The Best Top 11 Of '08
'08 sucked as a year, but ruled as a year in music. I guess that's like '68, though. Here's to the albums that will rule during WWIII |
| 1 |  | Bon Iver
For Emma, Forever Ago
True indie album taken to the fullest extent (serious social exclusion) with a fine taste for instrumentation. |
| 2 |  | Have a Nice Life
Deathconsciousness
Home recordings show where we are in the digital age: on the crest of a permanent DIY takeover. This album also totes song of the year: bloodhail. |
| 3 |  | Deerhunter
Microcastle
A complete piece of art and unbelievably conscious of the present demands for a critically-hailed album. Only downfall is their inability to make their presentation as rewarding as their ideas. |
| 4 |  | Extra Life
Secular Works
Pushes the envelope for artistic and musical sensibilities. |
| 5 |  | The Flashbulb
Soundtrack to a Vacant Life
One man, 31 tracks, and more inspiration than most professional soundtracks. Needless to say, I hope Benn Jordan never loses his perseverance with new bipolar meds. |
| 6 |  | TV on the radio
Dear Science
A glimpse into culture via content, though their sound stands almost irrelevant, this endeavor alone is a true annual success story. |
| 7 |  | The Dodos
Visiter
Folkiness and experimental decisions with passion galore. It's a bittersweet year when this isn't in the top 3. |
| 8 |  | Grouper
Dragging a Dead Deer Up a Hill
Foreign influences and mass ambiance allowed such a tender touch that only Beach House gets close to recognizing. This album, as a whole, is a giant quilt of feelings as enveloping but more intimate than Untrue. |
| 9 |  | Girl Talk
Feed The Animals
There's mainstream and there's underground, but their are fresh springs that spit from the bottom to the top. Feed the Animals didn't do that; Night Ripper has that honor. FTA completely celebrates and outdoes itself (ie lalapalooza) |
| 10 | | United Nations/Cynic
United Nations/Traced In Air
'Fuck you' brand punk attitude with a fresh look at many interesting assumed ideas when it comes to making a band, cutting an album, and, hell, even naming songs////////Rebirth of a complete metal album. Really this would be much higher in almost any other year. |
| 11 |  | Vampire Weekend
Vampire Weekend
Pop princes of '08 with a handful of selling points besides their delicious pop. Don't fill up on their context when the production is this crisp; the only element that may make VW turn into "vampire who" within 18 months. In other news, The Killers still make music. |
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