weary as water

Best Of 2008…

2008 turned out to be the year I fell in love with psychedelic indie rock*, or clapping, or both. Here’s my list of favorite albums that came out in 2008.

• Dr. Dog – Fate*. This was by far my favorite album of the year. I laughed, I cried, I made everyone around me listen to it more times than I should have. Favorite track: The Breeze
• Bon Iver – For Emma, Forever Ago. A lonely album, recorded in a cabin in the northern woods of Wisconsin. I was super stressed when this album came out, and I played it over and over and over. Favorite track: Skinny Love.
• Los Campesinos! – Hold on Now, Youngster… I could always count on this album to get me moving AND put me in a great mood. Favorite track: You! Me! Dancing!.
• The Dodos* – Visiter. I think this album is best listened to as a whole, rather than track by track. But…here goes. Red And Purple.
• Conor Oberst – s/t. A little more country, a little more rock and roll than his work with the Bright Eyes. There are a bunch of songs I love on this album – Danny Callahan, Sausalito, I Don’t Wanna Die in the Hospital, Cape Canaveral.
• Fleet Foxes – s/t. This album got all sorts of critical acclaim this year – and rightfully so. Another one to listen to all the way through. Favorite track: Ragged Wood.
• Thievery Corporation – Radio Retaliation. I downloaded this album on a whim from emusic, and it’s become one of my favorites to put on when I need to get things done…even though it makes me feel like I’m shopping at Banana Republic. I listened to a lot more electronica this year, and it’s mostly due to this album. Favorite track: Sound the Alarm.
• Jessica Lea Mayfield – With Blasphemy, So Heartfelt. This album is a dark and gloomy night…with a roaring fireplace and a bottle of wine. Favorite track: Kiss Me Again.
• Plants and Animals* – Parc Avenue. I like this hippie-rock-everyone-sing-along band. Favorite track: Bye Bye Bye.
• Adele – 19. This album is chock full of soulful comfort. Favorite Track: Daydreamer.
• B.B. King – One Kind Favor. I was a little disappointed the last time I saw ole B.B. in concert April 2008 – there was a lot more talking than singing…but the man is 82 years old, after all. So you can’t blame me for having low expectations for his new album. Boy was I ever wrong. Favorite Track: See That My Grave Is Kept Clean. (myspace player here).
• Baby Charles – s/t. Color me funkified. I downloaded this album (from emusic, of course!), because I heard they did a mean cover of “I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor” (Arctic Monkeys). They did – and they put together a fun album, too. watch one or listen to samples.

Happy New Year!