so, here is my version of the "best of" 2008. it's not the best of, though. it's just a list of the albums that came out this year (it goes without saying that listened to a shit-ton of stuff that came out before this year, as well) that i listened to the most. it may or may not be best. but it's mine.
i'm not really sure if i can rate it; some of it i listened to a whole lot, though, and i will note that. i will also discuss live shows of said bands, if i saw them this year (i saw a lot of live music. again.)
DEAD CONFEDERATE-EP (also, WRECKING BALL)
after seeing these guys open for drive by truckers this summer, i was hooked. their live show was electric, a mix of southern style rock n roll and early nirvana. i got their self titled EP (which they adorned with pictures of cock n balls instead of autographs, at my request) and listened to it over and over on the drive back to l.a. from san diego. 5 songs. over and over. it hits you all 'pretty pretty' then shreds your face off.
'memorial day night' is probably my favorite, even though it is more of the 'pretty pretty' variety, with the almost urgent lyric: and we stood/like we could/be good...
'wrecking ball', the full length album is fucking awesome, but to be fair, the EP was what got me hooked.
VIC CHESNUTT WITH ELF POWER-DARK DEVELOPMENTS
i had never really listened to elf power, an athens based band who is the latest to collaborate with vic, before this album. they mesh flawlessly with chesnutt's songwriting and mournful vocals, though, and i was impressed. you can read my review of the show in the post below! it pretty much sums it up; they used the track listing of this album for their set list.
KINGS OF LEON-BECAUSE OF THE NIGHT
i weirdly feel a little guilty about liking this album. i think it's because i realized at their show that these southern good 'ol boys were now the equivalent of the jonas brothers in the eyes of many swooning teenage girls. they sing about sex and fucking so much though that i can't imagine their parents are happy about this non-disney approved material. they would rather them read about abstinent vampires (by the way, i can't seem to get into this whole "twilight" series. sorry, america) ANYway, i like this album a lot, not as much as their previous albums, but enough to press repeat a few times. 'revelry' has to be my favorite track. though the creepy opener, 'closer' is nice. well, maybe not nice, but you know what i mean. and it's about vampires. i guess vampires are in right now. the single, 'sex on fire', is far from my favorite, and not just because it makes me think of STDs. ok, it seems like i am bashing this album now but take my word, it's damn good. and dirty.
as mentioned before, their show at nokia live was a bit of a spectacle, but with enough whiskey and rowdy friends, one can overcome hordes of sexually frustrated teenagers.
DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE-NARROW STAIRS
i can honestly say that i have had mean, mean thoughts about death cab for cutie. i don't know, i think it's because "death cab for cutie" seems like such a dumb name for a band. i never listened to them (or postal service) mainly because i assumed they were a dumb band. that was really judgmental on my part, i am admitting to that now. i will, however, say that i still think it's a dumb name.
so when a person with discerning musical tastes gave me this album, i was surprised. still, i listened to it, and the opening track, 'bixby canyon bridge', blew me away. and after the 8 minute instrumental opening to 'i will possess your heart' i felt bad about all the shit talking i did in my brain about death cab. i really like songs about stalkers, and this a crowning jewel on that collection.
i have since listened to past death cab albums (and some postal service) and realized that there is some good stuff there. it's music for sad people, to be sure, but what is wrong with that?
i was supposed to see death cab for cutie in october, when they opened for neil young at the forum. the show was cancelled due to a strike by forum workers and neil's refusal to cross picket lines. talk about sad people: i was one sad lady when that show was called off.
RAY LAMONTAGNE-GOSSIP IN THE GRAIN
oh, ray lamontagne. your voice, in the words of my friend kristin, is like butter on sandpaper. smooth yet rough. this new album, ray once again showcases his vocal skills along with songwriting that speaks to those of us who are alternately in love and reveling in it and being lonely and reveling in *that*. as with his other albums, ray has some sweet sweet songs about the highs: 'you are the best thing'; the yearning: 'let it be me' and 'a falling through'; and the oh god i am so tormented: 'winter birds'. *favorite* on this one is 'i still care for you'..the haunting harmonies and music just make the lyrics all the better: how to explain/so pristine the pain/kindness made the cut so clean.... shivers....
he was somehow able to command the wiltern to utter quiet at his show in november-you could hear a pin drop between songs. which is not the usual, as the peanut gallery can usually barely stand the silence. he is a joy to watch on stage, stomping passionately as well as standing oh-so-still, you wonder where he will go next.
CENTRO-MATIC/SOUTH SAN GABRIEL-DUAL HAWKS
yea for centro-matic and their alter ego band south san gabriel!! this double album combines the rockin' tunes of centro-matic with the more mellowed out sings of SSG, and for that i rejoice. the happy nostalgic voice of 'twenty four' is hard not to like. 'two seat gold reserved' is catchy and bold, something you could really belt out if it came on in a bar. on the SSG disc, put on your cozy slippers and sink into 'when the angels will put'. and man do i love the tune 'alabama crusade'...
i was lucky enough to catch both south san gabriel and centro-matic sets at spaceland a few months ago. it was a sit down kinda groove for SSG, then on to the rock n roll stylings of centro-matic. will johnson's voice just does something to me, my friends. let it do something to you.
FLEET FOXES-SUN GIANT EP AND SELF TITLED ALBUM
sigh....fleet foxes. these guys are bringing brain busting vocal harmonies to the masses, and i will follow them like lemmings until they stop. these songs could be played in a renaissance era church, or an out of the way music festival held in the forest in the early sixties, or in my saturn station wagon as it traverses topanga canyon. why so poetic? just the slightest strains of robin pecknold's voice is enough to make even the most straight forward person consider the clouds. this very very very young band has the chops of an entity way older. 'drops in the river' has a definite native american drum beat behind some seriously zen lyrics: days are just drops in the river/to be lost, always....the changes in 'mykonos' are another favorite: i love songs that suddenly become other songs.
i saw fleet foxes at the el rey a couple of months ago and was astounded that they were able to keep up the exact quality of harmonizing live as they do when recorded. which leads me to believe they may be cyborgs. kidding: no robot could have the soul these boys have.
DRIVE BY TRUCKERS-BRIGHTER THAN CREATIONS DARK
yup, the truckers lost jason isbell as a band member. and yup, that was sad, since i think jason isbell is pretty fucking great. but with the addition of athens mainstay john neff, as well as help from spooner oldham, the truckers made another damn fine album.
this album is a "grown up" album-with tracks such as 'two daughters and a beautiful wife' and 'daddy needs a drink', a political album-'the righteous path', 'the homefront' and 'that man i shot', along with those story telling songs the truckers are known for-'goode's field road' and 'i'm sorry huston'. it's also the first album where shonna tucker shows of not only her songwriting skills but her vocals-who knew? her song 'purgatory line' gave me chills from the moment i heard it, a song for those of us who found ourselves saying this ain't exactly hell/sure as hell ain't heaven/love you like the dickens/miss you like the devil...perfect.
while there are songs on this album i could do without ('bob' and 'lisa's birthday' mostly) i am happy with "creations dark", and feel that the evolution of this band is apparent. now, i do not mean to say the truckers have gotten better with this album-i actually like most of the past records better-but you can see the huge change from "gangstabilly" to present.
i saw the truckers a few times this year, and while i miss seeing them rock out in a more fat in your face kinda way, i am never unhappy at one of their shows. the grandstanding, the infamous bottle of jack in attendance at all shows, patterson's sweat: all equal a happy happy lauren.
BON IVER-FOR EMMA, FOREVER AGO
this is, hands down, my favorite album of the year. it spent the most time rolling around in my ears this year than any album, released this year or any year. from start to finish, there is no song i do not like here, and i can listen to this album multiple times in a row (and have). though it seems to be one of those albums that sneaks up on you, and after a couple of listens, you realize you are hopelessly obsessed.
i first heard bon iver through pandora.com, i think it was 'skinny love'. i remember liking the song. then, while at the outside lands music festival, i was lured to the delicious sounds of justin vernon while wandering the festival grounds. when i got home, it was all over. i was hooked.
though i love every song on this album, i have a special place in my heart (as most of you who have heard the record, probably) for 're:stacks'. it's sadness is almost happy. and when the line "your love will be/safe with me" is sung, well, let's just say i manage to hold it together...some of the time.
there you have it. good stuff this year. i added some new bands to my repertoire. i figured out, in writing this, that my old favorites produced works that were good but did not make me as happy as past works. but all in all, i am very gracious and jubilant in the fact that music....exists.
have a great holiday, all!
