Since Corey laid the challenge down in his version of the same post, I figured I’d answer with my own. Even though Corey and I have similar music taste we still have a different look to our top 5’s. I’ll set this up pretty similarly to him, mainly because I’m too lazy to come up with my own setup (look I even stole his image!). Then there is the off chance that Corey will see it, know I copied, and ridicule me, which is always fun. Ok no more random blather just to fill in the space on the front page, onto the picks.
Not the Best Albums of 2008
Death Cab For Cutie – Narrow Stairs Definitely not a bad album, but definitely not a great album either. This ranks lower than most of their discography, probably right behind Photo Album, which is sitting in 4th place (We Have the Facts…; Transatlanticism; Plans are my personal top 3). I also agree with Corey when he said that he’d be happy if Ben Gibbard killed off Death Cab and worked full time on The Postal Service, or just switched the priorities on them. However this CD does have some very good songs and still gets a decent enough plays during my long poker sessions.
Portishead – Third I have cleverly switched the order of Death Cab and Portishead to give the illusion of this not being a copy of Corey’s top 5! It’s probably not working, but as I said before, we have similar music tastes. I was pretty damn excited when I heard Portishead was releasing a new album after a decade away from the game. This album only disappointed because I hyped it so much in my brain. Portishead was never really a groundbreaking group, but they are a solid band. This album is no different from most of their discography and very enjoyable.
Coldplay – Viva La Vida I’ve always been a Coldplay fan, not on any grand scale, but their music is usually enjoyable. This album is really nothing new from them, and just as good as the rest of their catalog. There are definitely some highs on this CD and it also has its lows. Not a bad pick for a “close but not quite” ranking.
Actual Top 5 of 2008 thus far
Lykke Li – Youth Novels Corey actually introduced this album to me, and I am quite surprised to see it…or rather not see it on his list at all. Unless someone on Amazon got the release date wrong, which isn’t completely rare. This album is basically good throughout, full of poppy, fun songs with a few less upbeat songs mixed in. She gets bonus points for being Swedish, because, well Swedish people are just that cool.
The Republic Tigers – Keep Color I don’t really have much else to say about this that I didn’t say in my write up on this album, but I guess I need to fill the space somehow. I have yet to see them live, however I can’t hold that against them seeing as this isn’t the “Best Live Band” list. I tend to rate CDs of this nature (indie rock, rock, instrumental) on how well the band pulls it of live and typically the electronica, trip hop, pop/dance music gets a pass on the live ratings.
The Envy Corps – Dwell I got a chance to see them live (which was also the first time I heard them) when they opened for The Myriad and Eisley, and they were by far the best band on that tour, which also included Vedera (they were second best). They are Coldplayish with a hint of Radiohead and other various musicians of that form. They are nothing spectacular, just a very solid CD from start to finish.
Ratatat – LP3 This being their 3rd album, I expected something a little more fresh. I didn’t get it, but I did get a very solid, but typical, Ratatat CD. This band has been my main poker-playing soundtrack over the past 2 or 3 years, so they get bonus sentimental points from me. The album has catchy beats and flows nicely as all Ratatat albums do, and I recommend it for anyone who just wants to chill with some good tunes.
Sigur Ros - með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust Obviously this is the best album of 08’ thus far, and I expect it to stay atop this list throughout the rest of the year (unless that alleged Postal Service album is actually real!). Not much to add on to what Corey said, great new sound from them in the early tracks that turns into typical Sigur Ros towards the end of the album. The whole thing is great, and I really wished they would have played more new stuff at their show…well actually I just wanted them to play a four hour set and then I would have maybe been satisfied.