2008-  the end of one of the worst political eras in American history.  The financial collapse leading to the Great Recession.  Good times!  It’s tough to historically evaluate a year that was merely three years ago but I can say that my top two albums then- Fleet Foxes self-titled debut & Vampire Weekend’s self-titled debut are my top two albums now.  Though they pretty much tower over the competition for me that doesn’t mean that there weren’t aren’t a bunch more ridiculously solid released in ’08.

Erykah Badu experienced a career reinvention and resurgence with the P-Funk & Sly Stone inspired “The New Amerykah Part 1: 4th World War”.  The Drive-By Truckers “Brighter Than Creation’s Dark” was a return to form after the middling “Blessing and A Curse” two years prior.  With “Brighter” the DBT’s re-established their position at the top of the heap of all working alt-country bands. Previously little heard from band’s like Portland’s Blitzen Trapper and Australia’s Cut Copy released the excellent “Furr” (the former) and “In Ghost Colours” the latter.  Cut Copy has one of the best dance-rock meets indie-pop fusions since New Order and Blitzen Trapper fit right in with both folky bands like Fleet Foxes, Bon Iver & Local Natives as well as the ass- kicking rock bands like early Wilco, Uncle Tupelo & the Truckers.  Speaking of Bon Iver, 2008 was the year that lead singer Justin Vernon’s (until later really the sole member and creator in Bon Iver) Bon Iver’s debut album “For Emma, Forever Ago” saw wider distribution.  It was originally self-released in the fall of 2007 but was heard by no one besides a few important blogs until ’08.  As understated and personal an album as “For Emma” is, it announced to the world a major talent in Vernon who would become bigger in the 3 ensuing years.  Baltimore’s Beach House released their very good 2nd album, “Devotion”, an improvement over their nice self-titled debut, and a twin to “For Emma” when it comes to slow, quiet and very sad music.

’08 was a good year for new bands as well.  The UK’s Los Campesinos! released their debut album “Hold On Now, Youngster” as well as a very good follow up EP at the end of the year.  The album is off the rails fun, punky, wordy, funny & snotty.  Two L.A. vegan kids No Age released their first official full length (after the “Weirdo Rippers” singles comp)- the awesome “Nouns”.  They were the house band at the popular D.I.Y. all ages venue The Smell, which would launch a slew of likeminded bands around the same time.  The beautiful and eccentric 21 year old Swede Lykke Li released her very promising debut album “Youth Novels” and suburban New Jersey-ites Titus Andronicus came out with “The Airing of Grievances”, which was epic length punk rock meets hometown hero Bruce Springsteen.  Fellow Jersey-boys The Gaslight Anthem’s “The ’59 Sound” was stripped down 50’s style rockabilly punk meets Springsteen as well.  Glad to see the Boss getting his due from the indie rock and punk community.  NYC’s Hercules and Love Affair paired with transsexual singer Anthony Hegarty to release their self-titled debut- one of the best full length dance records I’ve heard in a very long time.  On the other side of the pond and of the dance spectrum was Crystal Castles self-titled debut which was screaming goth punk meets dance music and an Atari 2600.  The Lower East side NYC based A&R talent scout and M.I.A.’s influenced Santogold’s (now Santigold after she lost a law suit) debut also sounded great in ’08- a mish-mash of styles she brought together indie, dancehall & chirpy new wave music.

Though ’08 was not an amazing year for rap music it did contain “Tha Carter III” a huge event album from Lil Wayne which sold a million in its first week, unheard of during a time of tremendous music industry doldrums.  One of the biggest pioneers in alternative, “conscious” rap music, Q-Tip from A Tribe Called Quest, was back from a very long absence with his 2nd commercially released solo album, the excellent “The Renaissance”.  Outside of those two Atlanta rapper T.I. released the decent “Paper Trail” which had a few outstanding songs on it and D.C. rapper Wale released his debut mixtape and stoner rapper Kid Cudi came out with his debut single, the great “Day N’ Nite” which he still hasn’t come to equalling.  Kanye West took a break from rap to record an interesting emo rap album filled with him singing in auto-tune.  Though it goes down as his weakest album by far it is still a worthwhile listen with a handful of highlights.  It seems that anything Kanye puts out is worth a listen.

Veteran rockers like the Black Keys, Jack White’s other band the Raconteurs, My Morning Jacket & the Hold Steady all released albums of varying quality in ’08.  MMJ’s “Evil Urges” was an experimental hit and miss affair which was a let down after their last two excellent albums even though it has its bright spots.  The Raconteurs 2nd album was an improvement over their pretty good debut though still not the equal of the White Stripes best work.  The Hold Steady’s “Stay Positive” was their fourth very good release in a row though also a drop in quality from at least their previous two.  The Black Keys enlisted the help of hot producer Danger Mouse for “Attack & Release”- their most experimental album in a series of straight forward hard garage-rockin’ releases.  Brooklyn’s TV On the Radio’s “Dear Science” was nearly as good as the previous “Return to Cookie Mountain”, solidifying their status as one of the best bands of their time (IMO). Bristol, England’s Portishead came out with the great “Third” after an enormous absence- their second album was released in 1997.  They managed to sound as great as ever- somehow updating their sound but sounding like no one but Portishead at the same time.  Three other underground bands who had already released excellent albums, Hot Chip, Deerhunter and M83, did so again in 2008, giving all three bands more traction and notoriety than ever.

Perhaps the biggest story of ’08 was the debut album of dance-pop superstar Lady Gaga with “The Fame”.  She inspired enormous levels of both love & hatred but she was certainly the biggest new star in the dance pop realm since Madonna- ignoring lip synching robots like Britney Spears.  Two blue-eyed soul stars from Britain emerged the same year-  Adele with her debut album “19” who would go on to much bigger fame with her follow-up “21” and Duffy, whose excellent debut “Rockferry” belied her dud follow-up a few years later

ERYKAH BADU- THE NEW AMERYKAH PART 1: 4TH WORLD WAR

Buy New Amerykah, Pt. 1 (4th World War) – Erykah Badu

Buy New Amerykah Part One (4th World War)Amazon

HERCULES AND LOVE AFFAIR- HERCULES AND LOVE AFFAIR

Buy Hercules And Love Affair – Hercules and Love Affair

Buy Hercules And Love AffairAmazon

VAMPIRE WEEKEND- VAMPIRE WEEKEND

Buy Vampire Weekend – Vampire Weekend

Buy Vampire WeekendAmazon

Q-TIP- THE RENAISSANCE

Buy The Renaissance – Q-Tip

Buy The RenaissanceAmazon

TV ON THE RADIO- DEAR SCIENCE

Buy Dear Science (Bonus Track Version) – TV On the Radio

Buy Dear Science (Deluxe Edition)Amazon

DRIVE-BY TRUCKERS- BRIGHTER THAN CREATION’S DARK

Buy Brighter Than Creations Dark – Drive-By Truckers

Buy Brighter Than Creation’s Dark Amazon

BLITZEN TRAPPER- FURR

Buy Furr (Bonus Track Version) – Blitzen Trapper

Buy FurrAmazon

THE BUG- LONDON ZOO

Buy London Zoo – The Bug

Buy London Zoo Amazon

FLEET FOXES- FLEET FOXES

Buy Fleet Foxes – Fleet Foxes

Buy Fleet FoxesAmazon

M83- SATURDAYS= YOUTH

Buy Saturdays = Youth – M83

Buy Saturdays = Youth [+Digital Booklet]Amazon

LOS CAMPESINOS!- HOLD ON NOW, YOUNGSTER

Buy Hold On Now, Youngster… – Los Campesinos!

Buy Hold On Now, YoungsterAmazon

BEACH HOUSE- DEVOTION

Buy Devotion – Beach House

Buy DevotionAmazon

BON IVER- FOR EMMA, FOREVER AGO    *LIMITED SELF RELEASE IN OCT. 2007

Buy For Emma, Forever Ago – Bon Iver

Buy For Emma, Forever Ago Amazon

PORTISHEAD- THIRD

Buy Third – Portishead

Buy ThirdAmazon

HOT CHIP- MADE IN THE DARK

Buy Made In the Dark – Hot Chip

Buy Made In The Dark [+Digital Booklet]Amazon

LIL WAYNE- THA CARTER III

Buy Tha Carter III – Lil Wayne

Buy Tha Carter III [Explicit]Amazon

SANTOGOLD- SANTOGOLD     *NOW CALLED SANTIGOLD

Buy Santigold – Santigold

Buy SantogoldAmazon

DEERHUNTER- MICROCASTLE/WEIRD ERA CONT.

Buy Microcastle – Deerhunter Buy Weird Era Cont. – Deerhunter

Buy Microcastle Buy Weird Era ContAmazon

CUT COPY- IN GHOST COLOURS

Buy In Ghost Colours – Cut Copy

Buy In Ghost ColoursAmazon

NO AGE- NOUNS

Buy Nouns – No Age

Buy NounsAmazon

+ 2 EP’S

ANIMAL COLLECTIVE- WATER CURSES EP

Buy Water Curses – EP – Animal Collective

Buy Water CursesAmazon

FLEET FOXES- SUN GIANT EP

Buy Sun Giant – EP – Fleet Foxes

Buy Sun Giant EPAmazon

Best of 2008 Volume 1

1.  Vampire Weekend- A Punk

Buy A-Punk – Vampire Weekend

Buy A-Punk Amazon

 

2.  Hot Chip- Ready for the Floor

Buy Ready for the Floor – Made In the Dark

Buy Ready For The Floor (Album Version)Amazon

 

3.  Cut Copy- Hearts On Fire

Buy Hearts On Fire – In Ghost Colours

Buy Hearts On FireAmazon

 

4.  Hercules and Love Affair (Feat. Antony)- Blind

Buy Blind (Full Album Version) – Hercules And Love Affair

Buy Blind (Full Album Version)Amazon

 

5.  Santigold- You’ll Find a Way

Buy You’ll Find a Way – Santigold

Buy You’ll Find A Way Amazon

 

6.  Taylor Swift- You Belong With Me

 

7.  M83- Kim & Jessie

Buy Kim & Jessie – Saturdays = Youth

Buy Kim & JessieAmazon

 

8.  Los Campesinos!- Death to Los Campesinos!

Buy Death to Los Campesinos! – Hold On Now, Youngster…

Buy Death to Los Campesinos!Amazon

 

9.  The Bug (Feat. Warrior Queen)- Poison Dart

Buy Poison Dart (feat. Warrior Queen) – London Zoo

Buy Poison Dart (Original Mix)Amazon

 

10.  Erykah Badu- Soldier

Buy Soldier – New Amerykah, Pt. 1 (4th World War)

Buy SoldierAmazon

 

11.  Portishead- Machine Gun

Buy Machine Gun – Third

Buy Machine GunAmazon

 

12.  Deerhunter- Nothing Ever Happened

Buy Nothing Ever Happened – Microcastle

Buy Nothing Ever HappenedAmazon

 

13.  Jay Reatard- Always Wanting More

Buy Always Wanting More – Matador Singles ’08 (Bonus Track Version)

Buy Always Wanting MoreAmazon

 

14.  No Age- Sleeper Hold

Buy Sleeper Hold – Nouns

Buy Sleeper HoldAmazon

 

15.  Drive-By Truckers- The Righteous Path

Buy The Righteous Path – Brighter Than Creations Dark

Buy The Righteous PathAmazon

 

16.  TV On the Radio- Golden Age

Buy Golden Age – Dear Science

Buy Golden AgeAmazon

 

17.  Fleet Foxes- White Winter Hymnal

Buy White Winter Hymnal – Fleet Foxes

Buy White Winter HymnalAmazon

 

18.  David Byrne & Brian Eno- Strange Overtones

Buy Strange Overtones – Everything That Happens Will Happen Today

Buy Strange OvertonesAmazon

Best of 2008 Volume 2

1.  Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds- Dig!! Lazarus Dig!!

Buy Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!! – Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!!

Buy Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!!Amazon

2.  Titus Andronicus- Arms Against Atrophy

Buy Arms Against Atrophy – The Airing of Grievances (Bonus Track Version)

Buy Arms Against AtrophyAmazon

3.  The Hold Steady- Slapped Actress

Buy Slapped Actress – Stay Positive

Buy Slapped ActressAmazon

4.  My Morning Jacket- Touch Me I’m Going to Scream Part 2

Buy Touch Me I’m Going to Scream, Pt. 2 – Evil Urges

Buy Touch Me I’m Going To Scream Pt. 2Amazon

5.  Blitzen Trapper- Furr

Buy Furr – Furr (Bonus Track Version)

Buy FurrAmazon

6.  Fleet Foxes- Mykonos

Buy Mykonos – Sun Giant – EP

Buy MykonosAmazon

7.  Animal Collective- Water Curses

Buy Water Curses – Water Curses – EP

Buy Water Curses (album)Amazon

8.  Vampire Weekend- Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa

Buy Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa – Vampire Weekend

Buy Cape Cod Kwassa KwassaAmazon

9.  The Mae Shi- Run to Your Grave

Buy Run to Your Grave – Hlllyh

Buy Run to Your GraveAmazon

10.  M83- Graveyard Girl

Buy Graveyard Girl – Saturdays = Youth

Buy Graveyard GirlAmazon

11.  Hercules and Love Affair (Feat. Antony)- Raise Me Up

Buy Raise Me Up – Hercules And Love Affair

Buy Graveyard Girl Amazon

12.  Q-Tip- Move/The Renaissance Rap

Buy Move – The Renaissance

Buy MoveAmazon

13.  Lil Wayne (Feat. Fabolous & Juelz Santana)- You Ain’t Got Nothin’

Buy You Ain’t Got Nuthin – Tha Carter III

Buy You Ain’t Got Nuthin [Explicit]Amazon

14.  Cut Copy- Lights and Music

Buy Lights & Music – In Ghost Colours

Buy Lights & MusicAmazon

15.  T.I. (Feat. Rihanna)- Live Your Life

Buy Live Your Life (feat. Rihanna) – Paper Trail (Deluxe Version)

Buy Live Your Life [Featuring Rihanna]Amazon

16.  Erykah Badu- Honey

Buy Honey – New Amerykah, Pt. 1 (4th World War)

Buy HoneyAmazon

Best of 2008 Volume 3

1.  Los Campesinos- You! Me! Dancing!

Buy You! Me! Dancing! – Hold On Now, Youngster…
Buy You! Me! Dancing!Amazon

 

2.  Gang Gang Dance- House Jam

Buy House Jam – Saint Dymphna
Buy House JamAmazon

 

3.  Lady Gaga (Feat. Colby O’Donnis)- Just Dance

Buy Just Dance – The Fame
Buy Just DanceAmazon

 

4.  Santigold- Lights Out

Buy Lights Out – Santigold
Buy Lights OutAmazon

 

5.  Crystal Castles- Vanished

Buy Vanished – Crystal Castles (Bonus Track Version)
Buy VanishedAmazon

 

6.  Vivian Girls- Where Do You Run To?

Buy Where Do You Run to? – Vivian Girls
Buy Where Do You Run ToAmazon

 

7.  No Age- Teen Creeps

Buy Teen Creeps – Nouns
Buy Teen CreepsAmazon

 

8.  TV On the Radio- Halfway Home

Buy Halfway Home – Dear Science

Buy Halfway HomeAmazon

 

9.  Cut Copy- Out There On the Ice

Buy Out There On the Ice – In Ghost Colours
Buy Out There On The IceAmazon

 

10.  Air France- Collapsing At Your Doorstep

Buy Collapsing At Your Doorstep – No Way Down (Bonus Track Version)

Buy Collapsing Outside Your DoorstepAmazon

 

11.  Deerhunter- Operation

Buy Operation – Weird Era Cont.

Buy OperationAmazon

 

12.  Lil Wayne- Dr. Carter

Buy Dr. Carter – Tha Carter III

Buy Dr. Carter [Explicit]Amazon

 

13.  Blitzen Trapper- God + Suicide

Buy God & Suicide – Furr (Bonus Track Version)

Buy God & Suicide Amazon

 

14. Jamey Johnson- High Cost Of Living

 

15.  Portishead- The Rip

Buy The Rip – Third

Buy The RipAmazon

 

16.  Coldplay- Violet Hill

Buy Violet Hill – Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends

Buy Violet HillAmazon

 

17.  Fleet Foxes- Blue Ridge Mountains

Buy Blue Ridge Mountains – Fleet Foxes

Buy Blue Ridge MountainsAmazon

 

Best of 2008 Volume 4

1.  Vampire Weekend- Oxford Comma

Buy Oxford Comma – Vampire Weekend

Buy Oxford CommaAmazon

 

2.  The Ruby Suns- Tane Mahuta

Buy Tane Mahuta – Sea Lion

Buy Tane Mahuta (Album)Amazon

 

3.  Fleet Foxes- Drops in the River

Buy Drops In the River – Sun Giant – EP

Buy Drops in the RiverAmazon

 

4.  Okkervil River- Lost Coastlines

Buy Lost Coastlines – The Stand Ins

Buy Lost CoastlinesAmazon

 

5.  The Black Keys- Oceans and Streams

Buy Oceans & Streams – Attack & Release

Buy Oceans & StreamsAmazon

 

6.  Drive-By Truckers- Self-Destructive Zones

Buy Self Destructive Zones – Brighter Than Creations Dark

Buy Self Destructive ZonesAmazon

 

7.  Be Your Own Pet- Becky

Buy Becky – Get Damaged – EP

Buy BeckyAmazon

 

8.  Annie- I Know Ur Girlfriend Hates Me

*Track not available via iTunes and Amazon

 

9. Taylor Swift- Fifteen

 

10.  Estelle (Feat. Kanye West)- American Boy

Buy American Boy (feat. Kanye West) – Shine

Buy American Boy (Feat. Kanye West) [Explicit]Amazon

 

11.  Beyonce- Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)

Buy Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It) – I Am… Sasha Fierce

Buy Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It) Amazon

 

12.  Ida Maria- Oh My God

Buy Oh My God – Fortress ’round My Heart

Buy Oh My GodAmazon

 

13.  Los Campesinos!- Broken Heartbeats Sound Like Breakbeats

Buy Broken Heartbeats Sound Like Breakbeats – Hold On Now, Youngster…

Buy Broken Heartbeats Sound Like BreakbeatsAmazon

 

14.  Kanye West- Love Lockdown

Buy Love Lockdown – 808s & Heartbreak (Bonus Video Version)

Buy Love Lockdown Amazon

 

15.  She & Him- Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?

Buy Why Do You Let Me Stay Here? – Volume One

Buy Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?Amazon

 

16.  Duffy- Rockferry

Buy Rockferry – Rockferry

Buy RockferryAmazon

 

17.  Aeroplane- Whispers (Feat. Kathy Diamond) (Radio Edit)

Buy Whispers (Radio Edit) – Whispers (feat. Kathy Diamond) – EP

Buy Whispers (Radio Edit)Amazon

 

18.  Friendly Fires- Paris

Buy Paris – Friendly Fires

Buy ParisAmazon

 

19.  TV On the Radio- DLZ

Buy DLZ – Dear Science

Buy DLZAmazon

 

20.  Erykah Badu- Me

Buy Me – New Amerykah, Pt. 1 (4th World War)

Buy MeAmazon

 

 

Best of 2008 Volume 5

1.  Erykah Badu- Amerykahn Promise

Buy Amerykahn Promise – New Amerykah, Pt. 1 (4th World War)

Buy Amerykahn PromiseAmazon

2.  TV On the Radio- Crying

Buy Crying – Dear Science (Bonus Track Version)

Buy CryingAmazon

3.  Max Tundra- Will Get Fooled Again

Buy Will Get Fooled Again – Parallax Error Beheads You

Buy Will Get Fooled AgainAmazon

4.  Crystal Castles- Untrust Us

Buy Untrust Us – Crystal Castles (Bonus Track Version)

Buy Untrust UsAmazon

5.  Fucked Up- No Epiphany

Buy No Epiphany – The Chemistry of Common Life

Buy No EpiphanyAmazon

6.  No Age- Eraser

Buy Eraser – Nouns

Buy EraserAmazon

7.  Cut Copy- Nobody Lost, Nobody Found

Buy Nobody Lost, Nobody Found – In Ghost Colours

Buy Nobody Lost, Nobody FoundAmazon

8.  Hercules and Love Affair- Hercules Theme

Buy Hercules Theme – Hercules And Love Affair

Buy Hercules Theme Amazon

9.  Portishead- We Carry On

Buy We Carry On – Third

Buy We Carry OnAmazon

10.  Deerhunter- Never Stops

Buy Never Stops – Microcastle

Buy Never StopsAmazon

11.  The Raveonettes- Aly, Walk with Me

Buy Aly, Walk With Me – Lust Lust Lust (Bonus Track Version)

Buy Aly, Walk With MeAmazon

12.  Animal Collective- Street Flash

Buy Street Flash – Water Curses – EP

Buy Street Flash (album)Amazon

13.  Kelley Polar- Entropy Reigns (In the Celestial City)

Buy Entropy Reigns (In the Celestial City) – I Need You to Hold On While the Sky Is Falling

Buy Entropy Reigns (in the Celestial City)Amazon

14.  Fleet Foxes- He Doesn’t Know Why

Buy He Doesn’t Know Why – Fleet Foxes

Buy He Doesn’t Know WhyAmazon

15.  The Raconteurs- Old Enough

Buy Old Enough – Consolers of the Lonely

Buy Old EnoughAmazon

16.  The Gaslight Anthem- The ’59 Sound

Buy The ’59 Sound – The ’59 Sound

Buy The ’59 Sound Amazon

17.  Los Campesinos!- Sweet Dreams, Sweet Cheeks

Buy Sweet Dreams, Sweet Cheeks – Hold On Now, Youngster…

Buy Sweet Dreams, Sweet CheeksAmazon

18.  Vampire Weekend- Walcott

Buy Walcott – Vampire Weekend

Buy WalcottAmazon

19.  Wiley- Wearin’ My Rolex

*Track not available via iTunes or Amazon

Best of 2008 Volume 6

1.  Los Campesinos!- We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed

Buy We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed – We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed

Buy We Are Beautiful, We Are DoomedAmazon

 

2.  Santigold- L.E.S. Artistes

Buy L.E.S. Artistes – Santigold

Buy L.E.S. ArtistesAmazon

 

3.  The Black Keys- Strange Times

Buy Strange Times – Attack & Release

Buy Strange TimesAmazon

 

4.  Fucked Up- Crooked Head

Buy Crooked Head – The Chemistry of Common Life

Buy Crooked HeadAmazon

 

5.  No Age- Brain Burner

Buy Brain Burner – Nouns

Buy Brain BurnerAmazon

 

6.  Passion Pit- Sleepyhead

Buy Sleepyhead – Manners (Bonus Track Version)

Buy Sleepyhead Amazon

 

7.  Portishead- Silence

Buy Silence – Third

Buy SilenceAmazon

 

8.  Spiritualized- Soul On Fire

Buy Soul On Fire – Songs In A&E

Buy Soul On FireAmazon

 

9.  Beck- Profanity Prayers

Buy Profanity Prayers – Modern Guilt

Buy Profanity PrayersAmazon

 

10. The Rural Alberta Advantage- Don’t Haunt This Place

 

11.  Hercules and Love Affair- Athene

Buy Athene – Hercules And Love Affair

Buy AtheneAmazon

 

12.  Fleet Foxes- Your Protector

Buy Your Protector – Fleet Foxes

Buy Your Protector Amazon

 

13.  Coldplay- Lost!

Buy Lost! – Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends

Buy Lost!Amazon

 

14.  Death Cab for Cutie- Cath…

Buy Cath… – Narrow Stairs

Buy Cath…Amazon

 

15.  Vampire Weekend- Mansard Roof

Buy Mansard Roof – Vampire Weekend

Buy Mansard RoofAmazon

 

16.  The Kooks- Always Where I Need to Be

Buy Always Where I Need to Be – Konk

Buy Always Where I Need To BeAmazon

 

17.  Jay Reatard- See Saw

Buy See/Saw – Matador Singles ’08 (Bonus Track Version)

Buy See SawAmazon

 

18.  Q-Tip- Gettin’ Up

Buy Gettin’ Up – The Renaissance

Buy Gettin UpAmazon

 

19.  T.I.- No Matter What

Buy No Matter What – Paper Trail

Buy No Matter What Amazon

 

20.  Wale- The Kramer

Buy The Kramer – The Mixtape About Nothing

Buy The Kramer [Explicit]Amazon

 

21. The Hold Steady- Constructive Summer

Best of 2008 Volume 7 (9/24/11)

1.  Fucked Up- Son the Father

Buy Son the Father – The Chemistry of Common Life

Buy Son The FatherAmazon

 

2.  Titus Andronicus- Titus Andronicus

Buy Titus Andronicus – The Airing of Grievances (Bonus Track Version)

Buy Titus AndronicusAmazon

 

3.  Blitzen Trapper- Fire + Fast Bullets

Buy Fire & Fast Bullets – Furr (Bonus Track Version)

Buy Fire & Fast BulletsAmazon

 

4.  Drive-By Truckers- That Man I Shot

Buy That Man I Shot – Brighter Than Creations Dark

Buy That Man I ShotAmazon

 

5.  Q-Tip- Johnny Is Dead

Buy Johnny Is Dead – The Renaissance

Buy Johnny Is DeadAmazon

 

6. Big Boi (Feat. Andre 3000 & Raekwon)- Royal Flush

Buy Royal Flush – Royal Flush (feat. André 3000 & Raekwon) – Single

Buy Royal Flush (Main Version – Explicit)Amazon

 

7.  Lil Wayne- Let the Beat Build

Buy Let the Beat Build – Tha Carter III

Buy Let The Beat Build [Explicit]Amazon

 

8.  The Bug (Feat. Ricky Ranking & Aya)- Too Much Pain

Buy Too Much Pain (feat. Ricky Ranking) – London Zoo

Buy Too Much PainAmazon

 

9.  Erykah Badu- The Healer/Hip Hop

Buy The Healer – New Amerykah, Pt. 1 (4th World War)

Buy The HealerAmazon

 

10.  Cut Copy- Feel the Love

Buy Feel the Love – In Ghost Colours

Buy Feel The LoveAmazon

 

11.  Hot Chip- One Pure Thought

Buy One Pure Thought – Made In the Dark

Buy One Pure ThoughtAmazon

 

12. Adele- Right As Rain

 

13.  Beach House- Wedding Bell

Buy Wedding Bell – Devotion

Buy Wedding BellAmazon

 

14.  Lykke Li- Dance, Dance, Dance

Buy Dance, Dance, Dance – Youth Novels

Buy Dance, Dance, Dance Amazon

 

15. Lady Gaga- Paparazzi

Buy Paparazzi – The Fame

Buy Paparazzi Amazon

 

16. Ladyhawke- Paris Is Burning

 

17.  Vampire Weekend- M79

Buy M79 – Vampire Weekend

Buy M79 Amazon

 

18. Jamey Johnson- Place Out On The Ocean

 

19.  Fleet Foxes- English House

Buy English House – Sun Giant – EP

Buy English HouseAmazon

 

 

Best of 2008 Volume 8 (9/24/11)

1.  Los Campesinos!- This Is How You Spell “HaHaHa We Destroyed the Hopes and Dreams of a Generation”

Buy This Is How You Spell “HAHAHA, We Destroyed the Hopes and Dreams of a Generation of Faux-Romantics” – Hold On Now, Youngster…

Buy This Is How You Spell “Hahaha, We Destroyed The Hopes And Dreams Of A Generation Of Faux-Romantics”Amazon

 

2.  Tokyo Police Club- Your English Is Good

Buy Your English Is Good – Elephant Shell

Buy Your English Is GoodAmazon

 

3.  Vampire Weekend- Campus

Buy Campus – Vampire Weekend

Buy CampusAmazon

 

4.  Beck- Chemtrails

Buy Chemtrails – Modern Guilt

Buy ChemtrailsAmazon

 

5.  Marnie Stern- Roads? Where We’re Going We Don’t Need Roads

Buy Roads? Where We’re Going We Don’t Need Roads – This Is It and I Am It and You Are It and So Is That and He Is It and She Is It and It Is It and That Is That

Buy Roads? Where We’re Going We Don’t Need RoadsAmazon

 

6.  Tame Impala- Desire Be, Desire Go

Buy Desire Be Desire Go – Tame Impala – EP

Buy Desire Be Desire Go *2010 Version Only

 

7.  Blitzen Trapper- Not Your Lover

Buy Not Your Lover – Furr (Bonus Track Version)

Buy Not Your Lover Amazon

 

8.  Adele- Chasing Pavements

Buy Chasing Pavements – 19

Buy Chasing Pavements Amazon

 

9.  Duffy- Distant Dreamer

Buy Distant Dreamer – Rockferry

Buy Distant DreamerAmazon

 

10.  Beach House- Heart of Chambers

Buy Heart of Chambers – Devotion

Buy Heart Of ChambersAmazon

 

11.  The Walkmen- The Blue Route

Buy The Blue Route – You & Me

Buy The Blue Route [Explicit]Amazon

 

12.  Deerhunter- Saved By Old Times

Buy Saved By Old Times – Microcastle

Buy Saved by Old TimesAmazon

 

13.  TV On the Radio- Red Dress

Buy Red Dress – Dear Science

Buy Red Dress Amazon

 

14.  Cut Copy- So Haunted

Buy So Haunted – In Ghost Colours

Buy So HauntedAmazon

 

15.  M83- Up!

Buy Up! – Saturdays = Youth

Buy Up!Amazon

 

16.  Kid Cudi- Day N’ Nite

Buy Day ‘n’ Nite – Man On the Moon: The End of Day

Buy Day ‘N’ Nite [Explicit] Amazon

 

17.  Lil Wayne- A Milli

Buy A Milli – Tha Carter III

Buy A Milli [Explicit]Amazon

 

18. Chairlift- Bruises

 

19.  Little Boots- Stuck On Repeat

Buy Stuck On Repeat – Arecibo – EP

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