Music Blogs

These are selections #81 through #90 in our Best Albums of 2008 countdown series.

#81. Offend Maggie by Deerhoof

Released: October 7, 2008
Label: Kill Rock Stars
Album Charts: #150 The Billboard 200, #2 Top Heatseekers,#23 Top Independent albums

"It took me a while to get on the Deerhoof bandwagon, and the band is admittedly an acquired taste that takes some work. But if you give Offend Maggie a try the splendid counterbalance between the technically intricate, and the Japanese schoolgirl purity of Satomi Matsuzaki's voice, will win you over in a big way. This is about as blurred a line possible between the worlds of pop and art."

Listen to Offend Maggie:

   1. The Tears and Music of Love 
   
   2. Chandelier Searchlight  

   3. Buck and Judy
   
   4. Snoopy Waves 
   
   5. Offend Maggie 
   
   6. Basket Ball Get Your Groove Back 
   
   7. Don't Get Born
   
   8. My Purple Past 
   
   9. Family of Others 
   
   10. Fresh Born 
   
   11. Eaguro Guro  

   12. This Is God Speaking 
   
   13. Numina O 
   
   14. Jagged Fruit  

#82. Heart On by Eagles Of Death Metal

Released: October 28, 2008
Label: Downtown
Charts: #57 The Billboard 200, #3 Top Independent Albums

"Eagles Of Death Metal are that rare breed of band that not only understand the history on which their music is derived, but can transform it into something new, all while having a good laugh. Heart On captures the very essence of rock & roll, and proves decisively that rock is no less relevant in 2008 than it was in 1978."

 Listen to Heart On:

   1. Anything 'Cept The Truth
  
   2. WannaBe in L.A.
  
   3. (I Used to Couldn't Dance) Tight Pants
  
   4. High Voltage
  
   5. Secret Plans
  
   6. Now I'm A Fool
  
   7. Heart On
  
   8. Cheap Thrills
  
   9. How Can A Man With So Many Friends Feel So All Alone
  
   10. Solo Flights

   11. Prissy Prancin'
  
   12. I'm Your Torpedo  

#83. At 89 by Pete Seeger

Released: September 30, 2008
Label: Appleseed
Album Charts: None

"It would be huge mistake to think Pete Seeger's 2008 release At 89 is included here solely as a sign of respect for the icon. Each album must stand on its own legs, and make no mistake, At 89 may be one of Seeger's best. The simple, but professional production makes no attempt to hide Seeger's age. This helps create a palpable aura of wisdom and kindness. And this is exactly where you want to shine the light on Pete's music."

Listen to At 89:

   1. Nameless Banjo Riff
  
   2. False from True
  
   3. Now We Sit Us Down
  
   4. Pete's greeting (spoken)
  
   5. Visions of Children

   6. Wonderful Friends
  
   7. The Water is Wide
  
   8. Pete talks about Clearwater (spoken)
  
   9. It's a Long Haul

   10. Throw Away That Shad Net (How Are We Gonna Save Tomorrow?)
  
   11. Song of the World's Last Whale

   12. The First Settlers   

   13. The D Minor Flourish / Cindy
  
   14. Pete's intro to If It Can't Be Reduced (spoken)
  
   15. If It Can't Be Reduced
  
   16. Spring Fever
  
   17. Pete speaks about World War II (spoken)
  
   18. When I Was Most Beautiful
  
   19. Bach at Treblinka

   20. We Will Love or We Will Perish
  
   21. The story of Tzena, Tzena, Tzena (spoken)

   22. Tzena, Tzena, Tzena   

   23. One Percent Phosphorous Banjo Riff
  
   24. Pete speaks about involvement (spoken)
  
   25. Or Else! (One-a These Days)
  
   26. Waist Deep in the Big Muddy
  
   27. Little Fat Baby
  
   28. Arrange and Re-arrange
  
   29. Alleluya 

   30. Pete's extroduction (spoken)
  
   31. If This World Survives
  
   32. How Soon?  

#84. Fordlandia by Jóhann Jóhannsson

Released: November 3, 2008
Label: 4AD
Album Charts: None

"Icelandic composer Jóhann Jóhannsson is a multi-talented artist. Fordlandia is the second in a trilogy of albums that explores technology driven brand names. In this case the score is set to present the ideology and eventual failure of Henry Ford's Brazilian rubber plant, which he hoped to create as a Utopian model for the future. Admittedly, the average listener will never be attuned to the greater conceptual ideas at work here, and that's ok, because the music is simply beautiful."

Listen to Fordlandia:

   1. Fordlandia
  
   2. Melodia (I)
  
   3. The Rocket Builder (Io Pan!)
  
   4. Melodia (II)
  
   5. Fordlandia - Aerial View
  
   6. Melodia (III)
  
   7. Chimaerica
  
   8. Melodia (Iv)
  
   9. The Great God Pan Is Dead
  
   10. Melodia
  
   11. How We Left Fordlândia

#85. Viva La Vida by Coldplay

Released: June 17, 2008
Label: Capitol
Album Charts: #1 The Billboard 200, European Top 100, #1 Top Canadian Albums, #1 Top Internet Albums

"As the Billboard charts attest, Coldplay are one of very few rock bands (if not the only one in recent memory) to reach the very pinnacle of worldwide success. Their sound has struck a chord with the masses, and now the battle they wage is with the critics who tend to disregard bands that reach colossal levels of popular appeal. If you have such ridiculous and pretentious thoughts, throw them aside. Under the guidance of Brian Eno, Viva La Vida finds Coldplay forging new paths while keeping the mass appeal that pays for their vacation homes. A major accomplishment."

Listen to Viva La Vida:

   1. Life In Technicolor
  
   2. Cemeteries Of London
  
   3. Lost!
  
   4. 42
  
   5. Lovers In Japan
  
   6. Yes
  
   7. Viva La Vida
  
   8. Violet Hill
  
   9. Strawberry Swing
  
   10. Death And All His Friends 

#86. New Amerykah by Erykah Badu

Released: February 26, 2008
Label: Motown
Album Charts: #2 The Billboard 200, #2 Top Internet Albums, #2 Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, European Top 100 Albums

"Erykah Badu is an artist completely in control of her craft, and this has never been more clear than on her 2008 release New Amerykah, Pt. 1: 4th World War. On your first listen you'll know you're hearing something special, on your second you won't notice the blending of hip-hop and r&b anymore because they fit so perfectly, and on your third you'll begin to realize that this is an album destined for a "classic" designation."

Listen to New Amerykah:

   1. Amerykahn Promise
  
   2. The Healer / Hip Hop
  
   3. Me
  
   4. My People
  
   5. Soldier
  
   6. The Cell
  
   7. Twinkle
  
   8. Master Teacher
  
   9. That Hump
  
   10. Telephone

   11. Honey

#87. Gift Of Screws by Lindsey Buckingham

Released: September 16, 2008
Label: Reprise
Album Charts: #48 The Billboard 200, #48 Top Internet Albums

"We always secretly knew that Lindsey Buckingham was the  most talented member of the infinitely talented Fleetwood Mac, and Gift Of Screws is more proof. This new solo effort builds upon his softer (and incredible) 2006 release Under The Skin. Gift of Screws makes it clear that Buckingham is not only a fountain of musical thoughts, but a musician who can execute on even the most challenging of ideas."

Listen to Gift Of Screws:

   1. Great Day
  
   2. Time Precious Time
  
   3. Did You Miss Me
  
   4. Wait for You
  
   5. Love Runs Deeper
  
   6. Bel Air Rain
  
   7. The Right Place to Fade
  
   8. Gift of Screws
  
   9. Underground
  
   10. Treason

#88. April by Sun Kil Moon

Released: April 1, 2008
Label: Caldo Verde
Album Charts: #127 The Billboard 200, #2 Top Heatseekers, #15 Top Independent Albums,#127 Top Internet Albums

"Whether the record lists Mark Kozelek, Red House Painters or Sun Kil Moon, you can usually count on measured and graceful beauty to be contained within. April is no different and it falls squarely in the category of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it". If you're looking for sublime simplicity and understated beauty, this is a must have album from 2008."

Listen to April:

   1. Lost Verses
  
   2. The Light
  
   3. Lucky Man
  
   4. Unlit Hallway
  
   5. Heron Blue
  
   6. Moorestown
  
   7. Harper Road
  
   8. Tonight The Sky
  
   9. Like The River
  
   10. Tonight In Bilbao
  
   11. Blue Orchids

#89. @#%&*! Smilers by Aimee Mann

Released: June 3, 2008
Label: Superego
Album Charts: #32 The Billboard 200, #2 Top Independent Albums, #32 Top Internet Albums

"If I read another Aimee Mann review that mentions her famous 80's band I might have to self mutilate. Aimee Mann is so far beyond it that I feel it detracts from the work she's been doing in the last decade. @#%&*! Smilers continues to highlight her popcrafting talent and although you won't hear a single electric guitar, you'll never notice, nor will you care."

Listen to @#%$*! Smilers:

   1. Freeway
  
   2. Stranger Into Starman
  
   3. Looking for Nothing
  
   4. Phoenix
  
   5. Borrowing Time
  
   6. It's Over
  
   7. Thirty One Today
  
   8. Great Beyond
  
   9. Medicine Wheel
  
   10. Columbus Ave.

   11. Little Tornado
  
   12. True Believer
  
   13. Ballantines
  
   14. Little Tornado (acoustic session)

#90. Who Killed Amanda Palmer by Amanda Palmer

Released: September 16, 2008
Label: Roadrunner
Album Charts: #77 The Billboard 200, #77 Top Internet Albums

"No one knows for sure if Amanda Palmer's 2008 solo record means a break for The Dresden Dolls. The story is Amanda simply wanted to put out songs that didn't quite fit the Dresden formula. But after an email and involvement from Ben Folds the project bloomed into a more full-fledged endeavor. This quirky record borders on disturbing at times, but that's part of what we love about Amanda Palmer."

Listen to Who Killed Amanda Palmer:

   1. Astronaut
  
   2. Runs In The Family
  
   3. Ampersand
  
   4. Leeds United
  
   5. Blake Says
  
   6. Strength Through Music
  
   7. Guitar Hero

   8. Have To Drive
  
   9. What's The Use Of Wondrin
  
   10. Oasis
  
   11. The Point Of It All
  
   12. Another Year
  
   13. Straight

Continue to the Best Albums of 2008 - #91 to #100