LPTJ Best of 2008 Thread

[davy]

I think we may even already have one in here somewhere, maybe started by davy (who I know has a similar thing he did with Weezer's last album).

Yep. Weezer's album will place highly on my list solely because I fucked with it extensively. I left the front half alone, but radically altered the second half, replacing two songs with b-sides (one of which is the fantastic "Miss Sweeney") and shifting the track order.

Not only did it make the album better (in its original state, it wouldn't have come near my list), it also meant spending some quality time with songs I might otherwise have glossed over. Now I feel like I have a personal stake in the record.

I tried to do the same with the DBT album, but I still didn't like it enough. It would've made one hell of a great EP, though.

[davy]

Beck radically improved on his last two albums by limiting "Modern Guilt."

Disagree. The Information was one of my favorite records that year. It had some filler, but the best tracks were better than anything on Modern Guilt. As a whole, the new album just feels slight to me.

Now here's a middle-ground I'll meet you on: the best songs on "Information" are better than "Guilt." But man, that album is SOOOO long, and it piddles about in several places. There's only a few songs on "Guilt" that nail me, but I like the feel of the album. It bounces along nicely and then is over. gotta say - it's not going to crack my top 20 (it's fallen into the "almost made it" 20 - 30 list), but it was a good album. "The Information" simply has too many "by the numbers" tracks to stand as a full-on album for me. Personally, I kinda hope he makes another acoustic sorta album next, but "Modern Guilt" was an interesting diversion.

Yeah, that sounds about right. The first thing I said about Modern Guilt was that it had a great feel. I still think that. The Information could've been shorter, absolutely, but I like the majority of those songs more.

[Danen]

Okay, this is going to be the longest post ever, but here goes:

The top 40 albums of 2008

Ultimately, nobody is more surprised than me at my number one, and I suppose I’ll bring on the haters, but what the hell. The biggest problem I had with “Cryptograms” was that it didn’t earn the hype, and it didn’t match the awesome live show I saw in 2006. Bradford Cox – love him or leave him, he doesn’t care – somehow jettisoned the pretensions that weren’t working and kept the ones that were, resulting in one hell of an album, start to finish. This is a band playing at its best and actually earning its praise, so praise it I shall. To top it off, the band backs “Microcastle” with an album length b-side that on its own would be a long way from #1, but functions as I think it’s meant to. So here you have it, complete with one sentence comments below each one. I might also add here that Bob Dylan’s “Tell Tale Songs” and both the Pogues and Arthur Russell sets deserve serious praise for being exactly what outtakes collections should be – tight and worthy of repeat listening. Also, what sort of year lags in the summer and drops FOUR keepers in DECEMBER? I guess this one. I made, dismembered, added to, took away from, etc this list countless times over the last week, but I think this is it. And so…

1.   Deerhunter – Microcastle/Weird Era Cont.
See above – after repeat listening, still blowing my mind.
key track: “Little Kids”

2.   Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks – Real Emotional Trash
Add one Janet, take away silly wastes of time and create the album I’ve waited   ten years for – if “Out of Reaches” doesn’t do it for you, you don’t like Malkmus.
key track: “Out of Reaches”

3.   Fennesz – Black Sea/June e.p.
In a great year for ambient/experimental music, Fennesz pulled a serious comeback, transporting the listener to a sound that is exactly like the album title – a black sea: the winter equivalent to “Endless Summer.”
key track: “The Colour of Three”

4.   Larkin Grimm – Parplar
Such a strong smoky voice paired with killer guitar lines, cool lyrics and just enough added extras – what more do you want?
key track: “Dominican Rum”

5.   Spiritualized – Songs in A & E
Comeback album of the year: Jason Pierce, seemingly dead or drugged out for a decade now, takes a bad scene and throws all his skills at it, showing wanna be’s like Oasis how it’s done.
key track: “Soul on Fire”

6.   Bon Iver – For Emma, Forever Ago
Another guy who earns his hype – go ahead, now tell me I can’t vote for it because it’s a 2007 release: I got it this year, so there you go.
key track: “Re: Stacks”

7.   Fire on Fire – the Orchard
May actually be better than #7, but I’ve only had a few days to digest. For further details see the thread I started – it really is that good.
key track: “Assanine Race”

8.   Fleet Foxes – Fleet Foxes/Sun Giant e.p.
Damn near lives up to the hype, if only for the vocal use throughout, but it works on so many levels – now let’s see them follow it (and I mean that).
key track: “White Winter Hymnal”

9.   Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds – Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!!
Nick brings the fun from Grinderman and turns the Bad Seeds into a hell of a garage band, complete with Bukowski putdowns and the heroin-addled resurrection of “Larry” – awesome.
key track: “Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!!”

10.   TV on the Radio – Dear Science,
True story – I was driving down a mountain when “Halfway Home” broke into its awesome coda: my speed went through the roof and here comes a cop, who promptly pulls over the guy IN FRONT OF ME. Now, why couldn’t they have kept this up for more than half the album?
key track: “Halfway Home”

11.   Sun Kil Moon – April
Not as ‘change yer life’ as “Ghosts,” but I’ll take his voice and guitar over almost anything when it’s as on as this album.
key track: “Lost Verses”

12.   Jandek – London Tuesday
Janky gives us the story of what happened to that cowboy way back on album one in a gorgeous 60 minute song about what happens when a cult icon realizes he has an audience – the best of five new Jandek albums this year.
key track: “No Mind Was a Good Mind part 4”

13.   Vivian Girls
The Shaggs meets the Ramones meets the Jesus and Mary Chain meets the Ronettes meets Wire – it puts a smile on my face from start to its 25 minutes later finish, and what more can you want?
key track: “Tell the World”

14.   Portishead – Third
What’s up with the comebacks this year? Another one that does it right – keeping all the creepy and actually getting better.
key track: “Hunter”

15.   Machinefabriek – Dauw
Is this DUTCH nut the Robert Pollard of the ambient crowd? If his albums are all this good, does it matter? Thanks for the intro point!
key track: “Dauw”

16.   Jay Reatard – Matador Singles ‘08
Yes, the songs are that good, sure it’s an album, and yes you should get it.
key track: “See/Saw”

17.   The Gaslight Anthem – ’59 Sound
I feared this would be another Arcade Fire-esque band, but turns out they get something: Bruce is better when you pare it down and make it sound like Social Distortion – a band to watch for sure.
key track: “the ’59 Sound”

18.   Sigur Rós - Með Suð í Eyrum Við Spilum Endalaust
      Sigur adds some pop to their dreamy splendor for a neat new direction.
      key track: “Gobbledigook”

19.   Destroyer – Trouble in Dreams
The first four songs get it all right, and even if the rest of the album can’t quite keep up, Bejar is still on his game.
key track: “The State”

20.   Thee Gandalfs – I-Hate-the-Lord-of-the-Rings Pride / Gollum Messiah e.p.
Just ‘cause.
key track: “San Bernadino-shire”

21.   Mount Eerie with Julie Doiron and Fred Squire – Lost Wisdom
Best Elverum in a while, and he should invite Doiron around more often.
key track: “Flaming Home”

22.   Grouper – Dragging a Dead Deer up a Hill
Creepy and gorgeous and almost there – go, Liz, go!
key track: “Heavy Water/I’d Rather be Sleeping”

23.   Vampire Weekend
Good chops can’t quite make up for bad lyrics and a let-down middle section, but good pop all the same.
key track: “Mansard Roof”

24.   Deerhoof – Offend Maggie
An off year for ‘hoof, but still a good album, especially in the first half.
key track: “Buck and Judy”

25.   Damien Jurado – Caught in the Trees
Did anyone else notice this? Solid and scary, just like a Jurado album should be.
key track: “Caskets”

26.   the Hold Steady – Stay Positive
See notes elsewhere in this thread, then listen to that great middle section.
key track: “Both Crosses”

27.   Times New Viking – Rip It Off
Deserving of better, but here’s where they go – awesome lo-fi noise POP!
key track: “the Wait”

28.   R.E.M. – Accelerate
Reminds me of seeing them live years ago – on fire and happy to be there – yet ANOTHER comeback.
key track: “Living Well is the Best Revenge”

29.   Phillip Jeck – Sand
First album in four years returns Jeck to form, clicks, hiss and serious drone.
key track: “Fanfares”

30.   Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billie – Lie Down in the Light
Because in the end, it’s not about the legend, it’s about the songs, and here they are.
key track: “So Everyone”

31.   Beck – Modern Guilt
Not quite a return to form, but a fun album from start to finish, with just the right amount of doom in the lyrics.
key track: “Gamma Ray”

32.   The Fall – Imperial Wax Solvent
Mark E. Smith is a fifty year old man – what’re you gonna DOOOO ABOUT IT?!
key track: “50 Year Old Man”

33.   Shearwater – Rook
GREAT music, and some genuinely fantastic songs, but someone needs to tell Jonathan Meiburg that he’s no Mark Hollis and save us from more Meatloaf moments.
key track: “Leviathan, Bound”

34.   American Music Club – the Golden Age
Just think, by the end of any given day Mark Eitzel’s already broken two hearts and set up another for tomorrow – and he’s been doing this for twenty years!
key track: “The Decibels and the Little Pills”

35.   Kaki King – Dreaming of Revenge
The guitars still sound great and the voice even better, but do we really need this much production?
key track: “Pull Me Out Alive”

36.   David Byrne and Brian Eno – Everything That Happens Will Happen Today
Don’t look for “Remain in Light,” just show up for the fun.
key track: “Strange Overtones”

37.   Mark Kozalek – The Finally LP
A victory lap after the great “April,” this terrific album returns Kozalek the covers crown he gave up with the tepid “Tiny Cities.”
key track: “Celebrated Summer”

38.   Stereolab – Chemical Chords
“Neon Beanbag” brings the doo-wop goods, and the album bodes well for the ‘Lab’s future, even if there’s no going back to the Emperor.
key track: “Neon Beanbag”

39.   Beachhouse – Devotion
Gorgeous vocals and simple sounds make for a fine relaxing album, but does the band have any surprises?
key track: “Turtle Island”

40.   Atlas Sound – Let the Blind Lead Those Who Can See But Cannot Feel
Awesome openers lead to a tired ending for Bradford Cox’s side project – but man, when it works it’s all over it.
key track: “River Card”

[Nick Ink]

15.            Macinhefabriek – Dauw
Is this Danish nut the Robert Pollard of the ambient crowd? If his albums are all this good, does it matter? Thanks for the intro point!
key track: “Dauw”

Dutch, not Danish. 

22.   Grouper – Dragging a Dead Deer up a Hill
Creepy and gorgeous and almost there – go, Liz, go!
key track: “Heavy Water/I’d Rather be Sleeping”

I think you should make this your #20 so it gets counted on the overall chart. I mean, John would only be embarrassed to be in there, so knocking out the Gandalfs isn't a problem!

[Nick Ink]

29.   Phillip Jeck – Sand
First album in four years returns Jeck to form, clicks, hiss and serious drone.
key track: “Fanfares”

For some reason I'd always been a bit afraid of Philip Jeck's music. But this post and seeing the album mentioned a lot recently persuaded me to listen to some samples. Anyway, long story short, I bought it this morning and have been loving it. So, thaks for tipping me over the edge!

[Danen]

For some reason I'd always been a bit afraid of Philip Jeck's music. But this post and seeing the album mentioned a lot recently persuaded me to listen to some samples. Anyway, long story short, I bought it this morning and have been loving it. So, thaks for tipping me over the edge!

Glad to help, regarding Jeck. Avoid the bland "seven" and pick up "Surf" or "Host" next, if you like what you hear.

RE: Dutch vs. Danish on Mr. Machinefabriek - duh. That's what I get for writing while I'm hungry. Think I'll get that Danish now...

[Nick Ink]

Okay, here it is. I won't change it around any more, I promise:

1. Machinefabriek -  Dauw
2. Jacaszek - Treny
3. Rameses III - Basilica
4. Half Man Half Biscuit - CSI:Ambleside
5. Windy And Carl - Songs For The Broken Hearted
6. Christopher Willits & Ryuichi Sakamoto - Ocean Fire
7. Autechre - Quaristice
8. Grouper - Dragging A Dead Deer Up A Hill
9. Fennesz - Black Sea
10. Goldmund - The Malady Of Elegance
11. Lau Nau - Nukkuu
12. Excepter - Debt Dept.
13. Library Tapes - A Summer Beneath The Trees
14. Aleph-1 - Aleph-1
15. Wouter van Veldhoven - Four Simple Songs For Five Dead Bumblebees
16. Lawrence English - Kiri No Oto
17. Growing - All The Way
18. Jasper TX - Black Sleep
19. Claro Intelecto - Metanarrative
20. Fabio Orsi - Before long, before anyone, the stars will be walls in my mind

21. Hauschka - Ferndorf
22. Paavoharju - Laulu Laakson Kukista
23. Kevin Drumm - Imperial Distortion
24. Aidan Baker & Tim Hecker - Fantasma Parastasie
25. Benoit Pioulard - Temper
26. Cloudland Canyon - Lie In Light
27. Christina Carter - Original Darkness
28. Max Richter - 24 Postcards
29. 2562 - Aerial
30. Philip Jeck - Sand
31. Richard Skelton - Marking Time
32. Aidan Baker - Book Of Nods
33. Tape - Luminarium
34. Headhunter - Nomad
35. Beach House - Devotion
36. William Basinski & Richard Chartier - Untitled 1-3
37. Department Of Eagles - In Ear Park
38. Fuck Buttons - Street Horrrsing
39. Greg Weeks - The Hive
40. Eric Copeland - Alien In A Garbage Dump

And with pretty pictures, lastfm links and a few words, if I get time...

http://www.last.fm/user/nickinko/journal/2008/12/23/2co0li_08_-_favourite_albums

[chester]

wow, i had no idea greg weeks released an album this year. thank you nick for letting me know.
i definitely need to check that out.

[RavingLunatic]

11.   Sun Kil Moon – April
Not as ‘change yer life’ as “Ghosts,” but I’ll take his voice and guitar over almost anything when it’s as on as this album.
key track: “Lost Verses”

Pretty much exactly my thoughts on this one as well.

[Almanzo]

Man, I can't wait to hear the Mark Kozelek version of "Celebrated Summer," but I bet it's exactly what I'm imagining.

[Danen]

Man, I can't wait to hear the Mark Kozelek version of "Celebrated Summer," but I bet it's exactly what I'm imagining.

Yes, I bet it's exactly how you imagine it, but I think that's a good thing - and it may be my favorite Husker track, so it's not a statement I'd make lightly. Actually, with the exception of "Send in the Clowns" (which is as good as a cover of that is going to get, but which is, as Pitchfork noted, still "Send in the Clowns"), it's all that good. I've really enjoyed listening to it the last few days.

[FreddyKnuckles]

1.  Miley Cyrus - Breakout
2.  Kidz Bop 14
3.  Jonas Brothers - A Little Bit Longer
4.  Kanye West - 808s and Heartbreak
5.  Demi Lovato - Don't Forget
6.  Another Cinderella Story OST
7.  David Archuleta - David Archuleta
8.  Lady Gaga - The Fame
9.  Katy Perry - One of the Boys
10.  Beyonce - I Am... Sasha Fierce
11.  David Cook - David Cook
12.  Machinefabriek - Dauw
13.  Britney Spears - Circus
14.  Taylor Swift - Fearless
15.  Scarlett Johanssen - Everywhere I Lay My Head
16.  Yes We Can:  Voices of the Grassroots Movement
17.  Pink - Funhouse
18.  Mama Mia OST
19.  Coldplay - Viva La Vida
20.  High School Musical 3

[davy]

Every time I get excited about a new 2008 album and get ready to demote the new Black Crowes album, I listen to it again and realize it's better than ever. Every song is solid. The drumming is really classy. The vocals are strong. I can't stress it enough: historically, I'm not a fan of this band. But this album has really impressed me. Look for it in my top 10 (I'm getting close to settling).

[narlus]

note to self: don't roadtrip w/ Freddy Knuckles. 

[Andrew_TSKS]

I think his brother is fucking with him.

[narlus]

I think his brother is fucking with him.

Babar is his brother?

[FreddyKnuckles]

I like how he still included Machinefabriek

[Nick Ink]

wow, i had no idea greg weeks released an album this year. thank you nick for letting me know.
i definitely need to check that out.

Yes, I like it a lot and might have placed it higher if I'd had a bit more time to get into it. It's a little bit samey throughout, but one or two of the songs are excellent (including an unrecognisable version of Madonna's Borderline). I hope Espers do something new soon, ideally the Weed Tree 2 I read they were working on.

[Nick Ink]

Man, I can't wait to hear the Mark Kozelek version of "Celebrated Summer," but I bet it's exactly what I'm imagining.

Yes, I bet it's exactly how you imagine it, but I think that's a good thing - and it may be my favorite Husker track, so it's not a statement I'd make lightly. Actually, with the exception of "Send in the Clowns" (which is as good as a cover of that is going to get, but which is, as Pitchfork noted, still "Send in the Clowns"), it's all that good. I've really enjoyed listening to it the last few days.

Stars Of The Lid sort of covered it, but with just very bare, slow instrumentation and no lyrics of course, calling it Don't Bother They're Here.

[ellaguru]

I like how he still included Machinefabriek

Ditto.

[Andrew_TSKS]

I think his brother is fucking with him.

Babar is his brother?

dieblucasdie is Freddy's brother.

[coldforge]

I think he was making joke

[Andrew_TSKS]

I don't get it.

[coldforge]

He was saying that the tastes which blucas attempted to ascribe to FreddyKnuckles, which are intended to exemplify an immature, teenage mainstream aesthetic, rife as that list is with very disreputable and tasteless records, bear a humorous resemblance to the ACTUAL tastes possessed by Babar. Thus he intimated—again, humorously—that Babar was the original author of the list, and thus in accordance with your claim that his brother was fucking him, must Babar his brother also be.

[narlus]