Listmania!
The 2008 top 35
By an Amazon.com customer
Offend MaggieOffend Maggie by Deerhoof
Buy new: $13.99 / Used from: $6.45
This one punches on through! Deerhoof has always been good but that comes to a head here.
Seventh Tree (Deluxe Edition)Seventh Tree (Deluxe Edition) by Goldfrapp
Buy new: $16.99 / Used from: $12.83
This is the "Hounds of Love" of this decade as far as I'm concerned. Probably their best and that is saying something.
ThirdThird by Portishead
Buy new: $12.99 / Used from: $6.23
How can they still be this good? The only bad thing about them is the patience they require.
AccelerateAccelerate by R.E.M.
Buy new: $14.99 / Used from: $2.06
This is their best album since New Adventures in Hi-fi...isn't that great?
In RainbowsIn Rainbows by Radiohead
Buy new: $11.99 / Used from: $7.88
Thom Yorke's whining once again rises to artistic excellence.
1919 by Adele
Buy used from: $2.51
Very very good. She has a distinctive voice and uses something all the great soul singers employ....inflection.
Safe Trip HomeSafe Trip Home by Dido
Buy new: $10.99 / Used from: $1.17
Adult music at its best...again.
Murs for PresidentMurs for President by Murs
Buy new: $13.98 / Used from: $3.92
One hell of an album...this one should elect him President of slept on rappers with a day job.
RookRook by Shearwater
Buy new: $13.99 / Used from: $7.95
the end of "I was a cloud" is lovely. The rest of the album is almost as lovely.
MicrocastleMicrocastle by Deerhunter
Buy new: $13.99 / Used from: $9.64
One of the best alternative albums I've heard in years....great late decade stuff.
The Hawk Is HowlingThe Hawk Is Howling by Mogwai
Buy new: $16.99 / Used from: $8.95
this one's a masterpiece..like tortoise and ratatat had a baby.
DevotionDevotion by Beach House
Buy new: $13.98 / Used from: $55.31
very very nice....there is devotion here
Crystal CastlesCrystal Castles by Crystal Castles
Buy new: $12.99 / Used from: $8.98
the best electronic album of 2008
LuminariumLuminarium by Tape
Buy new: $19.98 / Used from: $10.63
I couldn't believe when I heard "parade"...i made a song very similar to it four years ago....i believe in esp
Scared FamousScared Famous by Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti
Buy used from: $6.25
haunting echoes that sound like yesterday calling from tomorrow.
Silent MovieSilent Movie by Quiet Village
Buy new: $14.98 / Used from: $9.09
try streaming "Broken Promises" to your XBOX during Call of Duty...you'll break all their promises.
PreparationsPreparations by Prefuse 73
Buy new: $17.98 / Used from: $4.97
another slice and paste electronic hip hop banger from prefuse.
AlpinismsAlpinisms by School of Seven Bells
Buy used from: $8.18
There is something retro in this that makes the nostalgia trip you'll get almost as good as an acid hit.
WLIB AM: King of the WigflipWLIB AM: King of the Wigflip by Madlib
Buy new: $14.98 / Used from: $6.16
it is essential that you get the two emusic companion discs to go along with this
The Rhumb LineThe Rhumb Line by Ra Ra Riot
Buy new: $10.99 / Used from: $3.09
the Kate Bush cover is actually good...and the rest of the record is worthwhile too. A rare find.
Vampire WeekendVampire Weekend by Vampire Weekend
Buy new: $12.99 / Used from: $8.21
sometimes the buzz actually lives up...this was quite good.
To SurviveTo Survive by Joan As Police Woman
Buy new: $12.98 / Used from: $2.50
the best record of its kind in 2008.
The Boy Who Couldn't Stop DreamingThe Boy Who Couldn't Stop Dreaming by Club 8
Buy new: $11.98 / Used from: $4.94
They're really nice aren't they?
High PlacesHigh Places by High Places
Buy new: $14.99 / Used from: $6.29
Playing like a lower fidelity School of Seven Bells, High Places sounds like a bunch of third graders that know what the hell they're doing.
New Amerykah, Pt. 1: 4th World WarNew Amerykah, Pt. 1: 4th World War by Erykah Badu
Buy new: $10.97 / Used from: $4.72
continuing to take DIY to a whole new level, she makes what could very well be her best.
NasNas by Nas
Buy new: $12.99 / Used from: $2.95
you gotta listen to "Testify"
Un DiaUn Dia by Juana Molina
Buy new: $13.99 / Used from: $4.40
South America's Lisa Germano is still strong....as proven by Un Dia
MediocreMediocre by Ximena Sariñana
Buy new: $11.99 / Used from: $3.54
My Spanish is really bad but even I can tell these are really good songs.
Viva La VidaViva La Vida by Coldplay
Buy new: $11.99 / Used from: $5.91
They are huge...but I don't think they've ever made a bad album. Brian Eno gives them a slightly different edge here.
Digi SnacksDigi Snacks by RZA as Bobby Digital
Buy new: $16.98 / Used from: $8.73
RZA finally makes an album that lives up to his brand.
The RenaissanceThe Renaissance by Q-Tip
Buy new: $13.98 / Used from: $6.20
this was good enough to make you remember why you loved A Tribe Called Quest so much in the first place.
SantogoldSantogold by Santogold
Buy new: $13.99 / Used from: $11.00
In the mode of M.I.A....but not so much that it isn't distinctive on its own. There are some burners here.
Growing PainsGrowing Pains by Mary J Blige
Buy new: $10.97 / Used from: $1.78
She has really been on a great run since 2005. Essential contemporary R&B.
Self PortraitSelf Portrait by Lalah Hathaway
Buy new: $14.99 / Used from: $10.59
Great album from daughter of R&B legend
Living & The DeadLiving & The Dead by Jolie Holland
Buy new: $13.99 / Used from: $1.98
another quiet & melancholy group of songs from someone who does that so well.