I'm aware there's already a thread for the best records of 2008, so no need to "inform" me. What I'm referring to is those one or two (or five) albums that got under your skin, and stayed there. 2008 has been kind of a weak sauce year, IMO, but not everyone feels this way.

For me this year, I've only had a couple: Sun Kil Moon's April and the new Bob Dylan "Bootleg" series.

Anybody else???

There were three albums that took over my life for an extended period of time and before I knew it every single song on the album had at least 30 plays on Itunes.
At Mount Zoomer- When this first leaked, the only time I left my house was to go on an aimless walk just so i could listen to this album on headphones outside. It was the most obsessive I've ever been about an album since Elephant got me through grade 10.

Furr- Pretty much the same thing, although as opposed to At Mount Zoomer there was a bit more focus on individual songs rather than the album as a whole. Black River Killer and Not Your Lover, specifically.

Hometowns- My current obsession. The great thing I've found about this album is that I fall in love with a new song everytime I listen to it. Currently been replaying the Edmonton/In the summertime conclusion combo quite a bit.

I think the response to this thread speaks volumes for the quality of music in '08.

Either that or I'm out of my element. :/

Every year there are really good albums. But I typically only find two or three that I consider classic, or masterful. Last year held three for me: The National's Boxer, Josh Ritter's Historical Conquests, and Sunset Rubdown's Random Spirit Lover.

This year only has one at this point. One album that has everything working for it at the same time, and doesn't lose focus or interest: Department of Eagles In Ear Park.

But that isn't to say I have had a hard time consistently finding good music this year. This is just the only album that I think can be elevated to my pantheon of Classics.

The Fleet Foxes' debut was the soundtrack of my summer. It's magical, nuanced music, with clever hooks, beautiful but not saccharin lyrics...basically, it has everything working for it. Every time I listen to it, a different song catches me and sticks with me for the rest of the day. Amazing stuff.

Fleet Foxes - ST gets better and better with every listen. One of the finest records this year.

The Hold Steady - Stay Positive stuck with me for quite a while. It's their most mature album to date, with some of their best songwriting, and something about this band has really connected with me.

TV on the Radio - Dear Science, was simply the end-times party that I needed to help prepare me for election day. Obama's victory only made the party rock harder.

Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago breaks my heart everytime I hear it. This one has depth, fellas.

And thats it.

Nada Surf - Lucky
This record was straight, all-out, catchy, good times power pop that defined my Study Abroad experience in London earlier this year. They put on a great live show there, too.

Fleet Foxes - S/T
I don't think I ever had an album that racked up so many plays in my iPod that fast. It was what I had on all summer as well.

Cut Copy - In Ghost Colours
What Hercules and Love Affair's CD should have been. An amazing DFA-produced indie dance experience. I only wish I had heard about this album earlier (I got it in late August).

The Subways - All or Nothing
See Nada Surf

Longwave - Secrets are Sinister
It's only been a week since I got it but I have fallen in love with this album. Oh, the distortion...

Only one album fits this description for this year:

Balmorhea - Rivers Arms
Such a beautiful group of piano/acoustic guitar/violin songs.

I think the only albums that truly dug deep in me.. would be

Portishead - Third
Kanye West - 808's And Heartbreak

I am hopelessly addicted to the new Kanye right now; in fact it is affecting my day-to-day interaction, in a BAD way. As for "Third" I recently decided that if I were to ever see her sing, I wouldn't want anyone else to be in the room.. i dunno it's a strange feeling. Seeing her in a "concert" environment is not appealing.

That's kinda creepy, but I like it.

earlier in the year cut copy for night time driving and portishead for my headphones

no age had a good run on my headphones w/ erykah badu's new amerykah!
then the new health album took over my life

recently i discovered the yo la tengo's record named 'and then nothing turned itself inside out'. i know its not 2008, but its just too sweeeeeeettttt!!!

quote:

Originally posted by rgautam:
earlier in the year cut copy for night time driving

Whaddyaknow? I just did that last night. It was the tops!

I've had a heavy obsession with both Los Campesinos' albums this year. I find it to be rather peculiar, since I'm usually not a sucker for the saccharine pop stuff.

Their lyrics have quite a bit of depth and suggestion, and they employ some of the best guitar riffs I've heard this year....and the violin. Sometimes it just soars above the rest of the music and brings the song to perfect completion.

Ditto... but so far, Hold On Now Youngester's got the definitive edge.

Only two albums for me also, where as last year had about 6 or so. I wont say which two since they're the top two on my year-end, and I want it to be a SURPRISE!!!

There have been four albums that I have played virtually non-stop for an extended period of time this year. Here they are, in order of release:

1. Frightened Rabbit - Midnight Organ Fight. I instantly fell in love with the combo of "Heads Roll Off", "Backwards Walk", and "Keep Yourself Warm". Then, I couldn't stop listening to the opening four tracks "The Modern Leper", "I Feel Better", "Good Arms vs. Bad Arms", and "Fast Blood".

2. The Hold Steady - Stay Positive. I played this non-stop for a month, and dissected the lyrics to understand everything about Holly's backstory.

3. The Gaslight Anthem - The '59 Sound. If you asked me now, I couldn't tell you which is my favorite song. They are all so energetic and catchy.

4. The Rural Alberta Advantage - Hometowns. I can't stop listening to this album. I've gushed enough about it on other threads, but it is truly amazing. It is a crime that these guys have not been picked up by a label yet.

Two new albums that I got last week that may soon qualify:

Lost in the Trees - All Alone in an Empty House
Anathallo - Canopy Glow.

Both of these are just beautiful chamber pop albums. They both use soft vocals and harmony with lush backing orchestration. I've been alternating between these two for the last week, and I can't see that stopping anytime soon.

quote:

Originally posted by BAfé:
Only two albums for me also, where as last year had about 6 or so. I wont say which two since they're the top two on my year-end, and I want it to be a SURPRISE!!!

Can't wait!

quote:

Originally posted by The Fall of Troy:

4. The Rural Alberta Advantage - Hometowns. I can't stop listening to this album. I've gushed enough about it on other threads, but it is truly amazing. It is a crime that these guys have not been picked up by a label yet.

RavingLunatic put it somewhere that this is the best indie rock album that came out in years. I understand this as intentional promo exaggeration.
Don't get me wrong, I really like this album, it will definitly be on my year-end list, but I have a strange feeling that it won't pass the test of time. Hope I'm wrong.
And I agree about the no label crime. Sure.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Neon Boxer,

I'm really loving the newest Islands CD (I know I may be the only one). It is soothing, exhausting, and creative.

I also love Deerhunter Microcastle. It just feels so personal and deep to a certain level where you lose your place on the track list because you just don't care for it to end.

And another good slow one is Culture Reject. It's self titled and really shallow but I love it for some reason. Not sure why though....

quote:

Originally posted by Neon Boxer:

quote:

Originally posted by The Fall of Troy:

4. The Rural Alberta Advantage - Hometowns. I can't stop listening to this album. I've gushed enough about it on other threads, but it is truly amazing. It is a crime that these guys have not been picked up by a label yet.

RavingLunatic put it somewhere that this is the best indie rock album that came out in years. I understand this as intentional promo exaggeration.

No, I seriously feel that way. I have no connection to them or anything, so I have no reason to be anything but truthful. My only motivation is to share with others the music that has me really excited and brings me great pleasure. I realize not everyone is gonna think it's the mindblower that I do, but I do think that it is a phenomenal album that many people would really do themselves a favor to hear.

And while it's impossible to tell for sure, to me the album has a timeless feel about it. Like Radiohead, Elephant Micah, Neutral Milk Hotel, J. Tillman, Neon Golden and others, I think it's going to be one of those albums that remains magical every time I listen to it for years to come.

I'm not religious or spiritual at all, but listening to the above-listed music is as close to a mystical experience as I get and likely the closest I ever will get.