2008 Year-End List #5: Favorite Albums #20-1

Moving right along, here is the second half (you can find the first half here) of my 40 favorite albums of the year. You have been waiting all year for this, now here it is: numbers twenty through one.


(20) Devotion - Beach House (Carpark)
As the great snoozefest of '08, Beach House's sophomore outing, Devotion, is shockingly good. Surprising, as the band's fortes are organ drones, some secluded, twangy guitar, unnoticeable percussion or organ beats and the most tired of melodies. That's all there is to it. Yet, somehow, these songs are remarkable. The organ is huge and haunting, and I give Victoria Legrand's sense of sleepy melody an A+. Beaut.
Top jams: "Wedding Bell," "Turtle Island," "Astronaut"


(19) Dear Science - TV on the Radio (4AD/Interscope)
Upon first listen, I thought for sure this was going to be album of the year for me. Well, I was way off. Don't get me wrong, Dear Science is great and all, and easily TV on the Radio's most fun record. But, that's just the thing. 2006's Return to Cookie Mountain sucker punched me right in the belly, catching me unawares and compelling me to vomit affection all over it. I didn't know what hit me. It was strange and difficult and huge, and it only got better with each listen. Dear Science is easy-peasy. Every song is accessible, whether it be an upbeat and loud track, or a slightly experimental ballad. For me, the party tracks are the most difficult ones, and that is only because they aren't as good (with the exception of "Crying," which is simply awesome, in spite of its stupid title). Like I said, this is a very good record with very good songs and very good production. I just prefer Return to Cookie Mountain's version of TV on the Radio.
Top jams: "Crying," "Lover's Day"


(18) We Brave Bee Stings and All - Thao with the Get Down Stay Down (Kill Rock Stars)
My experience with this album could be comparible to that of last year's Papercuts album that I loved so much (Can't Go Back). They both appeared out of thin air, and barely any of my friends were knowledgeable of their existence. All I really know about Thao and her backing band, the Get Down Stay Down, is that they done good with We Brave Bee Stings and All. This is indie pop at its finest and most concise. The instrumentation (guitar, bass, drums, some keyboards) and structure of these songs are so basic, but Thao's quirky vocals and lyrics make things interesting. Throw in some nice guitar licks, a good drummer and some subtle horns and keys lightly sprinkled throughout, and we have ourselves a mighty fine record.
Top jams: "Big Kid Table," "Yes, So On and So On," "Fear and Convenience"


(17) Hercules and Love Affair - Hercules and Love Affair (DFA/Mute)
When it comes to electronic dance music, I just don't give a shit. But, when my friend Zach Curd recommends a brand new album (which never happens), I HAVE to check it out. I believe this is what they call disco, or even house music, right? Maybe both? Anyway, it took me a while to realize it, but Hercules and Love Affair are awesome, as is this self-titled album. There are some weird instances, like when Antony sings on several tracks (his voice is creepy). But, this is a really fun, good and funky dance album that I just cannot ignore. I can't believe I'm saying this, but it just might be my favorite dance record since Daft Punk's Discovery.
Top jams: "Time Will," "Hercules Theme," "Athene," "Iris"


(16) Let the Blind Lead Those Who Can See but Cannot Feel - Atlas Sound (Kranky)
Under his Atlas Sound alias, Bradford Cox shows us exactly what a bedroom pop album should be with Let the Blind Lead Those Who Can See but Cannot Feel. The lonesome-at-home recording venture is limiting, sure, but if the right equipment and amount of time are at hand, then imagine what can be accomplished. Let the Blind... is a prime demonstration of this. Bradford fucks around with song structure, recording procedure, tape experiments and various instruments and sounds, and creates something beautiful, challenging and worthwhile. If you haven't, listen to it with headphones.
Top jams: "Recent Bedroom," "River Card," "Quarantined," "Cold as Ice"


(15) The Chemistry of Common Life - Fucked Up (Matador)
I haven't listened to anything nearly as aggressive as The Chemistry of Common Life since the early 2000s, when I dug on more technically minded heavy bands such as The Blood Brothers, Botch, Shai Hulud and Strongarm. I never thought I would have gotten into a record like this again, but here I am. Though, it's not like Fucked Up have persuaded me to get passionate about punk rock and hardcore and other hostile genres of music again. There's just something about this particular album. It is simply bad ass huge, the drummer is awesome, and the guitars are ENORMOUS and at times sound utterly beautiful. These things combined with all the little quirks like flutes and keys and Vivian Girls singing back up vocals make The Chemistry of Common Life a behemoth of a punk record. It makes me want to have a violent yet unifying party with all my friends, where we wrestle and fight and laugh and love all at the same time. Fucked Up vocalist Pink Eyes will be our shouting ringleader.
Top jams: "Crooked Head," "No Epiphany," "Twice Born"


(14) Alopecia - Why? (Anticon)
I had no idea what to expect when I first heard Why's Elephant Eyelash during the summer of 2006. I was under the impression that Yoni Wolf and friends were just bizarre hip hop dudes. Little did I know that lyrical flow was only one minute detail of the band. I instantly loved Elephant Eyelash's bright indie pop as the backing to Yoni's melodic rap-sing, so Alopecia's darker, dirgier sounds took a bit for me to get used to. Seeing some of these songs performed live really helped (it's offensive how good Yoni's brother is at the drums). The album was a steady grower for me, and I have come to appreciate it for its less appealing yet still impressive musical tirade as much as its jaw-dropping lyrical flow.
Top jams: "Good Friday," "The Hollows," "Fatalist Palmistry," "Brook & Waxing"


(13) Real Emotional Trash - Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks (Matador)
90s indie rock's crowned prince returns with his forth album under his birth name, and it is truly a rock 'n roll album. Elements of Pavement can still be found in pretty much every song, but Stephen Malkmus seems to be moving away from slacker god status. Instead, he is making a home as an indie rock guitar hero. As for this Real Emotional Trash, it is half Pavement and half jammy bar band. This actually sounds like, and is, a great combination. The album's validity is turned up a notch thanks to some superb drumming, two outstanding pop songs, and a bunch of jammy ones that I can tolerate, let alone enjoy listening to.
Top jams: "Hopscotch Willie," "Cold Son," "Gardenia"


(12) Sea From Shore - School of Language (Thrill Jockey)
Sea From Shore was the first Field Music related release of 2008, coming from David Brewis, brother of The Week That Was' Peter Brewis. I am only slightly surprised that I prefer School of Language to TWTW, thus far. While Peter brought the beauty and catchiness to Field Music, Sea From Shore is proof that David brought the subtle complexity and quirky and original drumming. The album is all (mostly) rockin' guitars, weird time signatures and changes and distorted THUNDERDRUMS. Not to mention the songs are really good and melodies wonderful (though David is not his brother). Nice forays into writing albums on your own, Brewises. Now get your heads out of your asses, kiss and make up, and bring Field Music back, please. Make sure to wash your faces first, though.
Top jams: "Rockist, Pt. 1," "Disappointment '99," "This is No Fun"


(11) At Mount Zoomer - Wolf Parade (Sub Pop)
I had been anticipating the arrival of a second Wolf Parade album for quite a while by the time At Mount Zoomer was released. 2005's Apologies to the Queen Mary was an album of all albums, and by that I mean it is one of my absolute favorites over the past several years. I would say that At Mount Zoomer is an appropriate sophomore album, though not even close to Apologies' level of grandness. It is approrpriate in the way that Wolf Parade still sound like the band they once were in some ways, but have also taken some daring leaps of faith into new lands of sound, experimentation, structure and fantasy. What I love about the record is that the cheesy sounding yet catchy as shit synth melodes still show their faces from time to time, depending on the song. Also, much like on Apologies, all of Dan Boeckner's songs are awesome. Spencer Krug delivers some jams, like "Bang Your Drum," albeit the end of it sounding like a section of the original score to The Princess Bride, but Boeckner is moreso my guy. I blatantly do not like this nearly as much as that classic debut, but I shall not consider it a disappointment.
Top jams: "Soldier's Grin," "Language City," "Bang Your Drum," "The Grey Estates"


(10) Microcastle/Weird Era Cont. - Deerhunter (Kranky)
"BLAH BLAH BLAH, Deerhunter are the greatest newer band in all the world." That's what all the "important" music critics seemed to be saying, until all of a sudden they decided that TV on the Radio and Fleet Foxes were better. I never wanted to buy into the Deerhunter hype, and I still don't, entirely. But Microcastle is outstanding, so how could I avoid it? I'm not familiar with the band's earlier work, but from what I gather, this is way more up my alley anyway: slightly shoegazey, psychadelic indie pop as opposed to what, like noisy and spacey post-rock? Ah... complicating genres. Anyway, as of this year, I will not deny that Deerhunter are writing and recording albums that are both great and important. And, Microcastle's physical release tag-on, Weird Era Cont. is no detractor of that. I don't think it's as good (less complete, messy), but I don't think it's supposed to be. It is still worth investigating due to their being some sweet songs with cool ideas. Also, it is a neat way to show their appreciation for their fans, and that is commendable.
Top jams: "Agoraphobia," "Never Stops," "Nothing Ever Happened," "Operation," "Calvary Scars II/Aux. Out"


(9) All Together - Pattern is Movement (Hometapes)
Here is my random/out of the blue album of the year, right here. I knew nothing, I took a risk, and it turned out for the best. Pattern is Movement are two big, burley, bearded dudes, one behind some keyboards, the other behind a drumkit. The keyboards mix and match between Fender Rhodes and RPG-fairy-dust-twinkle-synth. And, for only two people, their sound is complex on this recording, as the songs are fleshed out with various string and horn arrangements. The melodies are slightly out there (in a good way), and dude's voice is great. Plus, this drummer is a rhythmic gargantuan. A spectacular surprise.
Top jams: "Bird," "Right Away," "Sea Captain," "Sound of Your Voice"


(8) Canopy Glow - Anathallo (Anticon)
Anathallo have ventured beyond Floating World's drama and fairy tales (which I loved) and are veering closer to the world of pop song. Canopy Glow still has traces of the drama (just listen to "The River," "Sleeping Torpor" and "Bells"), but all of the songs are much more about the grooves and textures instead of complex structures and the aspect of aural community. These changes are very much welcome ones to my ears. Floating World still rests deep inside of my heart, but I think Canopy Glow is the better album.
Top jams: "Noni's Field," "Northern Lights," "All the First Pages"


(7) Red, Yellow and Blue - Born Ruffians (Warp)
I see how Born Ruffians could be considered obnoxious, mainly due to the piercing, high pitched shout-sang vocals and all the clickity-clackity rim shots. However, these are things I really like about the band and their debut full length, Red, Yellow and Blue. Without them, they would be your run of the mill indie rock band who write pretty good songs. With them, they are a fascinatingly quirky band who somehow manage to be totally weird by using the most basic of rock band instrumentation (guitar, bass, drums), and also write really great songs. I have not stopped enjoying this since the beginning of the year.
Top jams: "Hummingbird," "Foxes Mate for Life," "In a Mirror"


(6) Heavy Meadows - Javelins (Suburban Sprawl)
With Heavy Meadows, Javelins have claimed the title as my favorite local band. Without question. This record is majestically mine. It jams with the artsy 80s, touches on The Sea and Cake, and is accentuated by some MBV. That the band is local and their record is on par with some of the real greats of the year is quite a feat, and makes me proud. I'm tellin' ya, I can feel a Javelins craze on the horizon. Just you wait.
Top jams: "Heavy Meadows," "The Pounding," "Roman Saints"


(5) You & Me - The Walkmen (Gigantic)
When I saw The Walkmen open for Spoon back in April, I knew their upcoming record was going to be nothing short of great. You & Me might have exceded most of my expectations (it's still up in the air if I can consider this my favorite album of theirs). What is missing is an all out jam of jams, like "We've Been Had" and "Everyone Who Pretended to Like Me is Gone" from the album of the same name, or "The Rat" and "Little House of Savages" from Bows & Arrows. "In the New Year" is the closest thing, which is a-ok, as it is an exceptional song. You & Me presents a spookier version of The Walkmen. They are floating around, indecisive, and they decided to create a really ALBUM album. This is the result, and what an album it is.
Top jams: "Donde Esta La Playa," "In the New Year," "I Lost You"


(4) Car Alarm - The Sea and Cake (Thrill Jockey)
Here is an album by The Sea and Cake. Car Alarm is exactly what I would expect as a follow-up to their 2007 masterpiece, Everybody. There are some similar elements between the two (pop sensibility, for one). In addition , there are some throwback moments, namely the blippity synth pattern on "Weekend," which hearkens back to The Fawn. The list goes on. All I'm saying, is THIS IS A RECORD BY THE SEA AND CAKE, whom I love with everything that is in me. I rest my case.
Top jams: "A Fuller Moon," "On a Letter," "Weekend," "Window Sills"


(3) Offend Maggie - Deerhoof (Kill Rock Stars)
I am slowly but surely getting to understand this Deerhoof band. It must be getting easier. Well, actually, I don't know about that, but at the very least, Offend Maggie has been the easiest album of theirs for me to fall for. Why? I think it's because underneath the unignorable vocals and other little weirdisms, two things that I really like are combined. They are 90s Chicago emo guitar chords and classic rock guitar sounds. A number of Offend Maggie's songs sound like The Who trying to play Cap'n Jazz or Joan of Arc songs. Seriously, I'm not even kidding. This is why it was easiest for me to get this album, and over time this understanding bloomed into immense admiration. I shiver and get the goosebumps when I think of the guitar playing and especially the drumming on these songs. What else has done that all year? Nothing.
Top jams: "Offend Maggie," "Family of Others," "Jagged Fruit"


(2) Water Curses EP - Animal Collective (Domino)
I know this is only an EP, but I HAD to include it, at such a high ranking, too. I believe, in my heart of hearts, that as of late December in 2008, Water Curses is the best thing Animal Collective has ever released. It only consists of four songs, all of which are gorgeous, awesomely strange in their own right, and most importantly, perfect. I need not explain any further.
Top jams: "Street Flash," "Cobwebs"


(1) Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend (XL)
Here it is, my favorite record of 2008. Are you disappointed in me? Am I some kind of trendy hipster dolt? Noooo... Vampire Weekend and their self-titled nugget of awesome is just that great! I totally buy all the hype! It isn't quite perfect, but that is only because the first six songs make it so incredibly top heavy that it's not fair. The songs during the second half are not forgettable by any means, but paired up against the first half, it's no contest. This said, I cannot refute the evident greatness of an album that I have listened to so often. And this is the one. The album I spent the most time with, the album I loved and tended to and sang along with more than any other. It's seen me through the good and the bad, snowy snow and sunny sun. Thanks be to you rich, prep school, sweater wearing dudes, for you just fucking nailed it in 2008. I hope against hope that this is not the end of your brilliance. Please ring true!
Top jams: "Mansard Roof," "Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa," "M79," "Campus"