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.

New Animal Collective is Unbelievable

Animal Collective's 8th studio album, Merriweather Post Pavillion, is due to drop Jan. 20th. There are very high expectations sorrounding the album--according to Panda Bear it's their best recorded album--and the first couple tracks that have been released are pretty damn fine. "Brothersport" is my early pick for track of 2009. It is pure bliss from the first synth line

I've only become a fan of Animal Collective after Strawberry Jam but I'm convinced they are the most innovative band out there.

This video courtesy of Pitchfork Media

Download "Brother Sport" Here

My Stereogum Award Picks

Stereogum announced earlier this week their 3rd annual Gummy Awards. Vote for yours. Below you'll find my choices.

Top 3 Albums

1. Vampire Weekend -Vampire Weekend

- it just never gets old

2. Ra Ra Riot - Rhumb Line

- Vampire Weekend meets Arcade Fire

3. Portishead - Third

- haunting masterpiece

Best Music Video

"Pork and Beans" - Weezer

-there might not be a better music video ever filmed

Best Live Act

Radiohead

- simple fantastic live

Indie Rock Crushes

Ezra Koenig

- you could just eat him up with a spoon

Santi White (Santogold)

- there is just something irresistible about her music and the way she carries herself

Most Overrated Act

Kings of Leon

- I just don't get it

Best Blog That Isn't Stereogum

Hype Machine

- very helpful

Best TV Show

1. It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia

-best show on TV

2. 30 Rock

-Tina Fey doesn't get enough credit

3. Colbert Report

- never gets old

Best Movies

1. Dark Knight

- really?

2. Juno

- I'm not proud, but you just can't not like this film

3. Iron Man

- it was just such a man movie

My Visit to the 2008 mtvU Woodie Awards

Last week mtvU recognized the hottest acts on college campuses in 2008 at the fifth-annual Woodie Awards in New York City. College students across the country cast over 5 million votes online to determine the winners and Paramore, the pop-punk band from Tenn., took home the big prize—Woodie of the Year.

Tyson Ritter, lead singer of the All American Rejects announced the winner by tearing his shirt to reveal the winner’s name written on his bare chest.

“I’m the first girl in a band to get a Woodie!” exclaimed Paramore’s lead singer, Hayley Williams, upon accepting the award from the All American Rejects.

Other Woodie winners included There For Tomorrow (Breaking Woodie), Chromeo (Left Field Woodie), Motion City Soundtrack (Best Video Woodie), and Jack’s Mannequin (Good Woodie).

The Nov. 22 show featured powerful performances from the likes of Vampire Weekend, Santogold, Chromeo All Time Low, Lykke Li, The Cool Kids, Asher Roth, DJ A-Trak, and a surprise performance from Q-Tip.

Andrew McMahon, the brains behind Jack’s Mannequin and leukemia survivor, won the Good Woodie for the Dear Jack Foundation he began to fund cancer research.

McMahon said he established the charity when he realized he had a lot of fans who were very passionate about the cause of blood leukemia.

“We just try to do our best to make sure that someone who encounters what I encountered that they’ll be closer to a cure,” said McMahon.

Motion City Soundtrack’s “It Had to be You” award-winning music video was unique because it was directed by a Texas A & M student who won a music video contest.

When indie kings, Vampire Weekend performed their newest single “Kids Don’t Stand a Chance,” P-Thugg (Patrick Gemayel) of Chromeo was right alongside them on keyboard fully-equipped with a talk-box. Vampire Weekend finished their set with “Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa.”

Hip-hop artist Asher Roth kicked off the night with “I Love College” before crowd-surfing to the Cool Kids’ performance of “Delivery Man.” Lykke Li was joined on stage by surprise guest, Q-Tip, for a hip-hop collaboration of “Can I Kick It” by Tribe Called Quest of which Q-Tip was a member. Pop-punk upstarts All Time Low were joined by scantily clad dancers for “Dear Maria” and “Poppin Champagne.” Woodie of the Year nominee, Santogold performed her hit “L.E.S. Artistes” before Naeem Juwan of Spank Rock joined her for “Shove it.”

A half-hour special “Best of the mtvU Woodie Awards” will air on Nov. 21 at 7 pm on MTV2 and Nov. 22 at 10 pm on MTV.

Read more about Joe's and my night here.

Fleet Foxes Do Not Disappoint

   These guys have been talked about on the blog-o-sphere for quite some time now, but I only just took the time to buy their self-titled LP and it's been on constant rotation since. 

   It's very hard to put my finger on, but their melodies are simply haunting and the wordless "Heard Them Stirring" is the perfect example. It is impossible to listen to "White Winter Hymnal" just once; the harmonies on the track melt with the guitar right into your subconscious.

   Each track is a pure joy. There's no doubt "Fleet Foxes" will be on countless 2008 albums lists. 

"Way To" Not the Normal Ben

As August 20th post clearly points to my excitment over Ben Folds' 3rd solo LP. Unfortunetley, the album is lacking in many areas. Clearly, Folds is trying to experiment here--but he lets his quirkiness get the better of him and ends up disappointing. 

Now, while I must admit, the album grew on me significantly, but it still lacks the thoroughness of his other works. Granted, Folds has never really put a masterpiece album together, I appreciate him more for his singles.

"Cologne" is classic Folds. "Hiroshima" will surely be a fan favorite at shows. And "Effington" combines creative lyrics with a sweet melody. 

However, "Errant Dog" is subpar. "Dr. Yang" is laughable. 

I'll look forward to his tour and just hope his setlists are heavy on Ben Folds Five songs.

Jenny Lewis - Acid Tounge

I'm not much of a Rilo Kiley fan. They're good, no doubt, but none of their songs are strong enough to compel me to buy an album. So when heard that Jenny Lewis was releasing her second solo album, titled Acid Tounge, I didn't think it would be worth my time.

Then, I heard the single "Acid Tounge."

I replayed it at least 9 times. I never do that. The raw emotion, the gospel sound, bare acoustic guitar. Perfection. When the Black Crowes song join Lewis I almost want to cry. (The album also includes notable guest appearances from Zooey DeSchanel and Elvis Costello).

On an impulse I pre-ordered the album that night.

Unfortunatley, the rest of the album isn't as stong as the title track, but still a solid effort from someone I usually don't listen to. After 2 weeks it's still my current favorite. 

Top Five Albums of the Summer

While most of you were busy lifeguarding, waitressing, and watching daytime soap operas this summer you might have missed some new material from up-and-comers (Fleet Foxes, Ra Ra Riot) or even from rock mainstays (Counting Crows, Weezer). From unconventional releases (Girl Talk) to record-breaking ones (Lil’ Wayne and Coldplay) it was a noteworthy summer for popular music. Thankfully you have me so you know which great CDs you will want to give a listen.

Here are the top five albums released while you were home for the summer:

Lil' Wayne - Tha Carter III

Easily the most anticipated hip-hop album since Kayne West’s “Graduation,” “Carter 3” breathed some life into the dying record industry. The third installment of Weezy’s Carter trilogy had the highest U.S. first week sales of any other album in 2008…and with good reason. With a star-studded supporting cast of producers and singers, Lil’ Wayne finds creative ways to expand his sound, effectively propelling himself to the forefront of the rap world. In the track “Mr. Carter,” Lil’ Wayne lets his listeners know he belongs among rap gods “Pac, Biggie, and Jay-Z.” Not quite yet, Weezy, but a couple more albums like this one and it might be very soon.

Boomp3.com

Death Cab for Cutie - Narrow Stairs

A long time indie powerhouse, Death Cab’s sixth album firmly secures them a place as a legitimate force in popular rock music. Frontman Ben Gibbard hasn’t lost any of his songwriting ability and his lyrics are just as creative as ever (“and they carried on like long division”). While each track flows into the next, the eight minute jam “You Will Possess My Heart” is definitely the centerpiece of the album not to mention Death Cab’s most successful radio single to date. While not as great as “Transatlanticism,” “Narrow Stairs” is a very solid effort worth $9.99 on iTunes.

Boomp3.com

Girl Talk - Feed the Animals

On June 19, Girl Talk’s fourth album became available for download around the world, and much like Radiohead’s “In Rainbows,” listeners could pay what they wanted for it. “Feed the Animals” is composed entirely of over 200 samples which Gregg Gillis (aka Girl Talk) arranges seamlessly into a 53 minute perfect party soundtrack. The thought of meshing Metallica with Lil’ Mama and combining Kelly Clarkson with Nine Inch Nails might seem like an odd mix to some, but simply trust Gillis. He has a sixth sense for what makes you move. Go to Girl Talk’s Myspace page right now, download the album, and you can see why this album is worth every cent you pay (or don’t pay.)

Boomp3.com

Portishead - Third

Portishead’s aptly named third studio album is very difficult to digest due to its industrial and distant sound, but ultimately it is a huge triumph for the trip-hop trio. In her delicate voice, Beth Gibbons sings of heartbreak throughout the album and you can’t help but think that she may break down in the middle of any track. The minute and a half “Deep Water” featuring just Gibbons and a ukulele is the only lyrically uplifting track on the album. Upon first listen, the darkness of “Third” can be overwhelming, but the raw emotion throughout the album is too captivating to discard. “Third” is an enigma that unravels a little with each listen.

Boomp3.com

Ra Ra Riot -Rhumb Line

Following their 2007 self-titled EP, Ra Ra Riot received heavy praise in the blogosphere for their pop orchestral sound. Not only is Ra Ra Riot good friends with the wildly popular Vampire Weekend, but their infectious pop sound is very similar. In the first single, “Dying is Fine,” which deceased former drummer, John Pike, co-wrote, vocalist Wes Miles contemplates death and conjures the words of E.E. Cummings (“I wouldn’t like death if death were good”). However, “Rhumb Line” is ultimately an uplifting, spirited album. After one listen you will find yourself smiling uncontrollably and humming in class.

Boomp3.com

Honorable Mentions:

Coldplay – Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends

Counting Crows – Saturday Nights & Sunday Mornings

Fleet Foxes – Fleet Foxes

Sigur Rós – Með Suð Í Eyrum Við Spilum Endalaust