The top 5 (in order of awesomeness):
- Honeythistle Promo, the Sweet Divines Only 3 songs from this amazingly-unsigned Brooklyn soul revival outfit, but I have probably listened to this about 1,000 times. Seeing the Sweet Divines live will probably be what I miss most about living in NYC. We caught them 4 times this year, most recently at Joe’s Pub this week.
- Who Killed Amanda Palmer?, Amanda Palmer Amanda is the singer/pianist in Dresden Dolls, who also made my list. This one is my Fox Confessor Brings The Flood for this year.
- This Gift, Sons and Daughters Best effort yet from this Scottish band. They pronounce it “Thess Geft.”
- Rain, Joe Jackson Stripped down production and wailing vocals are my favorite thing. Anyone who sings at the top of their lungs gets much love from me (see Neko, Amanda Palmer, Jemima Pearl of Be Your Own Pet).
- Antidotes, Foals I couldn’t believe this was released in 2008– February seems so long ago. Minimal/Maximal math rock. One of the best shows I saw all year, Dan and I caught them at Union Hall (which I will also miss!).
I got to see each and every artist on top 5 list this year!
The other 20 (in no particular order):
- Night Drive, Chromatics Like an amazing soundtrack to all of the parts they edited out of The Hidden.
- Get Awkward, Be Your Own Pet Riot Grrl-channeling loud punk at its best.
- Casting Shadows, the Black Hollies Lush psychedelia from Jersey City revivalists. Listen to them play most of the album live on the Cherry Blossom Clinic.
- S/T, Jean on Jean Spacious and haunting folkishness from the Out Hud cellist.
- S/T, Vivian Girls What everyone else said.
- Live at Shea, The Clash Great selection of songs played at blistering speeds.
- No, Virginia…, the Dresden Dolls Especially “Dear Jenny”.
- Drippers, Black Moth Super Rainbow The only scratch-n-sniff release on my list. More nice and heavy synth-psych. There’s also a free release of additional material! (scroll down to July 9)
- Alpinisms, School of the Seven Bells Greg got me into this in November, been listening pretty much non stop since.
- S/T, Little Joy Strokesy enough to be great.
- ¿Cómo Te Llama?, Albert Hammond Jr. Also strokesy enough to be great.
- S/T, Hercules and Love Affair “Athene” was my favorite track released in 2007– I get to put this on the list since the album wasn’t officially released until 2008. I love you lazy disco.
- BITS, Oxford Collapse The kind of 90s-style loud indie rock that has been sorely missing for about 10 years.
- Beat Box, Glass Candy
I’ll say it again. I love you lazy disco. - Fantasy Black Channel, Late of the Pier Strange and suprising late addition to my list.
- Alight of Night, Crystal Stilts Kelly loves this. Joy Divisionist.
- Feed the Animals, Girl Talk Kind of an embarrasing entry, but I couldn’t get enough of this while running this year. & the price is right.
- Velocifero, Ladytron Ladytron never dissapoints but is terminally ignored!
- Luminarium, Tape The only experimental/ambient release in my 25– I’m trying to be more accessible.
- Vol. 1, She & Him Listened to this one a lot on long runs in Fredonia this summer.
- Partie Traumatic, Black Kids I know, I’m not supposed to like this, but I had it on my iPod and I realized that I never ever skipped any track from it. For like months. Then I put it on my shuffle for running… it’s still there.
Honorable Mention:
This years releases from High Places, Tobacco, Au, Chairlift, Ra Ra Riot, Ane Brun, Lykke Li, Bon Iver, Ladyhawke-with-the-e, Ladyhawk-without-the-e, Pit Er Pat, Women, Ellen Allien, Studio, HEALTH, Squarepusher, Black Mountain, Jamie Liddell, Fennesz, Titus Andronicus, Growing.
Oooooo, thanks. I’ve got some listening to do starting with Joe Jackson. I love your comment on Joe’s stripped down wailing.I totally agree and it makes me a) want to hear it and b) make my next album. I need that love!
I was hoping you’d have the same stuff as I would on your list, but am glad you don’t. Quite a bit more music for me to check out now!
Yes! Let’s hear that wail!
I think I left off a few things just because I know you covered them. That The Sight Below album, for example, is terrific.
I think I like that TOBACCO album more than the BMSR albums. Just been enjoying driving around with it on. I felt a little disappointed by the Fennesz album, but haven’t blasted it or listened to it on headphones yet.
I feel like the TOBACCO songs are mostly just sketches, but I’m sure the same could be said of most of BMSR’s stuff (particularly Drippers). I’m still warming to the Fennesz, but not to the degree of Endless Sumemer– it does strike me when it comes up on random… a good soundtrack to the new tranquility of snowy-as-hell Syracuse.
I just got my extras from the Amanda Palmer CD. Good stuff! I’ll have to check out some of your others.
I hope you get a chance to see her play down there… it was one of the highlights of my year. A few weeks after I bought tickets to the show I got a packet with all these weird photos and other ephemera in it… Kelly was convinced it was from an old high school friend or something. Hope all is well is Austin!
Hercules! YES!
Everything’s cool in Austin. ^^
I got a packet when I pre-ordered her CD. Fun staff. Also autographed by Neil Gaiman. I missed the Dresden Dolls last time they were in Austin, but I’ll be keeping an eye out. Hope all is good in Syracuse! Is that Greek pizza place still on M Street?