The Best Albums of 2008

1. BRITISH SEA POWER – Do You Like Rock Music?
Loud guitars, soaring choruses and obscure references from eccentric British band.





2. BON IVER – For Emma, Forever Ago
Beautifully stark, acoustic guitar driven winter tunes born of loss and isolation.






3. FRIGHTENED RABBIT – The Midnight Organ Fight
Gritty but ernest indie rock from working class Scottish brothers.





4. FLEET FOXES – Fleet Foxes
Bearded Appalachian indie-folk music, complete with banjos and choruses.






5. SIGUR ROS – Med Sud I Eyrum Vid Spilum Endalaust
Uncharacteristically upbeat release from consistently amazing, ethereal Icelandic group.




6. SUN KIL MOON – April
Dense, smoldering epics from the great Mark Kozelek, formerly of Red House Painters.






7. BLOC PARTY – Intimacy
Hyperactive, guitar driven British dance rock that wears its heart on its sleeve.






8. THE DEARS – Missiles
Bluesy, atmospheric songs follow a change in line-up from Canadian husband and wife.






9. LIGHTSPEED CHAMPION – Falling Off the Lavender Bridge
Gritty lyrics and pretty melodies from eccentric British songwriter, accented with midwest Americana instrumentation.




10. VAMPIRE WEEKEND – Vampire Weekend
African inspired beats and breezy, intelligent lyrics from young ivy league graduates.

A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius
Dave Eggers
rating: 86

A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius is a memoir of sorts, based on the author's experience of life after the premature death of both his parents. Eggers moves to the San Francisco bay area and assumes responsibility for the rearing of his younger brother, but his neuroticism and recklessness result in a series of amusing narratives. The reader is escorted through time, from poignant experiences involving his parents' sickness to moments of sibling discord and confusion in the aftermath of death. Dazed but optimistic, Eggers forges ahead with a determination to live undaunted and to provide his brother something close to an upbringing.

Dave Eggers' writing style is casual and conversational – familiar and refreshing. He includes devices unconventional in literature, including a floor plan of their apartment to demonstrate its conduciveness to running and sliding. His use of surreal interjections take the reader by surprise, like the moment when his suicidal friend accuses the author of using him only for literary fodder. And when the casting director for MTV's The Real World points out that he's embellishing an interview only to provide the reader with additional autobiographical background.

I have to admit, I was drawn to this book partly due to the title – not because that was necessarily what I expected, but because I appreciated the witty faux self-agrandizement that it implies. I was also attracted to it because I heard the author compared to Jonathan Safran Foer, one of my favorite contemporary authors. In neither case was I disappointed – the book is clever and profound, full of pop culture references and poetry alike.

Approaching the next milestone at the book's conclusion he writes, referring to death, "And we will be ready... so that when it comes we will not be angry, will be content, tired enough to go, gratefully, will shake hands with everyone, bye, bye, and then pack a bag, some snacks, and go to the volcanoe–".

Heartbreaking? Yes. Genius? Pretty close.

BRITISH SEA POWER – Do You Like Rock Music?
release date: Feb 12, 2008

Do you like rock music? Then you'll love British Sea Power. This eccentric band is definitely British, but their only apparent connection to sea power is the military uniforms they wear during their live shows. They decorate the stage with stuffed birds, sing about their love of nature, and go by one-name aliases. Their music is also a bit enigmatic, combining raucous post-punk anthems and smoldering, atmospheric tunes. They write songs about historical events and geographical locations you've ever heard of – songs that make you want to stomp your feet. And the voice of frontman Yan is unique – strong but breathy, cool but creepy.

British Sea Power's third release contains the best elements of their previous two: it's (almost) as loud and riotous as their debut, The Decline of British Sea Power, and as sweet and melodic as the follow-up, Open Season. Do You Like Rock Music? is bookended by a couple of marching calls-to-arms, 'All In It' and 'We Close Our Eyes', which are essentially the same song, except the former is too short and the latter is too long. (I know, I'm picky.) In between is a collection of lush, soaring tunes, each as strong as the next.

The first single, 'Atom' is the epitome of rock music. Chanty, insistent choruses ride a wave of guitar and steady percussion. Slow burners like 'No Need To Cry' and the instrumental 'Great Skua' are pretty and engaging. But the best moments come in the form of sonic skyscrapers like 'Canvey Island' and the immigration anthem 'Waving Flags'. On 'Lights Out for Darker Skies', Yan sings "welcome for the day or stay forever" over guitars so shrill they almost sound like a car crash. I suddenly find myself liking rock music more than ever.

An End Has A Start - Editors
release date: June 25, 2007
9 out of 10

It seems that you can't read about Editors without hearing comparisons to their
American counterparts, Interpol. Granted, both have excelled at emulating the dark post-punk sound created by Joy Division in the late 70's, but along with bands like Bloc Party, they have successfully modernized the sound and made it their own. In fact, I might have previously conceded that Interpol simply did it better, but with Editor's sophomore release An End Has A Start, that is no longer the case.

The first thing you'll notice about An End Has A Start is a fuller sound and a wider range than was featured on their remarkable debut, The Back Room. The record benefits from the addition of piano and dramatic moments of atmospheric calm on several tracks without sacrificing their edge. Additionally, the songs generally seem to have more emotion, more build-up, stronger climaxes and even more profound lyrics – if simple at times. The first single, Smokers Outside the Hospital Doors begins with a steady drum beat and vocals over simple piano notes, before it explodes into a barrage of guitars and drums. Tom Smith sings, in his deep, intense voice and apparent desperation, "someone turn me around, I cannot start this again". The Weight of the World is a slow, sad track with a strong buzz-like guitar throughout. An End Has A Start is rich with brooding, anthemic gems that seem to get better with every listen. It's hard to identify standout tracks as the album is full of them, but Escape the Nest, Bones and the title track are all undoubtedly destined for singles.

THE BEST OF 2006
Below are my picks for the 10 best albums of 2006.


1. BAND OF HORSES - Everything All the Time
'Everything All the Time' is the exceptional debut from Seattle (now South Carolina)based, southern rock influenced Band of Horses. Employing echoey vocal effects (as well as subtly harmonized vocals), Band of Horses creates consistently great, guitar driven indie rock songs. 'The Funeral', arguably the best song of 2006, starts slow and sweet but soon explodes into a symphony of layered guitars and crashing drums, over which singer, Ben Bridwell bellows "at every occasion I'll be ready for a funeral". Other standout tracks include 'Our Swords', 'I Go to the Barn Because I Like the', 'St. Augustine', and the raucous 'The Great Salt Lake'. Additionally, their amazing cover of The New Year's 'The End's Not Near' was recently included on the OC Mix 6 soundtrack.


2. DIRTY ON PURPOSE - Hallelujah Sirens
From a band with one of the worst names ever comes one of the best albums of the year. Dirty on Purpose, hailing from Brooklyn, make beautifully crafted songs from their own brand of poppy shoegaze. Songs like 'No Radio' feature lush vocals that soar on layers of fuzzy, sometimes discordant guitars. 'Light Pollution' is a moving track with a catchy, bouncy melody and an almost constant buzzing background guitar, complements of virtuoso George Wilson. 'Marfa Lights' and the slow, string heavy 'Lake Effect' are also exceptional tracks.

3. THE DECEMBERISTS - The Crane Wife
See review below.


4. EMBRACE - This New Day
Embrace are one of the few bands to survive the fall of the Britpop movement of the mid 90's and perhaps the only one to successfully maintain their Britpop sensibilities. Though they experienced a lack of critical support due to some of their intermediate albums, they persevered (apparently selling their record collections on ebay) and have emerged as a great and viable British indie rock group. 'This New Day', like their four previous records, is full of soaring, anthemic tunes and lovely, atmospheric ballads. Lead man Danny McNamara has a unique voice that is often complemented with arena style choruses, as on piano driven 'Nature's Law'. 'Target', 'Celebrate,' and the lovelorn piano ballad 'I Can't Come Down' are also amazing. Additionally, Embrace were selected to write and record the official song for England's World Cup team – 'World at Your Feet' is a moving and energetic anthem.


5. MARGOT AND THE NUCLEAR SO AND SO'S - The Dust of Retreat
Margot and the Nuclear So and So's is an eight piece indie rock group from Indianapolis, fronted by Richard Edwards. He writes sophisticated, wintry tunes inspired by Woody Allen films and apparently his fascination with life in 1960's Greenwich Village. Though simple and melodic at heart, the songs are filled out by an arrangement of horns, strings, rhodes keyboard and a variety of backing vocals. On the haunting 'Quiet as a Mouse', Edwards cries "when I awoke my body was dying all over the floor" over mariachi style horns and a screeching guitar. 'Skeleton Key' with its sonic diversity, steady beat and passionate lyrics is accessible and beautiful. 'Dress Me Like a Clown', 'Paper Kitten Nightmare' and 'Vampires in Blue Dresses' are other outstanding tracks.

6. MOJAVE 3 - Puzzles Like You
See review below.


7. SOUTH - Adventures in the Underground Journey to the Stars
South's 2002 debut From Here On In was at the same time their most electronic, acoustic and atmospheric album. On their 2003 follow-up, With the Tides, they seemed to have established a more straightforward, melody driven, traditional rock sound. And Adventures in the Underground continues in the same vein, though the result is generally a bit lighter. 'A Place In Displacement' is an instant classic, drawing comparisons to New Order with its angular guitar riffs, heavy percussion and anthemic chorus. 'Up Close and Personal' (like their aptly titled 'Speed Up Slow Down' from the recent ep of the same name) exemplifies the alternating tempo sound they seem to enjoy. 'Shallow' and the vaguely 70's sounding 'Meant to Mean' contribute to make this a phenomenal album.


8. THE DEARS - Gang of Losers
As the album title indicates, Gang of Losers is rife with themes of alienation and aloneness. Lead man Murray Lightburn's admiration of Morrissey is further evident on the first single 'Ticket to Immortality' as well as the excellent 'Whites Only Party', whose bouncing, rockabily tune sounds like The Smiths' 'Rusholme Ruffians'. In fact, one critic has accurately described the Dears sound as "Damon Albarn sings the Smiths." More than on previous albums, the backing female vocals (including that of Lightburn's wife, keyboardist Natalia Yanchak) are frequently and successfully employed, especially on 'You and I Are a Gang of Losers'. And overall, their songs seem tighter, more focused than before. 'Hate Then Love', 'There Goes My Outfit', and 'Ballad of Human Kindness' are also remarkable.


9. MUSE - Black Holes and Revelations
Nobody does theatrical, apocalyptic space rock better than Muse. And with their fourth studio record, Muse has successfully lived up to the expectations they created with 2004's Absolution. Curiously, the first single, and the album's greatest aberration, was the funky 'Supermassive Black Hole', featuring Matthew Bellamy singing in falsetto. An operatic chorus punctuates the epic 'Knights of Cydonia', whose video, complete with unicorns, robots, cowboys and holograms, is as spectacular and bizarre as the song. Other gems include 'Starlight', 'Assasin' and 'Exo-politics'.


10. THE STREETS - The Hardest Way to Make an Easy Living
The Streets, aka Mike Skinner, is unique to say the least. Those who can disregard the sometimes offensive language will find his brand of British, narrative, everyman rap refreshing. His debut album A Grand Don't Come For Free was a brilliant, autobiographical concept album, describing a day in the life of a "geezer". The follow-up is like the next chapter, examining the experiences and challenges Skinner faces with his newfound fame. On the first single 'When You Wasn't Famous', Mike explains that "when you're a famous boy, it gets really easy to get girls", but ironically "when you try to pull a girl who is also famous too, it feels just like when you wasn't famous". The piano driven 'All Goes Out the Window' and 'Never Went to Church' are both intelligent and gorgeous.

Nux Vomica - The Veils
The Veils' debut, The Runaway Found, was not only one of the best debuts of 2004, but one of the best albums. Immediately following its release, however, The Veils apparently lost everyone but frontman Finn Andrews (who is the eccentric son of XTC keyboardist Barry Andrews). Consequently, for the past couple years there has been uncertainty regarding the future of the band - so their new album, Nux Vomica was a pleasant surprise. With a completely new set of bandmates, (including, for the first time, female backing vocalists) Andrews has delivered a fine, more diverse follow up. Less orchestral and generally more guitar driven, Nux Vomica alternates between pounding, energetic songs and lilting, melodic tunes. Andrews' voice is unusual - a bit melodramatic and moany - but it conveys the despairing tone of the lyrics nicely. Calliope! and Advice For Young Mothers To Be are poppy and sweet, with plenty of piano and breathy backing vocals. Under The Folding Branches, with its drawn out strings and reverberating guitar effects, is maybe the best, and saddest, track on the album.

The Crane Wife - The Decemberists
The Crane Wife is the Decemberists' darkest, and best, album yet. This time, Colin Meloy takes lyrical inspiration from an old Japanese fable about a young wife who turns into a bird, and he gets quite a bit of mileage from it. Though, lyrics aside, these songs seem to find Meloy and the Decemberists at their most mature, complex and profound - the one anomaly is a breezy track appropriately titled Summersong. As on their Tain ep, the band experiments with a deliberate prog rock sound on a couple songs including The Island, one of two tracks over ten minutes in length. O Valencia!, the first single from the album, may be the most radio friendly of the bunch, but it's not the best. Standout tracks include the first song of the album, The Crane Wife 3, Shankhill Butchers, and The Crane Wife 1 & 2.

Mojave 3 - Puzzles Like You
Mojave 3's Spoon and Rafter was an amazing album - a tough one to improve upon. Puzzles Like You doesn't quite match it's success, but it's close. Overall, Puzzles is less atmospheric and a bit more upbeat. It does have a couple soft, sad tracks, like Most Days, which is as pretty as anything they've recorded. Breaking The Ice, the first single from the album, is an excellent pop song and a perfect single. Neil Halstead successfully experiments with different vocal effects (again) on To Hold Your Tiny Toes and The Mutineer. And like their previous albums, Puzzles has enough acoustic and slide guitar to retian their status as the best British alt country/folk band ever.

On Saturday, the first day of the festival, I arrived about an hour early so I spent a little time familiarizing myself with the venue. I checked out the merchandise and the different stages and tents where the bands would perform. I took advantage of the extra time to make sure that I had a good position in the Mojave tent to see the first act on my list, Rob Dickinson (formerly of Catherine Wheel). He began right at 1pm and he was awesome. He performed completely solo, with just his acoustic guitar which was a sharp contrast to the last time I saw him with his band. He sang a few songs from his solo album including Oceans which he prefaced by saying that it was the first song that he wrote for the record. He also played several older Catherine Wheel songs, indluding Heal and Crank which sounded amazing on an acoustic guitar. He ended with, of course, Black Metallic. He explained that he remembers writing the song at his parents' house on the east coast of England. At the time he thought it was just another pretty good song, but he didn't think it was amazing. But, he said, if it weren't for that song, Catherine Wheel would not have had any of the success that it had. The sound wasn't great in the Mojave tent, but I was really close to the stage and it ended up being one of my favorite performances.


I then had a couple hours til the next band on my list so I grabbed some lunch (a bad gyro) and a short nap. As I was eating and napping, I heard a little bit of the Walkmen who sounded not bad. I made my way to the Outdoor Theater and waited for the Zutons, who went on at 3:15. I'm not as familiar with their music but I like what I've heard and they were great. They were very energetic despite the sun and high temperatures, bouncing and dancing around the stage. Abi Harding, the band's saxist looked and sounded especially good.

I could feel the back of my neck burning so I moved to the other side of the stage (where I burned my face) for the next band. Animal Collective went on at 4:25 to an obvious buzz in the crowd - apparently they have a small following. The band seems like just a few American kids with a really experimental sound, but they were pretty entertaining. A lot of manipulated effects and guitars. At one point the singer smeared purple ink on his face and started ranting.

I left them a few minutes early to catch Clap Your Hands Say Yeah at 5:05 in the Mojave Tent. The tent was packed and it took me some time to maneuver into the crowd but it was a relief to escape the sun. So many people turned up to see them that the crowd didn't fit into the tent. Part way through the set, staff came and opened most of the walls so that everybody could see the stage. Clap Your Hands were also very energetic and their music sounded great. They played all their good songs including Yellow Country Teeth and Tidal Wave of Young Blood.

Again I had to leave a few minutes early (one of the drawbacks of Coachella) in order to catch My Morning Jacket at 5:55 on the Outdoor stage. They rocked! (and when I say rocked, I mean in a loud southern rock way) They played all the best songs from their latest albums, including Gideon, Off The Record, and Mahgeeta. Toward the end of the set, Jim James (the singer) apologized for the heat and then said they were going to heat things up, or cool things down, with a mellow song, Golden, which was beautiful. He's a fun singer to watch with his bushy long hair and beard.

I then proceeded to the Coachella stage, the largest, to wait for Sigur Ros to go on at 7. It seems like it took longer to set up the stage and complete their sound check and they started late. But it was worth the wait. They were accompanied by a small orchestra that included several strings and brass instruments. It was so cool to see Jon Thor Birgisson play the guitar with a bow and sing. Their sound was enormous and cinematic. I had heard stories about people passing out or crying at their shows and now I could imagine it happening. They also played some of their best songs such as Glosoli and Hoppipolla. The sun was setting during their set which added to the ethereal experience.


I maintained my position pretty close to the stage for the next act, Franz Ferdinand, who went on shortly after 8:15. They were very energetic and immediately had the crowd dancing. Alex Kapranos was especially entertaining in his tight striped slacks and shirt. At one point, there were three members of the band beating on the drum set. When their set ended I decided I was too hot and tired to stick around for Depeche Mode or Daft Punk so I went to my hotel for the night.

Suave Faire

Just heard the new Streets song. It's called "When You Wasn't Famous". It's brilliant. The song is about how now that Mike is famous it's easy to get girls, but when he tries to get a famous girl "it feels just like when you wasn't famous". It has kind of a funny, almost reggae beat. Sounds a little like "Fit But You Know It". I can't wait for the new album, but I haven't heard yet of a release date. Anyone?