The Observer's picks for best of 2008: Music
Adam Spektor
Issue date: 12/5/08 Section: Focus
Yes, it's that time of year again, the time when each and every music critic feels the need to gather together all of their favorite albums of the year and rank them. This incites both furious debates over whether or not the new No Age album is really better than the new TV on the Radio one, and the great burden of having to sift through hundreds of lists, many of which look the same. Well, here's The Observer's contribution to that cause, because it's our duty to add to the pile.
10. Accelerate - R.E.M.
After a 10-year period of general listlessness from the camp of one of the greatest alternative rock bands in history, many had assumed that R.E.M. had checked out and gone to adult-alternative land. Fortunately, they returned to their up-tempo, rock and roll roots, delivering their most cohesive album since 1992's Automatic for the People and their most energetic album since 1986's Lifes Rich Pageant.
9. Matador Singles '08 - Jay Reatard
Over the last year, underground pop punk mainstay Jay Reatard released a series of six singles, his second year in a row of attempting to revive the A-side/B-side single format. Despite this album being a collection of singles, it has the common thread of brilliant pop songwriting unifying the album, and songs like "Always Wanting More" and "An Ugly Death" are among the year's catchiest tunes.
8. Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes
Caught between something religious in nature and an enlightening trip to the Appalachian Mountains, listening to Fleet Foxes, in the right sort of circumstances, is an experience. The beauty that lies in their reverberant four-part harmonies, rustic acoustic strumming and gorgeous songcraft that owes as much to indie pop as it does to American roots music is unmatched in today's popular music.
7. Stay Positive - The Hold Steady
The Hold Steady is here to save rock and roll. Lead singer Craig Finn's tales of idealistic, young Americans drinking and making out in the Twin Cities are told with such fervor and urgency that they become almost Biblical in that great Springsteen tradition. The rest of the band sounds so full and meaty that nothing can stop them either, which leaves very few surprised that "Constructive Summer," "Sequestered in Memphis," and the title track have become indie anthems.
10. Accelerate - R.E.M.
After a 10-year period of general listlessness from the camp of one of the greatest alternative rock bands in history, many had assumed that R.E.M. had checked out and gone to adult-alternative land. Fortunately, they returned to their up-tempo, rock and roll roots, delivering their most cohesive album since 1992's Automatic for the People and their most energetic album since 1986's Lifes Rich Pageant.
9. Matador Singles '08 - Jay Reatard
Over the last year, underground pop punk mainstay Jay Reatard released a series of six singles, his second year in a row of attempting to revive the A-side/B-side single format. Despite this album being a collection of singles, it has the common thread of brilliant pop songwriting unifying the album, and songs like "Always Wanting More" and "An Ugly Death" are among the year's catchiest tunes.
8. Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes
Caught between something religious in nature and an enlightening trip to the Appalachian Mountains, listening to Fleet Foxes, in the right sort of circumstances, is an experience. The beauty that lies in their reverberant four-part harmonies, rustic acoustic strumming and gorgeous songcraft that owes as much to indie pop as it does to American roots music is unmatched in today's popular music.
7. Stay Positive - The Hold Steady
The Hold Steady is here to save rock and roll. Lead singer Craig Finn's tales of idealistic, young Americans drinking and making out in the Twin Cities are told with such fervor and urgency that they become almost Biblical in that great Springsteen tradition. The rest of the band sounds so full and meaty that nothing can stop them either, which leaves very few surprised that "Constructive Summer," "Sequestered in Memphis," and the title track have become indie anthems.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Andrew
posted 12/05/08 @ 1:36 AM EST
Adam, I love you for mentioning Tim and Eric. THANK YOU!
Josh
posted 12/05/08 @ 4:56 AM EST
This list sucks.
Voltaire
Voltaire
posted 12/05/08 @ 12:57 PM EST
Good choice for #10.
But you've got one egregious omission - Consolers of the Lonely (The Raconteurs).
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