 | Viva La Vida by Coldplay
Buy new: $11.99 / Used from: $5.95 THE ALBUM OF 2008. an instant classic and such a huge artistic jump for this band. coldplay were always the band of sensitive guys with lush melodies but now they are true artists. this is an artistic album which shows depth, diversity, and tremendous growth. truly the best band in the world right now
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 | Narrow Stairs by Death Cab for Cutie
Buy new: $13.99 / Used from: $8.30 while some may disagree, i believe this to be one of death cab's strongest records. they make a different record and the ugliness of it is what makes it so beautiful. shows a more mature and experimental side of the band and it's refreshing. a great follow up to "plans" and is a classic instantly.
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 | Microcastle/Weird Era Continued by Deerhunter
Buy new: $13.99 / Used from: $10.98 this was my introduction to this great artsy, noisy, punk band from atlanta. i was initially blown away from this double album and it kept me wanting more. amazing mood and atmospheric piece of art/music. a great progression for the band and it puts a nice modern indie twist to this sonic youth/jesus mary chain esque sound.
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 | Little Joy by Little Joy
Buy new: $10.99 / Used from: $4.98 the strokes drummer breaks from the band to play in this side project and maybe he should consider this his new band. such great music that sounds like the beach boys, the velvet underground, and even a little strokes. plus, 3 or 4 of the songs have female vocals. a stunning debut that shows tons of talent
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 | For Emma, Forever Ago by Bon Iver
Buy new: $12.99 / Used from: $10.49 out of nowhere, this great singer/songwriter released one of the best folk albums of the year. similiar to iron & wine and fleet foxes in many ways but with a more lo fi, wintry sound. very talented and will be huge.
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 | Fleet Foxes by Fleet Foxes
Buy new: $11.99 / Used from: $7.63 this is a surprise record of the year. they went under the radar for most of the year but now people are coming around to this warm, sexy album oozing with emotion and longing in the vein of my morning jacket. a stellar debut from a great up and coming band.
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 | The '59 Sound
Buy new: $10.99 / Used from: $8.49 just as i expected, this album is an instant classic upon first listen. a great punk/rock/soul/folk record full of heart and passion and is one of the most unique albums i've heard in many years. this is what you'd get if you mixed against me, bruce springsteen, and the replacements. great album from a great band.
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 | Evil Urges by My Morning Jacket
Buy new: $10.99 / Used from: $6.14 well, this band has raised the bar for music again. this is a flat-out brilliant record and is the band's most diverse yet. it has everything...folk/classic country, acoustic ballads, slow-burning psychedelia, retro/doo wop, rock n roll, and surprisingly a crazy, fun song that is prince-esque. this is definitely their "kid A" album.
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 | Alchemy Index, Vol. 3 & 4: Air and Earth by Thrice
Buy new: $13.98 / Used from: $7.24 two more amazing elements and different sides of the band we haven't seen before. the "air" ep is mesmerizing similiar to "water", and the "earth" ep is more stripped down and folky like dustin's solo effort. final verdict on the alchemy index...it's a masterpiece that raises the bar for the band as well as for music. this band is reinventing music as we speak...
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 | Only by the Night by Kings of Leon
Buy new: $11.99 / Used from: $7.70 this band is turning into one of the best rock bands of the decade. they have progressed as a band in scope and sound while staying true to their southern, folk roots...and it sounds great. the most hyped about band and album of the year is the real deal
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 | Lust Lust Lust by The Raveonettes
Buy new: $12.99 / Used from: $6.65 hands down, one of the surprising records of the year. some sound like rilo kiley, some like sonic youth, some like buddy holly, and some sound straight off the cult show "twin peaks". a very solid album and their best to date
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 | Tail Swallower & Dove by These Arms Are Snakes
Buy new: $13.98 / Used from: $1.54 attention post hardcore bands. stop trying. it's over. this is indie post hardcore at its finest in every form. this band can't be matched by anyone (closest would be mewithoutyou). they've have yet to release a bad album (or even a bad song for that matter). this band is genius and they can do it all. jaw-dropping, stunning indie hardcore rock.
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 | Volume One by She & Him
Buy new: $13.99 / Used from: $9.25 the very charming, beautiful zooey deschanel and m. ward team up and make one of the most beautiful records of the year. very nostalgic sounding and zooeys voice is bliss.
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 | Vampire Weekend by Vampire Weekend
Buy new: $13.99 / Used from: $8.25 while it took me awhile to get over the huge hype surrounding this band i finally listened to the album and i can't deny it. its a great, addictive album and some of the best upbeat indie rock i've heard in years. so yes, the hype is right.
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 | The Rhumb Line by Ra Ra Riot
Buy new: $10.99 / Used from: $6.13 a great indie band who after a fatal drowning accident of a band member, go forward and make a impressive full length debut. stellar indie rock with a lot of sounds and instruments.
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 | Something For All Of Us by Brendan Canning
Buy new: $14.98 / Used from: $2.69 one of the founding members of canada's super indie group broke social scene, makes his own solo album and it sounds like BSS but with more haze and guitar noise. a great album for the fans and to tide them over till their next one
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 | Swimming by French Kicks
Buy new: $13.98 / Used from: $2.39 after starting off as being a cliche version of the strokes younger pop brother, this band has transformed through three albums and have turned into a great band with some substance in their music. the melodies are hauntily mellow and everything else going on is interesting. this is a band growing and evolving
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 | Pretty. Odd. by Panic at the Disco
Buy new: $14.99 / Used from: $2.59 after writing these guys off as a lame knockoff of fall out boy (although i admit their debut was insanely catchy)these guys show their true talent, diversity, and growth with this album. they go back to the past for inspiration (ala beatles, beach boys) and the record is great. i now have respect for this band and can't wait to see where they go next...
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 | Consolers Of The Lonely
Buy new: $13.99 / Used from: $9.99 this album proves that jack white can't run out of musical ideas and that he's one of the best in music right now. another stellar album full of greatness, grooves, and musicianship.
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 | Distortion by Magnetic Fields
Buy new: $15.99 / Used from: $2.73 the kings of fuzz pop are back and stronger than ever. while it may not be as brilliant as 69 love songs, it's still some of their better work and one of their best in a long time. this proves that bands decades in, still have it
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