Below is a list of my favorite records from 2008. I could have easily made a list of 50. It was pretty hard to narrow things down and most of the records after #10 could move up or down depending on my mood. The same could be said for the “honorable mentions” at the end of my list. So, check out my 30 favorite records of 2008 and make sure to click through at the end to check the favorites of our contributors as well! Thanks for a great 2008, we’re looking forward to 2009. Enjoy the holidays! As always, drop a comment with your favorites, things you liked, things we missed, etc.

30. The Celebrated Workingman – Herald The Dickens

29. Q-Tip – The Renaissance

28. No Kids – Come Into My House
MP3: No Kids – “The Beaches All Closed”

27. Throw Me the Statue – Moonbeams
MP3: Throw Me The Statue – “About To Walk”

26. The Felice Brothers – The Felice Brothers
MP3: The Felice Brothers – “Frankie’s Gun”
MP3: The Felice Brothers – “Wonderful Life”

25. Deerhunter – Microcastle

24. Ryan Adams & The Cardinals – Cardinology

23. Jason Collett – Here’s To Being Here

22. Alejandro Escovedo – Real Animal
MP3: Alejandro Escovedo – “Always A Friend”

21. Hot Chip – Made In The Dark

20. Centro-matic/South San Gabriel – Dual Hawks
MP3: Centro-Matic – “I, The Kite”
MP3: South San Gabriel – “Trust To Lose”

19. The Cool Kids – Bake Sale

18. Matt Bauer – The Island Moved in the Storm
MP3: Matt Bauer – “Don’t Let Me Out”

17. Drive-By Truckers – Brighter Than Creation’s Dark

16. MGMT – Oracular Spectacular

15. Girl Talk – Feed the Animals

14. Black Mountain – In The Future
MP3: Black Mountain – “Tyrants”

13. TV on the Radio – Dear Science,

12. Justin Townes Earle – The Good Life

11. Of Montreal – Skeletal Lamping

10. Horse Feathers – House with No Name
MP3: Horse Feathers – “Curs In The Weeds”

9. Langhorne Slim – Langhorne Slim
MP3: Langhorne Slim – “Restless”
MP3: Langhorne Slim – “Rebel Side of Heaven”

8. Dr. Dog – Fate
MP3: Dr. Dog – “The Old Days”
MP3: Dr. Dog – “The Ark”

7. The Hold Steady – Stay Positive

6. The Walkmen – You & Me

5. David Byrne & Brian Eno – Everything That Happens Will Happen Today

4. Frightened Rabbit – The Midnight Organ Fight
MP3: Frightened Rabbit – “Modern Leper”

3. Fleet Foxes – Fleet Foxes

2. My Morning Jacket – Evil Urges
MP3: My Morning Jacket – “Evil Urges”

1. Blitzen Trapper – Furr
MP3: Blitzen Trapper – “Furr”

Honorable Mentions: The Rosebuds – Life Like, The Gaslight Anthem – The ‘59 Sound, The Henry Clay People – For Cheap Or For Free, Spiritualized – Songs in A&E, Hayes Carll – Trouble in Mind, Sun Kil Moon – April, The Black Keys – Attack & Release, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – Dig, Lazarus, Dig, Lykke Li – Youth Novels, Conor Oberst – Conor Oberst, Shearwater – Rook, Pale Young Gentlemen – Black Forrest (Tra La La), Megafaun – Bury the Square

CLICK HERE TO READ 2008 FAVORITES FROM Jodi, Dan, Ed, Eric, & Pete

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Jodi Root | Album & Chicago Concert Reviews

1. Girl Talk – “Feed the Animals” — D-A-N-C-E PARTY!!!! Greg Gillis knows how to throw one effing sweet dance party, so this album was pretty much on repeat from the day it dropped online—Lil’ Wayne and Sinead, who knew??

2. TV on the Radio – “Dear Science,” – There’s no doubt these guys are talented, and this record just ups the ante from their previous efforts. From the moment I heard opening track, “Halfway Home,” I knew I was deeply infatuated—an instant classic.

3. Bon Iver – “For Emma, Forever Ago” – Ok, so technically this was a 2007 release, but I didn’t know of Mr. Vernon until this past March at SXSW so this counts as a personal fave for ’08. Simply eloquent, this gorgeous album served as the perfect soundtrack to my many ups and downs—the spring set I caught at the Lakeshore Theatre in Chicago was just as mesmerizing. Good job, Justin—Jodi gives you two thumbs up.

4. Robyn – “Robyn” — Jodi hearts her some Robyn. This is no secret. Although this technically was released in Sweden back in ’05 and UK in ’07, this was an official US release in ’08. And I played it—a lot, much to everyone around me’s constant dismay.
This album defines pop music.

5. The Hood Internet – “Mixtape 3”— No other artist was played more on my iTunes in 2008 than this Chi DJ duo. Made up of DJ STV SLV and ABX, these bros brought forth numerous solid booty shaking jams—from Lil Kim/MGMT, She & Him/Ludacris to pretty much any/everyone with Lil Wayne, this duo cut it up and fed it to the masses for free, and their 3rd mixtape installment just summarizes the tip of the iceberg of all things hood.

6. Atmosphere – “When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold” – Sean Daley is the man of my dreams—Slug could rap about doing the dishes and I’d still drop twenty bones to check it. The latest album takes a twist away from his personal narrative style into a deeper realm of story-telling, and gems such as “The Dreamer, “Guarantees” and “You” are freaking ridiculously amazing.

7. Santogold – “Santogold” — “We think you’re a joke, shove your hope, where it don’t shine.” Only Miss Santi White could pull a line like that and get the masses to their feet. This debut album was solid as hell, from start to finish with such stellar numbers like “Say Aha,” “LES Artistes” and “Creator.” Perhaps my favorite new artist of ’08, this record is a permanent fixture to my dance party greatest hits.

8. Vampire Weekend – “Vampire Weekend” – Ok, so maybe these prep-rockers were a bit over hyped into temporary overkill, but who cares? The fact remains that this self-titled phenomenon album is a solid piece of work from beginning to end. “The Kids Don’t Stand a Chance” and “Oxford Comma” are catchy singles and it’d be a blasphemy for me not to include it on this list.

9. Mates of State – “Re-Arrange Us” — Incredible album, Kori & Jason Hammel’s best work yet. The addition of strings and replacement of piano from keys took a while to grow on me at first, but numbers like “Now” and “My Only Offer” will take much longer to be forgotten. Catchy, wholesome pop.

10. Lykke Li – “Youth Novels” — Sugary sweet, simple childlike girly vocals echoing over the tinkering of percussion and layers of keys, Lykke Li reminded me of the precious joys of innocent bubblegum pop, mixed with some sappy love songs. Perfect summer soundtrack.

11. Lil’ Wayne -“Tha Carter III” — Yes, I am guilty of being one of those hipster elites that sing never ending praises to Weezy. I’ll spare you any explanation further than “Let The Beat Build” is more than likely a permanent fixture on my iPod. Guilty as charged.

12. El Guincho – “Alegranza!” — This was a later discovery for me in ’08, but Mr. Pablo Diaz-Reixa showed me a good time with this collection of experimental islandic afro-beat pop jams. “Palmitos Park” and “Antillas” are guiltless pleasures, sure to get any day off to the right start. His set at the Empty Bottle in Chicago this past November was also pretty unforgettable.

13. Cool Kids – “The Bake Sale” — Mikey Rocks, Chuck Inglish and V.I. P-jay brought ’88 back in ’08 with their collection of vintage 80’s like swagger. One of the best acts I caught at SXSW, it’s impossible not to get pumped checking such tracks as “Bassment Party” and “Gold and a Pager.”

14. The Kills – “Midnight Boom” — This is probably the sexiest album I copped all year. The combination of Allison Mosshart and Jamie Hince’s sultry vocals and dark guitars were perfect for any listening occasion. Angry, sad, happy, pumped up—“Midnight Boom” just seemed to kick ass no matter what.

15. Of Montreal – “Skeletal Lamping” — I’m incredibly surprised this album made my list. It wasn’t until after I caught the amazing Chi set at the Riv this past October that I went back to this record and discovered my newfound love for Kevin’s howls and layered eccentricities. “Id Engager” and “Nonpareil of Favor” are stupidly fun—so is this record.

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Daniel Brielmaier | Website/Concert Photos/Advisor

1. Portishead – Third
2. Blitzen Trapper – Furr
3. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – Dig!!! Lazarus Dig!!!
4. TV on the Radio – Dear Science,
5. Fleet Foxes – Fleet Foxes
6. David Byrne & Brian Eno – Everything That Happens Will Happen Today
7. Ron Sexsmith – Exit Strategy Of The Soul
8. Deerhoof – Offend Maggie
9. The Fall – Imperial Wax Solvent
10. The Walkmen – You & I

Maybe Next Time: Beck Modern Guilt
Soundtrack: Flaming Lips Christmas on Mars
Holiday: A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All!
Reissues: Pavement, Replacements

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Ed Oliver | Photos

1. Girltalk – Feed the Animals
2. The Dodos – The Visitor
3. Santogold – Santogold
4. MGMT – Oracular Spectacular
5. Thao & the Get Down Stay Down – We Brave Bee Stings and All
6. Cool Kids – The Bake Sale
7. She & Him – Volume One
8. The Black Keys – Attack & Release
9. Eef Barzelay – Lose Big
10.Fleet Foxes – Fleet Foxes

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Eric Mahollitz | Concert Reviews

1. Bon Iver – For Emma, Forever Ago (Jajaguwar)
2. Flying Lotus – Los Angeles (Warp)
3. Department of Eagles – In Ear Park (4AD)
4. The Cool Kids – The Bake Sale (Chocolate Industries)
5. Fleet Foxes – Fleet Foxes (Sub Pop)
6. Hercules & Love Affair – Hercules & Love Affair (DFA)
7. Quiet Village – Silent Movie (!K7)
8. Why? – Alopecia (Anticon)
9. Cut Copy – In Ghost Colours (Modular)
10. The Dodos – Visiter (Frenchkiss)

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Pete Donahue | Album/Concert Reviews

1. Fleet Foxes – s/t
2. The Kills – Midnight Boom
3. The Virgins – s/t
4. Little Joy – s/t
5. Beck – Modern Guilt
6. MGMT – Oracular Spectacular
7. Vampire Weekend – s/t
8. M83 – Saturdays = Youth
9. Cut Copy – In Ghost Colours
10. Jenny Lewis – Acid Tongue

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