2008: The Year in Music

Is it just me or was 2008 kind of a really cool year in music? Unlike last year, which saw huge, critically-acclaimed releases from established artists like Radiohead, Arcade Fire, Outkast, Wilco and The Shins, 2008 belonged to the underdogs. Artists like Bon Iver, Fleet Foxes, Vampire Weekend and MGMT, to name just a few, seemingly came out of nowhere and took the industry by storm. With uncompromising visions and talent to spare, all these folks reminded us all that ClearChannel and the major label A&R departments don't have to define what we listen to. There are tons and tons of artists out there who still want to challenge us and inspire us and, speaking as one of those artists currently toiling in obscurity, it was really fun to see. Of course, that's not to say that there weren't some major releases that were pretty cool too. (I thank the sweet lord for Tha Carter III everyday.) So, today, all of us at TNG have come together to take a look back at the music of 2008 and all the songs and albums that made us swoon. And then, as if that wasn't enough, I went ahead and put together a HUGE 35-song megamixtape of all our favorite jams! It's all waiting for you after the jump.

So... like I saying before I was so rudely interrupted by that jump, there was a lot of music this year that was really fun, which is something I haven't found myself feeling in a while. Usually, there are a few artists you hear about each year who stretch and bend and break the constraints of their supposed genres and it's cool or it sucks, but, this year, it seemed like everyone was doing it - just doing their own thing and not really caring about rules or expectations, like the Fleet Foxes bringing their whole "Winter in Appalachia" vibe to 60's surf rock or Sigur Ros doing pop songs. And the great thing about it is that for the most part it was all really cool. So in a year with so many great, inspiring albums, how do you narrow it down to the best? Well, without any further ado, here are my picks for the top three albums of 2008:

3. Lil Wayne—Tha Carter III

Without a doubt, this was the quintessential album of summer '08. From start to end, it's all sick beats, hilarious and heartfelt lyrics, and hooks that get stuck in your head for months. This was the soundtrack to every adventure, every hookup, every dance party. In the background of every single ridiculous, hilarious memory it seems like this album is playing. And, incredibly, I'm still not sick of it. "Mr. Carter," "Comfortable" "Mrs. Officer," "Get Money" and "A Milli" are undeniable moments of pop genius, but there are so many deep cuts on there that we're going to be hearing this album blasting out of car stereos for a while. It's just a classic, a little time capsule, and so, as trite as it may sound, I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Wayne (and my friends) for all the great memories and for the new ones we're all gonna make December 30th at the Verizon Center! Woot!!!

2. Jenny Lewis—Acid Tongue

As most folks know, I am in love with Jenny Lewis, but I have to admit, I didn't quite get this album at first. I mean, obviously, the title track is probably the best song written, recorded and released in the last several years. It's simple, it's honest, and it's clever - a song for those us with brains that never stop thinking and unscrupulous pasts that never quite let us go. But the rest of it? I didn't really understand. Of course, the thing I love about Ms. Lewis and her band, Rilo Kiley (whom we've featured a number of times on TNG in the past few weeks), is that they're always changing their style, always following these unexpected leads and going in these crazy new directions. Every album is something really different from the last. So, once I remembered that, I let go of my preconceived notions and let myself be in the moment with the album and it just opened up - all the beauty, all the passion, and, of course, the ridiculously solid songwriting. Letting go allowed me to see where she's drawing her new inspiration from (70's Southern Rock, 60's girl groups and Neil Young, for starters), but see that at the same time, it's still Jenny. She's still bringing her incredible, insightful lyrics and her beautiful voice into the mix. And I found that, suddenly, I was hers. Again. Anyway, "Acid Tongue," "Sing A Song For Them" and "The Next Messiah" are the standouts. (Though they're all good, save for that unfortunate duet with Elvis Costello.) Oh, and if you ever get a chance to see her live, for the love of God, go. Don't ask questions. Just go.

1. Bon Iver—For Emma, Forever Ago

A friend of mine gave me a copy of this album in July, but I was far too into those summertime jams to pay it much mind. It wasn't until the temperature started to drop, my best friends left for South America and I suddenly had to be this young, single, professional again, that I really listened closely and started to realize why this album is so incredible to so many people. See what's amazing to me about it is that Justin Vernon just shut himself away in this cabin in the middle of nowhere and somehow was able to translate his profound, deeply private feelings of isolation and loneliness so viscerally and acutely and beautifully. But what blows my mind is how deeply he's able to wander into this hideous emotional minefield without losing you, the listener, or losing himself. It's not just about his voice or his lyrics, it's everything. The instrumentation, the color, the timbre, the effects. The complexity and the simplicity of his relationship with his ex. The enormity of his love for her and the intimacy with which he shares it with us. Goodness. It's all as magnificent as it is terrifying. Nowadays, of course, there are about a billion songs and albums that come out every year about sad boys and the girls (or boys) who have so callously dumped them, but I can't think of another one in recent memory that's made the act of repairing a broken heart feel so brave or empowering or sacred. It's an album about loss and memory and sadness, but underneath all that is incredible strength and courage and so much love it practically oozes out of your speakers and onto the floor. "Flume," "For Emma" and the big hit, "Skinny Love," are my favorites, but the whole album is strong like bull and a pretty cool reminder that, though being in love alone sucks so unbelievably hard and hurts so much, sometimes it's is the most wondrous and powerful tool at your disposal.

So there you have it. My picks for the top three albums of 2008. Of course, those aren't the only sweet albums that came out this year. Therefore, really quickly, this year's honorable mentions go to:

Fleet Foxes, Fleet Foxes

M83, Saturdays=Youth

The Kills, Midnight Boom

Ray LaMontagne, Gossip in the Grain
and

Plants and Animals, Parc Avenue

But that's just my two (or three) cents. Let's see what some of your other TNG editors and contributors were digging on in the '08:

Los Campesinos!—We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed and Hold On Now, Youngster…

Two albums in one year! Los Campesinos! make youth-angsty power-punk-pop that you can't help but want to shout along to. I'm sure the lead singer has some serious emotional problems and I totally want to give him a big hug. Dueling male/female lyrics, shouting fits, innovative violin flourishes laid over fun, guitar-driven, fast-paced, danceable rock: how can you go wrong? - Michael

Firewater—The Golden Hour

I saw Firewater this spring at the Black Cat. Their latest album is the result of three years of the band's lead singer, Tod A, traveling the world like a vagabond, collecting musical influences. The show was amazing, and their album, The Golden Hour, inspired me to buy all their old stuff. This is a truly inspired collection of punk-inspired world music with a strong testimonial bent. On songs like "Paradise," you can almost claim his loneliness as your own. I've previously written about the album here, where you can see a great video about his three year journey. Other great songs include the single "Some Kind of Kindness," "Hey Clown," where he takes on George Bush, and "Three-legged Dog," but the entire album is strong. - Ben

TV On the Radio—Dear Science

I was torn this year over two favorite albums - Dear Science by TV On the Radio and Stay Positive by The Hold Steady - two very good albums for totally different reasons. I decided to go with TVOTR based on sheer complexity and experimentality. There are songs that I was immediately into ("Halfway Home") and some that took a few listenings to really appreciate ("DLZ"). The whole album covers a wide range of subjects and emotions, from the delightful defiance of "Red Dress" ("Hey Jackboot, f*ck your war!/Cause I'm fat and in love and no bombs are fallin' on me for sure") to the surprising tenderness of "Family Tree" ("And in the shadow of the gallows of your family tree/There's a hundred hearts or three/Pumping blood to the roots of evil to keep it young"). Basically, this is an album I'm going to listen to over and over again and get something new out of it each time - which, for my money, is a quality investment. - Jolly

The Ting Tings—We Started Nothing

For a penniless college student, versatile albums are best because you get more bang for your buck. We Started Nothing is great for pretty much anything - dancing, yoga, running, chillin, cooking... And in a year in which, for me anyways, there were a lot of overmarketed and overdeveloped albums, The Ting Tings seemed to have nailed the art of the understatement. My favorite track, "That's Not My Name," has a wicked build-up that doesn't pull any melodramatic flairs; rather, it slowly sucks you into the beat like a melodic hypnosis. Likewise, the final track, "We Started Nothing," takes its time unwinding, as if with delicate hands trying to slowly return you back to earth. Also be sure to check out "Keep Your Head," which with its thumping bassline tends to make me lose mine more often than not. - Corey

Sigur Ros—Med sud i yum vio spilum endalaust

The mysterious queer-fronted band's latest album is probably their most accessible yet. Reportedly, Jonsi is singing in Icelandic, rather than his made up language Hopelandic (as if I could tell the difference). They still explore the cosmic regions, but its within the confines of bright pop songs. - Craig

I also got a submission yesterday from TNG reader/new friend, Kaysey. Here's what she had to say:

Punch Brothers—Punch

I have been a huge fan of Chris Thile since Nickel Creek's self-titled release in 2000. He is hands down one of the most talented musicians I have ever come across. Now that Nickel Creek is on hiatus, Thile has taken the opportunity to explore new musical areas with his band, the Punch Brothers. On Punch, the band performs a four movement piece titled "The Blind Leaving the Blind" chronicling Thile's short marriage, divorce, and subsequent crisis of faith. Outside of his virtuosic mandolin skills, Thile writes painfully honest and self-deprecating lyrics: "goodwill's coming by to collect a box / I filled with things I hate about myself / Things I liked before I got here." By allowing his listeners to peek inside what is such a private and painful event, Thile has created a cathartic and beautiful album. - Kaysey

By the way, Kaysey's email reminded me that I would really love to hear more of your voices in 2009. I want to know what all of you are listening to, because, much like many of you, I want to keep abreast of what's new and fresh and worth getting hyped over. I have this vision of TNG events where people come together to exchange mix cds and sexy dance moves. It's kind of like Step Up, but way clumsier and funnier. (It's so wonderful inside my mind. Won't you join me?) So what did you think was the best album of the year? Do you see some glaring omission on our list? Well, then please, please leave everyone a comment and let us know what you think and, of course, always feel free to email your suggestions, your ideas and/or your ire anytime to me here.

In the meantime, here's a supersized playlist of songs that made 2008 one of the quirkiest, most interesting years in music in quite some time. There are a few of the monster pop hits (Jonas and Miley-free, though. Promise!), some little indie gems, some hip-hop, some rock, some soul, etc. Hopefully, there's a little something for everyone. Oh, and as some of you may know Mixwit is dying, so we're trying playlist.com for the time being. Let's hope it goes a little better. Anyway, press play! Go nuts!

(Unfortunately, it seems we're having a little technical difficulty at the moment. We'll embed the playlist here as soon as humanly possible, but for the time being, you can find it by clicking here...)

...And with that, I'm out of here until January. As always, it's been my sincerest pleasure to add a little music to your day. Stay safe, have an incredible holiday and the happiest new year! X's and O's. -R