T CLAIR, SENIOR CONTRIBUTING WRITER
10. She and Him, Volume One
Paste Magazine’s choice of this album for its favorite of the year caused an uproar here at the Hill. Nevertheless, it got quite a few spins in my i-tunes, garnering it a number ten spot on my list.
9. Conor Oberst, Conor Oberst
If Conor had followed up I’m Wide Awake Its Morning with this self-titled release, it might not have made my list. Coming as it did after Bright Eye’s disappointing Cassadega ,however, it was a breath of fresh air and wound up as one of my favorites.
8. Ezra Furman and the Harpoons, Inside the Human Body
Like a glorious memory of The Violent Femmes, The Velvet Underground, and Dylan at his sloppiest, Furman and crew’s sophomore effort cranks Indie music’s volume up a tad.
7. Bon Iver, For Emma, Forever Ago
I first heard Bon Iver over at La Blogotheque. His intimate, frail voice that nearly disintegrates when he wails immediately won my heart.
6. Matthew Perryman Jones, Swallow the Sea
David Kern (the “Chief” here at the Hill) kept lauding the praises of Throwing Punches in the Dark last year. It wasn’t until Swallow the Sea, however, that I saw Matthew Perryman Jones’ genius. This album absolutely soars.
5. Jon Foreman, Seasonal EP’s
Okay, so technically this isn’t album. But then, that’s how I roll. Foreman’s spiritually attuned acoustic dabblings were an obsession of mine this year. Mr. Foreman is a student of human nature. The well-crafted tunes in these short e.p.’s do more than bemoan the human condition, however; they use music to point to transcendence and redemption.
4. Katie Herzig, Apple Tree
This album, unlike others on my list, features numerous songs that I couldn’t resist leaving on repeat. “Forevermore” and “Hologram” alone would have placed this one in my top ten.
3. Amos Lee, Last Days at the Lodge
This one’s a diamond in the rough. It didn’t get much praise from the indie crowd, but I found Lee’s soulful crooning absolutely irresistible. When I first got a hold of this album, Amos Lee dominated my Last.fm charts.
2. Coldplay, Viva la Vida
Admittedly, I never expected Coldplay to ever reach so high a spot on any top ten list of mine. This album, however, is a nearly perfect experiment in epic rock-pop. Martin’s song-writing has never been better. Is it presumptuous to predict that Coldplay (Coldplay?!) will be one of the most important bands of our lifetime?
1. R.E.M., Accelerate
I never listened to R.E.M. prior to this album. Even now, none of my friends do. Accelerate has been overlooked on every top ten list I have seen yet this year. Honestly, this baffles me. This is an absolutely devastating album. The song-writing is superb. The arrangements are calculated to make those prickly hairs stand up on your neck. Now if only the world would stand up and take notice: Accelerate is the best album you’ve refused to listen to.
GRAEME PITMAN, CONTRIBUTING WRITER
10. Calexico, Carried To Dust // Brave Saint Saturn, Anti-Meridian
A good ol’ fashion tie.
9. Vampire Weekend, Vampire Weekend
Put on your argyle sweater. Some fine academic indie pop.
8. Coldplay, Viva La Vida
Don’t believe the naysayers. Some of their best.
7. Matthew Perryman Jones, Swallow the Sea
Just won’t leave my playlist.
6. Anathallo, Canopy Glow
Latecomer pulls some syncopated punches.
5. Sheerwater, Rook
This album is important. Go get it.
4. Sigur Ros, Med Sud I Eyrum Vid Spilum Endalaust
Not ( ) nor Takk… But Still. C’mon.
3. Death Cab for Cutie, Narrow Stairs
Don’t believe the naysayers. Some of their best.
2. Fleet Foxes, Fleet Foxes
Z part duex. What Evil Urges should have been.
1. Bon Iver, For Emma, Forever Ago
It’s true. It was.
NICK WIMMER, CONTRIBUTING WRITER
10. Vampire Weekend, Vampire Weekend
This is my dance-rock album of the year. Bright, catchy, unforgettable. An incredible debut from one of New York’s up and coming bands.
9. Coldplay, Viva La Vida
Colorful, poignant and worth the wait. If you’re like me and don’t listen to the radio much, then this album is still a lot of fun and gave my summer a pop-lift.
8. Air France, No Way Down
Sweden’s socialist roof-top soundtrack is a lovely surprise this year. On their sophomore release, AF delivers a Euro-tropic sound complete with wave-lapping samples and pre-packaged dreams.
7. Delta Spirit, Ode to Sunshine
I first heard the Cali spiritualists on Ezekiel Clothing’s radio playlist two years ago. I’m happy to find that the underground, bar-brawling grit and groove of Ode to Sunshine has now fully surfaced.
6. City and Colour, Bring Me Your Love
The sophomore release from Vagrant Records own Dallas Green offers a rich and personal confession of a true singer-songwriter coming into his own. Check out “Death of Me” and “The Girl” - sure to be sampled in a commercial in 2009.
5. Bon Iver, For Emma, Forever Ago Every trip brings at least one experience. Bon Iver’s unique and heartfelt debut is the product of a great trip (months spent in a cabin in the woods) and it would be a crying shame for anyone to miss these experiences.
4. Fleet Foxes, Fleet Foxes
Lush vocals, layered tracks and carefully scripted lyrics are what give Fleet Foxes a formidable place among the top albums this year. These folks have succeeded in creating timeless songs for a timeless age.
3. Ra Ra Riot, The Rhumb Line
Strings have been on the rise in indie-music this past year. But no band has achieved such a provoking sound that agitates, energizes and soothes all at the same time like Ra Ra Riot. Upbeat, Clash-like rock pop riffs are balanced with solemn strokes that are reminiscent of the Beatles Sgt. Pepper’s album.
2. Okkervil River, The Stand Ins
My review.
1. Ray LaMontagne, Gossip in the Grain
It is so hard to be perfect all the time. But somehow New England’s darling Ray LaMontagne has managed perfection again in this highly anticipated follow-up to 2006’s Till the Sun Turns Black. Complete with a hybrid of horn-driven pop songs and soft, delicate acoustic solos, LaMontagne and long-time producer Ethan Johns deliver a rustic, down-home sound that garners the respect of Cat Stevens, Nick Drake and Johnny Lee Hooker. A deeply passionate and visible record that fits so well its’ almost like it grew there.
AARON HARLOW, TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
10. Wovenhand, Ten Stones
It’s the year of the Native Americans apparently, Shearwater and Wovenhand both offering some hauntingly smooth but firm sounds, each in their own ways. It’s a bit like cheese in your brownies, it sounds weird, but you’ll like it…I promise…or at least you would have if I hadn’t told you what was in it.
9. Shearwater, Rook
8. Matthew Perryman Jones, Swallow The Sea
Swallow the MPJ, you won’t regret it.
7. Samantha Crain, The Confiscation EP
Her haunting voice emitting from deep inside her soul will whisper a story you will beg to hear every night before you go to sleep. My favorite song, “The River,” reads like Flannery O. and drinks like Johnny Walker. Tastes good and feels even better going down.
6. The Gaslight Anthem, The 59′ Sound
Welcome to the future, it’s called 1977…
5. Vampire Weekend, Vampire Weekend
For too long I resisted this album, it kept turning up, now I keep turning it up. Don’t listen to the hype, don’t listen to me, just listen to the music.
4. Fleet Foxes, Fleet Foxes
It’s got ALL 5 ness’ - Depth-ness, simplicity-ness, catchy-ness, hairiness, AND wonderfulness.
3. Anathallo, Canopy Glow
How a band, that (to mix a metaphor) teeters on the edge of my radar for so long, can burst into the forefront of my post-emo/indie (Still don’t know how the hell “indie” is a genre…what’s a genre anyways?) mind and proceed to carve a path to some unknown sensory conclusion, I don’t know. But I know a great piece of work when I hear one (sometimes), and this is probably one (most likely).
2. The Tallest Man On Earth, Shallow Grave
If Bon is a drug, so must be Dylan, and this guy is his beautiful crack baby. I “found” this guy a couple years ago on Myspace and have spent many a near-shameful afternoon refreshing the page to hear the four songs there non-stop. It’s great to finally have him out for all the world to hear.
1. Bon Iver, For Emma, Forever Ago
Bursting on the scene with a dingy earth-grey light, ensnaring all who dare to gaze into it, Bon will pierce the tender parts of your callous mind and inject a near orgasmic musical serum that will leave you instantly addicted.
Read Aaron’s entire list for 2008
ANDREW WEBB, CONTRIBUTING WRITER
10. Jimmy Needham, Not Without Love
Awesome new artist, with a great sense of rhythm and rhyme. Very genuine and real, and not afraid to talk about what he believes.
9. Delirious, Kingdom of Comfort
I like this, because it criticizes our culture/our world – the Kingdom of Comfort. While pointing out flaws in the world, they remain true in their worship to God, and humble in their approach to it all.
8. Eric Hutchinson, Sounds Like This
One of the most difficult albums to place in a genre. There is an awesome promo video on Amazon, making this album generally incredible.
7. Katie Herzig, Apple Tree
Same Katie, plus some. The sounds on this album are very delicate at times, while being brutally honest about life and love.
6. Coldplay, Viva La Vida
This album branched off from the traditional Coldplay sound, and I appreciated the change.
5. James Morrison, Songs for You, Truths for Me
Old fashioned music, mixed with modern day voice. The sound is incredibly original sounding.
4. The Killers, Day and Age
Never liked the Killers before, but was very impressed with this album. Disco Funk sound is back, and better than ever.
3. Sandra McCracken, Red Balloon
Raised the bar for Sandra to a whole new level. This record has many truths about love at one of its deepest level – from a mother to her child.
2. Jon Foreman, Seasonal EPs
Switchfoot’s Jon Foreman delivers on the 4 disc compilation, taking the listener through the four seasons. The lyrics makes you contemplate spiritual truths in a new way, musically working itself into your head.
1. Gavin Degraw, Gavin Degraw
One of the most talented writers, and piano players. He sticks to the traditional song structure (using verse, chorus, and bridge) – the bridges are my favorite.
DAVID KERN, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
10. Ezra Furman, Inside the Human Body
Furman (another Dylan like crooner) and his band, The Harpoons, may not have lived up to their ‘07 debut but they surely have whipped up another mess of energetic quality folk rock songs.
9. Tallest Man on Earth, Shallow Grave
America, meet Bob Dylan. Kristian Matsson, meet America. Give this man a proper release in the U.S.!
8. Son Lux, At War with Walls and Mazes
Classically trained Ryan Lott (aka Son Lux) has created the most haunting electronica album to come out in a long time. Equally influenced by hip-hop, Radiohead and classical music, Walls and Mazes is another remarkable debut in a year of remarkable debuts.
7. Fleet Foxes, Fleet Foxes
Sounds like driving through the Appalachian/Blue Ridge mountains in a cloud of morning fog (trust me, I do this often). Drink coffee while you listen. Delicious.
6. Jolie Holland, The Living and the Dead
Jazzy, bluesy, Waits-ian folk at its best.
5. Coldplay, Viva la Vida
This album flat out rocks. Chris Martin’s vastly improved lyrics and vocal performance boosts epic soundscapes and hauntingly beautiful melodies.
4. Anathallo, Canopy Glow
I’ve been preaching the merits of this band for years; finally people are giving them the credit they deserve. As good as anything Sufjan has done.
3. Abigail Washburn and the Sparrow Quartet, Abigail Washburn and the Sparrow Quartet
This Appalachian folk album boasts one of the strongest vocal performances of the year.
2. Sigur Ros, með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust
Ok, so maybe it’s not as groundbreaking as their earlier albums, but that doesn’t keep this album from being stunning all the same. “Ara Batur” is one of the best songs of the year.
1. Bob Dylan, Tell Tale Signs
As good, if not better than, anything Dylan has done in recent years, Signs is a masterpiece. Its better than Dylan’s fantastic 2005 release Modern Times. The old man’s still got the magic touch.
RILEY MILLER, SENIOR CONTRIBUTING WRITER
10. Devotchka, A Mad And Faithful Telling
9. Vampire Weekend, Vampire Weekend
8. Abigail Washburn, Abigail Washburn & The Sparrow Quartet
7. Coldplay, Viva La Vida
6. Flight of the Conchords - Flight of the Conchords
5. R.E.M., Accelerate
4. Sigur Ros, Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust
3. Bon Iver, For Emma Forever Ago
2. Fleet Foxes, Fleet Foxes
1. Plants and Animals, Parc Avenue
December 22nd, 2008 at 10:13 pm
I haven’t heard many of these albums but thanks for the reviews. I will make it my business to hear them.
It doesn’t really matter but I will mention that Bob Dylan’s Modern Times was released in 2006. I haven’t heard the complete set of Tell Tale Signs but what I have heard is amazing. Outtakes from albums made in 1989-2006 and there are some tracks that make you think - “Why the FUCK didn’t these end up on the album”. I guess he was saving them for a release like this but all and all I wouldn’t be surprised if Dylan had little to do with Tell Tale Signs. I am the Blogmaster at DylanTube - Handpicked Bob Dylan videos reviewed . You can get there by entering DylanTube.com.
Again good choices for the top 10 albums of 2008! Merry Christmas.
December 23rd, 2008 at 9:30 am
Josh,
Good catch on Modern Times. I’ll be sure to check out your site.
Thanks David, I have only heard Tell Tale once through when they streamed it on NPR a few weeks ago…I’m excited to get it…perhaps it will land in a certain stocking during a certain holiday.
December 23rd, 2008 at 7:27 pm
Nice. Now do books.
Also, I have heard of, like, five or six of those bands/albums. How old and out of step am I? I like Robert Zimmerman. Any year.
December 24th, 2008 at 10:37 am
I’ve heard all of these but find most lacking. Fleet Foxes was great - if you like production without songs. Vampire Weekend was just the worst of Paul Simon, and I love Paul Simon. REM was something of a return to form and a decent record, but by no means among the top 50 of the year. Nice to see Jolie Holland get a mention. And Sigur Ros, which was record of the year, if you ask me. But where were: Frightened Rabbit, Robert Forster, Chad Van Gaalen, Tom Thumb, Chris Bathgate, Notwist, Peter Broderick, Titus Andronicus, Helio Sequence, and Parts and Labor? All of them put out records better’n most of the above. Seems like everyone doing Best Of Lists gets a list to select from. Most are plugging the same bands.
December 24th, 2008 at 12:17 pm
Sickfrank,
thanks for the comment. All of those albums you listed are excellent,they somehow just didn’t make our lists.
I agree that it seems like all the critics get together and make their lists together in an old cabin on some windy day around a pot of hot cider. That is either evidence that an album is actually good, or that the machine lacks discernment. Or something else.
I agree that VW is very lacking. But it does have a couple of really enjoyable songs. Long term - not expecting much.
Also, be on the lookout for T Clair’s argument for why the REM album is the number one album of the year and why its a must listen.
December 24th, 2008 at 10:18 pm
Thanks a lot guys! No elaborate articulation of my thoughts or feelings about the songs/artists…..just happy to have found some new favorites!
January 8th, 2009 at 2:46 am
[...] Into the Hill has posted the various top ten albums of the year lists selected by our contributors and staff members. [...]
January 10th, 2009 at 4:40 pm
Haha, I just love Riley for putting FotC on his top ten list. Most of this I didn’t listen to in 2008, which is great because it gives me a go-to list when I have some pocket change again for itunes. Thank you, gentlemen!
February 3rd, 2009 at 7:40 pm
[...] A few weeks back, we posted the top ten albums of 2008 as chosen by each of our staff members. Included among them were Bon Iver’s For Emma Forever Ago, Coldplay’s Viva la Vida, the Fleet Foxes’ self titled debut album and Hill favorite Matthew Perryman Jones miraculous Swallow the Sea. But there were more great albums last year than just the ones that we - and the myriad of other publications - included in our lists. Some of them follow here. We hope this list helps you further explore your musical passions and, perhaps, even helps you find a new favorite artist. [...]
April 5th, 2009 at 4:37 pm
Save the nighttime for your weeping……
The Coldplay - Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends has, as for now, been the number-one-selling coldplay disc around the world. In the USA, it sold 316,000 copies in its first day, and 720,000 in its first week. In the UK, the album sold 302,074 …