First, let me thank everyone for participating, I had a much better turn out than I thought that I might... you're all terrific.
Second, the way this "Best _____ of '08" is going to be posted in three parts: friends, bloggers, and bands. And, sometimes these labels (friends, bloggers, bands) aren't mutually exclusive; so, if you fit into more than one category I tended to put people where they'd get attention for their 'projects' (blogs or bands). The lists ranged from being very short lists of best albums, to lengthier (some might say diatribes) on the state of music, with some very creative lists which were, predictably, from the bands.
Third, I actually do have more than 6 friends... seriously... I have at least 50 facebook friends, and even more myspace friends.... *slowly hangs head*
Without further ado, the list:
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Cam (London, On)
Best Albums:
The (International) Noise Conspiracy – The Cross of My Calling
The Gaslight Anthem – The ’59 Sound
The Constantines – Kensington Heights
Bon Iver – For Emma, Forever Ago
Thrice – The Alchemy Index Vols 3+4: Air and Earth
Sam Roberts – Love at the End of the World
Verse – Aggression
Re-Up Gang – We Got it for Cheap Vol.3
Underoath – Lost in the Sound of Separation
Cut Copy – In Ghost Colours
Favourite Newcomer: Wale – The Mixtape About Nothing
Favourite Two Songs: The Gaslight Anthem – "The ’59 Sound"
Chuck Ragan – "Revival Road"
Favourite Show: Against Me! – Cowboys, London Ontario
Album of critical acclaim that I just didn’t “get”: Lil Wayne – Tha Carter Vol.3
Biggest Disappointment: Death Cab for Cutie – Narrow Stairs
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Jeff (Hamilton, On) - Best Albums of 2008
Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes
Wolf Parade - At Mount Zoomer
Crystal Castles - Crystal Castles
Why? - Alopecia
And an honourable mention goes to Girl Talk - Feed the Animals
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Pete (London, On) - Best/Worst/etc. of '08
Top Albums:
1. TV on the Radio - Dear Science
2. Hayden - In Field and Town
3. Wolf Parade - At Mount Zoomer
4. She and Him - Volume 1
5. Fleet Foxes - Ragged Wood.
6. David Byrne and Brian Eno - Everything that happens will Happen Today
Honourables:
Crystal Castles, Goldfrapp - Seventh Tree, Islands - Arm's Way, Human Highway - Moody Motorcycle, Mother Mother - O My Heart, Plants and Animals - Parc Avenue (can't stand the disc, but I did like them live!)
Thumbs down:
Deerhunter - Microcastle
Best Bonus Track/Track period (great tune) - Yellow Jacket Avenger - Hiding Out
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B (Toronto, On) - Best Albums '08
#5 Black Hat Brigade - Black Hat Brigade EP
A great live performance (albeit crappy recording) of 'A Pictorial History' showing off their rock-ability.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58BqcM9BID4
#4 Elliott Brood - Mountain Meadows
A great live performance of one of the stronger songs on the album, 'Write It All Down For You'. They handed out baking sheets to the crowd to give the percussion a little extra flare.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0MV_AU_-Kg
#3 Born Ruffians - Red Yellow And Blue
A solid performance of two of the better tracks off the album: Kurt Vonnegut and Hummingbird
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAbDqCH52Sg
#2 Chad VanGaalen - Soft Airplane
An intimate performance of 'Molten Light' shot 3 weeks ago at a laundromat in Paris.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVSm_QsHwcU
#1 Wolf Parade - At Mount Zoomer
'Kissing the Beehive' - my song of 2008
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2shLapSNr0U
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Mr. Grosman (Toronto) - Best Albums '08
1. Fate – Dr. Dog
Harmony-laden pop rock with a psychedelic edge. This quintet from Philadelphia stirs up a delicious stew of catchy melodies with just enough weirdness to keep things interesting. Beautiful, beautiful music.
2. Evil Urges – My Morning Jacket
Sure, this album is not like the ones that came before it. But to those who expect Jimmy James and company to remain stagnant and fit into the notion of what MMJ is supposed to sound like, well, they suck. I applaud a band that is constantly evolving. It took some time to grow on me but this album has lasting appeal and boy do these cats bring it live.
3. The Felice Brothers – The Felice Brothers
Bar room sing-alongs never sounded so good. It’s tough to beat a band that features a 250-pound, whisky-swigging accordion player; a lead singer who sounds uncannily Dylan-esque; and the most eccentric drummer I’ve ever witnessed. Add some good old-fashioned washboard and bass player name Christmas, and ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, The Felice Brothers.
4. Ghost Notes - Everest
I’m not really sure how such relatively simple, straightforward, rock songs managed to affect me so deeply, but Everest must have some sort of secret formula. Plainly put, this album consists of incredibly infectious, well-written songs. They’re doing something right to be currently touring with Wilco and Neil Young.
5. Soft Airplane – Chad VanGaalen
Rob introduced me to this basement-dwelling Albertan, and let’s just say we’ve been pals ever since. Seriously, he hit the nail on the figurative head with this suggestion. Hauntingly weird yet strangely accessible, VanGaalen quivering falsetto has made a believer out of me.
Notable mentions: Magnificent Fiend – Howlin Rain; Temporary People – Joseph Arthur and The Lonely Astronauts; Consolers of the Lonely – The Raconteurs; Join the Band – Little Feat (MY FAVOURITE BAND); Ode to Sunshine – Delta Spirit; Fleet Foxes – Fleet Foxes; Parc Avenue – Plants and Animals; Loaded – The Wood Brothers; Brighter Than Creation’s Dark – Drive-By Truckers; Attack and Release – The Black Keys; Warpaint – The Black Crowes
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Eliot (London, On) - Best Albums '08
1) Chad VanGaalen - Soft Airplance
2) Black Kids - Partie Traumatic
3) Islands - Arm's Way
4) Wolf Parade - At Mount Zoomer (Almost entirely a result of the track California Dreamer which may be the best Wolf Parade Song of all time)
5) Eagles of Death Metal - Heart On
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