2008

"A memory from your lonesome past..." - Hank Williams

I find the year-end crop of "best of" lists fodder for the internet comment crowd. Profane postings of why this is on the list and why that is not on the list irritates my senses. To judge art on its merits is something I find difficult to quantify. By calling something the 32nd best album of the year or the best movie of the year, even if it's by a distinguished panel of so-called experts, I feel is impossible to measure. I enjoy reading the lists if only for checking something I may have not heard or seen.

So here they are, my FAVORITE things of the craptastic year of '08. Not the BEST, simply the LP's, singles & shows that I enjoyed. As always there will be things from this year that escape me until another time. That's the beauty of art...it's timeless.

Fave Albums

1. Real Emotional Trash – Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks - The album I never stopped listening to. Great songs and some of the coolest sounding guitar of the year.
2. Fleet Foxes – Fleet Foxes - A lot of hype that was well worth it. I didn't think an LP could sound like this anymore. Also, my favorite vinyl of the year.
3. Do It! – Clinic - I really wished I'd seen them live this year as well. A superb psyched out release.
4. In Ear Park - Department of Eagles - No new Grizzly Bear album. Well, this really helps.
5. Attack & Release – The Black Keys - I was nervous about Danger Mouse mucking up the Keys. Sure it's more expansive than the previous albums, but it's a well-balanced mix of aural sounds that blend well with the sparse BK backing.
6. Furr – Blitzen Trapper - The great Northwest just pumps this stuff out apparently.
7. Flight Of The Conchords – Flight Of The Conchords - Funniest and best produced record of the year. Hey, the show is freakin' hilarious, too.
8. Oracular Spectacular – MGMT - Another unmercifully hyped band who's album is just plain fun to listen to.
9. In The Future – Black Mountain - If Iron Butterfly met Grace Slick.
10. Retribution Gospel Choir – Retribution Gospel Choir - Alan Sparhawk of Low's side project is loud & proud.
11. Momofuku – Elvis Costello - Favorite release from a classic. The Police should have opened for him.
12. Vampire Weekend – Vampire Weekend - Speaking of hype? The most catchy songs of the year. How's that for hype?
13. Dear Science – TV on the Radio - Damn this is a funky record.
14. The Slip – Nine Inch Nails - Thanks for the free album, Trent. Oh yeah, it rips too.
15. Devotion – Beach House - A most haunting and beautiful album.
16. Fate – Dr. Dog - Loved the songs but I wished it was a bit more cohesively produced.
17. Lunglight – The Shaky Hands - I told these guys they reminded me of early Feelies. It really threw them for a loop.
18. The Rhumb Line – Ra Ra Riot - A wonderful album with songs of hope and despair intertwined. Perfect for '08.
19. 3 - Portishead - Just doing what they do. And even better live.

Fave Songs

1. Gila – Beach House
2. Weekend Wars – MGMT
3. I Got Mine – The Black Keys
4. Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!! – Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds
5. Everybody Nose (All the girls standing in the line for the bathroom) – N.E.R.D.
6. Eraser – No Age
7. Sleepytime in the Western World – Blitzen Trapper
8. Threads - Portishead
9. Living Well Is The Best Revenge – R.E.M.
10. Echoplex – Nine Inch Nails
11. While You Wait For The Others (unreleased) – Grizzly Bear
12. Ladies Of The World – Flight Of The Conchords
13. Great DJ – The Ting Tings

Fave Shows

1. The Black Keys – Marquee Theater – Tempe, AZ
2. Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks – Plush – Tucson, AZ
3. The King Khan and BBQ Show – Rhythm Room – Phoenix, AZ
4. MGMT – Rhythm Room – Phoenix, AZ
5. Sigur Ros – Marquee Theater – Tempe, AZ
6. The Breeders – The Clubhouse – Tempe, AZ
7. Retribution Gospel Choir – The Doug Fir – Portland, OR
8. The Whigs, What Made Milwaukee Famous – Modified Arts – Phoenix, AZ
9. Bill Callahan & Jonathan Meiburg – Rhythm Room – Phoenix, AZ