Top Ten Records Of 2008

I feel like Rob Gordon:

10. The Virgins / The Virgins / Atlantic


9. Pete And The Pirates / Little Death / Stolen Recordings


8. Mother Mother / O My Heart / Last Gang


7. Japanese Motors / Japanese Motors / Vice



6. Ra Ra Riot / The Rhumb Line / Barsuk


5. Mason Proper / Olly Oxen Free / Dovecote


4. Thing One / You'll Be Fine / Rhythm Method


3. Luke Doucet And The White Falcon / Blood's Too Rich / Six Shooter


2. The Weeks / Comeback Cadillac / Esperanza Plantation


1. The Hold Steady / Stay Positive / Vagrant



I wanted to but couldn't:
Switches / Lay Down The Law / Interscope
Lindsey Buckingham / Gift Of Screws / Reprise
Snake And Jet's Amazing Bullitt Band / X-Ray Spirit / Crunchy Frog
Kaiser Chiefs / Off With Their Heads / Universal
This Is Ivy League / This Is Ivy League / TwentySeven

The Takeover UK - It's All Happening

Four lads from...Pittsburgh! This is their debut EP. They are awesome. They play upbeat rockandroll that has powerpop influences and a sprinkling of punk thrown in for good measure. Great stuff. They remind me of Locksley. Spin this!

www.myspace.com/thetakeoveruk
www.rykodisc.com/thetakeoveruk/bio

LAKE - Oh, The Places We'll Go

Delightful indie pop on the third album from this Olympia, Washington group of musicians. Both male and female vocals. It has a lo-fi 70's feel to it. Very well done.

www.myspace.com/lakemusicmusic
www.laketheband.com

Past Lives - Strange Symmetry

Features ex-Blood Brothers members Jordan Blilie (vocals), Morgan Henderson (guitar/keyboard), and Mark Gajadhar (drums), as well as ex-Shoplifting member Devin Welch (guitar), who at one point, was also in the Blood Brothers. The result is a band that sounds very similar to the Blood Brothers - "experimental" rock with post-hardcore influences and angsty high-pitched male vocals. They are slightly less abrasive though (key word: slightly). This is certainly not music for everyone. However, I think I like these guys better than Jaguar Love, the band formed by the other half of the Blood Brothers. It just seems more accessible than them.

www.myspace.com/pastlivesmusic
www.pastliveslife.com/

Annuals - Such Fun

They were talked about quite a bit in 2006 when their debut, Be He Me, was released, but soon after it seemed no one cared about this North Carolina band much anymore. But they're back with their second album and it's decent stuff. Folky indie-rock, they remind me of an indie pop version of My Morning Jacket. The members of Annuals are also in the band Sunfold. The album artwork paintings were done by Bob Ross!

www.myspace.com/annuals
www.annualsmusic.com

The (International) Noise Conspiracy - The Cross Of My Calling

Their fourth studio full-length album. They're Swedish so my review isn't even necessary; put it on, press play, you know it's gonna be good! But if you need more info, they play rock/pop/punk/garage-punk. Their sound is more polished on this record than it was in the past. Their guitarist is named Lars, the drummer is Ludwig, Inge plays bass, and Dennis is the lead singer. So the majority of them have awesome rock star names. Rockandroll!

www.myspace.com/internationalnoiseconspiracy
www.internationalnoise.com

Dead To Me - Little Brother EP

Good ol' pop/punk from San Francisco. This is their second release; their debut, Cuban Ballerina, was released in 2006. They are fun and I like them. Good upbeat music. They are similar to their label mates of Fat Wreck Chords, which includes some of the big bands of the 90's pop/punk scene - NOFX, Less Than Jake, Lagwagon, No Use For A Name, and so many more.

www.myspace.com/deadtomesf
http://www.fatwreck.com/band/index/83

Isobel Campbell and Mark Lanegan - Sunday At Devil Dirt

Their second album together, following in the footsteps of 2006's Ballad Of The Broken Seas. Isobel Campbell is best known for her work with Belle and Sebastian and The Gentle Waves. Mark Lanegan is recognized for singing with Screaming Trees, Queens of the Stone Age, and The Gutter Twins. Both have also released solo albums. Campbell wrote all of this album's songs, except for two ("Salvation," by Jim McCulloch, and "Who Built The Road," which she cowrote with McCulloch). Lanegan does the majority of the vocal work with Campbell adding background vocals and occasionally joining him for duets. He has a rough, deep and gravelly voice that is reminiscent of Tom Waits or Johnny Cash. Her voice is light and whispery; quite the opposite of his. The music is mostly sparse country/folk with some pop and blues influences at times. Decent stuff if you don't expect the same style of music Lanegan or Campbell is famous for.

www.myspace.com/isobelcampbell

Snow Patrol - A Hundred Million Suns

This is the fifth full-length for the band whose members hail from both Scotland and Ireland. They have experienced a massive increase in their fanbase due to the single "Chasing Cars" off of their last album, Eyes Open. Their sound can be classified as poppy alt-rock that is fit to be played to an arena of fans with its full sound. When they released their third album, Final Straw, in 2004, they were often compared to Coldplay, and this sound remains. They are also similar to the newer work that U2 has put out. Overall, I'd classify this as makeout rock. Good for background music to your romantic times, but it won't draw you away too much from what your main focus is.

www.myspace.com/snowpatrol
www.snowpatrol.com

Thing One - You'll Be Fine

Hailing from New Jersey, they started out playing hip-hop but they have since evolved into an electropop/dance/rock band. There are still some hip-hop influences as well as some soul and funk influences, but their main objective now is to get you dancing, and they do a damn good job. I saw them live and their set was excellent; they combine computer generated sounds with live instrumentation to result in a truly danceable sound that filled up the room. Check them out. (Interesting side facts: Bassist Spencer Miles is the brother of Ra Ra Riot's lead singer, Wesley Miles; Miles and singer Joey Palestina went to high school with Vampire Weekend guitarist Ezra Koenig - maybe there's something in the water back home?)

www.myspace.com/thingone
www.thing-one.com

Eagles Of Death Metal - Heart On

Shit, goddamn...these guys rule. The third album for Jesse Hughes and Josh Homme, they continue their same style of upbeat rock/garage/glam that is most definitely influenced by the records that the Rolling Stones recorded during the disco era. Nothing too serious, just dumb rock music, which means that you should like it. For a good time, play this CD.

www.myspace.com/eaglesofdeathmetal
www.eaglesofdeathmetal.com

Tom Gabel - Heart Burns EP

Tom is the frontman for the Gainesville, Florida punk band, Against Me!. Though this is officially his first solo EP, Against Me! began as his solo project, so it's not unfamiliar territory for him. He maintains the political and protest songs of his bands, offering commentary on the world around us. This release maintains the punk and rock energy of his band while exploring folk, singer-songwriter acoustic guitars (though not in a wimpy manner), and even a bit of electronics. This dude is awesome, he rocks, I'd go see him live and I've listened to this EP four times in a row and I'm still not bored. Awesome!

www.myspace.com/tomgabelmusic
www.ifeelsicktomystomach.blogspot.com

Bloc Party - Intimacy

The British quartet presents their third full-length album. Their first album was full of catchy angular rock/post-punk; the second album saw them branching out a bit, experimenting with new rhythms and electronics, but maintaining most of the good qualities that their first album possessed. On Intimacy, however, they feel like a pretentious band that shows too many weaknesses and simply recycles their strengths without creating anything new. The lyrics are laughable (see: "'Cause I love my mind when I'm fucking you", "Sometimes I think I would float away if this sadness did not weigh me down", and "You get sadder the smarter you get and it's a bore"); the songs are just uninteresting. The upbeat songs, which are the type that Bloc Party became famous for, are retreads of their older songs and not even as catchy. The two bonus tracks that are included with the CD are fairly decent; last spring's single, "Flux", remains the best track these boys have put out since (at least) 2007. Despite this, it's a disappointing and underwhelming release from a band that we should be able to expect more from.

www.myspace.com/blocparty
www.blocparty.com

Sebastien Grainger - Sebastien Grainger And The Mountains

This is his debut solo album. He is best known for his work with the drum-and-bass dance-punk duo, Death From Above 1979. He continues to play upbeat dance rock/punk on this album, but for the most part, it is less abrasive and more accessible than DFA1979. In fact, this album really rocks. It is recommended for people who like to dance.

www.myspace.com/sebastiengrainger
www.sebastiengrainger.net

The So So Glos - Tourism/Terrorism

They're a quartet of young dudes from Brooklyn, and they play rock/punk/garage. The singer reminds me of The Hives' Howlin' Pelle Almqvist. They have a bit of a DIY/lo-fi feel to them. They are really cool but, unfortunately, the singer likes to say "fuck" so there's not too many radio-friendly songs. Of course if you aren't playing them on the radio it doesn't matter so play them to your heart's content!

www.myspace.com/sosoglos
www.thesosoglob.blogspot.com

Kaiser Chiefs - Off With Their Heads

The five lads from Leeds return with their third album. They continue to combine Britrock, mod, pop, post-punk, new-wave, and rockandroll influences into their music. While the songs aren't as immediately catchy as the ones on their first album, Employment (see: "I Predict A Riot"), they display a more muscular sound that even incorporates different instruments, such as djembe and agogo bells, on a few tracks. They sound more mature while not forgetting that it was the energy and youthful exuberance on their first album that made them so much fun. I am very pleased with this album on first listen and think that it will only get more enjoyable with repeated plays.

www.myspace.com/kaiserchiefs
www.kaiserchiefs.co.uk

Ryan Adams And The Cardinals - Cardinology

You've probably heard of Ryan Adams. The prolific songwriter returns for a new album with his band, The Cardinals. This will be their third official album together, though The Cardinals also played on Ryan's 2007 solo album, Easy Tiger, and an EP, Follow The Lights, in addition to their work on the full-length albums Cold Roses and Jacksonville City Nights. I know a lot of people that love to hate Ryan Adams, but I found this album to be a very enjoyable listen. For the most part, it is laid-back alt-country, though there is some rock thrown into the mix at points as well (example: the track "Magick"). It's very polished, but very listenable.

www.myspace.com/ryanadams
www.ryan-adams.com

Tom Gabel - Anna Is A Stool Pigeon single

He is the lead singer for Against Me! This is the single for his debut solo EP, Heart Burns, which comes out on October 28, 2008. The sound is different from Against Me! in that it is acoustic-guitar based, but it still has politically-charged lyrics and Tom's trademark angry young man spoken vocals. It's good stuff, the EP is something to look forward to.

www.myspace.com/tomgabelmusic
ifeelsicktomystomach.blogspot.com

Lindsey Buckingham - Gift Of Screws

Let it be known that I love Lindsey Buckingham, so this review may be a bit biased. You should recognize his name from Fleetwood Mac, or perhaps from Buckingham Nicks. Gift Of Screws is his fifth solo album and showcases his wonderful fingerpicking guitar style, incorporated excellently into the pop/rock sound that he creates. It's great stuff from a great musician. Mick Fleetwood plays drums and John McVie plays bass on "Wait For You" and "Gift Of Screws." Additionally, Fleetwood plays drums on "The Right Place To Fade."

www.myspace.com/lindseybuckingham
www.lindseybuckingham.com

Chris Difford - The Last Temptation of Chris

He was the co-founder (with Glenn Tilbrook) and lyricist for the British pop/new-wave band Squeeze. This is his third solo album. His lyrics tend to be stories about everyday events and people, sometimes deviating to topics that most writers wouldn't want to touch (example: "Reverso" is about vasectomy). The songs are all very good and if you listen to the lyrics, you will enjoy the little slices of life that Mr. Difford presents to us.

www.myspace.com/cdifford
www.chrisdifford.com

Jackson United - Harmony And Dissidence

Chris Shiflett has played with Foo Fighters, No Use For A Name, Me First and the Gimme Gimmes, and Viva Death, among other bands; this is the second album for his band Jackson United. Alt-rock with punk influences which are evidenced through the 'political' themes that are present throughout the album's lyrics. Possibly if Green Day collided with the Foos, we would get this sound. It's okay stuff, but nothing amazing. Recommended if you like Against Me!, Rise Against, or punk rawk.

www.myspace.com/jacksonunited
www.jacksonunited.com

The Little Ones - Morning Tide

Very nice pop on the debut for the Los Angeles quintet. The music has a warm, sunny, upbeat feel to it. Soak up the sun with this album. I saw them at SXSW '08 and they were good, and so is their CD. Recommended if you like pop music influenced by the Beach Boys. It would also fit nicely next to bands such as Death Cab For Cutie or The Shins. On the chorus to the title track, the lead singer pretends he is Noel Gallagher circa What's The Story, Morning Glory?, which is amusing.

www.myspace.com/wearethelittleones
www.wearethelittleones.com

Eagles of Death Metal - Wannabe in L.A. single

The new single from their third album, Heart On, which comes out on October 28, 2008. If you're not familiar with them (you should be!), the core of EoDM is Josh Homme (Kyuss/QOTSA) and Jesse Hughes. Homme rocks the drums and Hughes does vocals and guitar duty. They are a lot of fun and they know how to rock without getting too serious and overblown about it. Great stuff, I can't wait for the new album.

www.myspace.com/eaglesofdeathmetal
www.eaglesofdeathmetal.com

Jack's Mannequin - The Glass Passenger

The main man behind this band is Something Corporate's Andrew McMahon. According to a friend who saw him play with Something Corporate about five years ago, he is amazing live; he treats his piano in much the same way Ben Folds does - believing that the keys aren't the only part of the instrument that should be played. McMahon was diagnosed with leukemia a few years ago, but has undergone treatment and is now in recovery. This is the second album for Jack's Mannequin. It is very polished piano-pop with 'emo' leanings. I really enjoyed the song "Caves," which tops the seven-minute mark. Recommended if you like Jimmy Eat World's newer stuff, Dashboard Confessional, The Fray, and bands of a similar nature.


www.myspace.com/jacksmannequin
www.jacksmannequin.com

Japanese Motors - Japanese Motors

Awesome! garage pop/surf/rock on the debut from the Costa Mesa, California quartet. I can't really say too much more about them, except that they are coolest band I have listened to in a while. Picture the Strokes going surfing. This band is SO GOOD.

www.myspace.com/thejapanesemotors
www.thejapanesemotors.com

Catfish Haven - Devastator

Rock with soul/blues influences from the Chicago power trio of George Hunter (vocals/guitar), Miguel Castillo (bass), and Ryan Farnham (drums). This is their second full-length. I can definitely dig a band that sounds like this, they know how to rock. As an aside, I saw them open for The Hold Steady in 2006 and they had a touring guitarist with them who was still learning the songs. He would leave the stage at times for short intervals, presumably to snort cocaine or have sex with groupies. Good times.

www.myspace.com/catfishhaven
www.catfishhaven.com

Cold War Kids - Loyalty To Loyalty

They're from California, this is their sophomore album. They are classified as "indie rock," though that term really doesn't mean much these days. I think they sound like they have the vocalist of Ghostland Observatory (though Cold War Kids' lead singer, Nathan Willett, wishes he was Thom Yorke instead of the guy from Ghostland) crossed with the boring Kings of Leon songs. I'm not very impressed with this CD, all songs seemed rather dull and annoying to my ears.

www.myspace.com/coldwarkids
www.coldwarkids.com

Ben Folds - Way To Normal

Way To Normal is the third proper album from everyone's favorite piano rocker. In the nineties, Ben was the leader of Ben Folds Five, who gave Weezer a run for their money as the coolest power-pop band that your nerdy friend liked. Today, Ben is now 42 years old, yet he still appeals widely to the college-aged demographic. His songs continue in his melodic poppy piano rock tradition. His first solo album, Rocking The Suburbs, was fun and had songs that were about characters you could actually care about and relate to, with witty lyrics. But something is missing on this new album. The jokes aren't that funny, the music is mostly just okay, and when Ben swears, it's no longer exuberant and much-needed, like it was on the "Fuuuuuuuuuuuck!" that was on the song "Rocking The Suburbs". Despite its setbacks, however, the album does open with "Hiroshima (B B B Benny Hit His Head)", a catchy song that offers a nod to Elton John. And even if you don't like Ben Folds, you can listen to the lyrics and picture him falling off a stage in Japan, which is sure to bring a smile to your face.

www.myspace.com/benfolds
www.benfolds.com

Tobias Froberg - Turn Heads

Froberg is from Sweden and this is his third album. He has produced several songs for the solo work of Peter Bjorn and John's Peter Moren. Moren makes a guest appearance on this album, contributing vocals to the song "Just Behind A Brickwall". Froberg's music is best classified as singer-songwriter indie pop, with some folk-pop influences that are reminiscent of Simon and Garfunkel. There's lots of piano on this record. Froberg has a fairly pleasing voice which makes for a nice listen. The upbeat tracks are fun.

www.myspace.com/tobiasfroberg
www.tobiasfroberg.com

Raine Maida - The Hunter's Lullaby

This is the first solo album for the Canadian, he is well-known for being the frontman of Our Lady Peace. This album was originally released in 2007 but is just now being promoted to college radio. Since he is the voice of OLP, this is bound to sound similar to them. However, this has more piano and acoustic instrumentation than I recall the band having. Raine seems very angry during the majority of these songs. It is very mainstream rock sounding. I prefer Our Lady Peace's "Gravity" album much more, this really didn't impress me too much.

www.myspace.com/rainemaida
www.rainemaida.net

Kings of Leon - Only By The Night

The Followills (brothers Nathan, Caleb, Jared, and cousin Matthew, respectively) return for their fourth full-length album. Hailing from Nashville, they were originally referred to as the "Southern Strokes" for their blending of Southern rock with indie and garage rock. But this album feels restrained and doesn't really kick out the jams; there's some cringe-inducing lyrics as well (example: "You've come to kill, gonna spend it high, your parents grieve, I know they are right"). Their last album, "Because of the Times," was one of my favorite albums of 2007 and I still play it a lot, so don't get me wrong, I really dig these guys a lot. So it makes me very sad to say that this album is a big disappointment to me.

www.myspace.com/kingsofleon
www.kingsofleon.com

Koufax - Strugglers

The band presents their fourth full-length album. Band leader Robert Suchran wrote this album in the fall of 2007 while living in Prague. Though they used to be known as an emo band, they now have more of a grandiose rock/pop/80's-influenced sound. I suppose they remind me of the Killers or U2 at times. Overall, it's decent stuff, and they throw in some worldly rhythms, Wurlitzer and sax on a few tracks, which is nice.

www.myspace.com/koufax
www.koufaxmusic.com

All Girl Summer Fun Band - Looking Through It

The Portland trio of Kathy Foster, Jen Sbragia, and Kim Baxter (They used to be a quartet; former member Ari Douangpanya opted out of being a part of this record to focus on being a mom) offers up their third full-length and first since 2003's "2". This is also their first album to appear on their own agsfb label as the previous two were on K Records. They continue on their same style of making up-beat pop/rock. The girls all sing, and Kim and Jen trade off bass and guitar duties, with Kathy playing the drums on each of the songs (She also plays some other instruments as well, and is well known for her work as the drummer for The Thermals). They are exactly what their name implies, except their songs will still be just as fun in the winter as they are in summer.

www.myspace.com/agsfb
www.agsfb.com

The Mystery Tramps - We Are The Mystery Tramps EP

They're from Boston. I'm not sure how old they are, though they look like they are about fifteen. Prior to this EP, they released another EP and a full-length CD. They play a mix of pop/pop-punk/rock, though some songs teeter dangerously to the edge of being labeled as "emo". The vocalist whines his way through some of these tracks, which lessens their appeal. The songs without the whining are fairly decent though, so overall, this cd was a mixed bag for me.

www.myspace.com/themysterytramps
www.themysterytramps.com

Mother Mother - O My Heart

From Vancouver, this five-piece presents their second full-length album. There's a brother and a sister in the band; it's always good to see families making rock music together. The album is full of indie pop/rock with boy/girl vocals and harmonies, and some folk-rock influences (such as finger-plucked guitar, strings). It's quirky and can get a little crazy at times, but the songs are solid and they are lots of fun. It's unique, but instantly likable and catchy. Awesome stuff, this band is really good.

www.myspace.com/mothermotherspace
www.mothermothersite.com

Boston Spaceships - Brown Submarine

Following the conclusion of Guided By Voices, Robert Pollard has released a number of solo albums; Boston Spaceships is his new band. It's a trio as Pollard is joined by Chris Slusarenko, another former GBV member, and John Moen, who is in the Decemberists. Boston Spaceships sound very similar to GBV, and should please fans of the latter as a result. It's full of upbeat rockers that maintain the power-pop/rock/indie/lo-fi status that GBV kept. The whole album of fourteen tracks clocks in at under 33 minutes. It's short, but it's fun. Robert Pollard and company keep the spirit of rock and roll alive, which is certainly a good thing.

www.myspace.com/bostonspaceships
www.bostonspaceships.com

Passion Pit - Chunk Of Change

Electropop from Boston. Rather busy sounding. Heavy on the synths. Apparently the guy behind this wrote these songs as a Valentine's Day present for his girlfriend, which explains titles like "Smile Upon Me" and "Cuddle Fuddle." Originally recorded solo, gigs now feature a full five-piece band. At times, I ask myself if this is a more intense, dancier version of LCD Soundsystem with higher pitched male vocals. At other times, I ask myself how the hell something like this ended up on FrenchKiss records.

www.myspace.com/passionpitjams

Noah And The Whale - Peaceful The World Lays Me Down

Folk/pop/tweefolk from England. This is the band's debut. They are already big in the UK, having their song "5 Years Time" crack the UK chart's Top Ten. Mostly warbly/yelpy male vocals, which can be a bit much at times. However, the female backing vocals are very nice. Not bad stuff. Recommended if you like Thanksgiving/Adrian Orange, or Herman Dune, or K Records type stuff.

www.myspace.com/noahandthewhale
www.noahandthewhale.com

The Weeks - Comeback Cadillac

They're a five-piece (two of which, the drummer and guitarist, are brothers) from Jackson, Mississippi. This is their debut album. If this is what Southern rock is nowadays, you can count me in. Rockandroll with bluesy-garage rock overtones, and a lead singer that sounds like he's smoked one too many cigarettes. Imagine the Kings of Leon crossed with the Black Keys. Or, simply imagine The Weeks, and just listen to the album.

www.myspace.com/theweeks

Band Marino - The Sea & The Beast

They are a five-piece from Orlando. This album, their debut, was originally released in 2006 but has seen a nationwide "indie record shop" push this past year. As for the music, it's indie folk-rock, complete with mandolin, banjo, and harmonica. The lead singer has a very distinct voice; imagine Of Montreal's Kevin Barnes spending time in the mountains and you might have Band Marino's vocalist. There's some filler on this album, but there is also quite a few promising songs, the best being "Every Time I Make A Girl Cry I Know I've Done My Job."

www.myspace.com/bandmarino
http://www.bandmarino.net

The Subways - All Or Nothing

The second full-length for the powertrio that features Billy Lunn on guitar and vocals, Charlotte Cooper on bass and vocals, and Josh Morgan on drums. Though they are from Britain, they recorded this album in Los Angeles with the production assistance of Butch Vig, the drummer for Garbage and long-time producer (he's worked with Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, Jimmy Eat World, Killdozer, etc.). The result is a much more polished sound than their debut; these songs sound ready for modern rock radio. That could be a good thing for people who didn't like the rawness of their first album, or a bad thing for people who loved the first album. Take your pick, and marvel at the fact that their lead singer must have taken screaming lessons from Dave Grohl.

www.myspace.com/thesubways
www.thesubways.net