2008 has been a pretty good year. Music-wise, its had good moments as well, like honorably mentionable of Montreal's Skeletal Lamping and the over-hyped Oracular Spectacular brought forth by MGMT. I'd even add Cajun Dance Party's The Colourful Life. My picks for the year's best albums:



When “Mercury” surfaced as Bloc Party’s newest single during the summer and received mixed reviews, I was excited to hear that they announced a new album. I’m not adding Intimacy because of my bias concerning my fangirlyness for this band. I’ll admit that this isn’t Bloc Party’s best, but it works really well. I still think that this album is exceptional, with some really great songs like “Halo” and “Trojan Horse.” For me, Intimacy shows me what Bloc Party is capable of, and how their willing to change their sound here and there. And I have to add that “Ion Square” is a perfectly captured moment in pop dipped in some electro-rock sound.

This is fun, and it’s poppy, and it’s dance-worthy, and it’s pretty good, too. Cut Copy’s In Ghost Colors is crafted well and a lot of its material is catchy. The band sounds a lot more confident than their debut, Bright Like Neon Love, but that’s understandable, this record is solid.

I think The Last Shadow Puppets were my favorite rising band in 2008. The Hollywood-esque, 60’s retro sounds that Miles Kane and Alex Turner bring forth is impressive. You don’t need to be a fan of either Arctic Monkeys or The Rascals to be obliged to listen to this. This is what you’d call ambitious.

Microcastles sounds like summer. Deerhunter deserves all praise necessary to offer for this effort. The album is a pleasing winner. I absolutely love “Never Stops.”

Sounding like The Strokes some times and other times, not, Little Joy has ventured on something great. This debut is bold and it’s consistent. The vocals are swell, the melodies are perfect, and the album as a whole is awesome.

I have no idea what’s being sung about when I listen to Sigur Ros, but I still thought this album was remarkable. In some parts, the record is fun and summery, and in others, the songs slow down a bit, but you’re still able to embrace what’s coming at you.

Since it's the summer and all, I decided to create a summer playlist, and as much as I tried to keep the tracks new, meaning songs from this year, that didn't quite work out seeing that Stars, Yeasayer, and Beck (always an exception) are on here with relatively recent, but old songs.

Beck – “Gamma Ray”
The Kooks – “Do You Wanna”
Julian Casablancas, Santogold, Pharrell Williams – “My Drive Thru”
Deerhunter – “Never Stops”
The Last Shadow Puppets – “In The Heat of the Morning”
Cut Copy – “Nobody Lost, Nobody Found”
Stars – “Bitches In Tokyo”
The Dodos – “Fools”
Envelopes – “I’d Like To C U”
Yeasayer – “Waiting For the Summer”
Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin – “Modern Mystery”
Beck – “Earthquake Weather"

I remember during the beginning of last year, there were a few anticipated albums up for release like Arcade Fire, Bloc Party, Feist, etc. 2008 doesn’t seem so interesting for me other than The Cure and a rumored album by The Vines. I haven’t really been up to date with any reviews, but I do have some new releases that I’ve given a listen to. I guess this is my review post in which I talk about them.

Foals – Antidotes
[download] Red Sock Pugie

When my brother recommended this band to me he described Foals as Los Campesinos! meets Bloc Party. He basically meant that the fun chants and seriousness is included in Foals’ debut album, Antidotes. This album shows boldness and is a contender for being one of the best releases of the year, I’m sure. Though not on heavy rotation at the moment, but will be soon enough, I’m sure, Foals have done a good job at presenting themselves as a promising group. A

Does It Offend You, Yeah? – Let’s Make Out
[download] Let’s Make Out (Original Edit)

This was my first listen of Does It Offend You, Yeah? and I have to admit, though Let’s Make Out was somewhat repetitive, which it ought to be, I was content with this EP. Their debut, You Have No Idea What You’re Getting Yourself Into has already leaked, and I intend to pen my opinion on it once I listen to it thoroughly, but I think I kind of know what to expect after hearing this funky, dance-tempting single. B+


Cut Copy – Lights & Music EP
[download] Lights & Music (Radio Edit)

This EP by Cut Copy was similar to Does It Offend You, Yeah?’s single, not for its substance, but for what it contains: a radio edit and remixes done by other electronica acts. “Time Stands Still” found on CC’s Bright Like Neon Love will certainly be my favorite song by the band, but the songs found on Lights & Music is definitely charming, and does justice to a person’s ears. B


The Bird and the Bee – One Too Many Hearts EP
[download (m4a)] Come As You Are

I became interested in The Bird and the Bee when I learned that Greg Kurstin, one of the two members of the group worked with Beck and Lily Allen. On the band’s website, they describe One Too Many Hearts as “a new EP of love songs.” This EP is certainly witty and has a certain subtle charm that carries irreplaceable aesthetic beauty. A+