rmlumley.com

I’m about to buy Bruce Springsteen’s Working on a Dream from iTunes. This will be my first purchase of 2009 music, so I thought it would be a good time to list out my favorite albums from 2008.

1. For Emma, Forever Ago – Bon Iver

   This is an album that I have loved from the beginning. It’s a breakup album that makes me wish I had gone thru a messy breakup. It’s refreshing to hear an acoustic guitar album that sounds this exciting. It was also recorded in a cabin in northwestern Wisconsin last winter, which gives it an interesting backstory and a little character. I was lucky enough to see Bon Iver live last month in Madison.

   Best Song: Skinny Love

2. Fleet Foxes – Fleet Foxes

   Another album with a wintery feel to it. The Fleet Foxes sound like a folksy version of the Shins. It’s pure pop, but they sound more genuine than the Shins. I’ve had a few arguments with friends who feel the Fleet Foxes are overrated. This is an example of those friends being wrong.

   Best Song – White Winter Hymnal

3. Everything that Happens will Happen Today – David Byrne & Brian Eno

   While the first two albums on this list were no-brainers, the rest of the top 5 was more difficult for me to figure out. I’m a Talking Heads fan, so I was excited about the new Byrne/Eno collaboration. While Everything that Happens isn’t as good as their Talking Heads albums, it’s still a very enjoyable album (and honestly, probably not fair to hold it up to that standard). It’s probably the most optimistic album I’ve heard this year and makes getting older seem ok. I was lucky enough to see David Byrne live in Milwaukee this fall.

   Best Song: Strange Overtones

4. Vampire Weekend – Vampire Weekend
   

   This is the 3rd Debut album on this list, but it’s much different than Bon Iver & the Fleet Foxes. Whereas those are perfect Winter albums, Vampire Weekend is already one of my favorite summer listens. I find their music difficult to explain, but they sound like how you feel watching a Wes Anderson film.

   Best Song: M79

5. Dear Science – TV on the Radio
   

   When this album came out, most were saying it was probably the best album of 2008. While this is an enjoyable listen, I still don’t think they have came out with a great album yet. All three of their releases are very good, but lack the emotional punch needed for greatness. Still, if you aren’t familiar with TV on the Radio, this is a great place to start.

   Best Song: Family Tree

Just Missed: 808s & Heartbreak – Kanye West, Shallow Grave – The Tallest Man on Earth, Saturdays=Youth – M83

Posted in Music | 1 Comment »

This entry was posted on Thursday, January 29th, 2009 at 12:22 am and is filed under Music. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.