HPR Music Year End List 2008

The year that was 2008 was one of the worst years in recent memory. There were a few hyped albums early in the year by the likes of Ra Ra Riot and Black Kids, but those both were just ok. Thankfully, TV on the Radio and The Hold Steady were there to pick up the slack.

Most of the year was dominated by female artists and rightfully so. From the big, dumb Katy Perry songs that stuck in your head to the string of British artists like Adele, Duffy and Leona Lewis who continued what Amy Winehouse started last year, it was a strong year for the ladies.

Locally, two interesting artists I found were Hannah Christianson and Midnight Suit. Hannah, a Shanley graduate, is now attending Berkley and has a bright future in the piano-pop market which is really hot right now.

Midnight Suit has a new record out called “We’ve Come With Nothing” and does hardcore with big, gang vocals as well as any I’ve heard in this area.

There were some good national shows this year, although most were very under-attended. The Hold Steady and Ace Frehley put on fun shows at the Fargo Theatre, and The Hives put on a wild show for 300 people at The Venue in May.

The best overall show, though, was Wilco at the Civic in April.

And then there was Chinese Democracy. What some of us waited fourteen years for ended up just being a better-than-average rock record. Looking back, the Use Your Illusion records were actually more interesting. Maybe the oddest thing was that Axl Rose did absolutely no press for it. There was no mini-tour, no surprise club shows, no Rolling Stone interview, nothing. And wouldn’t you know it, no press plus ten years too late equaled a flop.

10. Fleet Foxes “Fleet Foxes”

The debut full-length album from Fleet Foxes sounds like My Morning Jacket before they decided they wanted to somehow mix Prince with Radiohead. A lot of people are talking about 2008 being the year of “beard rock,” even though it’s been around for at least three years. Either way, these guys were the best shaggy dudes this year.

9. Girl Talk “Feed the Animals”

Henry Rollins would shred me for picking this, as he claims DJ’s aren’t real musicians, but this album is a monster. Treading the line of copyright infringement with the “fair use” principle, Girl Talk samples short snippets of songs and mashes them together to create songs that are basically all hooks.

8. Vampire Weekend “Vampire Weekend”

Vampire Weekend is one of those bands that was buzzed about so long before their album even came out that it almost came in with a “who cares” thud. And what initially seemed like a merely enjoyable mix of The Strokes and Paul Simon’s “Graceland” actually held up really well over the year, especially with their expletive-laden single “Oxford Comma.”

7. Butch Walker “Sycamore Meadows”

One of the most underrated songwriters out there, Butch Walker returned this year with his best since his debut. In 2007, he was renting Flea’s house in Malibu when the California wildfires came through and burned the house to the ground along with his possessions and master tapes. Named after the street the house was on, “Sycamore Meadows” is as pretty and sad as you’d expect.

6. Death Cab for Cutie “Narrow Stairs”

After faltering a bit with their major label debut, “Plans,” DCFC were back in a big way with this stunner. I was initially off-put with their way-too-long choice for a first single, but they redeemed themselves with tracks like “Cath” and “You Can Do Better Than Me,” which are among their prettiest yet.

5. Raphael Saadiq “The Way I See It”

There’s a saying that goes: if you’re going to steal, then steal from the best. What’s more difficult, though, is stealing and actually making it great. Raphael Saadiq has done that once again by singing like Smokey Robinson and making the most Motown-sounding record since the 70s.

4. Ximena Sarinana “Mediocre”

Raised in Mexico City, Ximena doesn’t stray from her native tongue, and while I have no idea what she’s saying, it’s amazing. From sultry, piano ballads like the amazing, debut single, “Mediocre,” to more modern pop-sounding stuff, this is the most impressive debut of the year.

3. Kanye West “808’s & Heartbreak”

His mother’s death and being dumped by his fiancé led Kanye to write and record the best (sorry Atmosphere) emo rap album of the year. Maybe “rap” isn’t really appropriate here, though, as most songs are sung with the assistance of auto-tune, and the music is all keyboards that sound like something created by Tears for Fears. That makes four impressive albums in five years for Kanye.

2. The Hold Steady “Stay Positive”

The opening track “Constructive Summer” is everything that makes the Hold Steady possibly the best band (or at least American band) on the planet. The ghost of the Boss is definitely hovering over the first few songs, including the great single, “Sequestered in Memphis,” but what’s more noticeable is how well Craig is singing and the Slash-like guitar solos on some of the tracks like “Lord, I’m Discouraged.”

1. TV On The Radio “Dear Science”

For those that think TVOTR’s success has been a fluke or just media hype, “Dear Science” should quiet the skeptics. Dark and pretty at times, and dance-y at others, they continued to be responsible for some of the most interesting music being made. And even more impressive is that they are making these challenging songs while signed to a major label. There may be hope for the record industry after all.