20. Sigur Ros - Med Sud I Eyrum Vid Spilum Endalaust (XL)
I do love me some Icelandic gibberish. I don't like me some naked mens' hind quarters on my covers, but I have been able to get past that. For some tunes, including the showstopping "Gobbledigook", Sigur Ros have created their tightest pop-esque hits to date. There's still a heavy dose of their gigantic aural splendors, but it is nice to hear them try their hand at something beautifully straightforward.
19. Department of Eagles - In Ear Park (4AD)
Bad things about 2008: there was no new Grizzly Bear record. Good things abut 2008: there was still a Department of Eagles record. I can hear the difference between the two groups, and they're not quite as obvious as those between Okkervil River and Shearwater, but I'm not complaining. Beautiful folksy rock from one of music's "not overdone-not slap dash-just right" musicians.
18. Sun Kil Moon - April (Caldo Verde)
I barely noticed that the opening tune was about ten minutes long. The Sun Kil Moon project shows that you can make pretty rock and roll music that can span whatever lengths it pleases. Beautifully paced and wonderfully delivered.
17. Shearwater - Rook (Matador)
So often when I talk about performing classical music with my peers, I am always bringing up the idea of bringing "drama" to the music. Shearwater's black and grey brand of chamber pop accomplishes this, letting frigid, roaring rivers grow from trickling streams. The vocals are excellent.
16. The Dodos - Visiter (French Kiss)
This is bound to be underrated, even on my own list. Quite possibly the freshest sound to emerge on a 2008 debut (except, perhaps, for a record to be found later on this list (and NOT Vampire Weekend, either)), Dodos make a large impression on the listener mostly because their gritty, jumpy sound is a natural part of their music. They don't impose on the audience the way a lo-fi act does, and their use of instruments and stripped textures seem to suggest that the typical band operates with a guitarist, thuddy drummer, and perhaps a toy piano, if they feel like it.
15. The Very Best - Esau Mwmamwaya and Radioclit are The Very Best (Ghettopop/Green Owl)
First of all, this record is free. Not in a Radiohead/In Rainbows type deal, but in a free-mixtape-for-you-to-enjoy-and-share one. What a beautiful cohesion of worlds: indie(ish) source material, powerful electric beats, and that African dude's beautiful voice. This is not for everyone, but certainly great for most.
14. Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend (XL)
Everyone's saying it, so I will too - it feels like this record has been out for three years now. The group that might start bringing a new meaning to "college rock" has waited nearly the entire year to show up on this list, and perhaps they lost a few spots because of it. The record is still a success, as VW faces tremendous odds to deliver a stand-out sophomore release.
13. Fucked Up - The Chemistry of Common Life (Matador)
My impressions of hardcore bands have not been good ones. I kind of assumed I wouldn't like this record if it was going to resemble hardcore in the slightest, and yet I was happily surprised at the depth and density of The Chemistry of Common Life. In its side-by-side juxtaposition of various rock styles, it seems to resemble the common music lover, whose vast gamut of musical taste seems to contradict itself, but it's cool, because it works for them.
12. Frightened Rabbit - Midnight Organ Fight (Fat Cat)
One of the only records on my list this year that delivered honest-to-goodness ROCK. It's not a bad thing, though: it seems the more prominent electronic sound becomes in producing an indie record, the harder it is to make one that captures that raw emotion of just plugging in some guitars. Scott Hutchinson squeezes the life from nearly every note he sings so you know you're getting your moneys worth.
11. Gang Gang Dance - Saint Dymphna (THE SOCIAL REGISTRY)
2008 was a big year for me to let down my guard in terms of what kind of indie music I liked and what I dismissed. Pitchfork had been my shining beacon to follow in all matters music since my undergraduate days, and it's been interesting to see some of their tastes go slightly toward the direction of dance music. Gang Gang Dance simultaneously falls into that category and evades that category. Most interesting is the juxtaposition of electronic beats and live percussion instruments, making music by any means in-between. Somehow, I got over my phobia of all things electro this year, and I give a lot of credit to GGD.
Find #25-21 here.
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