Contenders for album of 2008
Posted: Sunday, September 28th, 2008Original post with comments here
It was about this time last year that I wrote a journal entry with a preliminary list of my favourite albums of the year and a call for suggestions of albums to check out. It turned out being quite a valuable post, as I discovered phenomenal albums from LCD Soundsystem, Beirut, The National and of Montreal (which ended up being my favourite album from last year). So here I am, trying it again in the hope it’ll be just as successful this time around.
First things first. These are the albums that I’ve fallen in love with so far.
The best of the best
Ben Folds - Way to Normal: A guaranteed inclusion. I would say a return to form, though that’s being a bit tough on Songs for Silverman. After all, a below par Folds record is still miles better than most other things out there.
Favourite songs: 
Cologne, Bitch Went Nuts, Kylie from Connecticut
Amanda Palmer - Who Killed Amanda Palmer: I can safely say that there’s only two artists in my iTunes library that have the genre tag ‘Punk Cabaret’. One is the Dresden Dolls and the other is Amanda Palmer, who happens to be half of the now-on-hiatus Dresden Dolls. This is a stunning solo record that I’ll be listening to for months - possibly years? - to come. Did I mention Ben Folds produced it?
Favourite songs: Astronaut, Ampersand, Oasis
Death Cab for Cutie - Narrow Stairs: To borrow a technique from Fox News, some people say their earlier stuff was better. I say BS. Plans, to me, remains the ultimate. Narrow Stairs was undeniably solid, with a couple of weak tracks.
Favourite songs: I Will Possess Your Heart, Cath…, Grapevine Fires, Your New Twin Sized Bed
Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago: Please Justin, go back to that cabin and write/record some more songs. Nine is just not enough. It’s a break-up album - both of his old band and various relationships - but aren’t all the best records? As good as this is, it takes on a whole new life when performed live. Anyone that can silence the notoriously noisy Shepherds Bush Empire crowd during a soft song has my respect.
Favourite songs: Skinny Love, Blindsided, re:Stacks
The Mountain Goats - Heretic Pride: John Darnielle is the new Dylan. Lyrically, most of Darnielle’s work is streets ahead of anyone else in the industry but his voice is likely to discourage newcomers. Thankfully this effort was a tad more upbeat than Get Lonely, an album that if repeated too often is likely to have you impersonating George-Michael Bluth’s Charlie Brown impersonation. The lyrics are as compelling as ever.
Favourite songs: Sax Rohmer #1, San Bernardino, Marduk T-Shirt Men’s Room Incident
MGMT - Oracular Spectacular: Time To Pretend has to be the song of the year. It’s not the only gem of the album, thus it’s a contender.
Favourite songs: Time To Pretend, Electric Feel, Kids Oracular
Tilly and the Wall - O: Not as good as their previous two albums but they were so good that it doesn’t mean ‘O’ is bad. Some tracks seem very un-Tilly - Pot Kettle Black (”Pot Kettle Pot Kettle Black/Talk that talk that smack”) and Too Excited (”Well I say, boo hoo! And I say, fuck you!”), for example - but a fair portion is the same old joyful Tilly, powered by the beat of a… tap dancer. Yep, a tap dancer.
Favourite songs: Tall Tall Grass, Dust Me Off, Cacophony
Other albums in contention (that I can’t be bothered writing about)
Colin Meloy - Colin Meloy Sings Live
Los Campesinos! - Hold On Now, Youngster… and We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed
Mates of State - Re-Arrange Us
Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend
Yet to listen to properly
Glasvegas, of Montreal, Okkervil River, Fleet Foxes, TV on the Radio
Disappointment of the year (so far)
Josh Pyke - Chimney’s Afire: I hope it grows on me. I really do.
………..im thinking something a little different…….. tina arena jono?