22 For You
i have been compiling a list of the best tracks of 2008 for a couple a weeks now. SLH got the idea to make a top 40 list, “casey kasem” style for my ipod. it proved to be an effective tool for separating the great songs from the good. here are my top 22 tracks:
22. Vampire Weekend-A Punk: i’m not sure if the title stems from the tom-tom drums and the ramone(ish) chant in the middle of the song, either way it is pure brilliance.
21. Lykke Li-Little Bit: i am so in love with this girl.
20. One Day As a Lion-Ocean View: the former front man for rage against the machine goes off! over a dirty, dirty guitar lick and amazing drums. this is the best rage against the machine song in years.
19. Jenny Lewis-Acid Tongue: story telling at it’s best, coupled with great harmonies during the hook. the second verse where she states “we were unlucky in love, but i’d do it all again,” resonates.
18. Beck-Chemtrails: i wanted beck’s entire album to sound like this song. it did not. however; the drums and danger mouse’s production make this a strange trip.
17. She & Him-Why Do You Let Me Stay Here: the AM radio cliche has been way overused to describe this country booty-shaker. yet, things are cliche for a reason and this is pure gold.
16. Toyko Police Club-Your English is Good: i thought for sure this song would end up on a MTV U voting commercial. it’s kinetic energy is enough to make me pogo with every listen.
15. Stars–A Thread Cut With a Carving Knife: a perfect mixture of shoe-gaze and post-rock,WITH ACTUAL LYRICS. great lyrics and voices that make this the prettiest song of 2008.
14. Portishead–Machine Gun: i hated this album. mostly because this was the first single and it encompasses everything i love about portishead. bat-shit beats & music paired with haunting vocals. the rest of the album did not deliver on this initial promise though.
13. Deerhunter-Never Stops: deerhunter makes great albums. on their latest, they managed to make some great singles as well. never stops mixes classic pop harmonies with enough droning guitars to satisfy all listeners.
12. Death Cab for Cutie-I Will Poesses Your Heart: i used to think ben gibbard was the biggest pansy in indie rock. when DCFC joined a major, this opinion doubled. yet, opening an album on a major label with a song that is 8:26 seconds long and not singing until the four and a half mark, is pretty ballsy and indie rock.
11. Wolf Parade-Kissing the Beehive: *warning* i saw this song close wolf parade’s 18 song set at the slowdown and it melted my face. hang in there with this one. at the five minute mark it is amazing. at the nine minute mark you’ll believe in anything.
10. N.E.R.D-Spaz: when these boys are on top of their game, my feet cannot stop moving. plus the “tea pot” rhyme is classic.
9. Hot Chip-Ready for the Floor: electro beats/blips mixed with a repetitive hook that makes you dance in the mirror. “you’re my number one guy.” “number, number one, one, number one guy.”
8. Bloc Party-Ares: if one mixed the drums from the chemical brothers’ setting sun with two of the most obtuse guitars you have ever heard, they might get close to this song’s greatness. the falsetto breakdown seals the deal.
7. Connor Oberst-Souled Out!: this drunken country romp is the best “rock” song on connor’s solo disc. the bluesy, distorted lead guitar that virtually plays through the whole song makes it stick.
6. Fleet of Foxes-Ragged Wood: beach boy harmonies, finger picking, and robin pecknold’s angel-like voice make the first two and half minutes of this song phenomenal. the last two minutes filled with crosby, stills, and nash’s ghosts make it exceptional.
5. Neva Dinova-Supercomputer: perfect amounts of clean telecaster mixed with enchanting “ooohhs.” jake bellow’s constant ramblings pay off when the band begins to complete his paranoid sentences and he states that his song will break our soul. an absolutely perfect song.
4. Okkervil River-Lost Coastlines: google the lyrics to this song….yeah, it’s that good. la..la..la.la.la.la.laaaaa..la
3. The Walkmen-In The New Year: the slight tom rolls, the reverb drenched hollow body, the cascades of organ, and hamilton leithauser’s take on his past relationships not only make feel like everything is in it’s right place, i inherently know.
2. MGMT-Electric Feel: is the opening drum beat a waltz? remember when beck tried to do the prince thing? this is 50 times closer and better. this song will get stuck in your head for days. FYI, that is a good thing.
1. Black Kids-I’m Not Going To Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You: with it’s cure(ish) lead vocals, multi-gendered chants, insatiably chorus, and it’s absolutely brilliant premise, it is undeniable……i dare someone to not like this song.
Honorable Mentions:
1. The Hold Steady-Constructive Summer
2. Lil Wayne-Lolipop
3. Beyonce-Put a Ring up On It
4. Ra Ra Riot- Too Fast
5. Vampire Weekend-The Kids Don’t Stand a Chance
6. Use Somebody-Kings of Leon
Nice list. I’ve heard quite a few of those and will check out the remainder. A couple that I liked this year…
My Morning Jacket – Highly Suspicious
M83 – Kim and Jessie
Tilly and the Wall – Pot Kettle Black
JR (Stevi's co-worker) said this on January 7, 2009 at 10:21 pm
great call on Highly Suspicious. it’s a great song that i missed. i’ve been meaning to check out M83.
Anonymous said this on January 7, 2009 at 10:31 pm
it would no suprise to any of you, that i have actually heard very few of these songs… What i have heard is every song off a “jagged little pill” and the psycho Canadian (no offense drew) because i work in a grocery store, that has a music program, that has evidently done a study that women (35-45)years of age (my key demographic) buy more grocery’s when listening to Morrissete. ” i got one hand in my pocket and the other one is grabbing for some craisens!” (I HATE MY LIFE) but i will suggest that “cape canaveral” from Connor Oberst has further solidified his place in history as a singer song writer…
pj said this on January 8, 2009 at 6:28 pm
good call on cape canaveral. as for a “jagged little pill” reference. i expect nothing less from you. my god.
gmilbourn said this on January 9, 2009 at 3:31 am
hey, garry! thanks for the list. you were always the go-to person for good music suggestion and introduction. i’ve been making my way through the ones i’m not familiar with, and enjoying every minute of it. much appreciation!
Anonymous said this on January 9, 2009 at 9:34 pm
ummmm, NOT anonymous on january 9, 2009 at 9:34 pm. i know me. you know me as nicole. sheesh! what’s a girl gotta do to get interweb recognition around here? … don’t answer that.
Anonymous said this on January 9, 2009 at 9:36 pm
Well, you got part of it right–She & Him (check), MGMT (check). Fucking love your Lykke Li call (going to see her at the Metro in Feb) but “I’m Good, I’m Gone” might be the song of the year. You were close on Vampire Weekend but “Oxford Comma” is the better tune. “White Winter Hymnal” is the better choice by Fleet Foxes. I LOVE Beck’s new album but you didn’t even get one of its top 3 songs- “Orphans”, “Youthless” or especially “Gamma Ray” would have been better calls (wait, you can’t pick that song–it was on the radio. That makes it less cool. Um, yes you can. It’s a great tune). I refuse to list any KOL as their new album is a gigantic disappointment. Someone please tell them to stop listening to U2’s “Pop” album. Now for the omissions: The Raveonettes “You want the candy”, Dodo’s “Fools”, The Virgins “Rich Girls”, Kid Rock “All Summer Long” (Just admit you like it, it’ll make things easier. Everything is going to be OK, I promise. C’mere and gimme a hug), The Killers “Spaceman”, REM “Hollow Man” (jam it, Garry) and the best song of 2008 is The Ting Tings “Great DJ”. As you were. Au Revoir.
DD said this on January 10, 2009 at 12:39 am
kid rock? i might have just kicked you out of my fave five.
gmilbourn said this on January 10, 2009 at 12:53 am
Nice! The Ting Tings…i just started listening to them, love em. “Great DJ” is good, i also like “That’s not my name”. I think “Lolipop” by Lil Weezy should be a little higher on the list due to the fact the it got a shotout at Skate Daze for my 30th bday upon request…can we make that happpen?..or maybe extend the list to #23, c’mon it derserves it. I’m going to have to take some time to listen to some of this stuff that i haven’t heard, but for 2008 i couldn’t get MMJ out of my cd player (yeah i still play those things). “Librarian” pretty solid song, love the lyrics. And as much i hate Mr. Kanye West, and i know he’s pretty main stream for you G, i got to throw “Love Lockdown” on the list somewhere. Can someone get ahold of an autotune??? We need to make this happen! Beyonce on the HM list..really? Might as well throw some Nickelback on there. On the heels of a damn good Girltalk show last night…i’ll have to throw his “Feed the Animals” album in the mix, fun stuff!! G here’s what i need from you, when you get time:
Vampire Weekend – Vampire Weekend
Kings of Leon – Only by Night
MGMT – Orcaular Spectacular
Kanye West – 80’s & Heartbreak
your top 40 list
Drew’s saddle creek bar mix
Jackson said this on January 10, 2009 at 3:57 pm