady
Stay Positive
Stay Positive is a badass album. Different vocals, eclectic styles with some "hit" caliber songs. Different, but good and unique, but relevant. 85/100
Genre: Post-Punk Revival; Indie-Rock
Favorite Tracks: "Stay Positive," Sequestered in Memphis," "One for the Cutters," "Lord, I'm Discouraged," Yeah Sapphire"
#33
RZA as Bobby Digital
Digi Snacks
I'm a long time RZA and GZA fan, so I was happy to have them both come out with solo albums this year. While Robert Fitzgerald Diggs has made his moniker a big name in the soundtrack and score world, he still knows what he is doing with album making. A great fucking installation in the Bobby Digital series. 85/100
Genre: Hip-Hop
Favorite Tracks: "You Can't Stop Me Now," "Up Again," "Drama"
#32
Jessica Lea Mayfield
With Blasphemy So Heartfelt
When Dan Auerach of The Black Keys takes someone under his wing and promotes him/her, I listen. Glad I did, too. Mayfield's voice is reminiscent of Kathleen Edwards and Sheryl Crow, but very young and fresh. A hint of Zooey Deschanel, as well. Overly mature for a 20 year old in both vocals and songwriting, 86/100
Genre: Alt-Country; Indie-Folk; Indie-Rock
Favorite Tracks: "The One That I Love Best," "I Can't Lie to You," "We've Never Lied," "Call Me," "Kiss Me Again"
#31
Department of Eagles
In Ear Park
A lot of people were picky that this sounded too much like Grizzly Bear. Firstly, I don't think it does, and secondly it is a damn good album. 86/100
Genre: Indie-Folk; Acid-Folk
Favorite Tracks: "No One Does It Like You," "In Ear Park," "Teenagers," "Floating on the Lehigh"
#30
Chairlift
Does You Inspire You
Even with the song Bruises being played everywhere and on commercials, etc., I found the song and its album to be really innovative and cool. The band formed after the three made music for haunted houses. That is a fucking cool story. 86/100
Genre: Indie-Pop; Electronica
Favorite Tracks: "Bruises," "Planet Health," "Evident Utensil," "Make Your Mind Up"
#29
Deerhunter
Microcastle
A pretty diverse album- each song consisted of lots of different components. I was very impressed with the talent more so than I actually liked the music. 87/100
Genre: Shoegaze; Ambient; Indie-Rock
Favorite Tracks: "Never Stops," "Nothing Ever Happened," "Microcastle," "These Hands"
#28
TV on the Radio
Dear Science
A really cool listen, one that will get you tapping your toes and thinking about its lyrics. 87/100
Genre: Experimental Rock; Indie-Rock; Faux-Funk
Favorite Tracks: "Crying," "Stork and Owl," "DLZ," "Family Tree," "Love Dog," "Shout Me Out"
#27
My Morning Jacket
Evil Urges
MMJ really grew up a lot on this album. Never been a big fan of them, aside from a couple tracks, but this was the first album of theirs that I really dug through and through. It's apparent that their maturity as music makers pushed them to experiment a little more... result: their best album to date. 87/100
Genre: Indie-Rock; Southern-Rock
Favorite Tracks: Touch Me I'm Going to Scream Pt. 2," "Thank You Too!," "Highly Suspicious," "Remnants"
#26
Los Campesino!
Hold on Now, Youngster...
Fun, a really fucking fun album. This Welsh newcomer band's debut was released in early 08, with their second album to follow in late 08. Quirky, funny, tongue-in-cheek lyrics with a great style that is pretty damn original. 88/100
Genre: Indie-Pop; Indie-Rock
Favorite Songs: "We Are All Accelerated Readers," "My Year in Lists," "Drop It Doe Eyes," "Death to Los Campesinos"
#25
The Gaslight Anthem
The '59 Sound
A pretty damn big surprise for me, as I thought the Punk type movement had ran its course for me. I was wrong. Great bass lines and beats with way above average vocals for a Punk band. 88/100
Genre: Indie Punk-Rock; Jersey Shore Sound
Favorite Tracks: "Old White Lincoln," "Miles Davis & the Cool," "The '59 Sound," "High Lonesome," "Meet Me by the River's Edge"
#24
We Are Scientists
Brain Thrust Mastery
I really like WAS, and this album quite a bit. It starts off rather Post-Punk Revival but through the middle it softens out a bit before coming together in the end. 89/100
Genre: Post-Punk Revival; Alt-Indie-Rock
Favorite Tracks: "Let's See It," "Ghouls," "Tonight," "Chick Lit," "That's What Counts"
#23
She & Him
Volume One
I love Zooey Deschanel, as well as M. Ward, so their collaboration in She & Him is well founded to me. Plus, with them both rocking out all over Jenny Lewis' Acid Tongue, this tight niche of artists is becoming one of my fave to listen to and follow. Deschanel's voice is so vintage, yet fresh... the album was a very soothing listen. I really love the mix of talent in songwriting on Volume One, as well as its covers. 89/100
Genre: Alt-Folk; Indie-Pop; Alt-Country
Favorite Tracks: "You Really Got a Hold on Me," "Change Is Hard," "Sentimental Heart," "I Was Made for You," "I Should Have Known Better"
#22
Fleet Foxes
Self-Titled
A friend of mine introduced me to Fleet Foxes early this year, and after a day of getting used to their sound, I instantly became a fan. A really different and yet familiar sound. Almost choir-like, very olky, and although they apparently hate the nomenclature "hippie," they often get slapped with it. 89/100
Style: Indie Rock; Folk-Rock
Favorite Tracks: "White Winter Hymnal," "Blue Ridge Mountains," "Ragged Wood"
#21
Sigur Ros
Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust
I love the Post-Rock movement through and through, and with that comes Sigur Ros. I've always had a ton of respect for them and have always enjoyed their music. But it wasn't until the past couple years that I've really dug them. 90/100
Genre: Post-Rock
Favorite Tracks: "Inní mér syngur vitleysingur," "Við spilum endalaust,"
#20
Mogwai
The Hawk Is Howling
Mogwai has the uncanny ability to bring a toe-tapping quality to a song, make hilarious videos, but still bring a seriousness, even somber, quality to their albums. Plus they're from Scotland, and that scores immediate points. Probably my #3 favorite Post-Rock band of all time. 90/100
Genre: Post-Rock
Favorite Tracks: "The Sun Smells Too Loudly," "Batcat," "Kings Meadow"
#19
Lykke Li
Youth Novel
I'm a sucker for Scandinavian music, especially female artists, but Lykke Li is the fucking shit. Not too poppy, not too much of a stretch to fit the styles together either. A very well rounded album. 90/100
Genre: Indie-Pop; Indie-Rock; Electronic-Rock
Favorite Tracks: "Little Bit," "Let It Fall," "I'm Good, I'm Gone"
#18
Kings of Leon
Only by the Night
The Kings brought back the Rock in this album, and some serious "hit" tracks. Albeit getting a disgustingly huge amount of play time, I really enjoyed this album. And I will admit- it fucking irks me that they're now a house hold name when for the entire decade have been making amazing albums. 91/100
Genre: Southern Rock; Indie-Alternative
Favorite Tracks: "Closer," "Use Somebody," "Sex on Fire"
#17
Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds
Dig!!! Lazarus Dig!!!
Every single thing Nick Cave does is win. Music, soundtracks, novels, screenplays, acting. Fucking everything. If there was ever a modern day James Dean, he'd be it. I'd have to say that Dig!!! Lazarus Dig!!! is my favorite album of Cave's in some time, next to the soundtracks from The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford and The Proposition, both done with Warren Ellis. A great "album," in that the songs all fit together aesthetically and lyrically. 91/100
Genre: Post-Punk; Indie-Rock
Favorite Tracks: Entire Album
#16
Sun Kil Moon
April
In my opinion, Mark Kozelek's best endeavor to date. I really, really enjoyed this album. With the Red House Painters and Sun Kil Moon's albums in the past, I found myself wanting to skip ahead every other track. I just enjoyed this album all the way through. Love the Ben Gibbard and Bonnie "Prince" Billy cameos, as well. The track Moorestown may be Kozelek's best vocals in his long career. 91/100
Genre: Alt-Indie-Folk
Favorite Tracks: "Lost Verses," "Moorestown," "Tonight the Sky"
#15
Dr. Dog
Fate
Reminiscent of the good Beatles shit, but current and Indie still. This album has branched away from the typical Psychedelic Rock that Dr. Dog has done in previous years- their best work to date. Fun, great vocals, awesome instrumentation. Not many albums get better than this. One of Philadelphia's finest. 91/100
Genre: Indie-Rock; Psychedelic-Rock
Favorite Tracks: TBD
#14
Calexico
Carried to Dust
Calexico is just such a fucking cool band. My first exposure to them was their 2005 EP "In the Reins" with Iron & Wine. I'm a huge Sam Beam fan, so I immediately pay attention to anyone he likes, let alone made an album with. The Tuscon band's sound comes straight out of a Sergio Leone film, seemingly heavily influenced by Ennio Morricone's Spaghetti-Western style. Add some Indie Rock and you have Calexico. "Carried to Dust" is a great display of what the band is capable of, and is about. 92/100
Style: Post-Rock; Alt-Country; Western/Mexican Rock; Folk
Favorite Tracks: "Two Silver Trees," "The News about William," "Victor Jara's Hands"
#13
Black Mountain
In the Future
What. The. Fuck. Insanely good! I first caught wind of Black Mountain through a favorite of mine, Okkervil River, as they're on the same Indie label. The psychedelic riffs and drum beats remind me of Led or Floyd, all the while sounding VERY current, VERY unique. This album fucking blew me away. 92/100
Genre: Neo-Progressive-Rock; Indie-Rock; Psychedelic-Rock
Favorite Tracks: "Angels," "Tyrants," "Wucans"
#12
Raphael Saadiq
The Way I See It
I was a Tony! Toni! Tone! fan growing up, but only recently began listening to Saadiq's solo shit. WOW. I love the doo-wop Motown feel to it, while it all remains current yet soulful. The album is unbelievably catchy, subdued and smooth. Even though it sounds so familiar, so like the Downtown type of music.... it's just... unique. I love it. "Big Easy" is easily one of the best songs of the year. 92/100
Genre: R&B; Neo-Soul; Hip Hop.
Favorite Tracks: "Big Easy," "Never Give You Up," "Sure Hope You Mean It"
#11
M83
Saturdays = Youth
I had the extreme pleasure of seeing M83 this year, and got to hang out with Anthony and the band back stage for a couple hours. Although I'd heard some tracks of M83 via Left of Center, I had never explored their albums until this year. 93/100
Style: Electronica; Synth-Pop
Favorite Tracks: "We Own the Sky," "Kim & Jessie," "Couleurs"
#10
MGMT
Oracular Spectacular
I was just blown away by MGMT this year. Orac Spectac was likely my most listened to album of the year. Formerly The Management, MGMT is one of my favorite bands, fo sho. 93/100
Genre: Indie-Rock; Electronica; Synth Pop
Favorite Tracks: "Kids," "Electric Feel,"The Handshake"
#9
Jenny Lewis
Acid Tongue
OMFG. What an incredible album, jam-packed with legends of music, newcomers and the incredibly talented Jenny Lewis. Perhaps the catchiest album I've heard in some time. Features Zooey Deschanel, Elvis Costello and M. Ward throughout many songs. 94/100
Genre: Indie-Rock; Alt-Country
Favorite Tracks: "Next Messiah," "See Fernando," "Jack Killed Mom," "Godspeed"
#8
Santogold
Self-Titled
One music magazine reviewer dubbed Santigold (formerly Santogold) as "the future of music." Spot on. The Philly native has been in the background of the music industry, writing and producing shit for the likes of M.I.A., GZA, Lily Allen, N.E.R.D., Ashley Simpson, The Strokes, and is set to work with Jay-Z, David Byrne and The Beastie Boys in the near future. The album never lets up, constantly has you tapping your foot. 94/100
Genre: Indie-Hip Hop; Electronica; Dancehall; New Wave
Favorite Tracks: "Shove It," "I'm a Lady," "Unstoppable," "Say Aha"
#7
Wolf Parade
At Mount Zoomer
Dan Boeckner and Spencer Krug, together or apart, make some great tunes. If you're a fan of various types of Indie music, you'll likely find Wolf Parade appealing, and if you like Handsome Furs or Sunset Rubdown, you'll probably be a fan of this, too. I'll take Canadians for the win. 92/100
Genre: Indie-Rock; Indie-Synth
Favorite Tracks: "Kissing the Beehive," "California Dreamer," "Fine Young Cannibals," "Language City," "Call It a Ritual"
#6
Noah and the Whale
Peaceful, the World Lays Me Down
I caught wind of Noah and the Whale from their single 5 Years Time, and immediately dug their sound. A nice Indie-Folk vibe with a oddly cheery tone to the entire album. Definitely worth your time to give it a listen. 96/100
Genre: Indie-Folk
Favorite Tracks: "Give a Little Love," "Do What You Do," "5 Years Time," "Peaceful, the World Lays Me Down"
#5
The Black Keys
Attack & Release
This duo are, without a doubt, two of the most talented music makers alive today. This album is phenomenal, filled with emotion and a realness often lacking on most other albums. I have a hard time not rating this closer to #1, but with such a great year of music it lands here. 96/100
Genre: Blues-Rock; Indie-Rock; Garage Rock
Favorite Tracks: "Things Ain't Like They Used to Be," "So He Won't Break," "I Got Mine," "Psychotic Girl," "Same Old Thing," "Oceans & Streams"
#4
Bon Iver
For Emma, Forever Ago
Bon Iver just keeps growing and growing on me. I never really loved anything of theirs until the Dark Was the Night compilation, and since then I've gone back and revisited For Emma a few times. A unique sound, eclectic and definitely worth the buzz that its getting. 97/100
Genre: Indie-Rock; Folk-Rock
Favorite Tracks: "Skinny Love," "Blindsided," "Lump Sum," "re: Stacks," "For Emma"
#3
Okkervil River
The Stand Ins
Okkervil River is one of my favorite bands of all time, and 2008 was a year in which I heavily listened to the Austin-based band. I'd say that "The Stand Ins" (which is the 2nd part of a play-like series of albums that began with 2007's "The Stage Names") is Okkervil's best album to date (But if you count Black Sheep Boy's Appendix disc as a part of the album, that takes the cake). 97/100
Genre: Indie-Folk; Experimental; Post-Punk Revival
Favorite Tracks: "Blue Tulip," "Lost Coastlines," "Bruce Wayne Campbell Interviewed on the Roof of the Chelsea Hotel, 1979"
#2
Balmorhea
Rivers Arms
Being a HUGE Post-Rock fan and a lover or orchestrated scores, Balmorhea is naturally one of my all-time favorite ensembles. I would say that Mono and Balmorhea share the title for favorite Post-Rock band ever, followed by Mogwai. They are that good. Really. A lot of times, a Post-Rock album will create a polar tone, in that you are typically down or up from listening to it. Balmorhea is one of the very select artists that can make you feel everything. 97/100
Genre: Post-Rock
Favorite Tracks: "Winter," "Limmat," "Barefoot Pilgrims," "San Solomon"
#1
Frightened Rabbit
The Midnight Organ Fight
Goddamn is this a fantastic album. I'm not sure the last time (if there ever was a time) that an album just jumped out at me as so "me." A lot of people compare lead singer, and owner of the moniker Frightened Rabbit, Scott Hutchinson's voice to Conor Oberst. Eh, no. Way better, and vastly different, in my opinion. I actually see more similarity to Robert Smith of The Cure or Neutral Milk Hotel's frontman Jeff Mangum. Regardless, it's one of my very favorite voices. Each song delicately teeters Folk/Bluegrass and Indie-Rock. Unequivocally the best album of the year, perhaps a top three of the decade. Yes... it is that good. Hat's fucking off. 99/100
Genre: Indie-Folk; Indie-Rock
Favorite Tracks: "Fast Blood," "Old, Old Fashioned," "The Modern Leper," "Backwards Walk," "The Twist"
2 comments:
love that Thieves Like Us cover!! haha so cool ;)
lol. I'd love to see how she ate it... :)
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