Culture Snob’s Top 10 Albums of 2008
Just because it’s 2009 doesn’t mean we can’t take one last look back at 08. Besides our Culture Snob moves at his own pace. You’ve seen the rest of the best-of lists, but if you really want to be in the know, uh, culturally this is the only compilation you’ll ever need.
Honorable Mention
Neon Neon – Stainless Style
What it is: A concept album about John De Lorean—developer of the famous Back to the Future mobile—that is also a very authentic recreation of early-80s synth-pop.
Cutlture Snob’s Take: Jesus, this reeks of effort. How many unread-yet-prominently-displayed works of James Joyce and John Berryman do you have?
10. Helio Sequence – Keep Your Eyes Ahead
Catchy pop record with no holes from this two-man Oregon band.
Are you just making these bands up? How long did you take to steal these albums from smarter people’s lists?
9. Frightened Rabbit – Midnight Organ Fight
Scottish trio plays catchy, pretty rock.
Yeah, caught them soundtracking a touching closing scene on Grey’s Anatomy. Hey, all the guys are getting together later to head over to Banana Republic and buy down comforters to ensure our upper middle class existence is kept as soft as possible. You in?
8. Sigur Ros – Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust
Their fifth is brighter, more chirpy than previous albums. (The band sings in their native language on this album, and none in their made-up mashup “hopelandic.”) And “Festival” sounds like the soundtrack to the great moments of your life…
If you live in Iceland. You’ve been listening to this band for ten years now and you’ve never understood a word of what they sing. I’d understand if it was like how you watch Univision because you think you may be able to subconsciously re-learn Spanish. But it’s just not.
7. Q-Tip – The Renaissance
Almost ten years since his last solo release, former Tribe frontman puts together an album that will appeal to fans of the Native Tongues and music in general.
Let me guess, are you a white dude between 25-35? I’ll bet you really appreciated how positive the rap of De La Soul and Tribe was back in the day—back when you liked-but-couldn’t-relate-to Ice Cube’s grim narratives of sawed-off shotguns and shameful premarital sex. (I’ll also bet after a few beers and at the mention of something vaguely hip-hop, you start saying things like “back in the day.”) But maybe it is time to move on from hip-hop’s “It’s A Different World” era.
6. Why? – Aloepecia
A sprawling, smart album that is hard to define as hip-hop, but maybe it is just that, without all the triumphalism.
Well, Thank God for that. Wouldn’t want it to get bogged down by being fun to listen to.
5. TV on the Radio – Dear Science
Brooklyn hipster rock that was named Rolling Stone’s album of the year.
Good company in that top 25: Guns N’ Roses, Jackson Browne, Metallica, John Mellencamp, BB King. Which means this record may also be in rotation in the broken hip/post-colostomy ward of your local hospital.
4. Okkervil River – The Stand-Ins
The second in a two-album series offering scenes from inside the life of a band.
I can’t recall a time where this has worked out well—except, of course, Grand Funk Railroad’s penetrating, art-rock opus, “We’re An American Band.” To wit: “We’re comin’ to your town. We’ll help you party it down. We’re An American Band.” Yes. Yes, you are.
3. Hold Steady – Stay Positive
Another great record from this bar band who is equal parts Bruce Springsteen, Thin Lizzy, and Cheap Trick.
In this pie chart you’re making, how big is the “sucks” wedge? Because I have some ideas on that.
2. Black Francis – Svn Fngrs
An album based on the great mythic Irish mythology Cúchulainn.
Holy shit, a dude from Boston singing about Ireland. Get over it already.
1. Vampire Weekend – Vampire Weekend
Great debut album worthy of the hype.
I saw the best VampWeek tee at Hot Topic last night. But then I got this killer twilight trucker hat instead. See you at the cafeteria after Calculus.
—DAN MORRELL
