Best Albums of 2008

1. Vampire Weekend "Vampire Weekend" - It's clear that at some point at Columbia University this four-piece mastered how to write pop songs. Although their debut is only 38 minutes in its entirety, it packed a big enough punch to turn these recent college graduates into a musical leviathan in less than a year. What is most intriguing about Vampire Weekend is that they don't seem to try too hard, but Afro-pop songs like "Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa" and "Oxford Comma" are perfect in every way.

2. Portishead "Third"- Portishead's aptly titled third studio album (and first in over ten years) is a departure from their trip-hop sound. Taking a cue from Trent Reznor, the band's sound has moved towards the more haunting and industrial. Beth Gibbon's desperate lyrics only enhance match the bare, desperate sound of Third.

3. Fleet Foxes "Fleet Foxes" - The Seattle five-piece has mastered vocal harmonies that pop music hasn't seen since the Beach Boys, but the soft twang of acoustic guitars is reminiscent of Dylan's Nashville Skyline and Neil Young's Harvest Moon. "Winter White Hymnal" is the catchiest song of 2008-impossible to listen to just once.

4. Death Cab for Cutie "Narrow Stairs" - I Will Posses Your Heart" is a 4-minute Phish-like jam that grows into a radio-friendly track. Death Cab tried to get creative on their seventh album and although their sound might not have evolved significantly, Ben Gibbard's song-writing supremacy remains clear.

5. MGMT "Oracular Spectacular" - Vampire Weekend aside, MGMT wrote the most powerful singles of the year-"Time to Pretend," "Electric Feel," and "Kids." If MGMT continues to crank out infectious psychedelic electro-pop then their dreams of a flawed rock star life from "Time to Pretend" may just come true.