It was the best of years, it was the worst of years. Actually, 2008 was pretty damn exciting (if I do say so myself). Not only was it a dynamic year in my own life, but the music released from January to December was a mirror to the ups and downs of '08. Filled with fresh, new music and a few disappointments here and there, the year took music lovers on a roller coaster ride that will keep on running into the new year. Are you excited for '09? I know I am.
Favorite Albums:
Making my Top 10 list for this year was both difficult and frustrating. There were some unbelievably inspired releases that arrived in '08, yet I almost feel like filling my list was a task--I think I spent too much time listening to the Beatles this year rather than new music (see end of post for explanation). My bad.
But a list was made (and it was a PERSONAL list of albums that I spent the most time with), and even without trying, it represents the diversity that was so prevalent in music throughout the year.
1. Conor Oberst -Conor Oberst
2. TV on the Radio- Dear Science
3. The Black Keys - Attack & Release
4. She & Him - Volume One
5. Fleet Foxes- Fleet Foxes/Sun Giant EP
6. Daedelus- Love to Make Music To
7. Jenny Lewis- Acid Tongue
8. Pattern is Movement- All Together
9. Margot & the Nuclear So and So's - Animal!/Not Animal
10. Mates of State - Re-Arrange Us
First of all, like I said, I went with albums that I actually spent time with throughout the year. There were some gems that were released that I, sadly, did not pay enough attention to, so out of fairness, I couldn't include them on my own list.
Also, although my first choice may be a bit of a shock to some, I feel like it was a horrendously overlooked album this year. Oberst delivered another solid album of breathtaking songs, and recording in Mexico seemed to do the man good. The vibe of the setting can be heard in the album's production and songwriting, and it shows that Oberst keeps on growing with every album he releases.
TV On the Radio, though, blew me away with their 2008 effort that didn't sound like an effort at all. The album flows as if it might have been an afterthought in the band's mind, but in the best of ways. It's deep, it's dark, it ebbs and flows with the thickest of feelings and most serene sounds. It's a winner.
Honorable Mentions:
Okkervil River- The Stand-Ins
Los Campesinos- Hold On Now, Youngster
Why? - Alopecia (Everyone else loved it, but I JUST started listening to it. I'm slow.)
No Age- Nouns
Murder By Death- Red of Tooth and Claw
Death Cab for Cutie- Narrow Stairs
Favorite Songs:
"Nouveau Americain" by Brazilian Girls
It's never easy for me to pick a single song and call it my favorite, but for some reason this year I had no trouble in deciding. I mean, when I organized my iTunes by play count it was the first non-Beatles song to get the most plays (and believe me, that's pretty impressive). Found on the band's 2008 release New York City, "Nouveau Americain" is the kind of song I hope to discover more often. I can listen to it again and again and be just as excited to hear it as I was the time before. It's sexy, it's sultry, it's got a beat that lures you in and vocals that will steam up anyone's glasses. If you ever hated taking foreign language classes, Sabina Sciubba's sassy purr in English, German, French, Italian and Spanish will quickly change your mind. I guarantee.
Honorable Mentions:
"Strange Times" by the Black Keys
"We Are Rockstars" by Does It Offend You, Yeah?
"Daylight" by Matt and Kim
"Souled Out!!!" by Conor Oberst
"White Winter Hymnal" by Fleet Foxes
"Hrs:Mins:Secs" by Daedelus
"A Children's Crusade on Acid" by Margot & the Nuclear So and So's
"Halfway Home" by TV On the Radio
"Black Mags" by the Cool Kids
"Pop Lie" by Okkervil River
"Little Bit of Feel Good" by Jamie Lidell
"Acid Tongue" by Jenny Lewis
"Body Language" by Monotonix
"The Crime Window" by Grand Archives
"Chick Lit" by We Are Scientists
"You Don't Know Me (feat. Regina Spektor)" by Ben Folds
Live Shows:
I couldn't have had a more exciting year when it came to live music, and working for this blog was a big (and fulfilling) part of that experience! I was lucky enough to see some of my favorites and also check out some wonderful new bands, as well. Here's a rundown of the most memorable.
*Cursive (Rhino's in Bloomington)
OMG. When I heard that Cursive, one of my favorite, FAVORITE bands was going to roll into Bloomington, I could hardly stand it. Knowing that they'd be at Rhino's was even better. The show was intimate and personal--I mean, Tim Kasher brushed past me when walking on stage. I had a moment. They played mostly new material, which was fine by me because they ALSO whipped out a tune or two from The Ugly Organ. I was content.
*WIUX Culture Shock (Dunn Meadow in Bloomington)
While there were plenty of exciting events to take over Bloomington this year, I can't help but say that WIUX's annual free festival, Culture Shock, took the cake in my book. As a staffer at the station, I saw the hard work that went into producing this event, and boy, did it turn out great! Great weather, great music--the day was full of surprises. Bringing out many of the year's hottest buzz bands (The Dodos, Beach House, Mahjongg, Pattern is Movement), Culture Shock shook Dunn Meadow and provided a great day's worth of music.
*Monotonix (Three shows: Cleveland and Akron, OH, and Bloomington, IN)
Hands down the most dynamic live band you will ever see. Ever. Not only do they provide a fiery fusion of blues-rock and punk, but these three dudes from Israel take their shows to new heights AND locations, both inside and out of the venue. If you see them, watch out for flying bottles of beer, traveling bass drums, and crowd-surfing front men.
*Pendulum (House of Blues in Chicago)
If you've never experienced the UK sounds of drum and bass, then you're in for quite a surprise. Australia natives Pendulum take the sound of one of Britain's hottest dance scenes and bump it up a few decibels with, get this, a LIVE BAND. It was their first American show, and boy, did they deliver. This was definitely one of the most intense live shows I've ever been to. Crazy light show, lots of dancing, and some pretty pulse-pounding tunes.
*Daedelus (Neal-Marshall Grand Hall in Bloomington)
If only everyone could have seen this WIUX kick-off show. One man, one machine, and a whole lot of "OOHing" and "AHHing" from music geeks like me. This man takes live mixing to a new level. Oh, and he dresses in awesome suits and is super cool to hang-out with during after hours.
*Hip-Hop Live! Tour (The Bluebird in Bloomington)
Talib Kweli, David Banner, and Little Brother packed in to the Bluebird and took the raving crowd on quite a ride. Lots of dancing, lots of chanting, lots of awesome. The best part of the night? The encore medley of classic rap, featuring all the night's artists, that did, in fact, lead me to geek out and rap along to the entire first verse of "Rapper's Delight." Yeah. That happened.
*Margot & the Nuclear So and So's w/ David Vandervelde (Buskirk-Chumley in Bloomington)
Breathtaking is the only word that comes to mind when I think back on this show. Vandervelde got the crowd riled up, and then Margot and Co. brought them back down and put them in a trance. Their musicianship was stunning and the songs felt like they moved through you. With a fairytale-like backdrop and mood-setting disco ball, the show was an experience. And the songs off their new album? Wow. Even better live.
*Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings (Jakes's in Bloomington)
If I ever thought I was lacking soul, this show filled me back up with every funky song they doled out that night. Jones is the ultimate front woman, packed full of power and keeping the entire venue wrapped around her finger, and the Dap-Kings were tight as hell, perfectly recalling the soul sounds of decades past.
Newsworthy:
Election 2008--Like Katie said in her post, you can't deny that this year's election was one of the most dynamic in recent memory. With two candidates representing the wide spectrum of American political ideology and their decidedly interesting choices for the VP seat, the race was full of fiery debates and moments of deserved inspiration that seemed to rev the engines of voters both old AND young. On that fateful Tuesday, Barack Obama took a decisive win, and just like many of those celebrating in Bloomington, people's cheers of hope and excitement could be heard across the nation
Personal Moment:
Study Abroad--After finishing an eventful freshman year last semester, I never would have thought I'd be finishing finals and then jet setting across the pond to jolly ol' London for the month of May. I was selected to go on the Beatles in London program through the Jacobs School of Music, which also included a week-long trip to the Fab Four's hometown of Liverpool, and I couldn't have been more shocked and excited. Studying my favorite band in a city I've longed to visit since age five? Pinch me now.
Visiting just forty years after the release of "the White Album," walking across Abbey Road, and standing by the gates of Strawberry Fields, it was hands down the best part of 2008 for me. It opened my eyes and changed my life and made music more real to me than it ever has been before. Cheers to that.
So thank you to everyone who read our little Live Buzz this past semester. It was a pleasure writing for it, and I cannot wait to continue this Spring. Happy 2009!
-Kelsey McArdle
