Top 10 Albums of 2008

When I began this blog I did album reviews, and then I began slacking off and left them behind.

I swear I'll be better about that this year.

Until then... here's a list of what I believe are the TOP TEN ALBUMS OF 2008!

10. SANTOGOLD - Santogold
For some reason everyone loved this album this summer. It was the it album... but I don't know anyone who actually owns it, haha. They just freak out when it comes on the radio or on my iPod at work, regardless it's great. I don't know anything about this woman, but she's fucking awesome. She's like a less messy, less confusing, cleaner M.I.A. Her sound is like a techno tribe type sound. I can see hippies rolling on acid listening to it, trendy East Village NYU Hipsters listening to it, and blue collar guys listening to it... it hits a music-gspot in everyone. It does what all good music does, drags you into it and spits you out leaving you feeling it instead of just having heard it. Favorite tune would have to be I'm a Lady
Here is the song with a VERY unofficial video, but a cute one. Ha.


9. GLISTENING PLEASURE - Natalie Portman's Shaved Head
Yes - that is a real band name. Yes - that is the name of the album. Yes - they are AWESOME. These kids came out of nowhere! They're like nothing else I've heard of late... and with song titles like Holding Hands in the Shower, Slow Motion Tag Team, and Beard Lust how could they not be the next best thing? I'm postitive you'll be hearing more and big things from them in the future. Amen. I am obsessed with and have put it on every mix CD I've made since the album came out: Sophisticated Side Ponytail


8. CIRCUS - Britney spears
I know what you're thinking... Britney? On a Top Ten list? Well folks, it's happening. Britney's "comeback" album - I say Blackout was the "comeback", but she was still a mess afterwords, so they're striking that because she's better now (?) - isn't sticky sweet pop like her older albums (minus In the Zone and Blackout), it's sophisticated, rocked out, and punchy. It's just what you'd expect from one of the most top selling artists of all time. The song Circus should be the girls anthem. The song is also my favorite on the album, right from the intro.
Her video isn't shareable, but here's a sample, see the rest on her official youtube.com channel.


7. HARD CANDY - Madonna
Ah... what can I say. Madonna + just about every celebrity mixer, DJ, and guest singers, plus a bangin' tour, and a few hot videos... She's 50 years old. 50. I mean... I have nothing but respect and admiration for her. The girl gets people young and old active politically AND gets them to dance too! I can't think of another celebrity that's stayed relevant, hip, hot, in the public eye, and kept it real like she has. Can anyone else name me a single person that's done what she's done. No. Behold. Madonna. My favorite song? Candy Shop


6. MIDNIGHT BOOM - The Kills
This choice has nothing to do with the fact that Kate Moss is dating one of the band members... in face I am proud to say I knew of them before that whole mess began. This group is pretty cool. You can hear their angst yet they don't wine at you. They have something to say, but let you find it. They also seem like they don't care if we like them or not. I think the sick coughing in the begining of Cheap and Cheerful is a clear indication of that. This album has a great sound, like they recorded it in a 1950's inspired condemned studio in Brooklyn... dirty, free, and careless. I love it. I dig Getting Down.


5. ROBYN - Robyn
YES! I love when a blast from the past that has completely dissapeared comes a kicking back into our lives... I especially love it when they do it well and without a DUI. Robyn did just that this year. You may remember her from the 90's song Show Me Love... (show me life, yeah yeah, baby tell me what it's all about, oooh what it's all about, you're the one that I ever needed baby tell me what it's all about, yeah, yeah... - no?), but she's done an exemplary job of kicking that image of a skinny foreign one hit wonder pop princess to the curb. This girl gave us a right hook of techno pop with a swift kick of color and AMAZING videos. You have this album... no? Well you should. It's probably one of the most unappreciated albums of the year. I know no one who owns it, yet everyone who hears it goes, "Who is this!? I love it!" Do me a favor... buy it. Favorite song? That would have to be Cobrastyle
This is the song, but... this video is the only one I could actually post. She made a better one that's only available on her official youtube.com page.


4. VAMPIRE WEEKEND - Vampire Weekend
These guys have been showing up on a lot of top ten lists, and I can't agree more. Theire light sounds and awesome beats are fantastic. It's like mixing The Strokes, The Beach Boys, and the Royal Tenenbaums soundtrack all in one. I love it. This is one of those albums that you hear a single off of, and you buy it... then you hear another one and you get it, and before you know it, you own the entire album! It's that good. Every song will have a high playcount on your iTunes playlist. It's fresh as hell and a pleasure to listen to. It's also like nothing else really... give it a try. I bet you fall in love. Favorite song? I had a hard time picking: The Kids Don't Stand a Chance


3. DAY & AGE - The Killers
I don't know that these boys can do any wrong. I am in love with every song on that album! For some reason though Human struck me. That song is the first ever to bring me to tears... but that's because I was taking it the completely wrong way. It took me weeks before I realized that they WERE saying dancer and not denser. That changed the song a bit for me... doesn't mean I still don't want it played at my funeral. This CD is worth every penny. I don't know what else to say. Favorite song, even though I think they should change the word, Human.


2. 808s AND HEARTBREAK - Kanye West
As the self proclaimed "voice of this generation" put it... "ART WINS!!! ART WINS!!! ART WINS!!!" Kanye proved himself a talent this year with the release of this new album. His artistic side took over and revealed an emotional, gut wrenching, spastic, and smoother side of himself. This album is going to be one of my favorites for a while. You can hear his drive and passion in the music and in his performances. And boy were they awesome! His MTV VMA shindig was perhaps one of the coolest I've seen on the telecast, and they've had some awesome performances. Favorite song... Love Lockdown.


1. WE SING, WE DANCE, WE STEAL THINGS - Jason Mraz
MY BOY!! I've been a MarzMan from the very begining, but I've always HATED his studio releases! They're always extremely processed with a lot of unnecessary noice and they're always too smooth. I've downloaded hundreds of live tracks from places I will not mention. I've worn out two copies of Live at Java Joe's (if you're a fan and you don't have it you should be stripped of your title) and still get lost in the tracks of Selections for Friends (again... get on that), but this new studio album has joined the ranks of the hard to find and only available online... We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Tings has become one of my top ten albums of LIFE. I love this man... perhaps too much, but it's love none the less. I don't know that I could pick a favorite song. I'm Yours would have been my choice if it hadn't been one of my favorite songs since 2002. EVERY SINGLE SONG could/should be a hit single. Why? Because it's breathy, it's real, it's soulful, it's lost, it's found, it's down, it's up and it's never going to let you down. It's just damn good. He's a rarity in pop/rock. He's got some serious staying power. AND!! He was nominated for THREE Grammys this year! GET YOUR SELF DONE UP RIGHT AND GET HIS ALBUM. I have to pick at least one... so it's going to be (the song I wake up to every morning) Live High.