Listmania!
THE very best albums of 2008
By an Amazon.com customer
ThirdThird by Portishead
Buy new: $9.99 / Used from: $7.48
Not immediately accessible but opens itself up to you around the third listen. Go figure. This is not the Portishead of years past. Methinks (perhaps) Beth Gibbons and the boys have been listening to a lot of Scott Walker of late.
Med Sud I Eyrum Vid Spilum EndalaustMed Sud I Eyrum Vid Spilum Endalaust by Sigur Ros
Buy new: $8.99 / Used from: $6.50
More so than 2005's Takk..., Með Suð í Eyrum Við Spilum Endalaust reaches for the celestial heights and plunges to the bathybial depths of Ágætis Byrjun and (), especially on "Festival" and "Ára bátur."
Fleet FoxesFleet Foxes by Fleet Foxes
Buy new: $10.49 / Used from: $8.95
Picking up where CS&N and The Byrds left off, these foxes belt out harmonies and lyrics like it's 1970. Just try to resist singing along!
Sun Giant EPSun Giant EP by Fleet Foxes
Buy new: $4.99 / Used from: $2.99
More like 3b. This here EP is every bit as good as their abovementioned full length album, just shorter.
RookRook by Shearwater
Buy new: $13.99 / Used from: $9.50
The Midnight Organ FightThe Midnight Organ Fight by Frightened Rabbit
Buy new: $12.99 / Used from: $8.81
Those Hutchinson boys sure know how to make one heck of a catchy record. While Scott's vocals may, at times, remind one of a Scottish Adam Duritz, all scratchy and impassionable, his wanton lyrics and the band's thrusting intensity make for a livelier and more gratifying record than the boys of Counting Crows could ever dream of creating.
Vampire WeekendVampire Weekend by Vampire Weekend
Buy new: $9.99 / Used from: $7.49
Despite their irreverence for the Oxford comma, it's hard not to love these guys for their wit, their verve, and their musicality.
Street HorrrsingStreet Horrrsing by Fuck Buttons
Buy new: $14.99 / Used from: $13.88
An ocean of noise. Heavy on the distortion and light on the intelligibility, yet hypnotically brilliant.
At Mount ZoomerAt Mount Zoomer by Wolf Parade
Buy new: $12.99 / Used from: $6.49
It's no Apologies to the Queen Mary, but nor should it be. At first listen, At Mount Zoomer won't meet your expectations. On further listens, it will exceed them. A solid album.
Secular WorksSecular Works by Extra Life
Charlie Looker's voice flits to and fro effortlessly, now precussively, now melodiously, something like Morrissey, but really incomparable and altogether inimitable.
Volume OneVolume One by She & Him
Buy new: $11.99 / Used from: $10.95
Zooey Deschanel & M. Ward sure do make some lovely, simple-hearted music together.
Hercules and Love AffairHercules and Love Affair by Hercules and Love Affair
Buy new: $12.99 / Used from: $8.38
So this is what Antony's been up to! Who knew that Antony's mournful warble could also make you wanna dance? Many thanks to DJ Andy Butler for the proof.
VisiterVisiter by The Dodos
Buy new: $9.97 / Used from: $8.00
Despite their somewhat familiar sound - lyrically and vocally, they're a bit like The Magnetic Fields; musically, they're a bit like Animal Collective - The Dodos have a uniqueness and freshness that refuses such facile comparisons.
AprilApril by Sun Kil Moon
Buy new: $13.99 / Used from: $8.95
Mark Kozelek's voice bears resemblance to the likes of Andrew Bird and Alasdair Roberts: naked, pensive, balmy. Like sipping hot tea with honey.
The Ken Burns EffectThe Ken Burns Effect by Stars Like Fleas
Buy new: $14.98 / Used from: $9.65
Unpredictable, undefinable, and, at times, a tad unpleasant.
In Ghost ColoursIn Ghost Colours by Cut Copy
Buy new: $7.97 / Used from: $5.10
Dig!!! Lazarus Dig!!!Dig!!! Lazarus Dig!!! by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
Buy new: $13.99 / Used from: $7.99
AccelerateAccelerate by R.E.M.
Buy new: $9.99 / Used from: $5.99
Sic Alps - A Long Way Around to a Shortcut [Audio CD]Sic Alps - A Long Way Around to a Shortcut [Audio CD]
Despite the transfer from vinyl and tape to CD, their decidedly lo-fi sound remains (thanks Stereo 8!). This is raw and unadulterated garage rock.
Fair Ain't FairFair Ain't Fair by Tim Fite
Buy new: $13.99 / Used from: $2.72
DistortionDistortion by Magnetic Fields
Buy new: $13.99 / Used from: $6.55
District LineDistrict Line by Bob Mould
Buy new: $14.99 / Used from: $8.57
Hey Venus!Hey Venus! by Super Furry Animals
Buy new: $14.98 / Used from: $3.98
Venus on EarthVenus on Earth by Dengue Fever
Buy new: $13.99 / Used from: $11.59
Hold on Now, Youngster...Hold on Now, Youngster... by Los Campesinos
Buy new: $14.98 / Used from: $8.93
Laulu Laakson KukistaLaulu Laakson Kukista by Paavoharju
Buy new: $19.98