Best Albums of 2008

In which I pick my favourite albums of the year.

Best Album with a guy yelling about impending middle age

Stay Positive – The Hold Steady

Best Album from a Boss-aping band not called the Hold Steady

The ‘59 Sound- The Gaslight Anthem

Best Album available exclusively for free download

Strictly Leakage – Atmosphere

Best EP that I hope becomes a Best Album

TIE

Yes I Smoke Crack – Salem

No Way Down – Air France

Best Album made by a band with the word “Fuck” in its name

The Chemistry of Common Life – Fucked Up

Best Album made by a true gentleman

S/T – Gentleman Jesse and His Men

Best pop-rock Album made by a bunch of hippies from the Gulf Islands

O My Heart – Mother Mother

Best Album not sung in English

Meo suo i eyrum vio spilum endalaust – Sigur Ros

Best Album of 2008

Dear Science – TV on the Radio

Top 5 Songs of 2008

In which I choose my five favourite individual tracks I couldn’t stop listening to this year.

5. “Teenage Love Affair” – Alicia Keys

The record came out last year, but this wasn’t released until April, so I’m sneaking it in. The old school Motown vibe, the Boyz II Men style breakdown,  the School Daze inspired video – this was hands down my guilty pleasure pop-tune of ‘08.

4. “I Told Her on Alderaan” – Neon Neon

This song is so stupid-catchy it’s not fair to the rest of music.

3. “Dance Wiv Me” – Dizzie Rascal w/ Calvin Harris

Five years on from winning the Mercury Prize, Dizzie finally lands his first number one single.

2. “Pork and Beans” – Weezer

Weezer get their mojo back to deliver their best song since “El Scorcho.”

1. “Sex on Fire” – Kings of Leon

The Followill brothers penned the best straight ahead rock tune in years and all the girls swooned.

if the music’s loud enough: Top 5 Gigs of 2008

5. My Bloody Valentine @ Kool Haus, Toronto. Sept 25.

The return of My Bloody Valentine was probably the least expected, and most appreciated comeback of the year. Legendary for the volume of their of their shows, the gig at the Kool Haus gave me permanent hearing damage – during the Holocaust section of “You Made Me Realize” I could feel my pants moving and I was standing near the back. I probably should have used the free ear plugs the bouncers were handing out, but you know, it’s My Bloody Valentine.

4. ?uestlove DJ set @ the Marquee, Halifax. April 2.

?uestlove’s appearance in Halifax this spring had a definite “what the fuck is he doing here” vibe to it. But as soon as he started spinning it was clear -  with a mere weeks to go before his main gig, drumming for the Roots, released their new record, he was spreading the gospel. Prior to the show he gave a history of hip-hop tutorial in Hell’s Kitchen, then proceeded to give the aural portion of the lecture with his set. I’ve never seen a DJ put so much of his personality into his record choices.

3. The Hold Steady @ Phoenix, Toronto. Nov 11.

The Hold Steady’s sing-along-songs are best experienced in a communal setting, so naturally, seeing the band live is nothing short of revelatory. Lead singer Craig Finn flailed around like a man possessed, spitting out acerbic lines about Charlemagne and hoodrats. His demand to “raise ‘em up” after the line “Here’s a toast to St. Joe Strummer” in “Constructive Summer” was the most heartfelt and personal off the cuff moment I saw all year.

2. Neil Young @ ACC, Toronto. Dec 4.

This was Neil Young doing what Neil Young does best – rocking out and loving every minute of it. He pulled out almost every classic you could want – “Hey Hey, My My”, “Cinnamon Girl” and the Harvest trifecta of “Old Man,” “Heart of Gold” and “Needle and the Damage Down” – and mixed them in with some choice nuggets from throughout his 40 year career. The most amazing part was that he played every song like he meant it. Not a single note came off as obligatory. To top it off, he finished the 2 hour plus set with a cover of the Beatles “A Day in the Life” just to show he could.The only reason this isn’t number one is because we were sitting at the back of the ACC in the nosebleeds.

1. TV on the Radio @ Phoenix, Toronto. July 2.

TV on the Radio tested out a bunch of new tracks from their at the time forthcoming new record and damn did it ever sound good. Lead singer Tunde Adebimpe sang like a pastor preaching to the congregation and the crowd showed their appreciation. The rest of the band, including super-producer Dave Sitek showed why they’re one of the most consistently amazing live bands around.