The 20 New Albums You Need to Own in 2008
The RSL Music Blog Annual 2008
Selections for Records of the Year
The 20 Best Records of 2008
It’s hard to believe we are at the end of another year and now have the opportunity to look back at all the great artist releases of the year. It is with great pleasure that we unveil our choices for the best 20 records of the year.This list isn’t comprehensive - we realize there’s much you can’t add to such an exclusive list. And there’s no way we can make everyone happy… Ultimately the list is a way to share truly exceptional music along side deserving artists whose work might otherwise go uncelebrated.
The RSL Honorable Mention Album List (our favorites this year who got nipped from the Top 20) and our picks for the year’s Top EP album releases (these are little bits of gold!) will appear on the website soon.
Our Criteria for this List: We set some simple restrictions for the 2008 List… No Cover Albums, No Greatest Hits or Collections, No Soundtracks, No Live Albums. These rules actually helped reduce the mental clutter and allowed us to make some tough choices.
Artist: Mills
Much conversation has gone on between us these recent days in an effort to get this list published. Our one area of emphasis was that special attention should always be paid to under-exposed bands at the top talent level. On behalf of Braggin Billy, Jen and Nick - we thank you for reading and hope you enjoy these selections and the song from each:
The Best of List 2008:
In No Particular Order:
Mason Proper - Olly Oxen Free
A stellar sophomore effort from Michigan indie rockers.
A truly must-have effort from Jonathan Visger and company.
This one hits on all cylinders!
Wolf Parade - At Mount Zoomer
The dynamic
Wolf Parade is a force of Nature.
Seeing these songs performed live this year was magical.
At Mount Zoomer is an exercise in creativity.
Langhorne Slim & the War Eages - self titled
It’s possible the best live show I saw this year was
Langhorne Slim.
These songs and Slim’s incredible band were just on fire!
This record is addictive as hell, upbeat and incredible.
The Black Keys - Attack & Release
The Akron,
OH duo met up with Danger Mouse and made gold!
Attack & Release is loud, greasy and crunchy - we love the sound.
Tom Thumb - The Taxidermist
It is with great pleasure we tap Boston’s
Tom Thumb.
The Taxidermist is easily one of the best folk albums in years.
Justice of the Unicorns - Angels with Uzis
Raw, unfettered fun with movie references and odd imagery…
We loved New York’s
Justice of the Unicorns from the first listen!
JOTU are one of the freshest sounds of 2008.
The Oaks - Songs for Waiting
From Orlando,
FL -
The Oaks are just magical.
Songs for Waiting is a serious album of the year candidate.
The beauty of these songs is undeniable.
She & Him - Volume One
Zooey Deschanel offers sweet and smooth vocals…
M. Ward’s understated and elegant arrangements are a treat for the soul.
Having
She & Him perform at Newport Folk this year, we were won over!
The Motion Sick - The Truth Will Catch You, Just Wait
Boston’s own The Motion Sick are one creative band!
Following
my interview with the band they went on to have one great year.
Highly Recommended indie Pop. One of our Favorites of ‘08.
Young Knives - Superabundance
Superabundance is one of the most vibrant, alive albums of 2008
I listened to this record straight through 5 times in a row. Still a favorite.
The Photographic - Pictures of a Changing World
The Photographic is a completely new group to me this year.
The instrumental duo from Kentucky released one of the year’s best!
Pictures of a Changing World is an intricate and powerful record.
Fijuya & Miyagi - Lightbulbs
F&M’s
Lightbulbs is one wicked, party record.
A really, really fun album to drive to.
Nothing awe-inspiring here, just tons of fun.
Portishead - Third
Taking an unexpected and dark turn…
Portishead’s
Third was an unexpected treat.
The good bands always challenge - this one is new different.
Ghost of the Russian Empire - the Mammoth
Austin’s
Ghost of the Russian Empire blew the doors off this one!
The haunting songs on
the Mammoth have been a constant all year long.
Very Highly Recommended.
The Kooks - Konk
Not sure if you’ve noticed, but
The Kooks are pretty damn talented.
Konk is an impressive, light-hearted album - sure to become a classic.
Weinland - La Lamentor
Weinland is a hugely talented new band.
Dark, magical and a bit sad, La Lamentor is a definite "
Best of" album.
Led by John Adam Weinland Shearer, this band could take on Neil Young’s mantle.
Ben Folds - Way to Normal
Way to Normal is Wildly creative while exercising Intellectual Might
Ben Folds has released one of the smartest records of the year!
Any man who
fakes his own album leak will win us over to begin with.
The Black and White Years - self titled
This little band from Austin rocks in a serious way!
BAWY are one of the top five or six live bands I have ever seen
Full of frenetic energy, always smart and utterly driven to entertain!
The new record is a fusion of styles and translates perfectly on stage.
Elbow - The Seldom Seen Kid
While still fairly new to us,
Elbow stood out immediately.
The Seldom Seen Kid is a practically flawless album which cannot be ignored.
Wrap your arms around this Rich record and be rewarded!
Parlour Steps - Ambiguoso
Vancouver’s
Parlour Steps are just sensational!
The
Ambiguoso record is one of those without a weak point.
Good folks, exceptional songcraft and stage performance!
"Be Guilty of Good Taste."
Artist: Krista Jane
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This Best of List - 2008.
Hmmm. Didn't know this piece had been syndicated. As to the Kooks - this is our list. Some items you may agree with - others, not.
The Kooks were an important band in 2008 and released a double-album which influenced other artists. They are as worthy to be on the list as others. If you don't care for them, just skip it.
Listen to what you like - that's what great about blogs.
If you are all interested we published a massive 33-track best of the first-half of 2009 on the website. That should give you something to chew on.... - Ryan
Kooka
We like what we LIKE. Never bow to those who try to dictate what they think is or isn't "cool". Kooks have that fun Kinks acoustic careening down pat. Like a tamer Libertines or a redux of Hunky Dory era Bowie, they're fun to have around. Destroy the haters and keep on bloggin' from the heart...!
I agree
I agree about the Kooks but this article is well put together. It would be a shame to dismiss it because of them
Kooks - Fuck right off.
Kooks - Fuck right off. That's an insult to my eyes.
Goes without saying
That the Kooks are just pointless. But there’s some good stuff here too. I like the Langhorne Slim album. I’m trying to post as many ‘best of’ lists from the feeds we get, so people get a feel for what the various bloggers we publish are in to. I might do a best of the 2008 best of lists a bit later in the month, once they’re all in. Kooks will be omitted, naturally.Post new comment