Before 2008 is Over...

Before this year ends, I thought I'd give some love to all of the great albums I've acquired and were released in the last 12 months. In no certain order:

Sam Roberts Band: Love at the End of the World


When I first started listening to this album, I was very disappointed in the lack of keyboards, and the fact that it wasn't epic like Chemical City. After I decided to drop my expectations, and embrace the album for what it was, it has become one of my favorites.

The Black Keys: Attack and Release


This is a great record. We were over at a friend's house and he was playing this album and I instantly loved it. It's almost like everything Ryan Adams should've become. The crazy-ish vocals, the rawness, the sloppy instruments...

Fleet Foxes: Fleet Foxes


I decided to hold out for this one until Christmas. There's something about denying yourself that can make something even more special. I'm glad I did. It may be one of my favorite records of all time. The sound textures, especially on vinyl, are so amazing.

Blitzen Trapper: Furr


I fell in love with this band as soon as I heard the title track. I didn't even sample the album... we were in the music store, I saw the record, the rest is history.

Jenny Lewis: Acid Tongue

I've never been a fan of Rilo Kiley, but when I first heard Jenny Lewis' first solo release, Rabbit Fur Coat, I knew that she was an artist I could respect. The release of Acid Tongue took that love to a whole new level. This album is right up my alley... the multi-part songs and flawed crooning, I adore it.

My Morning Jacket: Evil Urges

I had to let this album grow on me. There is so much good content, but there is also some weird stuff: crazy-high miss piggy vocals, double bass, things I wouldn't typically love. I gave it a chance and ended up loving all of the funny stuff. I can't decide if it's because it really is good, or because it's novel.

Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band:


I was torn on whether or not to even include this album in my post. Do I think it's one of the best albums of 2008? No. I do enjoy it, though. And, it's one of the best things that Conor Oberst has ever done, short of his Bright Eyes album Cassadaga. Most everything else I would call mediocre... excluding some of the very beginning, which would be classified as unlistenable...
I just have a hard time seeing it in any grouping with Fleet Foxes...

Death Cab for Cutie: Narrow Stairs



Death Cab is a band that I can never get sick of. Maybe that's why I like them so much.

That's all I can recall for the time-being. I'd love to hear any feedback about these albums, or your own personal favorites for the year!