Enter Cream of Eight, available here thanks to djeddieo. As I work on my year end comps I simply try to include songs and bands that have struck me over the past year. I’m not sure if this technically qualifies any of them as ‘best of’. More accurately they are my favorites that I think are worth sharing. In some cases it’s just a great song off an okay album, in others it could an entree into a whole new favorite album or band. Regardless, I just hope there’s something to pique the interest of anyone who listens.
Heart From Us All – White Denim. I could have picked any number of songs from this album (which, if pushed, I would probably give my #1 pick to). The double-vocal at the end, and a cool lead in which is imperative to any of my comps, helped win this one the leadoff spot.
Gardenia – Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks. No surprise here, another quality body of work from Malkmus and the Jicks. With my other favorites from this album tracking in at over 6 minutes, I went with this super-sweet shorter offering. Is that guitar crescendo leading into the refrain a rip off of something… some 70’s tv show maybe?? I can’t place it, but it sounds familiar – in a good way.
Nothing Ever Happened – Deerhunter. So I was wrong, Pitchfork gave it #5.
Top Drawer – Man Man. I’m surprised their album Rabbit Habits hasn’t appeared on more top lists. It relies heavily on Tom Waits meets a band of gypsies (the Eastern European kind, not the Hendrix kind). But with an analog that unique, I think there’s room for them at the party.
(disclaimer: the following 3 songs are actually from 2007 or earlier, but they were new to me this year!)
Stop – The Jackson Analogue. From their album And Then, Nothing. This and one other song, Day is Done, are the easy standouts from this Isle of Wight outfit. Beyond that it falls into a somewhat predictable R&B Rock album. Fine enough, but not as strong as hoped for.
Veni Vidi Vici – The Black Lips. This album ranked so high on a lot of 2007 lists I picked it up in January and wasn’t disappointed. Especially this song with it’s slinky underwater garage vibe.
Starting Five – Dios Malos. Actually from 2004! I blogged about these guys in October and I’m still happy I found ’em… even this late.
I Don’t Know What You’re Saying – Ladyhawk. Not to be confused with Ladyhawke (with an ‘e’), the dancier New Zealand singer that’s starting to get more notice. This Ladyhawk hails from Vancouver and if you like this tune the rest of their 2008 release, titled Shots, shouldn’t disappoint.
Love Me Anyway – Steve Wynn. On the other hand, I was a bit disappointed with the latest album from the former Dream Syndicate frontman. I wish more of it had the same feel as this song.
Chains – Sons & Daughters. All year I think I’ve had Scotland’s Sons & Daughters confused with Austin’s Brothers & Sisters. Everytime I heard reference to the latter, I would dismiss as something I already knew about the former. Make sense? Either way… the Glaswegian offspring really know how to bring the power pop. I need to do more research on the sibling variant.
Headshock – Tapes ‘n Tapes. This album, although not as strong as 2007’s The Loon, has been a grower. I particularly like the Peggy Sue-style guitar breakdown in the middle of this track.
Jaguar Pirates – Jaguar Love. Love ’em or hate ’em, they do have their own sound – or at least one shared with the lead singer Johnny Whitney’s former band, Blood Brothers.
All Parts of Me – Love as Laughter. One of my top indie pop albums of the year. Although not in my normal wheelhouse, this is the song that drew me in.
Set In Stone – Catfish Haven. I hoped for a little more from this album. Similar to Jackson Analogue I feel like I’m at an ’08 (..errr ’09?) version of an Animal House frat party.
Dickshaker’s Union – Surf City. My most recent find/post. I’m looking forward to more from them in ’09.
Dig, Lazarus, Dig – Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. Seemingly a mainstay on my comps… if he puts out an album each year, it will surely be represented.
Hard Feelings – The Constantines. Is it wrong that I have nothing to say other than these guys are from Toronto!? Although they do have a new entry in the ironic covers department: a duet with Feist of Islands in the Stream, which you can stream here.
Which Way to Go – Eddy Current Suppression Ring. Another album of the year contender with it’s straight up, no pretense, pub punk.
All You Ever Wanted – The Black Keys. Despite being produced by Danger Mouse, their album Attack and Release stays true to the minimal blues their foundation is based on. This song is the album’s opener, but I think it works equally as well as an outro.
Happy New Year, and all the new music it will hopefully bring.
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