Best Albums of 2008
I think that perhaps we forgot to do one of these best of the year music wrap ups for 2007. Apologies! Inspired by Dr. Ladysounds over at ScaryGoRound and her annual Top 20, I thought I’d pull out the Top 8 of 2008. Mostly this was because it’s much easier to write descriptions of only 8 albums, but let’s pretend it had something to do with the year, shall we?
Without further banter:
8. Goldfrapp – Seventh Tree
This album had me so very excited when I downloaded it. New Goldfrapp! Songs about robot wolves eating zombie babies while sexy ladies dance! And then it was…cheery and folksy. Friends, I was enraged. But, after the screams subsided and I was able to hear this release, I was sold. It really is the perfect companion to a Saturday in with a cup of tea. The videos for both singles “Happiness” and “A&E” are instant classics, too. I enjoy your little break, just don’t forget electro, Alison!
7. She & Him – Volume One
Zooey Deschanel is adorable. She was the Tricia (Trillian) McMillan of my dreams in H2G2. And now she’s half of the equally adorable She & Him, a duo that released my #7 pick this year. You’d not imagine Zooey singing soulful, retro tunes like “Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?” but when you hear it, it totally makes sense. And makes you feel warm and fuzzy – which is probably what it’s like being Ms. Deschanel.
6. The Ting Tings – We Started Nothing
Full disclosure: the fact that my sister is in this band does not sway my opinion. Talk about getting a style and running with it! Despite the fact that this duo is from Scotland, they really grabbed the stereotypical LA sound and didn’t let go. The result is a to-the-letter skinny jeans and tossled hair tribute to the left coast – with just enough Euro smarts to add some polish. “Shut Up and Let Me Go” provides a terrificly fun video to boot!
5. Uh Huh Her – Uh Huh Her
With the apparent death of Cliptip and the fact that MTV plays no music videos ever, I’ve turned to Logo for high quality videos from talented artists. Uh Huh Her was well-received when I caught “Not a Love Song” but they really captured the #5 spot with their single “Explode.” The sexy video combined with the catchy guitar track and brooding lyrics was a perfect recipe for getting this album back onto my iPhone – and this list!
4. Crystal Castles – Crystal Castles
The video for “Crimewave” (sorry, I can’t find it…it has a zombie, though) caught my attention one day on Logo. And then this performance from British TV kept it. I have no idea what the lyrics actually are and most of the songs sound like they’ve come out of a dot matrix printer, but I just can’t stop listening. And I suspect that was the point.
3. Ladytron – Velocifero
A new album. From Ladytron. If you do not know Ladytron, watch this, this, this and this. Okay, now you know Ladytron – and why this album is so important. “Ghosts,” “Black Cat” (Bellatrix’s theme) and “Runaway” are definitely my favorite on an album that just won’t quit.
2. Hercules and Love Affair – Hercules and Love Affair
A controversial choice (because Dusty hates them) but I was completely smitten with Hercules and Love Affair this year. If you loved Antony Hegarty’s vocals on Björks Volta then you are very, very likely to enjoy tracks like “You Belong” and “Blind.” It doesn’t hurt that the videos look like high-budget fantasy sequences from Absolutely Fabulous.
1. The Presets – Apocalypso
I cannot even count the number of times I’ve listened to this album during 2008. In fact, I thought that it didn’t count because it was a 2007 favorite. Friends, I listened to this so much, I thought I had owned it for an extra year! Be that as it may, I still get excited for each track as though I’ve never heard it before. Top picks are certainly “This Boy’s In Love” and “If I Know You.”
Ultra Bonus!
0. Ladyhawke – Ladyhawke
There was no way I could go without adding in this latecomer to my iTunes Library. I had heard “Paris Is Burning” sometime closer to this debut album’s September release and then forgot to actually acquire it. So, though I’ve only had a chance to listen since December, I know that Ladyhawke will be filling my brain with sounds well into 2009. Defo check out “Magic” if you haven’t!