Favorite Albums of 2008 (mid-year)

Posted on June 19, 2008
Filed Under Music |

We’re at the halfway mark, so it’s time to review our first six months of excellent music. I’ll go first. Here are my top 5 albums for 2008 (January-June):

5.

The Cool Kids - The Bake Sale

I know everybody loves Lil Wayne right now, but this is easily my favorite rap album of the year so far. The Cool Kids make fun music, and anyone who doesn’t want to have fun can just go home. The Bake Sale brings ‘88 back and makes party rap something we don’t have to be embarrassed of. “So if you’re ugly keep your hands by your side. but if you’re not then put ‘em in the sky. and if you knowin’ what it is, it’s a party at the crib, come and party with the Kids!” oh man. awesome.

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4.

Dosh - Wolves and Wishes

I doubt anyone else will put this on their list, but this is the album I’ve listened to the most this year. And I’m not sure why… Dosh is an electronic/experimental percussion master. He drums for Andrew Bird, and anyone who can make music with that man is already in a very high ranking musically. But Wolves and Wishes can suit any mood I’m in, at any time of the day, and for short or long periods of time. I can’t explain why this instrumental album strikes that chord, but hopefully some of you dear readers will understand when you check it out.

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3.

Girl Talk - Feed the Animals

So I listened to this three times today, and i still can’t believe it. I won’t be surprised if we look back at 2008 years from now to remember Feed the Animals as the one that changed everything. Pay what you want, sample without permission, withhold any real substance, and make the funnest music you can mash together. That’s the Girl Talk way! Kanye, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Daft Punk, Roy Orbison, Kelly Clarkson, the Beastie Boys, the Cool Kids, the Beach Boys, Lil Wayne, Metallica, Classic Rock, blues, 80’s, 90’s, and modern pop music all meeting up for a 2008 party (along with who knows how much more). I’ve dabbled in DJ stuff, but after hearing this I feel like I should just give up and let Greg Gillis take over as king of the club.

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2.

Bonnie Prince Billy - Lie Down in the Light

The quiet, spiritual album. Americana rawness and poetic integrity. I really don’t have much to say about the album except that when my soul is tired I can drink deeply of this music. Will Oldham is a superb songwriter, and Lie Down in the Light should stand as hard proof.

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1. Why? - Alopecia

It has challenged, entertained, frightened, assaulted, and repulsed me. Alopecia grabs its listener from the beginning and continues to tighten the grip until the end. It is musically diverse, lyrically brilliant, and its uniqueness defies comparison. I can’t promise that everyone will love it as much as I do, but for those who fear no art, you will find a great gem in the daring experimentation of Why?.

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other good stuff that came out this year: Cut Copy - In Ghost Colours, The Explorer’s Club - Freedom Wind, the Tallest Man on Earth - Shallow Grave

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alright, so how about everyone else? I can’t listen to every album that comes out, what great records am I missing out on?

Dylan Peterson is a recently married bicyclist from Chicago. He provides internal help to Sound Opinions (check your local NPR station for times, or subscribe to the podcast). And he made an official muxtape for the Relvant Music Blog.

Comments

10 Responses to “Favorite Albums of 2008 (mid-year)”

Eric on June 20th, 2008 1:32 pm

The album by Foals - Antidotes is really spending some time in my player lately. It’s an odd mix of dance rhythms, synchopated clean-guitars, and atmospheric horns. When I put it on, it fills the room, and I chill-out at the end of the day.
Ashley Zirbes on June 20th, 2008 6:49 pm

Age of the Understatement by The Last Shadow Puppets… the track Calm Like You is phenomenal.
Eric Snyder on June 22nd, 2008 9:42 pm

you could give Mending by The New Frontiers a try. It is really good.
Mo on June 23rd, 2008 1:27 pm

With Arrows, With Poise by The Myriad. It’s one of those albums that you find youself jonesing for, and nothing else will satisfy until you hear the first strains of “You Waste Time Like A Grandfather Clock”.
Alasdair Lindop on June 24th, 2008 6:30 am

Being British, the albums that are available and come to attention often differ from those across the pond (apart from Coldplay fever it would seem). So thanks for bringing Girl Talk to my attention. My word, it’s making my masters thesis go like a breeze. Well, maybe not making it easier, but certainly making it a lot more bearable!

Thanks muchly!
Lukas on June 25th, 2008 4:48 pm

Your top two easily make my mid year top 10. That Why? album is just incredible…I’ve probably listened to that more than any other album this year, and only recently put it down for a break.
drue on June 26th, 2008 1:21 am

mid 2008 top 5 huh? I recommend :
5. Erykah Badu - New Amerykah Part #1
4. Braille - The IV
3. Thrice - The Alchemy Index Vol.3 & 4
2. Centromatic - Dual Hawkes
1. Worth Dying For - s/t
Andrew on July 14th, 2008 11:50 pm

1. Fleet Foxes- Sun Giant EP
2. The Helio Sequence - Keep Your Eyes Ahead
3. Tapes ‘n Tapes - Walk It Off
4. Mates of State - Re-Arrange Us
5. David Karsten Daniels - Fear of Flying

I’m a big DOSH fan, but haven’t pick up his 08 album yet. Centro-Matic/South San Gabriel’s “Dual Hawks” was good, but really not their best, maybe it’ll grow on me. Also, M83 “Saturday=Youth” was a close call.
Benjamin Owsley on July 19th, 2008 10:06 pm

Beck’s Modern Guilt is definitely up there for me. It is very mature and deep as well as very addicting and beautiful.
Brenden Strang on August 14th, 2008 11:54 am

This isn’t all that easy, how to choice just five. But I think I have done it. In no particular order.
Death Cab for Cutie - Narrow Stairs
Not big fan of the band as a whole but this is a great album.
Wolf Parade - At Mount Zoomer
Their first album is my fav, this is still awesome.
The Raconteurs - Consolers of the Lonely
Listened to this for about a month straight.
The Classic Crime - The Silver Cord
These guys have really matured their music and song writing.
Jon Foreman - Winter, Spring, Summer (and Fall too)
I know these are different albums, but these are the some the best lyrics ever written.

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Favorite Albums of 2008 (mid-year)

5.

The Cool Kids - The Bake Sale

4.

Dosh - Wolves and Wishes

3.

Girl Talk - Feed the Animals

2.

Bonnie Prince Billy - Lie Down in the Light

1.

Why? - Alopecia

other good stuff that came out this year: Cut Copy - In Ghost Colours, The Explorer’s Club - Freedom Wind, the Tallest Man on Earth - Shallow Grave

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