Best Albums of 2008

Here are my favourites of 2008.

1. Matt & Kim
Yes, this was actually released in 2006, but is it my fault MuchMusic and terrestrial radio suck and I didn’t hear it until now? Thank God for Indie Pop Rocks on Soma FM. The energy of this band just blows me away. I couldn’t wait to get out on my bike or street skates to exercise to this bundle of pure fun. In fact, I got hit by a truck while listening to this album, but that’s another story. Yet it still made my #1!

2. Aimee Mann – Fucking Smilers
An absolutely amazing album from one of the greatest songwriters of all time. Great for driving around the city in the heat of summer, it turned out to be the default CD in my Vue from its release in early June until September. Her show at Edmonton's Folk Fest was a religious experience for me.

3. Keane – Perfect Symmetry
This album is SO good it almost deserves 2 spots, thanks to the accompanying CD of demo versions in the special edition. This is a great Britpop band making their tribute to ‘80s synthpop, and the result is a collection of songs that are great Britpop with an ‘80s synthpop mentality. With a formula like that, how could it be anything less than brilliant?

4. Cut Copy – In Ghost Colours
Amazing synth-pop from Down Under. This will make you get over the loss of Savage Garden once and for all. Also a favourite of Edmonton’s most talented (and hottest) DJ. Unfortunately that's not another story...

5. Moi Caprice – You Can’t Say No Forever
Yes, yes, the Danes are melancholic, so just embrace it. Supposedly this album was released in 2005, but again thanks to Indie Pop Rocks I found another gem that didn't see the commercial light of day here in Hickton (north america).

6. Dr Horrible’s Sing-Along-Blog Soundtrack
There hasn’t been a soundtrack this good since Southpark The Movie. The 3 episode TV show available exclusively from iTunes was SO good I bought the soundtrack as well. These songs are absolutely top notch, and catchy as SARS. Nathan Fillion, make us Edmontonians proud.

7. Metro Station
Pure major label record company crap, but oh so infectious. I’m not sure how well this will age, but it was DAMN fun at the time.

8. Coldplay – Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends
This is the album that brought me back to being a fan of the band, after a feeling of “meh” for their previous 2.

9. The Teenagers – Reality Check
Pure synth eurotrash ecstasy. Definitely music to fuck to.

10. I Was a Cub Scout – I Want You To Know That There Is Always Hope
More incredible indie pop with a synthetic flavour. Impressive, depressive, lovingly crafted, wise beyond its years. And then they broke up.

Disappointment of the year – Panic At The Disco. What a dud, especially after their debut was one of the most incredible albums of the ‘00s. Oh, and I hated the Madonna album so much I deleted it from my hard drive after one listen. It was so bad it actually made me angry, and that's quite a feat in itself. I'm glad Guy Ritchie is taking half.

Best Albums of 2008

A most enjoyable year for music, at least for me. It was hard to weed through my list this year to pick the top 10, but here it is. Happy new year, and best wishes for 2009! (BTW - In case you're curious my list from last year is over here)

My top 10 list for 2008:

1. Booka Shade - The Sun and the Neon Light
   Intoxicating mix of clicky beats, analog synths, real strings and vocal hooks made this my most listened to album of the year. The vinyl-only set of album remixes is awesome, too.



2. Radiohead - In Rainbows
   All the attention and hoopla around this album's distribution experiments could have overshadowed the actual music, if the album itself wasn't so damn good. Haunting yet soothing - one of Radiohead's best.



3. Coldplay - Vivia La Vida/Prospekt's March
   One of the best rock bands today + Brian Eno = album on repeat ad nauseum. A personal favourite.



4. David Byrne and Brian Eno - Everything That Happens Will Happen Today
   Not only a great collaboration of music personalities, but a collaboration of genres and styles that make for an awesome electronic folk pop alternative album. P.S. Hey David - I'm still waiting for my special collector's edition to come in the mail!



5. Ben Folds - Way to Normal
   Classic Folds - energetic, smartass, fun, tuneful. Athough I admit I like the "fake" leaked versions of some of these songs as much as as the real album versions.



6. Elvis Costello and the Imposters - Momofuku
   Honest rock album recorded in a week and originally issued on vinyl only (with MP3 downloads with the vinyl purchase). Tight, catchy, and full of exhuberance one would expect from guys 30 years younger.



7. Daniel Lanios - Here Is What Is
   Another beautiful, brilliant DIY opus from Canada's unsung musical hero. I hope to catch the movie someday.



8. Portishead - Third
   I don't know what genre you would even call this, but obviously something in the Portishead genes is resilient -- regardless of what musical style it manifests itself in, listening to this leaves you as subdued and slightly little unsettled as old Portishead would.



9. Flight of the Conchords - Flight of the Conchords
   Totally fun album of songs from my favourite TV show. Thank you Jermaine and Brett!



10. Barenaked Ladies - Snacktime
    Why is this not on anyone's list for 2008? My guess is it's because most reviewers don't have kids. If they did, this would be on their lists, hands down. A kids album that's also enjoyable for adults, even on the 100th listen. That's a rare, rare thing - trust me!

Also awesome: Keane - Perfect Symmetry, Robyn - Robyn, The Notwist - The Devil You and Me, Moby - Last Night, John Legend - Evolver, Beck - Modern Guilt, Joe Jackson - Rain, Lights - Lights EP, and Nine Inch Nails - The Slip.

Disappointments: David Usher, Prince

Best show: Chris Isaak @ Edmonton Folk Fest

Guilty pleasure: Madonna's Hard Candy

Anyway, that's it. Here's hoping next year is just as enjoyable, musicwise, and that you will enjoy hearing the new Caffeine Sunday album when it comes out. And please let me know what your picks are for 2008....