Eight for ’08 (The Chinese Calendar)

Posted by Will on January 10, 2009

I think I used to pride myself as a music savant. But then again, those were the days back in high school when I was listening to the Descendents, Operation Ivy, and Rancid. Not that I am discounting these bands credibility. In most instances though, they were just a step above, musically, above the three-chord stylings of the Ramones (another institute in my music pantheon, by the way). I still listen to them time to time and I have to admit, they did open, how ever narrow and anal the punk rock culture prides itself in being, myself to different music channels (like dub, reggae, third-wave ska (!?)).

But, as Bob Dylan once penned (does that sound like a line from a movie or questionable semi-autobiography or what?), Times, they are a-changin’. Not to mention, I could write all day about how great uncomplicated music is and how punk itself is an establishment and is it turn, counterproductive.

When you consider yourself to be anti-establishment and one who bends the other way I think you eventually find out that you are not the only one and that there are many, many like you out there (the internet probably has helped make these connections).

So, while I no longer claim to be listening to anything obscure, there are probably a few bands I am about to list that you could probably surmise I am making them up. Trust me, I am not. By the way High Fidelity is a great movie that touches on the subject of music and elitism.

I know Top (insert variable) of (insert year) lists usually bubble to the surface a few weeks before the year ends or a few days after. Actually, I had thought of doing this earlier but truthfully, it was hard for me to actually find eight albums I had purchased in 2008. I was very much in danger of putting a band twice (one EP, one LP). I usually listen to the old standbys, Johnny Cash and The Clash when I commute and then stream KEXP at work. So, digging up albums I had felt inclined to put cold, hard cash down for was a bit troublesome.

So, without myself further rambling on and/or developing anymore inane backstory, I present to you my favorite albums from 2008. Just a warning, I am horrible about formulating words to describe music.

8. Deerhoof – Offend Maggie
How can you describe Deerhoof without throwing in the word “unconventional”? Oh, wait, you can’t. While the sound is certainly lacking in protocol and the lyrics might have been penned by Hugo Ball, I can’t help but think, “This works”.

7. Cat Power – Jukebox
Eight years after releasing her first album of covers (aptly given the handle The Covers Record) Chan Marshall/Cat Power gives her next take on songs originating from Hank Williams, James Brown, and Bob Dylan, to name a few. Marshall reinvents these songs with her own minimalist / Southeren R&B / rhaspy vocal stylings. I almost forgot about this album considering it was released almost a full year ago.

6. Wolf Parade – At Mount Zoomer
If the music was not above par you could probably write off Wolf Parade due to the hideous album cover (visual art and presentation counts for something in my book). It is hard to put your finger on Wolf Parade’s sound but I am sure that is the point. I do know one thing though – I can’t write about music to save my life (to re-emphasize the aforementioned point).

5. Beach House – Devotion
Devotion has a dreamy indie rock vibe (not in the Tiger Beat way). It is dull, it is monotone, and it is not going to empower you in any way. It is the Droopy Dog to the SpongeBob SquarePants but, why is that a bad thing?

4. Vampire Weekend – S/T
Do believe the hype. Apparently this band had quite the buzz before ever releasing its first full length album. I found out about them here. Vampire Weekend combines African-inspired percussion, ska riffs, and a little 80s New Wave for something that is truly tasty to the ears (I told you I can’t verbalize music). Not to mention, it took me forever to convince Cousin Andrew this was a good album.

3. GirlTalk – Feed the Animals
GirlTalk’s music is so good it is illegal (seriously, major copyright infringements). The former biological engineer turned mashup DJ combines the popular to the obscure to create a cut-and-paste magnus opus. Want to know how complex just one song can be? Check out this chart from Wired.

2. Fleet Foxes – S/T
Another band that I discovered through Daytrotter, this band is making an astronomic ascension (SNL on the 17th, Pitchfork Media’s #1 Album of ’08, numerous accolades, etc., et al.). This album combines the best aspects of folk and pop-inspired harmony. Again, I have no idea what I’m talking about.

1. Okkervil River – The Stand-Ins
Okkervil River is quickly becoming one of my favorite bands. The kind where you rush out to buy their back catalog and whenever they come out with a newer album you constantly grouse and grumble for the old days and pine for the older, unpolished sound of yesteryear. I always like a band that continues to show progressive growth without compromising where they came from one album ago.  This record is far from perfect, no doubt. Some parts lull too much and the first two tracks are so overwhelming it sets a very high standard for the rest of the album. But, this is what makes this album great and that is what draws me in.

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