Listmania!
Best CDs of 2008 --- alt / indie / americana----so far
By an Amazon.com customer
The Letting GoThe Letting Go by Bonnie "Prince" Billy
Buy new: $13.99 / Used from: $7.99
actually, the 2008 release 'lie down in the light' (amazon won't let me access (? yet)) a powerful, intense, smoldering album on life, and death
VisiterVisiter by The Dodos
Buy new: $10.99 / Used from: $8.74
great and inventive interplay between vocals and guitars and percussion
Attack and ReleaseAttack and Release by The Black Keys
Buy new: $12.99 / Used from: $9.25
put it on 'repeat' it is infectious great blues-rock
For Emma, Forever AgoFor Emma, Forever Ago by Bon Iver
Buy new: $11.99 / Used from: $10.37
on repeat listens, will really grow on you vocals are different and high- pitched, and at first don't match the serious lyrics ....then your ears 'get it'
MudcrutchMudcrutch by Mudcrutch
Buy new: $9.99 / Used from: $9.17
GREAT inflections on inventive lyrics / americana / country-rock
Vampire WeekendVampire Weekend by Vampire Weekend
Buy new: $9.99 / Used from: $8.39
great pop again, here the name-dropping works well a pick-me-up
Sun Giant EPSun Giant EP by Fleet Foxes
Buy new: $5.49 / Used from: $2.98
actually, the full CD now out...... amazon won't let me access it (?yet)
Jim NoirJim Noir by Jim Noir
Buy new: $11.98 / Used from: $6.98
great pop.....
Palo SantoPalo Santo by Shearwater
Buy used from: $7.95
actually, rook, the 2008 release amazon won't let us access it (?yet)
I'll Be LightningI'll Be Lightning by Liam Finn
Buy new: $11.99 / Used from: $7.55
multi-instrumental singer-songwriter.....good stuff
A Wheel Within a WheelA Wheel Within a Wheel by Southeast Engine
Buy new: $14.98 / Used from: $5.54
a wonderful rock album by a band with little publicity to this point......
The Odd CoupleThe Odd Couple by Gnarls Barkley
Buy new: $9.99 / Used from: $7.35
great soul / rock / dance
Dig!!! Lazarus Dig!!!Dig!!! Lazarus Dig!!! by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
Buy new: $15.98 / Used from: $12.95
lyrics unleashed upon us again, i beg the author to explain.....
In Ghost ColoursIn Ghost Colours by Cut Copy
Buy new: $10.99 / Used from: $6.50
really cool french dance music, hits its stride strong in the middle of the CD
Hold on Now, Youngster...Hold on Now, Youngster... by Los Campesinos
Buy new: $13.99 / Used from: $15.90
rilo kiley, belle and sebastian, dexys midnight runners mixed, and played at 95 mph..........fun
Sea LionSea Lion by The Ruby Suns
Buy new: $12.99 / Used from: $4.99
psychedelia from new zealand
The Seldom Seen KidThe Seldom Seen Kid by Elbow
Buy used from: $14.99
a very smooth rock album
Grand ArchivesGrand Archives by The Grand Archives
Buy new: $13.98 / Used from: $4.64
some nice rock from ex-band of horses member
A Mad and Faithful TellingA Mad and Faithful Telling by DeVotchKa
Buy new: $13.99 / Used from: $8.99
shades of beirut, but not beirut
Up Front and Down LowUp Front and Down Low by Teddy Thompson
Buy new: $12.99 / Used from: $4.84
actually the 2008 release 'piece' excellent singer-songwriter, back-up orchestration, in the vein of chris isaak
Hercules and Love AffairHercules and Love Affair by Hercules and Love Affair
Buy used from: $5.99
dance music with some ear-catching unique qualities especially since i like antony's voice
PortisheadPortishead by Portishead
Buy new: $9.97 / Used from: $3.18
actually, 'third'
KontpabKontpab by Mahjongg
Buy new: $14.98 / Used from: $5.49
some really interesting moments of tribal rock funk acoustic dance hybrid sounds
SaturnaliaSaturnalia by The Gutter Twins
Buy new: $12.99 / Used from: $7.49
track 5
I Know You're Married But I've Got Feelings TooI Know You're Married But I've Got Feelings Too by Martha Wainwright
Buy new: $13.99 / Used from: $8.39
martha is the right kind of wrong girl
The CoolThe Cool by Lupe Fiasco
Buy new: $13.99 / Used from: $7.18
chi-town master
AprilApril by Sun Kil Moon
Buy new: $13.99 / Used from: $11.18
more smooth slocore for a lazy day
Noise Won't StopNoise Won't Stop by Shy Child
Buy new: $18.99 / Used from: $9.42
play with hot chip
LiferzLiferz by Blood on the Wall
Buy new: $14.98 / Used from: $7.35
pixies influence? yes
Made In the DarkMade In the Dark by Hot Chip
Buy new: $13.99 / Used from: $5.70
second half, especially
Keep Your Eyes AheadKeep Your Eyes Ahead by The Helio Sequence
Buy new: $12.99 / Used from: $7.25
here and there this REALLY takes flight
Head HomeHead Home by O'Death
Buy new: $15.98 / Used from: $6.57
very nasal vocals, freak folk, lotsa banjo
Oracular SpectacularOracular Spectacular by MGMT
Buy new: $9.99 / Used from: $6.93
hits its stride late, and pulls it all together
Parc AvenueParc Avenue by Plants and Animals
Buy new: $13.99 / Used from: $4.84
a wide variety of sounds and instruments, eccentric, sometimes really works well
Rain (w/ bonus DVD)Rain (w/ bonus DVD) by Joe Jackson
Buy new: $14.99 / Used from: $14.09
CoveCove by A Weather
Buy new: $13.98 / Used from: $2.98
boy / girl interplay, not too unlike mojave3 (not slocore though)
Neighbor SingingNeighbor Singing by Brad Laner
Buy new: $13.98 / Used from: $3.48
AccelerateAccelerate by R.E.M.
Buy new: $9.99 / Used from: $3.50
kicking some a%% again
NeptuneNeptune by The Duke Spirit
Buy used from: $8.99
straight-ahead rock, lady on vocals keeps 'em hot
In the FutureIn the Future by Black Mountain
Buy new: $13.99 / Used from: $8.99
stoned 1971 drone-core.....good!!