my favorite albums of 2008
i am not someone who hears all the newest "hip" bands. i do not get free CDs mailed to me (just once). i do not have enuff money to buy alot of new CDs altho i do buy some. i do not purchase iTunes music on a regular basis but i have bought about 4 albums from them this year. (drm is a the main reason i don't get more) and let's face it, radio sucks! so hearing brand spanking new music is not always easy. before the mp3 explosion it was nearly impossible. nowadays you can find just about any music on the internet. but you have to look for it.
i say all this in order to explain that i did manage to hear some new music in the last year. the ways in which i acquired the new albums vary. some were purchased either thru iTunes or via CD. some were given to me by friends. and some were downloaded off the internet. i'm not gonna say which ones i paid for and which ones i didn't. i am just gonna say that my exposure to new music was somewhat limited. so this is my list of the best albums of 2008 that i have heard. my list is considerably un-hip compared to the 1000 other best-of lists out there in blog land. there are 2 reasons for this: i do not get to hear most "new" bands (like i said) and i DO NOT LIKE cutesy pop. i'm sure there are some really good new albums that i haven't heard. but my list is all about what i like instead of what is "hip". these are not in any particular order except for the top 3
my favorites of 2008.............
The Raconteurs - Consolers of the Lonely
Jack White's other band is almost as good as his first. and this is their best effort yet.
Mudcrutch - Mudcrutch
so this is what good country-rock is supposed to be. that's a relief because i once thought that it didn't exist.
Portishead - Third
an old favorite makes a bold return. this one isn't quite the same as the 90's albums and that's a good thing. more original than anything else released in 2008.
Radiohead - In Rainbows
technically this album was released in 2007 but i didn't get into it until 2008. and, best of all, IT WAS LEGALLY FREE!! this album is notable for so many reasons but for me it will be remembered as the first Radiohead album that i couldn't stop listening to. before this i just liked Radiohead. now i love them!
AmpLive - Rainydayz
this collection of In Rainbows remixes is almost better than the original blueprint. this a perfect example of how great music transcends genres and inspires more great music. find out more about this album HERE
AC/DC - Black Ice
just when you thought that classic rock was dead AC/DC comes back strong and shows everyone how it's done.
Ghostland Observatory - Robotique Majestique
i'm not usually into electronic music but i started listening to this when i thought i would see them at Bonnaroo. i didn't get to go to Roo but i discovered that synth-based dance-electro-punk-rock can have alot of soul.
Black Keys - Attack & Release
the best album yet from the blues-rock duo. they expanded their sound just when they needed to.
Grace Potter - This is Somewhere .....
my FIRST (and only) freebie CD that was offered to me because of this blog. i was only vaguely familiar with Grace Potter before seeing the Nocturnals in concert last february. i was blown away. then i wrote about that show on the blog. then Grace's manager sent me a CD. then i found out why i should have been listening to her before. soulful and original, this album is very good.
Alison Krauss & Robert Plant - Raising Sand
this one also may have been from 2007 but it was 2008 when it really made an impact. these two singers are experts at their craft. and producer T-Bone Burnett was the perfect preacher to marry their two worlds. i saw them in concert in June. that show made me appreciate this album even more.
Erykah Badu - New Amerykah, pt. 1
if the original Funkadelic were making new music today, it would sound like this. this album is an instant classic. unfortunately, it will not receive the attention it deserves.
Tom Morello - The Fabled City
The Nightwatchman expands his folk-punk repertoire. the result is a statement that protest music is not dead as long as Morello retains that fire in his soul.
Michael Franti & Spearhead - All Rebel Rockers
reggae and rock and a great message to boot. Spearhead again comes at us with positive grooves and thoughtful lyrics. don't just sing it. believe it.
Testament - Formation of Damnation
who says heavy metal is dead?!? don't say it again or a reunited Testament will kick your ass!!
Rush - Snakes & Arrows
this great power trio are the kings of the live album and this one might their best yet. i think they're getting better with age.
Willie Nelson & Wynton Marsalis - Two Men with the Blues
great sound, great musicianship, classic songs with unforgettable arrangements. good music doesn't get presented much better than this
and here is my TOP 3 albums of 2008.......
the 15th album from one of my all-time favorites. this may be the best album of their long career. it is a shame that most rock fans will never learn how good they really are. this is my kind of music: crunchy and heavy plus melodic and catchy. "pray" is the best song by any rock band in a looonng time. young bands take note, THIS is how it's done.
another one of my all-time favorites who put out a brilliant album in 2008. i can't get these songs out of my head. joe has recorded with many different band combinations and his superb songwriting is always the star. this one features a power trio with long-time bandmates Graham Maby (bass) and Dave Houghton (drums). these well-crafted songs showcase elements of jazz, pop and rock while keeping joe's well-known humor and attitude alive. this is one his very best works.(drum roll please).... the very best album i heard all year was in fact the first CD that i purchased. i got it at the artist's show on new year's eve one year ago....
Sol is an amazing talent. a guitarist/singer/songwriter and producer. his music is music that makes you feel good. and that ain't bad. i have been listening to this CD consistently for an entire year. more than any other album on this list. these songs have a great sound and cover several styles like deep blues, laid-back reggae, pure funk, psychedelic rock, and smooth R&B. this album clearly doesn't fit in any one category. the main players here comprise of the Sol Creech Band. but there are some brilliant new sounds complementing them like electric piano, horns and even a flute. and it is all good. no trends or cliches here. Sol puts into each song just what it needs. he can be take a nod to the traditional and still be original and fresh. not too much over-the-top production and no showboating. there is no need to pretend when the music is as pure and free as this. everyone should hear this album.i MUST APOLOGIZE to Sol for not raving about this album sooner. i meant to. i just never did before now. i'm late again. i'm slow. i'll spank myself and not enjoy it.
now give yourself a New Year's present and GO BUY ONE (or more) OF THESE ALBUMS TODAY!
Posts
0 comments:
Post a Comment