Once upon a time M. Ward got Zooey Deschanel to sing him her songs and they made a band. I think she broke his heart when she accepted Ben Gibbard’s proposal, but M.’s still big enough to let her sing backup vocals on his newest CD, which as far as I can tell is quite good. I might have time to post a more articulate opinion in the future, but I doubt it. Enjoy nonetheless.
Friends,
I know this is a month late, I’ve been too busy to throw together something like this until now. Maybe I’ll manage to get album art up after the Super Bowl.
Album of the year:
TV on the Radio – Dear Science
Far and away the best album of 08. My infatuation with it rivals Jason’s with lesbian bartenders.
Honorable mentions:
Los Campesinos – Hold On Now, Youngster
This one wins Rookie of the Year, but We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed, also released this year, is a classic Sophomore Slump
Fleet Foxes – Fleet Foxes
Amazing, amazing album, but loses points for hippies.
Everyone loves it, why can’t I too?
Bon Iver – For Emma, Forever Ago
This is on heavy rotation on my mp3 player and I think I might be getting into it.
Deerhunter – Microcastle
This is the only song on the album I like.
The Coldplay Award (previously Radiohead, U2), for mediocre music that otherwise intelligent people go crazy over:
Vampire Weekend – Vampire Weekend
This was catchy the first 2 or 3 times I heard it. It doesn’t hold up, and its non-stop play everywhere isn’t doing it any favors.
Most disappointing album of the year:
Of Montreal – Skeletal Lamping
This showed up in the top 10, 5, 1 of lists of many people I respect. I’m not sure why; it’s the worst thing Kevin Barnes has ever done. I’m going to chalk this one up to Blooming Onion Narcosis and pretend they never released it.
Decent Albums that I wanted to like so much more:
She and Him – Volume One
This is actually a pretty ok record. But I want to love it so much more because, well… Zooey Deschanel. It’s just not there.
Islands – Arm’s Way
This is a good record to be sure, but it’s no Return to the Sea. It must have been tough to follow up the best album of ‘06 after losing half the band.
Other great albums this year: (in no particular order)
Flight of the Conchords – Flight of the Conchords
Dr. Dog – Fate
Not as good as previous efforts, but if you’re looking for records the Beatles never made, look here.
Okkervil River – The Stand-Ins
Why? – Alopecia
Maybe #4 on my list.
Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks – Real Emotional Trash
The Hold Steady – Stay Positive