Lynne Kiesling
The inevitable “best albums of 2008” lists are starting to come out, including this top-50 list from Pitchfork and these lists from the three DJs at woxy.com. Some names show up repeatedly — TV On The Radio, Vampire Weekend, Fleet Foxes, The Hold Steady, Hot Chip, Blitzen Trapper, etc.
I have to admit that while I’ve enjoyed listening to these bands and the others on the lists, none have moved me to purchase them. The new albums I’ve bought this year — Death Cab For Cutie, Okkervil River, Snow Patrol, and James being the most remarkable — are all good, but only the new Death Cab is one that I would put in the “truly memorable” category for 2008 releases. There are good songs on the Okkervil River album (Pop Lie, for example), and I like the James album, but the new Snow Patrol is only “meh” for me. The other bands I’ve enjoyed this year, including Jukebox the Ghost, Say Hi, and Rogue Wave, didn’t make any of these lists.
best new album:
deerhoof – offend maggie. jazzy, spontaneous, incredibly powerful drumming!
best discovery:
penguin cafe orchestra – totally unclassifiable. elements of chamber pop, world music rhythms, ambient experimentation. they released about 4 or 5 albums in the 70’s and 80’s. the leader of the group, simon jeffes, died very young. their music is often used in commercials and interludes for npr.
best live show – the sadies @ schubas, dec. 4