2008 was certainly a year to remember!\u00a0\u00a0 We experienced huge shifts in the political, economic, and overall psyche of our country and world.\u00a0 The United States will have its first African American president, the economy shifted into reverse after a long climb up, people lost 30-40% of their net worth over what seemed like a 2-3 month period, and we are still fighting two silly wars.\u00a0 Oil prices spiked to $140 a barrel and back to $40 a gallon in 6 months.\u00a0 Wall Street will never be the same with huge investment banks, insurance companies and auto companies either tanking or needing billions of dollars in bail out money from our government.\u00a0 It was a crazy year in sports starting with the NY Giants Super Bowl win over an undefeated opponent, the incredible Michael Phelps, and our very own Phillies ending a 28 year city championship drought.\u00a0 If we ever needed a positive distraction its now and music continues to provide that with a generous supply of quality music releases.<\/p>\n
This is my third formal annual review of the year in music which also continues to experience major shifts in terms of distribution methods.\u00a0 I Tunes is now the world\u2019s largest retailer of music.\u00a0 Retail chains such as Wal-Mart and Best Buy were granted exclusive rights to sell new releases by Guns and Roses and AC\/DC.\u00a0 Record labels continue to scratch their heads as new bands by pass traditional methods and use the web to create a buzz for new releases.\u00a0 Nine Inch Nails followed Radiohead\u2019s lead and released new music as a free download.\u00a0 The result is a more free form system but can seem daunting to consumers not accustomed to all the variety (which is one reason I write this review).<\/p>\n
My top 10 CD list is also all over the map.\u00a0 Some will certainly question my masculinity with previously dismissed bands such as Coldplay, and Death Cab for Cutie making the list.\u00a0 I can almost hear it now, \u201cJim, you are getting soft in your old age!\u201d\u00a0 But some of my harder sounding favorites released disappointing records such as Mettalica\u00a0 and Jack White\u2019s other band the Raconteurs.\u00a0 I try to be objective and never write off a band forever based on earlier releases.\u00a0 Another note is the personal influence of South by Southwest, a fabulous music festival in Austin which targets newer bands and has become a religious ritual for me and some of my music homies.\u00a0 Four bands on my top CD list played at SXSW including my number 1 pick, My Morning Jacket, which rocked the house in Austin.<\/p>\n
With that here is my Top 10 CD\u2019s of 2008 and a few honorable mentions:<\/p>\n
My Morning Jacket \u2013 Evil Urges \u2013 Lead singer and writer Jim James expanded MMJ\u2019s historical country rock sound into soul, funk, soft rock with some 50\u2019s fun thrown in.\u00a0 Evil Urges, the 5th release from this band from Kentucky, stayed in my rotation through out the year.\u00a0 \u2018Aluminum Park\u2019 rocks, \u2018I\u2019m Amazed\u2019 is a love ballad, some falsetto vocals slip in on \u2018Highly Suspicious\u2019 (a little odd but here\u2019s to trying new things).\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 This CD erases music boundaries which seem to be a common theme with this list. But fear not, these guys can still rock with the best of them!<\/p>\n
TV on the Radio \u2013 Weird Science \u2013 The 2006 release \u2018Return from Cookie Mountain\u2019 by this Brooklyn based, multi-racial quintet was critically acclaimed but hard to like with harsh guitars and distortion.\u00a0 Weird Science is much more accessible and melodic.\u00a0 Horns, violins, and a touch of dance populate the songs.\u00a0 Themes touch on a variety of human emotions.\u00a0 Again another band crossing boundaries to produce a real listenable collection of diverse songs.\u00a0 The final song on the CD \u2018Lovers Day\u2019 is an outright bootie call with hysterical lyrics.\u00a0 Rolling Stone\u2019s top CD of the year and on just about every pop ranking of music in 2008.<\/p>\n
Santogold \u2013 Santi White was born in Phila (her father was a controversial local politician who died of cancer while in jail on corruption charges) but now calls Brooklyn her home.\u00a0 She follows in the steps of MIA with pop, reggae, hip-hop, electronica and what ever her heart desires.\u00a0 You may have heard these songs as product endorsements but for artists this is another major weapon in the quest to have your music noticed.\u00a0 This fun CD rolls all over the map with her strong vocals leading the way.<\/p>\n
Coldplay \u2013 Viva la Vida \u2013 This CD was a pleasant surprise as I have not been a big fan of Chris Martin.\u00a0 The album is brilliant with haunting melodies, songs building to crescendos, a variety of instruments throughout.\u00a0 U2 producer Brian Eno helped the band achieve a consistent yet expansive sound.\u00a0 While Viva la Vida provided the album\u2019s catchy single the entire CD is great to listen to.<\/p>\n
She and Him \u2013 Zo\u00eb Deschanel and M. Ward combined to produce one of the finest folk albums of the year.\u00a0 Zo\u00eb is a popular young actress (Elf, the Yes Man, the Happening) but her voice is pure magic.\u00a0 M. Ward has been a fairly successful idie singer\/songwriter in his own right.\u00a0 Together they make a sparse, beautiful set of songs including some interesting covers done in their style.\u00a0 Paste\u2019s number one CD and a great soft and timeless addition to any collection.<\/p>\n
Death Cab for Cutie \u2013 \u2018Better spend some time with me, love\u2019 says lead singer Ben Gibbard on \u2018I will posses your heart\u2019 the CD\u2019s haunting, single but it could apply to the CD as well.\u00a0 The music grows on the listener with successive listens.\u00a0 This is their second major label release and a sign of good things to come.\u00a0 Similar in ways to the Coldplay release in terms of style and vocals.<\/p>\n
Duffy \u2013 Rockferry \u2013 We fell in love with Duffy in Austin in her US debut before \u2018Mercy\u2019 was overplayed everywhere.\u00a0 Kind of like Amy Winehouse with a 60\u2019s kind of soulful sound but with out all the trash.\u00a0 Sounds a little like Dusty Springfield.\u00a0 And she is a hottie to boot.\u00a0 Duffy became the first act we ever saw twice at SXSW.\u00a0 The CD has some weak songs but overall is a great initial release.<\/p>\n
Willie Nelson and Wynton Marsalis \u2013 Two Men With The Blues \u2013 A live recording from two diverse legends that obviously had a great time performing together.\u00a0 Willie\u2019s classic vocals with a top notch New Orleans style backing band.\u00a0 Wynton\u2019s trumpet playing is excellent.\u00a0 Wynton is one of this era\u2019s jazz legends.\u00a0 Not only is he one of the finest trumpet players of the current era but his promotion and historical perspectives on jazz have made Wynton the face of the genre.\u00a0 I would rank him up there with Miles Davis as far as a jazz legend, although we all know there is only one Miles!\u00a0 (Kind of Blue and this reviewer both turn 50 on August 17th of this year)<\/p>\n
John Legend \u2013 Evolver \u2013 Another great soulful effort from this Philly resident.\u00a0 Kayne West produced this CD, his third release, and although not as good as his previous gem of \u2018Get Lifted\u2019 it is easy to listen to his wonderful his magnificent voice.\u00a0 Other artists have guest vocals but Legend is still the man you want to hear.<\/p>\n
Vampire Weekend \u2013 A great pop album with upbeat and diversified tunes from four guys that almost look kind of preppy.\u00a0 These guys played in Austin although I did not get a chance to see them but bought the CD after reading about them in Austin.\u00a0 There was a lot of industry buzz earlier in the year about these guys and the album is a fun listen with simple melodies, some reggae influence and positive lyrics.<\/p>\n
Honorable mentions go out to Ryan Adams, MGMT (played in Austin), the Black Keys( saw in Austin) and the Hold Steady.<\/p>\n