Friday, January 02, 2009

My Favorite Albums of 2008



This is a rough list that will probably change in about an hour. I think that while last year brought a lot of good follow-ups (M.I.A., Arcade Fire, LCD Soundsystem, to name a few) 08 brought a lot of really great new bands (Vampire Weekend, Fleet Foxes, Bon Iver, Los Campesinos, Santogold). Folk music (Fleet Foxes, Bon Iver) got pretty big, as did grunge (No Age, a runner-up for my list) and anything afro-beat inspired (Vampire Weekend, Dodos). Can't wait to see what 2009 will bring, and if any of this year's debuts will create some great follow-ups!

1. fleet foxes
2. keep your eyes ahead- the helio sequence
3. narrow stairs- death cab
4. visiter- the dodos
5. viva la vida- coldplay
6. volume one- she and him
7. vampire weekend
8. for emma, forever ago- bon iver
9. little joy
10. hold on now, youngster...- los campesinos
11. feed the animals- girl talk
12. mission control- the whigs
13. evil urges- my morning jacket
14. pershing- someone still loves you boris yeltsin
15. stay positive- the hold steady
16. santogold

While all of those are albums released this year, my ultimate favorite album that I listened to in 2008 would have to be the New Pornographer's Challengers. I don't know why I never bought this in 07. Every song is perfect and wonderful and amazing.

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

In Defense of Top 40

Hey all.

I started a weekly column over at BYT called "In Defense of Top 40," in which I defend (or attempt to defend) the musical merits of whatever song is currently #1 in the nation. Here's links to my first two. Enjoy and comment please!

http://www.brightestyoungthings.com/music/in-defense-of-top-40-single-ladies-put-a-ring-on-it-by-beyonce/

http://www.brightestyoungthings.com/music/in-defense-of-top-40-live-your-life-by-ti-feat-rihanna/