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The best in music — 2008

An official list of the top 20 records to come out this year

By Dan Ochwat

It wasn’t a particularly strong year in music — no widely praised releases from larger-than-life groups like Radiohead, Arcade Fire or Wilco (like last year); no breakout records from newish artists like M.I.A. or LCD Soundsystem (again, last year); not even a handful of true classics from established bands like Spoon and The National (eh, last year).

The year 2008 must’ve kinda sucked. At least, that’s the only sense I can make for why so many of the early year-end lists suck. From magazines like Blender, NME, Uncut and Paste to radio station KCRW, these bastions of musical taste have delivered wildly inconsistent lists for their top 10, 30, 50, whatever, albums of the year.

A few bands like Vampire Weekend and Fleet Foxes found fairly high rankings on each list, but largely the lists are all over the highway. (Paste anointed She & Him, the Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward catastrophe, number one.) And I know the “best of” game is just a war of opinion, but I’m really bothered by the fact that many of my favorite albums of the year have been completely overlooked or shockingly undervalued.

Therefore, in the interest of simply getting the word out on these albums, I’m giving you my top 20 albums of the year. (Normally, every December issue, I throw in my 10 favorite albums along with my 10 favorite movies. You’ll get movies next month. Right now, I’m leveling the music world’s axis.)

1. Bon Iver, “For Emma, Forever Ago.” The tale goes frontman Justin Vernon holed up in a Wisconsin cabin to write these gorgeous, wintery, soulful break-up songs. His vocals are unmatched, and every song is so emotional that you will sing along — but leave the high notes to him.

2. Titus Andronicus, “The Airing of Grievances.” A raw, New Jersey rock album with an anthemic punk feel — Titus yelps, whines and screams songs of misery that are absolutely cathartic to listen to.

3. The Walkmen, “You & Me.” The band’s best album to date, lead singer Hamilton Leithauser (best name in music and possibly the best looking dude in music) wails over rolling drumlines and jangly guitars. It’s New York rock’s interpretation of Don Draper strolling along the beach with his hands in his pockets.

4. TV on the Radio, “Dear Science.” Someone’s been listening to a little Bloc Party (their first and only good album) and, uh, Michael Jackson (see the song “Golden Age”). It’s their most mainstream and enjoyable album that has a bit of a dark side.

5. M83, “Saturdays = Youth.” The electro-pop-rock Frenchman created a musical nod to the ’80s, anchored by the undeniably awesome sound of wet drums. The album’s cover art even signals “Karate Kid” and Molly Ringwald. But it’s not a copy, as all of these highly danceable songs are still rooted to a very familiar M83 sound.

6. Pas/Cal, “I Was Raised on Matthew, Mark, Luke & Laura.” This must be the most underrated album of the year. It’s a bit Jon Brion mad genius, a bit Belle and Sebastian sweetness. Each song is a nesting doll of pop music, literally unveiling a pop gem after another pop gem all in one song.

7. Women, “Women.” Somewhat the album I wished Deerhunter made this year, it is an experimental noise pop record that has a muddled, fuzzy Beach Boys vibe. You will order black rice the next time you see it on a menu.

8. Marnie Stern, “This Is It and I Am It and You Are It and So Is That and He Is It and She Is It and It Is It and That Is That.” And I say this album is the shit, and it is more melodic and it is more interesting than her stellar debut, and it is killer Marnie electric guitar chaos and you should get it.

9. Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks, “Real Emotional Trash.” A forgotten album. Simply put, it’s another excellent Malkmus’ guitar-laden wonder.

10. Department of Eagles, “In Ear Park.” Less playful than their debut, this record is pretty much Grizzly Bear minus Ed Droste. It’s from the heart and mind of Daniel Rossen, one of the leaders of Grizzly, and a friend. It’s a wonderful example of what’s been termed “baroque pop.”

11. Why, “Alopecia.” This Oakland band writes wild but affecting songs, oddball fiction under the guise of hip hop, folk and indie rock.

12. Frightened Rabbit, “The Midnight Organ Fight.” Sure, they sound a bit like the Scottish version of Counting Crows, but the writing is wonderful — clever songs of relationships that are sometimes sweet and sometimes brash and loaded (i.e., the title of the album).

13. Deerhunter, “Microcastle”/“Weird Era Cont.” and Atlas Sound, “Let the Blind Lead Those Who Can See But Cannot Feel.” Bradford Cox fronts Deerhunter and is Atlas Sound. This summer, Deerhunter’s “Microcastle” was leaked — a shame because it is a winter album — so they rushed out “Weird Era Cont.” (also leaked). A rough year for Mr. Cox, but those albums combined with his first solo add up to an impressive output of music.

14. Crystal Antlers, “Crystal Antlers.” Heavy guitars, a little organ, six awesome rock songs.

15. Fucked Up, “Chemistry of Common Life.” Hardcore band makes a metal fabulous album. It’s in the vein of a gravelly voiced Les Savy Fav.

16. Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy, “Lie Down in the Light.” The alter ego of folk artist Will Oldham, this is another pretty and poetic collection of songs, including a couple standouts with Emmylou Harris.

17. Jay Reatard, “Matador Singles ’08.” Punk artist Reatard rolled out singles throughout the year that added up to this power-pop gem. It’s lighter than his “Blood Visions” album, but it works.

18. Grouper, “Dragging a Dead Deer Up a Hill.” A hushed and easy-listening record that has really nice melodies. It kind of reminds me of the female version of Benoit Pioulard.

19. Xiu Xiu, “Women as Lovers.” This is sad music with a hint of anger, but the first six tracks will bowl you over, including a cover of David Bowie’s “Under Pressure.”

20. Crystal Castles, “Crystal Castles.” My favorite electronic dance album of the year.
Honorable mentions: Air France, “Long Way Down;” The Dodos, “Visiter;” No Age, “Nouns;” Raveonettes, “Lust Lust Lust;” Silver Jews, “Lookout Mountain, Lookout Sea;” and Vampire Weekend, “Vampire Weekend.

In Concert
You’re in luck. Some of my top 20 are playing live in the coming weeks. Bon Iver plays the Vic on 12/18. Jay Reatard headlines a New Year’s Eve show at the Empty Bottle. Department of Eagles headlines the Tomorrow Never Knows Festival at Schubas on 1/15. Frightened Rabbit plays the Empty Bottle on 1/24, and Titus Andronicus is back in Chicago with Los Campesinos! on 2/7, playing the Logan Square Auditorium.

A slate of New Year’s Eve shows include local bands Office and Sybris playing with Local H at the Bottom Lounge. Justice plays a DJ set at the Congress Theatre. Experimental instrumentalists Holy Fuck play Subterranean, and mellow local kings The Sea and Cake play Schubas.

In addition to Department of Eagles playing the Tomorrow Never Knows Festival, some other bands include Poison Arrows on 1/15 and Cursive and Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson on 1/16. Animal Collective plays the Metro on 1/22, and Passion Pit heads to Schubas on 1/27. Finally, Lindstrom visits the Metro on 1/30, and the always insane Les Savy Fav plays the Epiphany church on 1/31 (I already bought my tickets. Tim Harrington will defile Jesus.)

Send me a note at danochwat@hotmail.com or reach out to me on MySpace or Facebook.

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