Hammers and blogs (a lullaby).
Bayside - Shudder
Death Cab For Cutie - Narrow Stairs
Family Force 5 - Dance Or Die
The Gaslight Anthem - The '59 Sound
Gods Reflex - When It's Down To This
Anthony Green - Avalon
The Hold Steady - Stay Positive
Jack's Mannequin - The Glass Passenger
Jaguar Love - Take Me To The Sea
Johnny Foreigner - Waited Up 'Til It Was Light
Norma Jean - The Anti Mother
Person L - Initial
Polar Bear Club - Sometimes Things Just Disappear
The Streets - Everything Is Borrowed
Torche - Meanderthal
Underoath - Lost In The Sound Of Separation
Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend
Weezer - Weezer
That's it, in terms of records I've actually honestly been enamored with this year. There's a few others on the cusp (the new records from the Loved Ones, Sigur Ros, Verse, Reggie And The Full Effect, Phantom Planet, My Morning Jacket, Foals and the Mars Volta), but for the most part, the above 18 records are what I've spent the majority of the year listening to.
Frankly, I can't help but feel a bit underwhelmed.
There were some definite surprises in there for me (had you asked me a year ago, I never would've thought I'd be putting new albums from Norma Jean, Bayside, Jack's Mannequin and Family Force 5, of all bands, on my top albums of '08 list). But overall, I feel let down at the size of my shortlist. I remember in 2005, I had over 100 albums competing for spots on my top 20; what happened between then and now? Did my tastes just refine themselves more, or am I not spending enough time with more difficult records? Did stuff just completely fly by my rader without me even giving it a chance? I dunno, honestly. And it worries me, since I'm the music editor -- shouldn't my job be to find all these unheard gems and expose them to people? Am I failing at my job because I only really dug into two dozen albums this year? I mean, that is roughly two a week for the whole year; that isn't that bad, is it?
While I wrestle with my place in this company and this world (oh, existentialism is so much fun), I want you to tell me the following:
1. What one record out of the above 18 do you wholly disagree with?
2. What album are you completely head over heels in love with that I've omitted from my list?
3. Do you think I could just say the Clash's Live At Shea Stadium that just came out last week is my No. 1 album of 2008 (since it's so fucking awesome), or is it a cop-out to make a live album recorded over 25 years ago my top dog?
Death Cab For Cutie - Narrow Stairs
Family Force 5 - Dance Or Die
The Gaslight Anthem - The '59 Sound
Gods Reflex - When It's Down To This
Anthony Green - Avalon
The Hold Steady - Stay Positive
Jack's Mannequin - The Glass Passenger
Jaguar Love - Take Me To The Sea
Johnny Foreigner - Waited Up 'Til It Was Light
Norma Jean - The Anti Mother
Person L - Initial
Polar Bear Club - Sometimes Things Just Disappear
The Streets - Everything Is Borrowed
Torche - Meanderthal
Underoath - Lost In The Sound Of Separation
Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend
Weezer - Weezer
That's it, in terms of records I've actually honestly been enamored with this year. There's a few others on the cusp (the new records from the Loved Ones, Sigur Ros, Verse, Reggie And The Full Effect, Phantom Planet, My Morning Jacket, Foals and the Mars Volta), but for the most part, the above 18 records are what I've spent the majority of the year listening to.
Frankly, I can't help but feel a bit underwhelmed.
There were some definite surprises in there for me (had you asked me a year ago, I never would've thought I'd be putting new albums from Norma Jean, Bayside, Jack's Mannequin and Family Force 5, of all bands, on my top albums of '08 list). But overall, I feel let down at the size of my shortlist. I remember in 2005, I had over 100 albums competing for spots on my top 20; what happened between then and now? Did my tastes just refine themselves more, or am I not spending enough time with more difficult records? Did stuff just completely fly by my rader without me even giving it a chance? I dunno, honestly. And it worries me, since I'm the music editor -- shouldn't my job be to find all these unheard gems and expose them to people? Am I failing at my job because I only really dug into two dozen albums this year? I mean, that is roughly two a week for the whole year; that isn't that bad, is it?
While I wrestle with my place in this company and this world (oh, existentialism is so much fun), I want you to tell me the following:
1. What one record out of the above 18 do you wholly disagree with?
2. What album are you completely head over heels in love with that I've omitted from my list?
3. Do you think I could just say the Clash's Live At Shea Stadium that just came out last week is my No. 1 album of 2008 (since it's so fucking awesome), or is it a cop-out to make a live album recorded over 25 years ago my top dog?
posted by Scott Heisel at
11:57 PM
17 Comments:
I have yet to listen to all 18 of the discs you have listed, but I'd agree wit them all. I would however add 2 records you missed. I think it came out in 08, but I'm not sure, but The Future Kings of Nowhere debut is truly amazing. I'm not joking, go check it out. (AP gave it a 4.5/5 I do believe) As is Dr. Manhattan's self titled record.
And yes the Clash is a cop-out. I have it, and it's amazing, but not fair, it'd be like putting a Refused discography box set in, just not fair.
I don't think there really were that many stand out albums this year. 05 may have just been a good year. I remember 04 being really good for me. We also grow up, and sometimes can't handle anymore pop-punk. But for those 15 year olds just finding themselves then yes Cute is What We Aim for is a big deal.
I wrote that Future Kings Of Nowhere review! I forgot about that record; didn't it actually come out last year, though?
havent heard the norma jean or underoath, but ive never liked them so i cant comment.
shudder seems solid but doesnt grab me the way walking wounded did. it seems much more boring than last years attempt.
family force 5 is horrible.
records youve omitted: paper rival, kay kay and his weathered underground, this town needs guns, lydia, tiger lou (if you count the loyal as a 08 release since it was released in america this year...i havent heard the new one)
and i dont count live records in my top list of the year, so i wouldnt count the clash album
To be frank, I've never understood why people only rank records that came out that year on their year-end lists. Shouldn't people list the records that they loved the most during a year, regardless of when the records were released?
For me, I've dug Dillinger Escape Plan's Miss Machine and Ire Works quite a bit than in years before. I also really dug Journey's Revelation and Metallica's Death Magnetic this year. And no, I'm not joking.
1. The new jack's Mannequin bored the shit out of me. No good in my book...
2. M83 - Saturdays = Youth
TV On the Radio - Dear Science
upcdowncleftcrightcabc+start - Embers
Those three should totally be on your list. Also, I am surprised the new Gojira isn't on there too. I haven't heard much from it, but I am pretty sure I heard about them from you...
No love for the new Murder By Death record? I may retract my offer to buy you a drinky at the show next month!
3. No live albums, re-releases or greatest hits albums allowed on the year end list!
I'm proud of you for admitting Vampire Weekend - absolutely fantastic record, still sounds fresh every time I listen.
Other records for your consideration:
Akimbo - Jersey Shores
Constantines - Kensington Heights
Crooked Fingers - Forfeit/Fortune
Future of the Left - Curses
Jason Collett - Here's to Being Here
Nick Cave - Dig Lazarus Dig
31Knots - Worried Well
Deerhoof - Offend Maggie
Not all of what's on my list, but stuff I thought you might at least like.
You know there's too much on your short list that I would tell you to take off it.
Cynical as it may sound, 2008 wasn't a kneee slapping year in the world of music, or my world anyway.Avalon & The '59 were like three kisses from baby Jesus...Narrow Stairs as like a kiss from my beast of an ex girlfriend, and while it wasn't their best by any means, Horrorpops-Kiss Kiss Kill Kill holds a special place in my heart, maybe because it's the only (new)release this year that even remotely inspired me. And hey dude, it's your list and you can cop out if you want to.
i'm definitely in love with tickle me pink's madeline. i have listened to it almost every day since its release and i still haven't had enough of it.
It might have come out last year, I'm not positive, I just didn't get the money for it until February is all I know, so for me it's an 08 record.
I am absolutely shocked that there is no love for the new Smoking Popes album given your previously expressed love for the band. I am so glad that they are back together; they are still more tuneful and sincere than most of the dreck parading as pop punk or emo or whatever categories they are lumped into.
And no love for Mock Orange or Moving Mountains? Shaaaaaaaaaaaaaame. I revoke your allegiance to the midwest!
You can omit the new Weezer CD; even us diehards have to admit that the second half blew boats. Come on now, it's okay to admit it.
I thought the new Streets was awful, and I still don't understand the hype around DCFC.
You're also missing some Portishead.
Oh shit, totally forgot about Smoking Popes! That would definitely be up there, that album is great.
I wasn't feeling Portishead, and I haven't listened enough to Mock Orange or Moving Mountains. But maybe now I'll give them some more spins.
1) I can't really comment on this because some of these albums I didn't listen too... but Family Force 5 was just ok.
2)I'm just going to name one because everyone else kinda covered it.
Flogging Molly: Float
I think this was one of the best albums this year-- and I can't figure out why everyone is bypassing it.
3)I would say... no. Just because I don't count live records, and such. But it's your list, so you decide!
I wasn't feeling Death Cab. In fact, I never have understood the adoration of that band. Really.
I agree with most of your list...but what about Frightened Rabbit The Midnight Organ Fight, Ra Ra Riot The Rhumb Line and Frank Turner Love Ire and Song? All three are pretty great in their own right.
(and it is never, ever a crime to list The Clash as number one. EVER.)
I forgot about Mr. Turner too, that is def. my number 1.
I can't stand FF5 or Vampire Weekend.
The new City and Colour, Lydia, Kay Kay and his Weathered Underground, Amanda Palmer, Portugal the Man and The Notwist are all great records that will be in my top 10 for the year.
Also the new Sound of Animals Fighting, Mogwai, Sun Kil Moon, TV on the Radio, M83, Paint it Black, Murder by Death and MUCH more are all great as well.
No live/ greatest hits albums don't count....
That's a nice selection you've got there. But I am most definitely going to recommend Flight of the Knife, by Bryan Scary & The Shredding Tears.
I'm also enjoying the new Stiletto Formal album that dropped today.
Oh, and Razia's Shadow (Forgive Durden). I know it hasn't been released quite yet, but it should have made the list on principle alone. It is going to be amazing.
JM's a given for me...
have to say i agree with your assessment of 2008. i've found a lot of SONGS i like; full-lengths? Not so much.
a few stand out, though:
parts & labor, 'receivers'
dcfc, 'narrow stairs'
css, 'donkey'
hell, i even really liked Coldplay. i'm not ashamed.
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