The compulsory review of the best and worst musical offerings of 2008

Albums

I took a new approach to ranking albums this year that satisfied my love for music and statistics. I made sure that I listened to every album, cover to cover, at least twice. After each listen, I assigned a score to the album. I let MySQL do my calculations and churned out a real-time list of my favorite albums. The final result closely fell in line with my gut, but it wasn't perfect. The list you see below is adjusted for particular songs and extracurricular listening, thus throwing the statistical process right out the window. Every album released in 2008 that I own is represented from worst to best. If you don't feel like getting bummed out by the bad stuff (and you probably will be), just jump to the Big Blue Line of Caring. Albums physically below this line archieved some degree acceptance in my cold, cold musical heart. Here we go!

Mountain Battles, The Breeders

This was a truly awful album. Tedious, boring, unenergetic, uninspired and practically painful to listen to, no other album really comes close to this stinker. I expected so much more from the Deals and Company
Rip it Off, Times New Viking

There is a good-to-great album hidden here, but I couldn't get over the massive (and needless) amount of distortion on the recording. We call that the "Some Loud Thunder" syndrome 'round these parts.
The Bedlam in Goliath, The Mars Volta
The Age of the Understatement, The Last Shadow Puppets
Slick Dogs and Ponies, Louis XIV
Modern Guilt, Beck

Some media outlets praised Beck for making such a bummer of an album. Not me. I just couldn't get into this one.
Saturdays=Youth, M83

This one has received quite a bit of end-of-year hype, but ranks alongside Band of Horses' debut as a "Worst First Listen". My second listen panned out a little bit better, but still didn't rattle my cage. Since then, I've listed to the well-regarded "Kim and Jessie" several times to try to discover what I was missed, but failed.
Nobody Beats Me, L'Orchidee d'Hawaii
Get Awkward, Be Your Own Pet
4, Dungen
Como te Llama?, Albert Hammond, Jr.
No, Virginia..., The Dresden Dolls
Weezer (The Red Album), Weezer

The honeymoon was over with Rivers and gang a long time ago, but old habits die hard.
Some Racing, Some Stopping, Headlights
Evil Urges, My Morning Jacket

A second listen saved this album from a Breeders-like flat-out damnation, but it's still a rather unenjoyable effort from these fellows. Never should I think to myself, "Where on earth did they come up with THIS??" when listening to a CD. These guys had a certain style and deviated from it with polarizing results. You can tell which side I fell on, I think.
Dear Science, TV on the Radio

I think the problem here is that I'm not a big fan of TVotR in the first place. I will admit that this album is better than my ranking; it's just taking a loooong time to sink in. The thousands of music fans who pushed this to universal Top 10 status can't be that wrong, right?
In the Future, Black Mountain
We Started Nothing, The Ting-Tings
Santogold, Santogold
Trouble in Dreams, Destroyer
Le Genie Humain, Orwell
Sun Giant (EP), Fleet Foxes

OK, OK, OK... I know what you're thinking. You're thinking, "What is he thinking?!? Another critically acclaimed artist unceremoniously shoved to the bottom of the list? Let me go check where their self-titled debut LP ranked." Don't bother looking. It's not on here. I will procure it someday, and I'm sure it will be quite good, but the EP didn't grab me at all.
Accelerate, R.E.M.

Just trying to get all the heresy out of the way.
These Are the Good Times People, The Presidents of the United States of America
Sea Lion, The Ruby Suns
The Evening Descends, Evangelicals
Parallax Error Beheads You, Max Tundra
Vivian Girls, Vivian Girls
Olly Oxen Free, Mason Proper
Roll With You, Eli "Paperboy" Reed and the True Loves
Heretic Pride, The Mountain Goats
For Emma, Forever Ago, Bon Iver

Yeah, it's another well-regarded album down in the cellar. I did like the alt-folk movement (see the Songs section), but this one was a little too real-folk for my taste.
Heart On, Eagles of Death Metal
Explosion, White Denim

This is probably my biggest disappointment of the year. Their 2007 Let's Talk About It EP really whetted by appetite for loud, raucous rock and this album contained very little of the material I fell in love with.
Crimes, These United States
Skeletal Lamping, of Montreal

Here's another polarizing album that fell by my wayside this year. My biggest problem was the lack of a defining or memorable track. All I can remember about it is it sounding like of Montreal. Not the most ringing endorsement.
Diamond Hoo Ha, Supergrass
Sea from Shore, School of Language
Konk, The Kooks
Attack and Release, The Black Keys
Oracular Spectacular, MGMT
The two best tracks from this effort had been released previously on the Time to Pretend EP. There was nothing here that bettered that effort.
The Wishes and the Glitch, Say Hi
Crystal Antlers EP, Crystal Antlers
You & Me, The Walkmen
Something for All of Us, (Broken Social Scene presents...) Brendan Canning
Directions to See a Ghost, The Black Angels
Lucky, Nada Surf
Alpinisms, School of Seven Bells
A Guide to Love, Loss and Desperation, The Wombats
Not Animal, Margot & The Nuclear So and So's
I Was Raised on Matthew, Mark, Luke and Laura, PAS/CAL
Consolers of the Lonely, The Raconteurs

(If you couldn't tell, we're smack dab in the middle of no man's land. These albums weren't outstanding, but they weren't lousy either. They settle into the cozy middle ground and avoid being editorialized because, well, I just don't remember most of them that well...)
Real Emotional Trash, Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks
The Whitsundays, The Whitsundays
Strawberry Weed, Caesers
Third, Portishead
Walk It Off, Tapes 'n Tapes
Lust Lust Lust , The Raveonettes
Lookout Mountain, Lookout Sea, Silver Jews
Everything That Happens Will Happen Today, David Byrne & Brian Eno
The Stand-Ins, Okkervil River
(Well You Know) Stuff Is Like We Yeah!, 22-Pistepirkko
The Family Afloat, Bound Stems
Now or Heaven, The Broken West
It's Time! Singles and EPs 2005-08, caUSE co-MOTION
The Week That Was, The Week That Was
For those who are counting, we've arrived at number 50 but we're not quite out of the middling albums quite yet.
Do You Like Rock Music?, British Sea Power
This is an epic album and that is its downfall. It's just too long. There are four outstanding songs on here but the whole effort gets bogged down towards the end to the point of disdain.
Ten Years Younger EP / Susan's In the Sky EP, Bubblegum Lemonade

These are two separate EPs, but I've mashed them into one. Or, I could have just picked up their full-length. Either way, here they are!
Narrow Stairs, Death Cab for Cutie
No Deliverance, Toadies
Chemical Cords, Stereolab
Stay Positive, The Hold Steady
Airing of Grievances, Titus Andronicus
IV, Nerf Herder

We Brace Bee Stings and All, Thao with the Get Down Stay Down
Acid Tongue, Jenny Lewis
This is It & I Am It... , Marnie Stern
Here are three rockin' ladies who rock all over the rock spectrum. Jenny, who you may remember from Omaha's favorite band Rilo Kiley, prefers to dabble in the softer, more mellow tones of the folk world. On the other hand, Marnie tends towards all out, guitar driven (and supremely proficient) rock and roll. Thao meets them halfway. There's an interesting contrast in styles to be sure.
In Ear Park, Department of Eagles
A top-heavy, etherial effort from the guy from Grizzly Bear.
Volume One, She & Him
My comment about "Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?" in the Top Songs section asserted that this music is "easy" and I think that is its downfall. It's quite enjoyable to listen to, but ultimately, something is missing.
Rabbit Habbits, Man Man
Take what I said about She & Him and reverse it for Man Man. I feel that their albums are "hard" to listen to. The music is so frenetic that it's easy to get lost and at the end, you can't tell if you've missed anything at all. "Hurly/Burly" didn't get a shout-out earlier, but it's worth mentioning that this song received my "Best (Un)Intentional Tribute to Devo" Award.
Electronic Projects for Musicians, The Apples in Stereo
A nice compilation of rarities and B-Sides from one of my favorite groups.
Moonbeams, Throw Me the Statue
Red Yellow and Blue, Born Ruffians
Visiter, The Dodos
This trio of albums exemplifies how genre-busting indie rock can be. Your well rounded indie kid appreciates these albums for their pop, rock and folk contributions, respectively.
Migration, Sambassadeur
Holy Swedish symphonics! This is an amazing album that should be ranked higher (I say as I listen to it... damn...). Don't put away your passport just yet, kids. We'll be making several more stops in Sweden on our way to number one!
The Supreme Genius of..., King Khan & The Shrines
There wasn't a whole lot of true Nuggets-style stuff in 2008, but this makes up for much of that absence. This is a compilation of previously-released songs, but they were new to me.
o, Tilly and the Wall
Another fun album from these Nebraskans.
Arm's Way, Islands
If we were judging albums solely on their first five tracks, this would be the album of the year. Unfortunately, there is a significant drop-off after "Creeper" that drags the album down.
Do It!, Clinic
Not a lot of chatter about the latest offering from Clinic in any end-of-year forums. That's too bad because Do It! was a welcome return the older Clinic sound.
Nouns, No Age
This album does not sound like a more sophisticated Art Brut to me, in case anyone was wondering. I liked this album because it does what more albums should do - it gets to the point. A dozen or so songs that each clock in at around three minutes. Thirty minutes after pressing play, you finish satisfied and alert. Nothing will lull you to sleep here.
Alphabet Graveyard, Gentlemen Auction House
This was a latecomer to the collection and I'm struggling to think of stuff to say about it. If it ranked this high, it must be good!
Songs in A & E, Spiritualized
Another space odyssey from Jason Pierce.
A Picture of the Three of Us at the Gate of the Garden of Eden, These United States
This album's position is anchored on the strength of "The Business", my #1 song of the year. The rest of the album is decent enough, but seemingly forgettable since I'm not remembering anything else from it at the moment.
Here Comes the Wind, Envelopes
Catchy, light-hearted pop from Scandinavia. Don't worry; we're not through with Swedish bands quite yet.
I Know You're Married But I've Got Feelings Too, Martha Wainwright
This is Not the World, The Futureheads
Had you asked me where I thought these albums would rank prior to listening to them, I would have generously guessed top 50 for both. I did not have high expectations for The Futureheads release, but I was pleasantly surprised. It is a strong top-to-bottom album in the same vein of their other releases. They know their strengths and they stick to them. My exposure to Wainwright had mainly consisted of her ABBA-esque tune "G.P.T.", but her 2008 release was also a very strong and enjoyable cover-to-cover album.
Jim, Jaime Lidell
I guess since this album is here and Eli "Paperboy" Reed's is waaaay up there, I can only conclude that I like my modern soul albums to be more on the glossy side.
Me� su� � eyrum vi� spilum endalaust, Sigur R�s
I like where Sigur R�s went with this album which was a favorite within the first few measures of "Gobbledigook". Their previous albums, while outrageously beautiful, were almost too dreamy for me. I like the balance of guitars and strings on this album.
Vampire Weekend, Vampire Weekend
The Rhumb Line, Ra Ra Riot
These bands are cut from the same mold. They both started out making music as college students. They're both from New York. They each have a unique sound. They both received a ton of hype that far preceded the release of their debut LPs. So, how is it that you've almost certainly heard of Vampire Weekend, but Ra Ra Riot only rings a bell at best? Talent? Certainly not. Luck? Perhaps. The machine? Bingo! Love them or hate them, you KNOW Vampire Weekend because they were EVERYWHERE. They fought in the blog wars. They fought in the 'zine wars. You know the machine has worked when your indie rock band appears on Saturday Night Live less than two months after your first album is released. From a casual perspective, VW started at the top. Ra Ra Riot is grass roots. They play the smaller clubs and college campuses and if a multitude of reviewers are to be believed, their live shows far surpass those of VW. They seem to exude so much more passion for music. They have soul. They have fun. I don't get that from Vampire Weekend. Ultimately, the discs at hand stand as near equals in my mind but my heart will go with RRR every time.
Girls and Weather, The Rumble Strips
A little trumpet and some sax go a long way on this high-energy debut from this gang of Brits.
Who's In Your Dreams , Strawberry Whiplash
A succinct noise-pop EP from a Scottish duo.
At Mount Zoomer, Wolf Parade
This album didn't stand a chance. There was absolutely NO WAY that it could compare to its older sibling. None. Zero. Statistically impossible. For the vast majority of the year, in a truly uncool move, I compared it to Apologies to the Queen Mary and it just couldn't compete. After further consideration, I admitted that this too was a great album in its own right and that it should be ranked accordingly (it sat around #30 for most of the year).
This is Ivy League, This is Ivy League
I can almost guarantee you'll be saying, "If I wanted to listen to Simon & Garfunkel I would have put on Bridge Over Troubled Water." Resist that urge. There's more here than that. It's jangly, it's poppy and it's completely retro. I give this album two awards - "Best Summer Album" and "The Jens Lekman Award for Album That Sounds Like Your Dad's Record Collection".
The Midnight Organ Fight, Frightened Rabbit
In my write-up of the song "I Feel Better" it was noted that this particular song doesn't make you feel better. The intensity of the music is so powerful that it drains you. Well, along come the lyrics to deliver a one-two punch to your soul. The emotion flows so deep that the songs make perfect backdrops for heart-wrenching scenes from the TV show Chuck ("Chuck has heart-wrenching scenes?" you ask. Of course it does. You can spot them by listening for Frightened Rabbit songs. Duh.)
Hold on Now, Youngster, Los Campesinos!
We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed, Los Campesinos!
There is virtually no difference between these two albums. They both have outstanding lead tracks and then settle into songs that are unmistakable Los Campesinos! tunes. These youngsters haven't exhibited a lot of stylistic range, and that's OK because they're doing fine in spite of their limited playbook.
A Hundred Things Keep Me Up at Night, Love is All
Yeah, that's right. We're back to Sweden! Love is All's follow-up to their impressive 2006 debut Nine Times That Same Song features the same blaring horns and urgent lyrics as its predecessor. There's no sophomore slump here.
Falling Off the Lavender Bridge, Lightspeed Champion
It's a little bit country and a little bit rock and roll. A great album if you don't take too much stock in the lyrics.
Exit, Shugo Tokumaru
I picked this album up based on a fuzzy recollection of a positive Pitchfork review and I am glad I did. This album is full of finely crafted melodies and is a joy to listen to. It's laid back at times ("Hidamari") and frantic at others ("D.P.O."), but at no time does it leave me bored. An excellent find!
The Master's Bedroom is Worth Spending the Night In, Thee Oh Sees
This album is unlike anything else that I listened to this year. It has a weird duality of sounding raw but polished at the same time. I love how the Onion AV Club put it: a pure pop album with a deep lust for noise, dirt, and the diseased underbelly of the rock 'n' roll canon.
Distortion, The Magnetic Fields
At first I was turned off by Distortion's distortion and curious lack of synthesizers (kidding!). But after seeing Stephin Merritt and company, I quickly realized there was more to the album than fuzz. It has all the charm of The Fields' older works. The songs "The Nun's Litany", "Drive On, Driver", "Xavier Says", "California Girls" are were all candidates for my Songs of the Year list. If you're in the know, you see a Shirley Simms pattern to those picks. Oddly enough, the songs sung by Stephin don't do a whole lot for me.
Spark Large, Marching Band
In case you were worried that no bands from Sweden would be represented, I present Marching Band, a bold new up-and-coming duo from Linkoping. This is one of those albums whose history I can't exactly recall. I remember seeing it listed as Most Downloaded offering on eMusic and I must have liked the samples enough to download it. I was hooked after the first listen. A little research shows that these guys are showing up at a Frightened Rabbit-like clip on TV, so I guess that means I'm not the only one in the know. If only there was another band from Sweden I could introduce that was fresh to most American ears... If only... If only... Hmmm...
Tour de Hearts, Friska Viljor
Just when you thought there couldn't possibly be any more albums from Sweden on this list, Friska Viljor pops up and rocks your world. I first listened to this album in my car which is a rarity for me. I immediately loved it. Then it got shelved for a few weeks. Whilst compiling these lists, I revisited it to remind myself why I liked it the first time around and discovered that it was even better than I remembered. Their MySpace page implores you, the listener, to form your own opinion, so I won't give you mine. Just rest assured that this album won't disappoint.

Thus concludes our journey through the wonderful world of Swedish indie rock. If you would like to learn more about the diverse musical offerings of Scandinavia, you can visit your local library or browse over to www.parasol.com, my personal guides through this exciting jumble of pure pop offerings.
Little Death, Pete & The Pirates
I made an early declaration that this would be the top contender for album of the year and it did not forfeit the crown. Thomas Sanders' excellent work as Tap Tap is here in small doses (including a redo of "She Doesn't Belong"). But overall, Sanders takes P&tP on a more rock oriented tragectory. Starting with the soaring "Ill Love", Little Death prepares you for a rollercoaster ride. "Come on Feet" is a fast-paced rocker replete with hand claps and layered guitars. "She Doesn't Belong" slows your pulse only to have "Lost in the Woods" get your blood pumping again with its distinct, staccato guitar riffs and lyrics. "Moving" is a mellow, peaceful setup for the rolling "Knots". Bring down the lights for "Humming" and then get your fill of snare during "Dry Wings". Sensing a lull in the action, The Pirates pick up the pace with "Mr. Understanding" and then let you snuggle up with someone for "Bears" (the year's best song about hibernation). "Eyes Like Tar" brings back expansive lyrics and "Song For Today" does its best album closer impression. But there's one more song to go. "Bright Lights" takes you a pressing journey filled with alarmish guitars to conclude the album. Pete and The Pirates turned in a varied but complete effort that has stood up to repeated listens over the course of the year.

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