Top 10 of 2008

OK here’s the deal: I totally dropped the ball last month when it came to updating this thing. However, I have a somewhat valid excuse. My computer was infected with no less than 9,672 deadly viruses (or is it viri?) In any event, I was rendered unable to work on this blog. When I finally got the computer fixed a week later, I realized that December is the absolute busiest month of the year and I had no time to do it. My apologies to the three of you care. I was wondering if it was too late for another end of the year list and I know the internet is saturated with these things but who cares? I’m going to go ahead and subject you to my opinion. Keep in mind that just like last year, I am not saying these are the top ten songs of the year I’m just saying that these are the albums that spent the most time in my CD player (or on my iPod once I finally moved to the 21st century sometime in April.) Without further ado, the list:

10. Jack's Mannequin - The Glass Passenger
The sophomore album from Jack’s Mannequin marked the triumphant return of front man Andrew McMahon from his nearly three year battle with leukemia. He’s better now and his music is better than ever. The songs are more complex this time around and McMahon really sets himself apart from his earlier work in Something Corporate. There are several tracks that will have you singing along almost instantly including this one with its chorus of “I can’t remember when the Earth turned slowly.” Neither can I.


Jack's Mannequin - "Spinning"

9. My Morning Jacket - Evil Urges
Critics and fans seemed somewhat divided on My Morning Jacket’s fifth studio album. Some were disappointed that it didn’t go exactly in the same direction as 2005’s Z. But I have to say that I was pleased. This album has a way of making you think you’ve traveled back to the 70s, from the guitar tones to Jim James’ voice, right down to the cover art. It’s a great soundtrack for summertime and it served that purpose for me this year. This song is classic MMJ and probably would’ve been at home on any of their records.


My Morning Jacket - "I'm Amazed"

8. Thrice - The Alchemy Index Vols. III & IV
Thrice are easily one of the most ambitious bands playing today. This release marked the completion of their four disc Alchemy Index project which was inspired by the four basic elements of Fire, Water, Air, and Earth. Not only that, but the songs on each disc correlate to the elements both lyrically and stylistically. The Air disc of this release has several songs that feel a lot like flying. This song comes from the more organic and stripped down Earth disc. Dustin Kensrue’s Christian faith usually has a way of bleeding seamlessly and honestly into his lyrics and this is no exception.


Thrice - "Come All You Weary"

7. The Whigs - Mission Control
The Whigs were being highly lauded this time last year as a band to watch. I’m usually skeptical when the media freaks out over new bands like that, but in this case it was warranted. Mission Control is just a fun record. This three piece from Athens, GA make music that just feels like the South with jangly guitars, groovy bass lines, pounding drums and raspy vocals courtesy of awesomely named front man Parker Gispert. Here’s the first single from the record and the one that got me hooked.


The Whigs - "Right Hand On My Heart"

6. Anberlin - New Surrender
Anberlin have been one of my favorite bands for nearly six years now and it’s cool to see them garner the success that they have. New Surrender is first release for a major label after three hit records on indie Tooth & Nail. Longtime fans, myself included, were a bit apprehensive about Anberlin’s jump to the big leagues, where musical integrity more often than not takes a backseat to overproduced radio singles and anything that doesn’t sell a million copies is considered a flop. Anberlin refused to let any of that phase them however. Sure there is a somewhat noticeable difference in production value and some things seem a little too polished, but overall Anberlin delivered a solid album. This record will probably gain them a lot of new fans and with songs like this it’s easy to see why.


Anberlin - "Breaking"

5. Copeland - You Are My Sunshine
Copeland are an excellent band that just recently seem to be comfortable in their own skin. After being put through the major label ringer following their 2006 release Eat, Sleep, Repeat, Copeland is now free to make the music they want to make and they do it well. Building on the things they started with on ESR Copeland have created a fantastic album that blends all manner of keys and strings with just the right amount of distortion and Aaron Marsh’s unmistakable falsetto. Also, in this age of online downloads and the decline of CD sales, Copeland has given fans a real incentive to buy the physical copy of You Are My Sunshine, with a special edition that includes a DVD with videos for most of the tracks as well as a documentary and extensive liner notes.


Copeland - "On the Safest Ledge"

4. Nada Surf - Lucky
Nada Surf continues to impress with their fifth full length Lucky. It’s a great record filled with somewhat melancholy melodic rock, which perfectly accompanied the weather when it was released last February. Matthew Caws’ subtle voice and clever lyrical turns make Lucky worth several repeat listens. Nada Surf writes relatable songs that seem to double as the soundtrack to your life, which is a difficult task but they pull it off with great skill.


Nada Surf - "Weightless"

3. Augustana - Can't Love, Can't Hurt
Most people know Augustana from their great, albeit overplayed breakout single “Boston” from a few years back. On their sophomore album the band embraces a more rootsy sound that resembles Ryan Adams with a little Wallflowers and Counting Crows thrown in for good measure. Singer Dan Layus has a distinctive voice and a knack for writing great hooks. These ten songs are outstanding and hopefully only a small taste of what Augustana can deliver in the future.


Augustana - "I Still Ain't Over You"

2. The New Frontiers - Mending
The New Frontiers are probably my favorite find of 2008. The band hails from Dallas and had been playing together for a few years under a different name but things just clicked on Mending. I first ran across them on an episode the Relevant Podcast and took a chance on their album for $5 on iTunes. It was easily the best $5 I spent on music last year. From the opening note of “Black Lungs” to the final chorus of “Who Will Give Us Love?” this album is golden. I unfortunately missed two chances to see these guys live last year but maybe I’ll have better luck in 2009. Until then I will continue to enjoy this record.


The New Frontiers - "The Day You Fell Apart"

1. Death Cab for Cutie - Narrow Stairs
Death Cab for Cutie has been a favorite band of mine for five years now going back to their breakthrough record Transatlanticism. They proved the naysayers wrong in 2005 when their major label debut Plans managed to go platinum and still stay true to the sound their fans had grown to love. So the big question was where they would go with Narrow Stairs. They sort of threw everyone for a loop when they released the first single prior to the album. “I Will Possess Your Heart” is a spacey song with an infectious bass line that rambles for four minutes before we get to hear Ben Gibbard’s unmistakable voice. I’ll admit it took me a few listens but once I got into I couldn’t stop listening. Narrow Stairs is Death Cab for Cutie doing exactly what they want to do and not trying to live up to anything they may have done before. Gibbard’s lyrics are as great as ever with each song reading like a short story. Musically, the album is a bit heavier than Plans but doesn’t go too far in that direction. The possibilities for the future of this band are wide open now and I have a feeling they’ll be continuing to live up to their potential for years to come.


Death Cab for Cutie - "Bixby Canyon Bridge"

2008 was a great year for music despite what your radio may have told you. I suggest you check out all these albums and also there were several worthy records that barely missed making the list. There’s plenty of good music to be heard. Sometimes you just have to go find it yourself.

------------------------------------BONUS PRETZEL------------------------------------

As an added bonus to this list of ten albums and a meager attempt to atone for my recent laziness regarding this blog, I now give my list of the top 5 EPs of 2008. I’m sure you already know this but EP is short for “extended play” which is a release that is longer than a single but shorter than an album or LP (long play.) EPs generally have between three and eight tracks. There were some good ones out there this year and here is my top 5.

5. Straylight Run - Un Mas Dos
Straylight Run came back this year with the great three song collection Un Mas Dos. The band is now a three piece and they turn up the volume just a bit on this EP that was self released online and on vinyl. All three songs are great but here is the lead off track.




Straylight Run - "Wait and Watch"

4. Jars of Clay - Closer EP
Jars of Clay have come quite a long way in the past fifteen years after seeing crossover success with their first single “Flood” in 1995. The band has released several albums and EPs in that time, each one great in its own right. Jars of Clay are now part of the growing trend of bands who are functioning without the help of a record label. They have their own label and a distribution deal and they are making the music they want to make. Closer is a five song collection that sees them branching into more of a pop direction but also includes reworkings of two songs from the self titled debut. This is a great treat for fans of the band and maybe an inclination of what to expect from their next album, hopefully due out this year.


Jars of Clay - "Closer"

3. All Get Out - All Get Out
All Get Out’s self titled EP is actually a repackaged and remastered version of their Spitting EP with two new songs added. The remastering is noticeable and really makes the songs pop. “Water and God” is still one of my favorite tracks of the last year because of its sheer catchiness. “Wasting All My Breath” is one of the two new tracks and is just and amazing song with excellent guitars and a very cool keyboard melody in the bridge.



All Get Out - "Wasting All My Breath"

2. Manchester Orchestra - Let My Pride Be What's Left Behind
Manchester Orchestra was my new favorite band of 2007 and I spent most of last year listening to their debut I’m Like a Virgin Losing a Child. I was stoked to hear that they would be releasing a new EP back in October and even though there are only two new songs those two songs are better than most full albums that were released in 2008. Also included are three live acoustic versions of previously released songs as well as a DVD featuring videos, live performances and a short documentary film. Their new album Mean Everything To Nothing has been completed and is slated for a spring time release. I’m counting the days.


Manchester Orchestra - "I Can Feel a Hot One"

1. Paper Route - Are We All Forgotten
It’s hard to pinpoint a genre when describing Paper Route. Electro-pop comes close but isn’t completely satisfying. There is a lot of depth to the five songs on this EP. Paper Route employs all kinds of electronics along with plenty of keys and strings but the vocals and melody remain the focus of these songs and I think that’s why they tend to stick with you for so long. This is probably the release I listened to more than any of the others on this list. I’m hoping this is only the beginning of a long career for this band.


Paper Route - "Are We All Forgotten"

So there you have it. I hope these 15 tracks somewhat make up for my lacking. I will continue to post new songs the third week of every month in 2009 so come back in a few weeks and check it out.