My Favorite Albums of 2008

Milosh
III
My friend Lorie turned me on to Milosh a few years back but it took his third album for me to see/hear the genius. The whole thing was written after Michael Milsoh spent a year living in Thailand. Somehow, that makes the songs even better.
Favorite Track: Hold My Breath

Dengue Fever
Venus On Earth
One of my favorite bands does it again. Psychedelic Khmer rock kicks ass and makes everybody wanna dance!
Favorite Track: Clipped Wings

Jill Scott
The Real Thing
Jill Scott still makes great R&B. I may have played this one the most.
Favorite Track: Crown Royal

Vampire Weekend
Vampire Weekend
I’m not sure this one has the staying power to keep me interested down the road, but I sure did play this a lot last summer. Paul Simon meets the Shins or something like that.
Favorite Track: Oxford Comma

The Raconteurs
Consolers Of The Lonely
Jack White is fantastic. I really like the dual-vocal dynamic with Brendan Benson.
Favorite Track: Old Enough

The Sea and Cake
Car Alarm
Sam Prekop is one of my favorite vocalists and these guys make great, breezy music.
Favorite Track: Weekend

Common Market
Tobacco Road
These guys are getting much tighter. Really, the only Hip Hop album I enjoyed all year. Awesome beats. Not bad for a couple of locals.
Favorite Track: Winter Takes All

The Pica Beats
Beating Back the Claws of the Cold
Speaking of locals, The Pica Beats put out an awesome debut with storied lyrics, indie pop sound and some fantastic sitar playing.
Favorite Track: Summer Cutting Cale

Emiliana Torrini
Me and Armini
Sparse, whispery pop form Iceland. Sad and sweet.
Favorite Track: Beggar’s Prayer

Neil Halstead
Oh! Mighty Engine
The lead singer of Mojave 3 puts out an album on Jack Johnson’s label and the result is much the same as his previous efforts—which is to say: pretty darn great. Neil drifts along with an even more pared down sound than the last album. Mostly acoustic guitar and mostly great lyrics.
Favorite Track: Little Twig

TV On The Radio
Dear Science
I haven’t figured out how to describe this one yet. It’s great. This much I know.
Favorite Track: Love Dog

Beck
Modern Guilt
I like Beck and I like Danger Mouse. This album is good but it’s not perfect. But I’m glad these two are making music.
Favorite Track: Walls