2008 The Year in Review
I always try to base my year-end list on one factor and one factor alone: the amount of times I actually listen to an entire album. If I had purchased the Vampire Weekend album on cassette, I would have worn out the film in the first two weeks, which might also explain why I didn’t spin it as much towards the end of the year. I have no doubt this ultra-fun debut, which displays a smorgasbord of influences (ska, punk, classical, Afropop-I know, it sounds ridiculous, but trust me, it works well) will remain a favorite for years to come. The year’s other impressive debut albums, though noticeably more somber, came from Bon Iver and Fleet Foxes, who competed for Best Campfire Album of 2008.
Robin Thicke and John Legend were by far the Candlelight Sexytime Albums of 2008. I remember the first time I saw Robin Thicke wearing a wife beater on MTV and singing “Lost Without You” and thinking, “My God, what a cheeseball…I can’t believe Dr. Jason Seaver gave his blessing to be associated with this kind of performance!” And now, I am spinning “Something Else” and “The Evolution of Robin Thicke” non-stop. He is the adults only version of Justin Timberlake, last year’s top album recipient. Apparently, I am a sucker for white dudes who can sing Rhythm and Blues.
2008 Party Album of the Year honors goes to Jamie Lidell’s “Jim”, the follow-up to the also brilliant “Multiply” album. Apparently, I am also a sucker for white dudes who can sing soul and funk. I’m beginning to think that my musical tastes are biased, so with no further ado, Hip-Hop Album of the Year goes to perennial favorite T.I., with Lil Wayne’ following closely behind. Flight of the Conchords narrowly missed classification in this genre (see Hiphopopatomus vs. Rhymnoceros) so they will have to be satisfied with International Album of the Year.
A Brief List of the Remaining Awards:
The 1980’s Throwback Album of the Year: M83
The Sing-Along at the Top of Your Lungs Album of the Year: tie Gaslight Anthem/The Hold Steady
The You Should Probably Question Your Sexuality if You Like This Album of the Year: Hercules and Love Affair
Disco Druggie Burnout Album of the Year: MGMT
The Best Album with a Song About a Sexy Librarian and also the Worst Song of the Year: My Morning Jacket (see “Librarian” and “Highly Suspicious”)
M.I.A. is M.I.A. Album of the Year: tie Robyn/Santogold
Please leave your comments and tell me where I am right on, where I went wrong, what missed the list, and what you hope to hear in 2009.
2 comments:
For the most part, I'd have to agree with your picks, excellent job. One I thought you left off was the Girl Talk album. And one that I thought your list could've done without was the Sun Kil Moon album, which puts me to sleep everytime I hear it haha. Later man...Erik.
Hey thanks Erik, and if you thought the Sun Kil Moon album was dreary, you should probably avoid "Devotion" by Beach House, which almost made the list. And good call on Girl Talk.
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