Julia Conny
12/06/08, 07:17 PM
Jon Briks
Top Albums of 2008
1. Q-Tip - The Renaissance
I was not expecting much from this. I grew up on A Tribe Called Quest and I consider Q-Tip's production on Low End Theory and Midnight Marauders instrumental in forming my taste in music. The verdict: this record is awesome. The Abstract somehow made a mature sounding hip hop record that is not boring. The beats are ridiculous. Added bonus: the late J-Dilla flipping The Jackson 5's "Dancing Machine" on "Move."
2. Jamie Lidell - Jim
The "soul revival" got pretty terrible pretty fast (see: Duffy). This record sounds like some otherworldly collaboration between Otis Redding and his trusty Stax Records house band with Beck at his funkiest. The songs are great, the production is at once old and new sounding, and his swagger is undeniable.
3. Dizzee Rascal - Maths + English
This came out in the UK in 2007 but came out in the states in 2008. He has the coolest voice of any MC out today and the beats are super bass heavy. Pussy'ole is probably my favorite track of the year.
4. Koushik - Out my Window
Anyone who knows me knows that I'm a sucker for a. dirty drum breaks b. reverb-drenched vocals c. dope basslines d. space-y synths. This album has all of these things.
5. Rhymefest and Mark Ronson - Man in the Mirror Mixtape
Mark Ronson chopping up nothing but Michael Jackson records with Rhymefest on the mic is a three way win. Add in cameos from Wale and Ghostface and the fact that this was free. That's a six way win. Need I say more?
6. Why? - Alopecia
The Woody Allen of indie rock.
7. Cut Copy - In Ghost Colors
Everyone was bumping this record this year. There's a good reason for that.
8. Kidz in the Hall - The In Crowd
Good balance of backpacker stuff and mainstream sounding stuff.
9. The Knux - Remind Me in 3 Days
I just got this yesterday but I'm astounded at how good it is. This record is all over the place. There's rock songs, dance songs, hip hop songs. A lot of hip hop heads don't like them because they wear tight pants. What's wrong with that?? People on this site should be able to empathize with their plight.
10. The Hold Steady - Stay Positive
I slept on the band forever. They rock super hard.
Thing I'm looking forward to most in '09 - the Liam and Me record!!! It's about damn time we unleash it on the world!
Dan Larkin
Top Albums of 2008
1. Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago
This is the most beautifully heartbreaking album I have heard in a very, very long time. My favorite record by far this year.
The following are in no particular order:
2. Sigur Ros - Med sud i eyrum vid spilum endalaust
3. TV on the Radio - Dear Science
4. Steve Winwood's entire catalogue -- I know its not 2008, but it's been a staple all year.
5. Frightened Rabbit - The Midnight Organ Flight
6. Fleet Foxes- Fleet Foxes
7. Cut Copy - In Ghost Colours
8. Ray Lamontagne - Gossip in the Grain
9. Kings of Leon - Only by the Night
10. The Stills - Oceans Will Rise
The "nice try" award goes to Chinese Democracy. A+ for effort.
Top Albums of 2008
1. Q-Tip - The Renaissance
I was not expecting much from this. I grew up on A Tribe Called Quest and I consider Q-Tip's production on Low End Theory and Midnight Marauders instrumental in forming my taste in music. The verdict: this record is awesome. The Abstract somehow made a mature sounding hip hop record that is not boring. The beats are ridiculous. Added bonus: the late J-Dilla flipping The Jackson 5's "Dancing Machine" on "Move."
2. Jamie Lidell - Jim
The "soul revival" got pretty terrible pretty fast (see: Duffy). This record sounds like some otherworldly collaboration between Otis Redding and his trusty Stax Records house band with Beck at his funkiest. The songs are great, the production is at once old and new sounding, and his swagger is undeniable.
3. Dizzee Rascal - Maths + English
This came out in the UK in 2007 but came out in the states in 2008. He has the coolest voice of any MC out today and the beats are super bass heavy. Pussy'ole is probably my favorite track of the year.
4. Koushik - Out my Window
Anyone who knows me knows that I'm a sucker for a. dirty drum breaks b. reverb-drenched vocals c. dope basslines d. space-y synths. This album has all of these things.
5. Rhymefest and Mark Ronson - Man in the Mirror Mixtape
Mark Ronson chopping up nothing but Michael Jackson records with Rhymefest on the mic is a three way win. Add in cameos from Wale and Ghostface and the fact that this was free. That's a six way win. Need I say more?
6. Why? - Alopecia
The Woody Allen of indie rock.
7. Cut Copy - In Ghost Colors
Everyone was bumping this record this year. There's a good reason for that.
8. Kidz in the Hall - The In Crowd
Good balance of backpacker stuff and mainstream sounding stuff.
9. The Knux - Remind Me in 3 Days
I just got this yesterday but I'm astounded at how good it is. This record is all over the place. There's rock songs, dance songs, hip hop songs. A lot of hip hop heads don't like them because they wear tight pants. What's wrong with that?? People on this site should be able to empathize with their plight.
10. The Hold Steady - Stay Positive
I slept on the band forever. They rock super hard.
Thing I'm looking forward to most in '09 - the Liam and Me record!!! It's about damn time we unleash it on the world!
Dan Larkin
Top Albums of 2008
1. Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago
This is the most beautifully heartbreaking album I have heard in a very, very long time. My favorite record by far this year.
The following are in no particular order:
2. Sigur Ros - Med sud i eyrum vid spilum endalaust
3. TV on the Radio - Dear Science
4. Steve Winwood's entire catalogue -- I know its not 2008, but it's been a staple all year.
5. Frightened Rabbit - The Midnight Organ Flight
6. Fleet Foxes- Fleet Foxes
7. Cut Copy - In Ghost Colours
8. Ray Lamontagne - Gossip in the Grain
9. Kings of Leon - Only by the Night
10. The Stills - Oceans Will Rise
The "nice try" award goes to Chinese Democracy. A+ for effort.