Top 8 of 2008
(in no particular order)
1. The Kills “Midnight Boom”
This is a band that I’m surprised most of my friends don’t like, but at the same time, I’m kind of surprised that I like them so much. They were recommended to me by Bill and Jessica when Child Bite was recording at the Key Club (they recorded this album there and the one prior, “No Wow”). Months later, the Kills finally come up on my itunes and I totally love it. Really dark and gritty, the first album is a bit garage rock-leaning, but still, great songs.
I saw the Kills, and I’ve read a bit about them, and they’re total rock stars. Tight jeans and black leather all the way. You know, borderline-cliche posturing. The guitarist is even dating Kate Moss. But I still totally love it.
“Midnight Boom” is a party album, except for the few, “Oh no, I think I have a drug problem” downer jams. Much more obvious drum machine tones and tons of octave up/down guitar stuff. It’s kind of like a stripped-down, darkly futuristic, female-fronted Rolling Stones. Futuristic, like the ’50s-themed diner in “Back to the Future Pt. II.”
2. Lamb Of God
Lamb Of God didn’t release any new music in 2008 (they released a 2-disc live DVD, but I didn’t buy it). However, they did become pretty much my favorite band. I think they’re 2006 release “Sacrament” was my most-listened-to album of 2008. (It’s mastered super loud, and it is the sole reason I do not use the shuffle function on my ipod.) They’ve got the redneck attitude and real-life lyrics of Pantera, with the relentlessness and riffs of Slayer (with more traditional-sounding, but fewer solos).
3. Jason Anderson “The Hopeful and the Unafraid”
This dude is awesome. And this album is really great. Anderson used to go by Wolf Colonel. And throughout his career he’s gone though some style changes (his early stuff is total Pavement-esque ’90s alternative, oh, and check out his slower, acoustic album “New England,” which is beautiful). His new thing is Springsteen-esque, great American songwriter, basic rock with awesome choruses, along side heartfelt acoustic jams. The opening track is an epic that clocks in at 8 minutes. Good thing the rest of the album rules hard.
4. The Sword “Gods of the Earth”
Impressive vinyl packaging. Gatefold, some embossed artwork. No text on the cover. Very classy. Initially, I wasn’t thrilled with this record, I think because their debut “Age of Winters” was so immediate, and so out of nowhere. But after a few listens , “Gods…” definitely delivers. The Sword are classic metal, all Sabbath-esque riffs, lyrics about battling, they even do an earthy acoustic reprise towards the end of the album. They are huge nerds.
5. I decided that illegally pirating music is wrong, and I decided to stop doing it
Real life got me thinking about stealing mp3s over the internet. I’d done it for years. I had a huge collection of mp3s, but I still bought “the stuff I really liked.” But when I actually tried to justify it beyond “everyone does it and it happens all the time, and I want to get my piece,” I couldn’t. Because there is no justification for it. It’s absolutely stealing, and it’s totally wrong. It’s “take what you can get,” “don’t get caught,” values put into practice. It hurts musicians, and the labels that support them. Big and small.
6. The Blow “Paper Television”
This album came out in 2006. I discovered it the old fashioned way. A friend put a song on a mix for me. Then I heard another good song on the (internet) radio. And I did a little extra research and found another track on a blog. My rule when I was younger was “3 good songs.” I have to hear three good songs before I buy it. And it totally worked. I read an interview with the singer and she described the music pretty accurately. Think of a K Records artist trying to make radio-friendly pop songs. It’s awkward at times, but when it’s on, it really shines.
7. Meshuggah “obZen”
I got into Meshuggah last year, and it was a bit overwhelming, because they have 4 or 5 really good releases. So I read reviews and tried to start everything on the right foot and have a strategy for tackling their discography. Anyway, it was exciting for me when a new album of theirs came out and I had no preconceived notions about it. “obZen” is way more intense than their last album; more driving beats and frantic riffs. But they maintain the technical aspect as well. A totally dark, fatiguing listen.
8. And, of course, the Subsprawl bands, Javelins “Heavy Meadows,” Pop Project “Stars of Stage and Screen,” and The Word Play “How I Became Illustrated”
I think the Javs and PP records were on my list last year, because I get advanced copies of Subsprawl stuff. For that same reason, I think TWP’s record will be on my list next year, too. I spent all summer with “Heavy Meadows,” all fall with “Stars…” and I plan on spending the rest of winter with “Illustrated…” I love my dudes and they’ve made some exceptional records.
