Ok my friends, it's the end of
the line for my Top 50 Songs Of 2008. Hopefully you've all found
something you missed or forgot over the year. Remember that Noah's
year-end list will be up on Sunday, my favorite records are next week and
John Michael's selections are due the next weekend. Yeah for lists!
Enjoy.
- 10 Through 1 -
10)
:Santogold
- LES Artistes:
For almost the entire year I've been trying to gauge exactly
how people feel about this woman. And? Well, I
give up. I can only say that she does not sound like
MIA and that her debut LP carries a wide variety of styles
that are all worth a listen - in or out of context of each
other.
09)
:Thao
Nguyen And The Get Down Stay Down - Bag Of Hammers:
2008 has been the year of the Thao for me, so it shouldn't
come as a surprise that she's in the Top 10 with one of the
most catchy and charming numbers that has ever graced my
ears. It's a guarantee that you will like this.
08)
:Man
Man - Top Drawer:
This is definitely an act that is worlds better live than
they are recorded, but with this song they pulled their
punches a bit and made something that's not only fun and out
there, but easily accessible. Still, you might want to
consider strapping on your crazy face anyway.
07)
:Pas-Cal
- You Were Too Old For Me:
You know what? In all of my time as a music nerd I'm
not sure I've ever come across a more elaborate pop song.
This thing is six minutes, has all kinds of weird shifts and
is so catchy it hurts. You should kick back the
recliner for this. Or dance. Either one works,
really.
06)
:The
Lovely Sparrows - Department Of Foreseeable Outcomes:
This is such an incredible song - one that is so warm and
inviting that you'll find yourself lost in it before you
know it. Now if only I could figure out why everyone
else in the world isn't raving about this local act as much
as I am.
05)
:Marnie
Stern - Transformer:
Kicking off the Top 5 is the lovely Marnie, who created the
only song this year that made me feel like a kid on a
rollercoaster. Actually, as I listen to it and write
this I can feel myself getting younger and more adventurous.
Too bad I've had a difficult time finding the same kind of
affection for her record.
04)
:Lykke
Li - Dance Dance Dance:
Where did this girl come from!? I feel like she just
appeared one day with a huge arsenal of slick tracks and
decided that they should be beloved by all. Seriously
though, she certainly knows how to make music that sticks in
your head and refuses to leave.
03)
:The
Duchess And The Duke - Reservoir Park:
"I wish that I could go there/I wish I could be
somewhere/But I know I'm still right here/And I know here is
still nowhere" This song is pretty much a downer, but
I'd be a liar if I didn't say that I've listened to it every
day for as long as I can remember. Simply stellar.
02)
:Okkervil
River - Lost Coastlines:
The Stand-Ins may not be OR's best album, but this is
undoubtedly one of the best songs that they've ever put
together. Talk about pure pop bliss! Please
download and share with as many people as you possibly can,
as I'm convinced that it has the power to make the world a
better place.
01)
:Black
Mountain - Tyrants:
Well, here we are. The number one spot. If I
were you I'd probably be expecting a catchy pop effort to
come in at this spot, but instead you find this. Why?
Because I am thoroughly convinced that it's the best rock
track in YEARS. Epic to the point that it's almost
overwhelming, Black Mountain had the song in 2008 that I
would take above all others. You should willingly
let it blow out your speakers.
- John Laird -
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