25 Most Played from 2008

Once Again, past due but this is the point. Following my past posts from 2006, 2007 & now 2008- here's my list of personal 'Most Played' from the year at a glance. Maybe there's more influential records from the year, maybe better ones? But these are what I ended up sticking with and remembering the most from last year.

[1] Tokyo Police Club - Elephant Shell
[2] Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes
[3] Dr. Dog - Fate
[4] Nada Surf - Lucky
[5] Hot Chip - Made in the Dark
[6] Blitzen Trapper - Furr
[7] Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago
[8] Chris Walla - Field Manual
[9] Margot & The Nuclear So and So's - Animal! / Not Animal
[10] Death Cab For Cutie - Narrow Stairs
[11] Passion Pit - Chunk of Change EP
[12] Ra Ra Riot - The Rhumb Line
[13] Conor Oberst - Conor Oberst
[14] I'm From Barcelona - Who Killed Harry Houdini?
[15] The Gaslight Anthem - The '59 Sound
[16] Deerhunter - Microcastle
[17] The Raconteurs - Consolers of the Lonely
[18] Black Kids - Partie Traumatic
[19] Cajun Dance Party - The Colourful Life
[20] Wild Sweet Orange - We Have Cause To Be Uneasy
[21] Her Space Holiday - XOXO, Panda & The New Kid Revival
[22] Sigur Ros - Med Sud I Eyrum Vid Spilum Endalust
[23] Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend
[24] Of Montreal - Skeletal Lamping
[25] The Hold Steady - Stay Positive

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[1] Tokyo Police Club Elephant Shell

Most amazing 30 minute album I've ever heard. This is hands down my most played of 2008. Brilliant, to the point and well executed I couldn't ask for a better album to keep my attention and have the range I enjoy in a full length record.

[2] Fleet Foxes Fleet Foxes

Fleet Foxes hopefully need no hype at this point, but when I discovered them they were high on my play list for the whole summer of 2008. Best camping record ever- if you haven't tried you should go out into the woods and sleep, wake up the next morning and cook breakfast to this album and see if it doesn't change your life; worst case scenario you'll have a good breakfast. Also, this record is still one of my favorite buys on vinyl to date; and just a fantastic band!

[3] Dr. Dog Fate

What a great find, this album is amazing plus their entire back catalog is a treat. Rawness from Philly never got so polished and perfect as Fate has crafted. If the first 2 tracks don't completely suck you in then you will not be a fan of this record, if they do? Then you should go ahead and prepare your budget for the full Dr. Dog catalog as you will be heading down that path soon enough.

[4] Nada Surf Lucky

Been a huge fan of this band since day 1. Lucky, in my opinion, is a beautiful and well done album and proves these guys just get better with age. I can't wait for the follow up to this unnoticed gem, it will be in my playlist for many years to come. Aside from Let Go which is them at their absolute best, this is my favorite Nada Surf record.

[5] Hot Chip Made In The Dark

Instant electronic classic. Wore this record out and still do from time to time, has more fist shaking, body-bouncing tracks than most albums in it's competition path. This record isn't afraid to go over the edge, but also reel back to beautiful melodies and chilled beats that put this group on the map. A must own for any indie-dance fan, heck- any fan of music should own this record. Nothing better to get a house party going than Hot Chip.

[6] Blitzen Trapper Furr

Honestly, this album is pure brilliance. The more I listen to it the more I regret making it 6th on my list. If you need a complete spectrum of styles and sounds to keep your ADD attention span then this is your new favorite record. Of course the titel track is an acoustic masterpiece, but what sneaks up on you are the tracks you miss the first few times through. It's definitely a grower, and grow it will. Before too long the sound of this record coming on will change your attitude 360 after 3 seconds into the first track. There is no reason for everyone not to own and love this album.

[7] Bon Iver For Emma, Forever Ago

I got into this album a little late, but once the infectious voice of Justin _ gets into your soul, there's no stopping it. Aside fromt he vocals, the whole raw approach is refreshing and welcomed, especially in 2008. The follow up EP, Blood Bank, was even a great surprise- there's nothing bad to say about this band or their amazing debut.

[8] Chris Walla Field Manual

What an underrated and sleeper album from one of the indie world's finest producers! Chris Walla, of Death Cab For Cutie, has compiled an album of solo attempts that rival early DCFC albums. I really got into this album Fall of 2008 and had a hard time getting past it. Not only is the production great, of course, the songs are just that good! You can really single out Walla's contribution to Death Cab when listening to this record, as well as Gibbard's influence on Chris through writing this record. If this slipped through your radar definitely go back and make a special effort to let this album win you over.

[9] Margot & The Nuclear So & So's Animal! / Not Animal

I can't remember exactly why this release was made into 2 separate ones, but I'd assume it has something to do with tiered approvals of the band, management and label intrests. Regardless, it's kinda cool that it happened. I'd say hands down, mainly the opener "At The Carnival", Animal! is the superior release in full. However, they both contain unique tracks, several in fact, that make each one a very different listen. If you're a fan of Margot you probably are familiar with these releases and love both in their own way. There was really no loser on this split aside from the few that maybe didn't know and only got Not Animal from the bigger superstores (Target, Best Buy, etc) If you are that person and you made it this long and somehow got to this lowly little blog, then please go check out Animal! right now, you won't regret it. Solid attempt as always from these guys, always evolving and keeping you on your toes.

[10] Death Cab For Cutie Narrow Stairs

I was fooled with a bootleg of this album about 2 weeks prior to its release, and will have to say I'm incredibly thankful it was a fake. The real Narrow Stairs is a brilliant collection of songs that really show DCFC's range and maturity. It's so nice to love and follow a band and watch them make the right choices throughout their career. So many sell out and change into something completely different, but Death Cab is one that remains honest in who they are and make/record the music they want to make regardless of fame and profits; for that they'll always have a slot as one of my favorite bands.