January 22, 2009

Stacy's top 10 of 2008

Posted by Stacy Chandler at January 22, 2009 8:58 PM

Hey, remember 2008? That crazy election, that little recession. Yes, I realize I'm tardy in posting my favorite tunes of 2008, but hey, it's still only January. Here's what floated my boat last year:

1. Vampire Weekend – Vampire Weekend
2. Chatham County Line – IV
3. Kasey Chambers – Rattlin’ Bones
4. Drive-by Truckers – Brighter Than Creation’s Dark
5. Tift Merritt – Another Country
6. Griffin House – Flying Upside Down
7. Justin Townes Earle – The Good Life
8. Alejandro Escovedo – Real Animal
9. Jenny Lewis – Acid Tongue
10. Lucinda Williams – Little Honey

Now, the disclaimers. The percentage of new music I actually got to listen to was even lower last year than in usual years. Between settling in to a new job and buying my first house (on the day the Dow slid 770 points, woo!) and adding a juvenile and, um, quirksome, dog to the family, music got shoved to the back burner a bit. So any glaring omissions on that list are because I simply didn't have time for them. It's not the top 10 of everything out there, it's the top 10 of the, like, 12 CDs I managed to listen to this year. Also? Don't take the numbering there too seriously. I'm this late posting my list because I keep switching it around, which I realize I could do endlessly right up through 2009. So, you know, it's fluid. And relative. And arbitrary, mostly.

I won't bore you by blathering about each disc, but I do want to say a word or two about Vampire Weekend. It's hip. It's trendy. It's not Americana, and it's not really indie either. But holy crap, will it get your booty moving. And in a year when my workplace was bleeding jobs, my bank account was bleeding money, and bad things were happening to good people all over the place, well, I needed that. If you want to check it out, I humbly recommend "Oxford Comma," "Walcott," or possibly "I Stand Corrected."

Comments

Thanks for posting your picks! You inspired me to visit Vampy's myspace page. Listening to several tracks left me wondering about the shelf life of bands like "Vampire Weekend" (and "Fleet Foxes"). I know the critics love them and they have tons of fans but I guess I just don't get it.

Posted by: Hal at January 22, 2009 10:27 PM

Shelf life? Yeah, I doubt they have any. It's just one supremely good album, to my ear. Kind of like Hot Hot Heat and their "Make Up the Break Down." That was a effing awesome album, but the next one, meh. And if they had any after that, I don't even know.

Sometimes lightning just strikes, I guess!

Posted by: stacy at January 22, 2009 10:32 PM

I'm guessing you didn't get to Hayes Carll's "Trouble in Mind" -- I think you'd like this disc, and him.

Posted by: Mark in Denver at January 22, 2009 10:40 PM

I didn't, much to my regret. And I have a feeling, when I do get to it, I'll wish for a do-over on the list. Thanks for reminding me to check that one out!

Posted by: stacy at January 22, 2009 11:10 PM

Vampire Weekend will probably pull the same thing that Clap Your Hands Say Yeah did and produce a ridiculously bad sophomore album, but I agree with Stacy that their first album was a helluva lot of fun.

I recommend spending some time with Fleet Foxes, however. They're the new sound of American Folk Rock. I'm looking forward to MANY more albums from them.

Posted by: larry at January 23, 2009 9:09 AM

the vampire weekend album took years to create...the tracks on it were previously released on EPs over the past few years...so yeah, their shelf life may be limited. Here's to hoping we are wrong!

As for Fleet Floxes, yes, I tend to believe they are they real deal...that sound is so fresh and at the same time timeless. Let's us wish both bands the best!

Posted by: trey at January 23, 2009 11:45 AM

I tried Fleety again and all I can say is I'm glad I work with Mrs. Karnowski.

Posted by: Hal at January 23, 2009 3:23 PM

Acid Tongue? I can't decide. I think I liked the Watson Twins' album better. Their version of Just Like Heaven gets me every time. I had no idea Kasey Chambers had a new CD this year. Where have I been?

I'm always behind on buying music in the current year, so my 2008 list is more like a top three than a top 10. If there were a top 10 song list, I'd add "You really got a hold on me" by She and Him. And anything by Kitty Daisy and Lewis. Move over booty. They'll make you shake your ass.

Thanks Stacy. Me and Tower Records miss you.

Posted by: Teri at January 23, 2009 6:43 PM