I decided to be highly unoriginal and write a blog on my top 10 albums of 2008. I would recommend you check these albums out, or at least take a peep at the key tracks mentioned. I guarantee you won't be disappointed.
10. 'Breakout' - Miley Cyrus
Okay, so she's a predictable Disney star. But whatever, despite how annoying and full of herself Miley may be... she made one damn catchy album. I may or may not have taken the long way home more than once to extend a rock out car jam session with this album. I'll leave that up to you to decide. Just forget 'Wake Up America' ever happened, and this album is the best thing to happen to tweens since purity rings.
Check out: 'Goodbye', and 'Bottom of the Ocean'
9. 'Vampire Weekend' - Vampire Weekend
I came across this band when they were MTV's band of the week. I hadn't really paid attention to the music on the commercials... but they were so hilarious I decided to check out their stuff. I was pleasantly surprised that not only are they hilarious, but their music kicks ass. Upbeat and fun, this album is one that I never get sick of. Although, sometimes I have to wonder what they're even talking about.
Check out: 'Oxford Comma', 'A-Punk', and 'Bryn'
8. 'Lights - EP' - Lights
Lights is one of the skinniest chicks I've ever seen, but girl has a sound bigger than you'd imagine. She rocks a keytar, for fucks sake. You might remember her from the catchy Old Navy commercial singing 'The Last Thing On Your Mind'. Yes? I had the privilege of seeing her this past summer at Summerfest in the dirty town of Milwaukee. She was really the only person I had in mind to see from the lineup on the day I was there.. and she proved a worthy time killer before seeing John Mayer.
Check Out: 'Drive My Soul', and 'White'
7. 'Med Sud I Eyrum Vid Spilum Endalaust' - Sigur Rós
Sigur Rós has been a favorite of mine since high school after a friend turned me on to them. I enjoy listening to music I can't understand, and especially music I'm not always supposed to understand (because some of Sigur Rós' stuff is made up words). I can assure you I DID jam out to 'Gobbledigook' in the car many a time, it's a fab summer song. They may be an acquired taste, but I suggest you learn to digest it.
Check Out: 'Gobbledigook', and 'Með Suð Í Eyrum'
6. 'Kyle Riabko and Boots Factor Are...' - Trevor Jackson
You might recognize Kyle from Spring Awakening, his solo CD 'Before I Speak', Youtube, and his short stint as bass player with Stephen Kellogg & The Sixers.. and you might recognize Boots from Youtube, his solo CDs 'January Bridges' and 'Dead Language Demos', or possibly as the drummer for Stephen Kellogg & The Sixers. Together, they are a mix of hilarity and kick ass. One minute you're listening to this EP and laughing so hard you're crying, and next thing you know you're seriously crying. Fabulous.
Check Out: 'Not Down With That', and 'Brookyln Dreams'
5. 'Sounds Like This' - Eric Hutchinson
I can't even remember where I stumbled upon the gem that is Eric Hutchinson, I think on some music blog awhile ago. So while I made a pit stop at the best store on Earth this summer, The Electric Fetus, I made sure to purchase his album. This is one of those albums that has you smiling through every single track, and then begging for more when it's over. It was brought to my attention that Perez loves him? You know that only means he'll be big. Hooray!
Check Out: 'Rock & Roll', and 'OK, It's Alright With Me'
4. 'Gold Noise' - Everybody Else
Nothing gets me more than good music, and a band that treats their fans like royalty. BAM, there you have Everybody Else. These guys are so boss, and their music is like eating your favorite food through your ears. It's hard not to favor a band that has told you they like your robot dance moves, and high fives your head on accident only to wrap your noggin in a big apology hug. Ah, good times... great oldies.
Check Out: 'Wake Up', and 'Best Friend'
3. 'Circus' - Britney Spears
You can just put the head shaving and Adnan Ghalib craziness behind you because BRITNEY IS BACK, bitches and there's nothing you can do about it. I have hot tix to see her in April as well, and I have no doubt it is going to blow my mind. (/endbragging) This album makes me want to dance all night, as long as I skip 'My Baby', a track that makes you think 'One of these things is not like the other...' I feel as if I'm right back to 1999 and coveting my '...Baby One More Time' album like it's the holy grail.
Check Out: 'Circus', and 'Lace and Leather' (and 'Amnesia'... it's not on the US release of the album but it's floating around out there if you dig through google)
2. 'The Glass Passenger' - Jack's Mannequin
I've been head over heels in love with Jack's Mannequin since my sophomore year of highschool when someone rightfully told me I had better check them out. Needless to say, it was Christmas in September when this album came out. It's filled with so many songs obviously relating to his battle and triumph over leukemia that are so beautiful they hurt. What can I say, I'm a sucker for piano pop.
Check Out: 'The Resolution', 'Spinning', and 'Annie Use Your Telescope'
1. 'Take The Walk EP' - Hanson
Anyone who knows me well enough is surely rolling their eyes at my number one pick for 2008, but I could care less. This EP is filled with songs inspired by the work they've done in Africa, and it is so catchy even the most MMMBop-hating, long haired despising, boy band resistant person will be rethinking their previous judgements on the trio of brothers. If ever you are given the chance to see 'Lay Me Down' live (or on this EP for that matter), bring tissues... it is a big sloppy mess of emotion that I can't listen to without a tear or two. I will never forget when Taylor Hanson saw me singing with these songs and said 'Well, I see some of you know the words!' Oh, JT.
Check Out: 'Follow Your Lead', and 'Hope It Comes Soon'
Happy New Year's Eve, and here's to a musically inclined 2009! (bah, it even rhymes!)
-B
