Ah, 2008 the year that is and almost was. Mojo and Uncut have their year-end lists. (Portishead's Third tops one; Fleet Foxes the other.) Paste named Volume One from She & Him their favorite record this year -- the old-sounding new musical pairing of M. Ward and Zooey Deschanel apparently began with songs recorded in 2006, while Guns N' Roses' Chinese Democracy took 14 years, enough time for Greg Oden to grow from kindergarten to the NBA, 4 presidential elections, or if you prefer, 28 Willie Nelson albums and 56 new EP's from Joseph Arthur. (For the, oh, record, Willie had 2 in 2008; Arthur released 4 EP's and an LP .) So what were the best releases you heard in 2008?
Send us your top-10 list, and we'll report back the top 10 chosen by opbmusic listeners at the end of the month.
Here are the guidelines: 1) It has to be a 2008 release; and 2) we're talking about full length-releases from artists or bands, not EPs or compilations.
You can either attach your list in the comments here, or send it to us at opbmusic@opb.org. Thanks and have fun!
December 4, 2008 at 1:06pm by Bob Ham
Here's my picks for 2008. I begrudgingly had to leave off the Como Now! collection as it is technically a compilation, but man...that disc is incredible. Equally incredible are these 10:
1. Rings - Black Habit
2. Horse Feathers - House With No Home
3. Pop Levi - Never Never Love
4. Ne-Yo - Year of the Gentleman
5. Portishead - Third
6. High Places - High Places
7. Clinic - Do It!
8. Corespondents - Hairy Ghost Pipefish
9. Chumbawamba - The Boy Bands Have Won
10. Erykah Badu - New Amerykah Part One (4th World War)
December 5, 2008 at 8:45pm by Jeremy Petersen
Now don't everyone talk at once....
That's an impressively diverse list, Bob, and I have to admit that I didn't realize that Chumbawamba was even still making records. And what is this Como Now! you speak of? Comps are always tough-- CalypSoul70 was another such case this year. I probably wouldn't have included it in a top 10,but it's still a great collection of old music that plays out well as a modern full-length release.
Who's next?
December 6, 2008 at 11:11am by jason quigley
Since I have all but stopped buying any albums from outside of Portland, my list is almost all local. Not that there's nothing good out there in the world, but once I've bought all the good local stuff, I don't have any more money. So, in no particular order, except for #1:
Point Juncture, WA - Heart to Elk
Talkdemonic - Eyes at Half Mast
31Knots - Worried Well
Horse Feathers - House With No Home
The Angry Orts - The Purple Rhino Squad vs. The Blue Whale Super Heavy Assault Troops
Reporter - Dust and Stars
The Black Keys - Attack and Release (Hey, they're not local!)
Dykeritz - Rearrangeerologistics
The Jicks - Real Emotional Trash
Nick Jaina - A Narrow Way
December 7, 2008 at 8:55am by Bob Ham
Como Now is an amazing compilation of a cappella gospel that was recorded in one day at a church in Como, Mississippi. It is dense, heartfelt, moving stuff that might just make a believer out of you.
And I didn't realize Chumbawamba was still active as well, until I got an e-mail about the album. It is as deeply political album as you would expect from them but it uses the folk tradition as its starting point. It packs a lot of songs on to one disc but many of them are short. All are sharp and very smart and catchy as all get out. Highly highly recommended.
December 7, 2008 at 9:15pm by inmemoryofjohnpeel
This is never easy, and one has to check the song was actually 2008. Releases from early in the year can easily be overlooked (eg Loch Lomond, which has a few contenders...)
Q: In the past threads expired, will this one be kept open for long enough?
December 7, 2008 at 9:20pm by Jeremy Petersen
Nope, no premature expiration date here.
And just so you know, Loch Lomond's last album actually came out late in 2007, otherwise, I agree, a serious contender.
So let's see it.....!
December 7, 2008 at 9:32pm by inmemoryofjohnpeel
And, checking the intro I see it's not singles, it's 'releases'. Have to check out here and reconsider, there were several great songs on poor albums...
Give me a week or so.
December 7, 2008 at 9:59pm by gunky
I probably haven't heard 10 new discs completely through, mostly singles instead these days. So my list is certainly not the most well informed. And I too try to purchase local bands first, in general (Buy local, I say). Caveats in place, I'd say (no particular order)
Blind Pilot - 3 Rounds and a Sound
Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes
Devotchka (Mad And Faithful Telling - though a bit spotty)
Loch Lomond (thanks imojp, despite JP's buzzkill)
Brian Eno and David Byrne - Everything That Happens...
Bob Dylan - Bootleg #8, Tell Tale Signs
Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago
Calexico - Carried to Dust
Drive By Truckers - Brighter Than Creation's Dark
Wilco - Sky Blue Sky (needed something from the end of the alphabet)
I also wanted to go with Iron and Wine (The Shephard's Dog), but unfortunately I looked that one up and it's another 2007. Same for Avett Brothers (Emotionalism). One that doesn't quite make my list is Weinland (La Lementor) - A little too slow and not much variety, but some good tunes and fun too see live. Finally, I want to hear more of Jolie Holland's new disc but haven't had a chance yet.
Best I can do for now. But I echo imojp's request to leave this thread open longer than 2 weeks.
December 8, 2008 at 8:59am by dchristensen
Yes -- this thread will be open for comments until the New Year.
December 9, 2008 at 2:01pm by kickerofelves
I LOVE LISTS!
1--Frightened Rabbit--Liver! Lung! Live!
2--Frightened Rabbit--Midnight Organ Fight
3--Bon Iver--For Emma
4--Thao Nguyen w/ Get Down Stay Down--We Brave Bee Stings
5--Lykke Li--Youth Novels
6--Walkmen--You&Me
7--Blind Pilot--3 Rounds and a Sound
8--Mt. Erie w/ Julie Doiron--Mt. Wisdom
9--Deerhunter--Microcastles
10-- +/- Xs on Your Eyes
EP in love with
Let's Wrestle "In Loving Memory"
December 10, 2008 at 4:50pm by jbohl
It was tough narrowing my list down to 10. There were a lot of CDs I really liked in 2008. There were a couple from 2007 that I only really began to appreciate in 2008- All Hour Cymbals by Yeasayer, Shepherds Dog by Iron and Wine, and Ask Forgiveness by Bonnie Prince Billy (oops, it's an EP). I liked so many Portland CDs that I made a separate list. Thanks for another year of great radio.
Fleet Foxes by Fleet Foxes
For Emma, Forever Ago by Bon Iver
Live at the Glenn Gould Theater by Harry Manx and Friends
In the Future by Black Mountain
Med Sud I Eyrum Vid Spilum Endalaust by Sigur Ros
Hymn for My Soul by Joe Cocker
Nine Heavens by Niyaz
Thing of the Past by Vetiver (I love the artwork)
Real Animal by Alejandro Escovedo
Devotion by Cheb i Sabbah
Top Ten Portland CDs (not necessarily in order of preference):
Furr by Blitzen Trapper
Clean Getaway by Curtis Salgado
Portland Cello Project by Portland Cello Project
La Lamentor by Weinland
Keep Your eyes Ahead by The Helio Sequence (I especially love the artwork)
Brick and Mortar by Kate Power and Steve Einhorn
3 Rounds and a Sound by Blind Pilot
Cove by A Weather
Real Emotional Trash by Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks
Carcrashlander by Carcrashlander (Nice eco-friendly packaging- I picked up
my copy directly from the CD Baby warehouse)
December 11, 2008 at 8:26am by glorenzow
Beach House – Devotion
Karl Blau – Nature’s Got Away
Valet – Naked Acid
Brightblack Morning Light – Motion to Rejoin
Bonnie Prince Billy – Lie Down in the Light
Mt. Eerie – Lost Wisdom
Matmos – Supreme Balloon
High Places – High Places
Max Tundra – Parallax Error Beheads You
Deerhunter - Microcastle
December 13, 2008 at 10:31pm by mlsalin
I was worried I'd be the only one with a PDX-heavy list. Obviously, some kindred spirits out there.
Weinland - La Lamentor
Helio Sequence - Keep Your Eyes Ahead
Horse Feathers - House With No Home
Jenny Lewis - Acid Tongue
Drive By Truckers - Brighter Than Creation's Dark
The Hold Steady - Stay Positive
TV On The Radio - Dear Science
Kathleen Edwards - Asking For Flowers
My Morning Jacket - Evil Urges
Death Cab For Cutie - Narrow Stairs
Bubbling under: A Weather, Day of Lions, Pretenders
Not heard in entirety yet: Nick Jaina (ANW), Blitzen Trapper, Chris Robley
December 14, 2008 at 8:10pm by jsauls
I've picked 10 from my 20 that would possible appeal to opbmusic fans. (The rest are too embarrassing to mention!)
The Gaslight Anthem - The 59 Sound
The Old 97's - Blame It On Gravity
Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers - Turbo Ocho
The Hold Steady - Stay Positive
Conor Oberst - Conor Oberst
My Morning Jacket - Evil Urges
Ryan Adams and the Cardinals - Cardinoly
The Weepies - Hideaway
REM - Accelerate
Joshua Radin - Simple Times
Honorable Mentions: Fleet Foxes, Grand Archives, The 88, Butch Walker, and that Axl Rose guy... aka Guns n Roses.
December 17, 2008 at 6:49pm by gunky
still wondering what imojp is going to put up....
December 18, 2008 at 8:07am by Jeremy Petersen
I think he's holding out until the last possible moment to keep us all breathless.
Speaking of which-- today is the LAST DAY to get your top 10 picks for 2008 to us. The tallying begins soon, so if you're having trouble deciding whether or not to include Chinese Democracy (which is only right given how long you waited to hear it), end that struggle shortly!
December 18, 2008 at 12:17pm by inmemoryofjohnpeel
It's coming Gunky, lost my internet connection to the studio so have to type in this cold room. Have my top 10 (as locally flavoured as possible) down to... er... 16.
Within the hour I promise.
December 18, 2008 at 2:04pm by TJ
I haven't been able to finalize my list yet but I'm really excited to see a few others have Helio Sequence's latest album included on their lists! I really think they've come into their own on this one.
December 18, 2008 at 3:04pm by inmemoryofjohnpeel
IMOJP - Best 10 2008
I preface this by saying that had the two albums below been '08 releases (as I'd thought) they'd both be in the top three...
Loch Lomond - Paper The Walls
Robert Wyatt - Comicopera (apparently 2007 UK otherwise...)
So here's my pick... in reverse order
10. Chris Robley & The Fear Of Heights - Movie Theatre Haiku
Gets better with each listen. Clever music, cutting observations, worth your time.
9. Portishead - Third
The truly unique original Portishead was based on just a couple of great songs and a sound. Ruby went on to do better that style but after so long (10 years) this finally delivers.
8. Siberian - With Me
Just as Portishead delivered the Sultry; full-on rock requires a searing vocal and well spaced crescendos - that's what siberian deliver. A powerhouse CD with intelligence.
7. Ruby Suns - Sea Lion
Elements common to other good bands (Dodos/Devotchka) but with a disarming and eventually satisfying deconstruction. Things drift and fall apart then come back together. A grower.
6. Colin Lake & Wellbottom - Bullet
This surprised me too. Blues with enough twists (including scratch) and insane jazz drumming to win me over.
5. Weinland - La Lamentor
I struggled to get past my 'sounds-like Neil Young' prejudice against Weinland, but these songs are class, gentle melodies sometimes as brutal as Loch Lomond's Ritchie Young.
4. Boy Eats Drum Machine - Booomboxxx
Two things overlooked in the fuss over Jon Ragel's weird musical collages is that he has a keen sense of song construction that many bands offering 'complex' music lack; and he has a fine voice.
3. KatJohnBand - KatJohnBand
An unforeseen blast from two masters. "Do You?" is the rock song of the year. Skillful writing full of politics and variation.
2. Dirty Mittens - Pinky Swear
Don't disqualify this - it's short but more than an EP and it's all quality. Chelsea is the vocal sensation of the year, but more than that, songs of joy and ebullience as well as a deeper edge.
1. Finn Riggins - A Soldier, A Saint, An Ocean Explorer
Brimming with untrammeled energy throughout, vocal quality, songs of verve and wit. Seeing them is as special as early Sonic Youth. Play loud and rip into the new year!!!
Here's to you all.
Zaph
And six more that gave me agony time:
DeVotchKa - A Mad & Faithful Telling
The Dodos - Visiter
Bonnie Prince Billy – Lie Down in the Light
My Brightest Diamond - A Thousand shark's Teeth
Antony & the Johnsons - Another World EP (A true EP, disquailifed)
Blind Pilot - 3 Rounds & A Sound
December 18, 2008 at 4:01pm by Ro
1. TV on the Radio - Dear Science,
2. Sun Kil Moon - April
3. American Music Club - The Golden Age
4. Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds - Dig, Lazarus, Dig!
5. Yeasayer - All Hour Cymbals
6. The Cure - 4:13 Dream
7. The Whigs - Mission Control
8. REM - Accelerate
9. Magnetic Fields - Distortion
10. Drive By Truckers - Brighter than Creation's Dark
December 18, 2008 at 4:59pm by inmemoryofjohnpeel
Yeasayer - there's one that would probably have made my list, but I didn't get the album yet.
December 18, 2008 at 5:03pm by Jeremy Petersen
Just to clear it up, Yeasayer's is a great album, but it's another late 2007 so it doesn't count. Feel free to make a substitution, Ro.
Some surprises there, IMOJP. I think I expected the Portishead to be your top choice. Yeah, OK, on the Dirty Mittens, we'll let it go, I suppose. I had thoughts of including The Old Believers in my own, and that has eight songs, so I know where you're coming from.
December 18, 2008 at 5:29pm by Ando
Phew...barely made it in time. Here is my top ten in alphabetical order. Overall, I thought 2008 was an exceptionally great year for music...especially local music.
1. Blind Pilot - 3 Rounds and a Sound
2. Blitzen Trapper - Furr
3. Dr. Dog - Fate
4. Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes
5. LAKE - Oh, the Places We'll Go
6. Okkervil River - The Stand Ins
7. Point Juncture, WA - Heart to Elk
8. The Morning Benders - Talking Through Tin Cans
9. The Walkmen - You & Me
10. Wallpaper - On the Chewing Gun Ground
But I also wish I could include The Helio Sequence, Nick Jaina, Grey Anne, Jeremy Jay, Boy Eats Drum Machine, Horse Feathers, A Weather, etc. Top ten lists are tough!
December 19, 2008 at 4:17pm by gunky
Well, now. My shopping / xmas list is starting to take shape.
I echo Ando's comment on the quality of music in 2008, made especially sweeter (to me) that most of the best stuff isn't from huge-name bands. I think we're seeing the power of the internet, including podcasts and internet radio, with a big assist to recording technology that lets the small bands make a disc and get it out there. How democratic is that?! I think history will look back on this time as another golden era in music.
December 19, 2008 at 6:22pm by Leviethan
1. Radiohead -In Rainbows
2. Run On Sentence -Oh When The Wind Comes Down
3. 31 Knots - Worried Well
4. Point Juncture, WA - Heart to Elk
5. The Clean -Compilation LP
6. Nick Jaina -Wool
7. The Breeders -Mountain Battles
8. Nick Jaina - A Narrow Way
9. Portishead - Third
10. The Melvins -Nude With Boots
December 20, 2008 at 12:21pm by Ro
Shoot - I thought Yeasayer was from this year, I'm so out of the loop! I had a tough time coming up with 10 great albums this year. I guess I'd probably substitute the Nada Surf album in there. It wasn't their best effort, but still pretty solid.
December 20, 2008 at 11:48pm by inmemoryofjohnpeel
Mr. Cusack thanks for that Hot Chip EP pre release.
David - looking forward to next weeks love-of-the-year fest, but on mundane issues lots of great blogs but we need an ongoing general thread, like a main thread.
December 21, 2008 at 9:10pm by Dave Cusick
JP--didn't see this until tonight. It was a rather "silent night" on the blog last night.
December 21, 2008 at 9:17pm by Dave Cusick
Despite how long this thread is getting on this post, I think we'll be continuing here!
December 21, 2008 at 9:48pm by inmemoryofjohnpeel
Hi Dave, Hey - the wireless is finally working in the new studio! I'm struggling a bit with some of these seasonal songs, but Mad Tom of Bedlam (Live @ OPB) / Jolie Holland was impressive (was listening to it last night at the solstice by The Watersons.
anyhow, good spirits in this the true new year, that opening mash was very well done I agree.
December 21, 2008 at 9:59pm by patrick
Patrick's 2008 best of list..
1. The Helio Sequence "Keep your Eyes Ahead"
2. Daniel Lanois "Here is What is"
3. Blitzen Trapper "Furr"
4. Lackthereof "Your Anchor"
5. Silver Jews "Lookout Mountain.."
6. Menomena "Friend and Foe" (maybe 2007, but new for me and good.
7. Calexico "Carried to Dust"
All I could afford and ALL heard on "In House" Thanks In Housers!
December 21, 2008 at 10:22pm by inmemoryofjohnpeel
Patrick, I hope they include your short seven. I still don't have the Helio Sequence album but I rate those two. Planning to interview them in '09.
Haven't heard the Daniel Lanois either - have always found his solo work a little self-concious but he's a great producer.
The Lackthereof - that's another I forgit to consider. But hey I've gone over my picks and they all hold up - back to Gunky's comment - it has been a great year.
December 21, 2008 at 10:32pm by Dave Cusick
Thanks, JP! Glad you've got your connection up again.
Yeah, two times of the year I go a little nuts are Christmas and Halloween--the rest of the year it's strictly business. I'll try to be reasonably judicious. Promise!
December 21, 2008 at 11:23pm by inmemoryofjohnpeel
DC you have to moniker me IMOJP otherwise people think you're talking to the new JP - Jeremy Peterson!
Aimee Mann is truly awful, attractive yes but a complete parody of a star earnest singer. Pop will eat itself. Regards Point Jucture: It beats me why this would hit the top ten lists. Nice swirly stuff, but much less worthy than the Steroelab that this imitates. Catchy fluff maybe? What's hidden in here that people like?
The only good Xmas song I can think of is 'Things Fall Apart' by Christina (sued for that btw).
December 21, 2008 at 11:46pm by Dave Cusick
Hah--and likewise, you'll have to moniker me something other than DC (also stands for David Christensen)!
As for PJWA, sure, it's not completely unique in the universe, but it's rarified enough, and those vibes!!! Plus, Amanda Spring performs, singing on drums, front and center ahead of the rest of the band. AND, they're great kids.
Aimee Mann can be a little hit-and-miss, sometimes, as far as how emotionally effective her songs are, I don't think I'd paint her in as absolute terms. But then again, I've got a pretty sweet tooth anyway.
December 21, 2008 at 11:48pm by inmemoryofjohnpeel
If you liked Darker by Doves it's probably due to that mesmerizing drum/bass sequence. It's a direct rip-off of The Afghan Whigs, a band who at their best were the best - go buy Gentlemen - one of the greatest releases ever.
The Kinks were my preference over the Beatles and The Stones from that era, when they later became popular in the USA they were sketchy and relying on 'Britishness' but early albums were brilliant, influencing Pink Floyd, The Jam, Robyn Hitchcock, Mark Almond, The Pretenders (married), and many others.
DC - so you're into dance? That fav is OK, we could go into that genre but this show traditionally doesn't. I appreciate the spur.
December 21, 2008 at 11:55pm by inmemoryofjohnpeel
I see our missives crossed. Being in love with Amanda Spring definitely affects voting for Point Jucture:... she hasn't called me back...
Aimee Mann is great at what she does, Prairie Home Companion type MOR stuff, plus it's family for me (my AKA Zaph Mann). But apart from stage presence and good looks what stands her apart from Reina Collins - a local act of equal quality and fullsome personality (also not my taste)?
December 21, 2008 at 11:56pm by Dave Cusick
Interesting--any particular track to look for on Gentlemen as far as that bassline?
December 22, 2008 at 9:48am by Jeremy Petersen
I've removed myself from snowy Portland to snowy Idaho for the week, but with the special Best of 2008 edition of In House coming next weekend (airing the 27th and the 28th), I thought I'd throw my own personal Top 10 out so you all can see how much cooler you are. By the way, I'll be joined on the special by our own DC Squared (or is it square?), that's Dave Christensen and Dave Cusick. To the list, then:
10- Mountain Goats- Heretic Pride
9- Elbow- The Seldom Scene Kid
8- Starf**ker- s/t
7- Calexico- Carried to Dust
6- DeVotchKa- A Mad & Faithful Telling
5- Bon Iver- For Emma, Forever Ago
4- Eef Barzelay- Lose Big
3- Blitzen Trapper- Furr
2- Fleet Foxes- s/t
1- TV On the Radio- Dear Science
Best of the rest:
Johnny FLynn- A Larum
The Helio Sequence- Keep Your Eyes Ahead
The Old Believers- Eight Golden Greats
Nick Jaina- Wool
The War On Drugs- Wagonwheel Blues
The Heavy- Great Vengeance & Furious Fire
She & Him- Vol. One
For the record, here's last year's list:
http://opbmusic.org/blog/entries/211-Best-of-2007-opbmusic-Picks
December 22, 2008 at 4:20pm by dchristensen
I'll second (third?) comments by Gunky and Ando about the high number of quality releases this year. I found it nearly impossible to rank the top 7 on my list in any particular order, and this more-or-less final version could change at any moment.
1. Fleet Foxes. I am a sheepish latecomer to the party, but this record grew on me all summer and fall.
2. (tied) Blind Pilot - 3 Rounds and a Sound
The Helio Sequence - Keep Your Eyes Ahead
Vampire Weekend
Calexico - Carried to Dust
My Morning Jacket - Evil Urges
Blitzen Trapper - Furr
8. Cloud Cult - Feel Good Ghosts
9. Thao with the Get Down Stay Down - We Brave Bee Stings and All
10. Parlour Steps - Ambiguoso
Honorable mentions:
Elbow - The Seldom Seen Kid
Starf**ker
Mates of State - Rearrange Us
Nada Surf - Lucky
School of Seven Bells - Alpinisms
Frightened Rabbit - The Midnight Organ Fight
The French Kicks - Swimming
TV on the Radio - Dear Science
Single of note: "Shake That Devil" from Antony & The Johnsons.
December 22, 2008 at 8:43pm by inmemoryofjohnpeel
Wow! We're still missing Dave Cusick's nominees but what I'm noticing is that almost every list has 2-3 I could have picked but that I either haven't heard enough of or left out to include more up-and coming acts. And there are usually 2-3 that surprise because to my ears they are just run-of-the-mill.
Take The Helio Sequence - Keep Your Eyes Ahead - picked by a few here (and I think some tracks are outstanding) but condemned as one of the most tedious albums of the year by a NME (UK) critic.
It would be interesting to pick the best 10 songs to made a festive 50 as John Peel used to, many modern buyers buy songs only, and that way a great single on a middling CD couls be picked. There I would go with DC-1 for "Shake That Devil" by Antony & The Johnsons.
The Helio Sequence - Keep Your Eyes Ahead.
PS: 3 more I forgot about
Nellie McKay's release.
No, Virginia... by The Dresden Dolls
Elbow - The Seldom Seen Kid.
December 23, 2008 at 2:23am by adam shearer
I struggled forever to try and come up with 10 discs that have been burning up my hard drive... but I don't excel at lists.. plus music is my daily so I often cherish silence or shuffle.. but here are 6 records, in no order, that I've listened to start to finish over and over (thus 6 of my favorites) and one I just discovered that I'm really excited to get to know better:
Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago - May
Musee Mecanique - Hold This Ghost - September
Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes - June
A Weather - Cove - March
My Morning Jacket - Evil Urges - June
Horse Feathers - House With No Home
A new one for me (with tremendous promise): Blitzen Trapper - Furr
December 23, 2008 at 8:56am by Dave Cusick
I have to confess, this is the first year I've come up with a list of favorite albums. Ususally, I just do a long, unordered list of singles. This was a good exercise for me, and made me think again about the concept of an album.
10. Blind Pilot - 3 Rounds and a Sound
9. M83 - Saturdays=Youth
8. Ratatat - LP3
7. Starf**ker - s/t
6. Blitzen Trapper - Furr
5. Lykke Li - Youth Novels
4. Goldfrapp - Clowns
3. Point Juncture, WA - Heart to Elk
2. Boy Eats Drum Machine - Booomboxxx
1. Cut Copy - In Ghost Colours
December 27, 2008 at 9:45pm by inmemoryofjohnpeel
Where's the blog for the best of? This one?
(JP ignore the email, opbmusic is functioning OK again)
December 27, 2008 at 10:28pm by inmemoryofjohnpeel
Hey OPB DJs Are you there? Otherwise why did I organise this gathering?
Anyhow here's feedback on the first quarter of your two-day.
Aly, Walk With Me: The Raveonettes 5
It's a big powerful sound. One of the songs of '08 no doubt.
Evil Urges: My Morning Jacket 1
Hmmm... it's incomprehensible to me that Adam could choose this in a best of list. Thin, watery content.
Two Silver Trees / Calexico 2
I have several calexico albums, and agree that they dipped (too much material too quickly), but I don't agree that they have picked up much with this.
In the New Year / The Walkmen 2
#10 in the listeners voting? Strange, it's very ordinary, perhaps the bloke has a very nice personality, this song is pretty flat.
Shake That Devil: Antony & the Johnsons 5
Probably the #1 song of 2008. Almost two in one, the opening is very Nina Simone, then it shifts (as many of her songs did). Eats your heart and lifts your soul.
The Rip: Portishead (Third) 5
What's added in this new Portishead emanation is the quality of early pop/folk vocals. Marvellous stuff. 10 years was worth the wait.
Bag of Hammers / Thao Nguyen & the Get Down Stay Down 3
Thao is a great phenomenon, live she's sensational, the recordings are good but don't capture that live experience.
Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa: Vampire Weekend 1
Hype and little content. I don't know anything about Ivy Leaguers but I do know that this is cut & paste formula by clever moneyed kids, no more.
Strange Overtones / David Byrne & Brian Eno 5
This song is as good as anything they ever did - a throwback. The album is strong too, Byrne even when going down blind alleys is always worth following, here Eno steers him somewhere useful.
December 27, 2008 at 10:38pm by Dave Cusick
Memory--We'll be posting the official lists on here REAL soon (after rebooting a sever or two)! And thanks for your feedback.
December 27, 2008 at 11:57pm by inmemoryofjohnpeel
In a one-way party here's some more feedback
Perhaps 3-in-the studio + 1 on the blog?
Murder In the City / Avett Brothers 3
Nice. No Loudon Wainwright tho. This kind of music needs intelligent observations or twists to be great.
Sick On Sugar / Point Juncture, WA 2
It beats me why this would hit the top ten lists. Nice swirly stuff, but much less worthy than the Steroelab that this imitates. Catchy fluff maybe? What's hidden in here that people like?
Taking the Farm / The War On Drugs 5
Tremendous song one of my top 5. Have not heard the cd though so no vote on that.
Albina: Horse Feathers 3
I do own many of Jan Garbarek's albums and appreciate the frame of reference from DChr. I relate it more to the orchestral collisions of, say Graham Fitkin, but I'll pursue it
based on this. Potential but no immediate hit.
God & Suicide: Blitzen Trapper 2
#1 pick? Goes to show the LCD effect maybe. They are fine, but where is the stuff that makes one's hair stand up??
Boy Eats Drum Machine 4
Two things overlooked in the fuss over Jon Ragel's weird musical collages is that he has a keen sense of song construction that many bands offering 'complex' music lack; and he has a fine voice.
Pop Song / Star-f-er 2
These blokes are brilliant, fun and a delight to see live, but the recorded content isn't as much fun, a 3 not a 5 on CD.
December 28, 2008 at 9:35pm by alder
10. Grey Anne
9. Blue Scholars - Bayani
8. Head Like a Kite
7. The Helio Sequence - Keep Your Eyes Ahead
6. My Morning Jacket - Evil Urges
5. Fleet Foxes - ST
4. Tea for Julie - the Sense in Tying Knots
3. MGMT
2. TV on the Radio - Dear Science
1. Radiohead - In Rainbows
December 28, 2008 at 10:46pm by Emily Welles
10) Blind Pilot '3 Rounds and a Sound'
9) Fleet Foxes 'Fleet Foxes'
8) MGMT 'Oracle Spectacle'
7) Tea For Julie 'The Sense in Tying Knots'
6) TV on the Radio 'Dear Science'
5) Radiohead 'In Rainbows'
4) Destroyer
3) Little Joy 'Little Joy'
2) Deerhunter 'Microcastle'
1) Vampire Weekend
December 28, 2008 at 10:49pm by Emily Welles
BTW - I'm really enjoying the show tonight guys. Great picks!
December 28, 2008 at 10:54pm by Jeremy Petersen
One quick point to make in response to the last couple of top 10 lists (thanks for those, by the way): Radiohead's In Rainbows was for some reason considered to be a 2007 release, otherwise it'd most certainly be included in our best of 2008. You might recall, it was first offered for download in October of 2007 before getting a physical release in the first few days of 2008.
I had similar issues with Bon Iver's debut being considered as a 2008 release when it actually first came out in 2007. I didn't want to omit it over semantics, however.
Thanks for listening!
December 31, 2008 at 9:48am by jason quigley
I'd like to add a last-minute addition to my almost-all-local top 10. The Golden Bears' "Wall to Wall". I just picked it up the other day and holy crap it's good.