Top Albums of 2008

A week or two behind most end of year list, but I'll give it a shot anyway.  With all of the albums I think I purchased this year one thing is quite apparent...Not much new music.  I put away all albums lacking that 2008 copyright.  Oh man, this is going to be a unique list.  I am sure there were many great albums released that I missed.  I hope to find some of them.  I could throw down some Fleet Foxes.  Only one thing, I have never heard their music. Dearhunter?  Nope.  These are the albums I listened to.  The stack of 2008 releases is about ten high.  I have chosen five that I wanted to recommend or say a word or two about.  

5. Tone - Jeff Ament

He doesn't just play bass for Three Fish.  Jeff Ament of Pearl Jam releases a solo album.  I guess this is what sports fans would call a homer pick.  I really like the songs on this album. When a member of an established band (who writes songs for that band) ventures into solo territory it makes you wonder where the songs come from or what were they meant for?  They are good songs so I can't imagine them being cast offs.  If I could sit down with Jeff Ament thats what I would ask about.  Does he know when he writes a song where it belongs so to speak. Did he set aside songs for Tone or did he just feel like a particular song (when he wrote its) was his baby?  When I listen to it I can not help but imagine what Eddie Vedder could do with some of these numbers (sorry Jeff I'm sure that is not the desired effect) but that was only on the fist few listens while my mind was still deciding what to make of the album.  Once I listened to Tone a few times I definately began to appriciate the great songs.  Tone definately rocks.  Leans more towards Pearl Jam than Three Fish (Ament's most popular side project).  Ament sings on most of the tracks, and did the artwork which is really cool.  Favorite tracks: The Forest, Doubting Thomasina

4. Intimacy - Bloc Party

I did not know Bloc Party had anything coming out, then one day I was checking out some of my favorite music blogs and whamo, the digital version of Intimacy was available.  I choose the option of downloading the album and receiving the compact disc version.  Having the digital version was strange.  I didn't listen to the album very many times.  Not because I didn't like it but because if felt incomplete.  I am a fan of itunes and I love getting dubed or "burned" copies of albums from friends but I still have to have my art and liner notes.  Several months after the digital release I got my hard copy.  A rebirth.  It is easy to say that this is not the Bloc Party you know.  It is easy to say this is the Bloc Party you know.  Whoaaa!?  These are definatley Bloc Party songs, some could fit on any album, the song "Talons" comes to mind.  The bulk of the songs however have that Bloc Party feel but have been transformed into much more electronic feeling numbers.  This electronic feel is achieved by either layering or stripping down the songs. Mercury does both.  The song starts off with a simple beat then added to the beat is the heavily effected voice of Kele.  To be honest Mercury is not a favorite.  Nothing will ever top Silent Alarm.  That albums time and space and radness are etched in the stone of J.  I still dig the band. Intimacy is good and Bloc Party is still a great band making great music.  Bloc Party is taking a step with Intimacy.  Perhaps not a step forward.  A good album but I would rather see their creativity turn another direction.  A direction far from electronic dance music.  Favorite tracks: Talons, Signs, Biko

3. Death Magnetic - Metallica

Metallica has carved such a place in my life.  I do not consider Metallica one of my favorite bands, but I love the hell out of them so hard.  They are just part of life.  As a young one I remember the long haired, jean jacket, Metallica back patch kid and I thought he was so cool.  I remember the "One" video.  I remember when the Black Album came out, listening to Metallica when it was "new" and that made it cooler.  Nothing though is cooler than just putting on Master of Puppets and rocking...hard.  Load, ReLoad, that last album, all forgotten.  In fact take away The Black Album and Death Magnetic is the logical step from ...and justice for all to their album released in 2008.  It is old school Metallica but still fresh.  The guitar solos are unique and creative not just a shred fest.  The songs feel new but have the energy of a dude doing rock kicks to "For Whom the Bell Tolls."  I did not buy St. Anger and I am glad I didn't, but the first time I heard "The Day That Never Comes" I knew I would by Death Magnetic and I am glad I did.  Favorite Tracks:  The Day That Never Comes, The Judas Kiss, Suicide & Redemption.

2. No Deliverance - The Toadies

Makes me feel like I am a teenager living in North Pole, Alaska in the mid-nineties.  And that is an awesome feeling.

1. Paper Trail - T.I.

I was a late hip to Paper Trail.  In fact the deciding factor in purchasing the album was hearing "Swagga Like Us" on the radio in Hawaii late November.  Already dug "Whatever You Like" had read good things about the album so there you go, I had to have it.  From play number one this was a great album.  It just doesn't stop.  Even the sillier songs, imagine me dancing around to "Swing Ya Rag", are so catchy I that can't help singing along and loving the song.  Just looking at the song titles on the back of the CD while writing this amazes me.  I dig every song.  T.I. found the balance.  The production on each track is great.  The subject matter is quite varried with minimal lyrics about material goods (but like I said "even then") and plentiful lyrics about just livin and lovin.  Not to mention that kid really likes Patron.  Favorite Tracks:  All

Well there you have it.  A list unlike many you can see all over the music blogs, but an honest one.  Honorable mentions go to The Roots and The Streets.  And if re-issues counted on my list the Replacements would have been 1-5.