Saturday, December 27, 2008

The Top 50 Albums of 2008


Bon Iver’s “For Emma Forever Ago” was technically released independently last year but with the insurgence of classic albums from 2007, it fell through my ear crack’s. Luckily for me Justin Vernon’s project received a full-blown major label release this year and turned his small little album written into the Wisconsin woodland into a much-hyped modern folk classic. To me, this year, this album went far beyond the call of duty, it was more like a best friend. It was intimate when intimacy was called for, stirring when things went mundane and comforting when all else failed. It might just be testament to how many good album were made last year that one spilled over to the top spot this year but maybe it just proves that old proverb the music finds you at the right time. In 2008 Bon Iver found me at the right time.

1. For Emma, Forever Ago by Bon Iver
2. Skeletal Lamping by Of Montreal
3. Ragged Wood by Fleet Foxes
4. Dear Science, by TV On The Radio
5. Vampire Weekend by Vampire Weekend
6. You & Me by The Walkmen
7. In Ghost Colours by Cut Copy
8. The Airing Of Grievances by Titus Andronicus
9. Stay Positive by The Hold Steady
10. Microcastle by Deerhunter
11. Saturdays = Youth by M83
12. Visiter by The Dodos
13. Little Joy by Little Joy
14. Devotion by Beach House
15. Nouns by No Age
16. In Ear Park by Department Of Eagles
17. Workout Holiday by White Denim
18. 808's And Heartbreaks by Kanye West
19. Fate by Dr. Dog
20. Volume One by She & Him
21. Med Sud I Eyrum Vid Spilum Endalaust by Sigur Rós
22. The Rhumb Line by Ra Ra Riot
23. Hercules and Love Affair by Hercules and Love Affair
24. Made in the Dark by Hot Chip
25. Tha Carter III by Lil Wayne
26. Santogold by Santogold
27. Youth Novels by Lykke Li
28. Furr by Blitzen Trapper
29. At Mount Zoomer by Wolf Parade
30. Conor Oberst by Conor Oberst
31. Jim by Jamie Lidell
32. Cardinology by Ryan Adams & The Cardinals
33. The Seldom Seen Kid by Elbow
34. Songs In A & E by Spiritualized
35. Vivian Girls by Vivian Girls
36. Silent Movie by Quiet Village
37. Rook by Shearwater
38. The Stand Ins by Okkervil River
39. Crystal Castles by Crystal Castles
40. The Devil, You + Me by The Notwist
41. Los Angeles by Flying Lotus
42. Brighter Than Creation's by Dark Drive-By Truckers
43. OH (ohio) by Lambchop
44. Red Yellow And Blue by Born Ruffians
45. Alopecia by Why?
46. We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed by Los Campesinos!
47. The Midnight Organ Fight by Frightened Rabbit
48. Carried To Dust by Calexico
49. Shine by Estelle
50. Modern by Guilt Beck

4 comments:

Yeewuz said...

No love for Death Cab? Where would you have ranked Narrow Stairs if this list continued on and on...?

adam said...

I would just like to thank you for putting the time and effort into creating this list. There is just no way I could ever find all these bands on my own. You have always been the person I look for to show me new music. This list really goes beyond you just showing off to everyone all your favorite music from the past year. I know that I will love each and every band I listen to, and I will be confident that I am listening to one of the top 50 albums of 2008.

Nate LC said...

Narrow Stairs would most likely be number 83.

Nate LC said...

Thanks Adam! Keep up the good listening.