I
hadn't planned on doing any other music-related
lists, but my mind was wandering yesterday and I
thought up a couple of other mini-ones. You
can find them at the bottom of this post.
Let's get on with cracking the Top 10 Enjoy.
- 10 Through 6 -
#10) Shearwater - Rook
This is undoubtedly the most beautiful record that I heard in 2008.
Now, don't take that as me saying that it's just a bunch of pretty little
numbers that do nothing but showcase Jonathan Meiburg's incredible voice.
It isn't. Rook sweeps and soars in a wide variety of ways that
makes for one of the most complete and exciting listens around.
:Shearwater
- Rooks:
#09) King Kahn And The Shrines - The Supreme Genius Of...
If you glance at the album cover to the left you'll notice that there's a
man wearing white pants. This is that kind of record. One
that attacks your senses with so much retro rock confidence and swagger that
sporting white pants actually seems natural and, dare I say, cool. If
you can find a song on this that doesn't at least make you move around in
your chair then you're dead.
:King
Kahn And The Shrines - Torture:
#08) Mates Of State - Re-Arrange Us
Here's an effort that I feel was brushed to the side by seemingly almost
everyone this year. And why? I don't really know. Maybe
because the husband/wife duo did what they always do, which is put out
another set of smartly made pop tunes that carry a ton of charm.
Personally, that's exactly what I wanted, and that's why they're in the Top
10.
:Mates
Of State - Get Better:
#07) The Lovely Sparrows - Bury The Cynics
With the cold weather all around now, I've actually started to dig this
release even more. Granted, that's probably because it's one of
those efforts that you increasingly adore the more you pour over each track,
but I'm blaming it all on Shawn Jones - whatever he does just seems to ring
genuine. Do yourself a favor and buy this local effort immediately.
:The
Lovely Sparrows - Department Of Foreseeable Outcomes:
#06) School Of Seven Bells - Alpinisms
In a lot of ways this LP reminds me of St. Vincent's Marry Me (the
disc that was on the top of this list last year) - it has such an
interesting sound that sucks up your attention and causes you to get more
and more attached with every listen. There's actually been plenty of
times that I've pulled into the garage and sat there for a while so that I
could finish out a song. Great stuff.
:School
Of Seven Bells - Face To Face On High Places:
- 5
Other Records That I Fancied A Bit
1. TV On The Radio - Dear Science
2. Portishead - Third
3. Okkervil River - The Stand-Ins
4. Bodies Of Water - A Certain Feeling
5. Death Cab For Cutie - Narrow Stairs
-
5 Records That Seemingly Impacted Everyone But Me
1. Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago
2. Dr. Dog - Fate
3. Vampire Weekend - Self Titled
4. Fleet Foxes - Self Titled
5. MGMT - Oracular Spectacular
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