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Top 10 2008 (so far)

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Best Albums first half of 2008

I have had six months to absorb was 2008 has thrown at my so far, and frankly I have not been very impressed. Now there have been some real highs (see The Acorn), but overall it has been a weak first half of a year. So many albums come out and they are great for a week or two, but quickly lose their attraction, so far this years crop has had a few growers, and a couple of masterpieces (maybe overstated).

At the top of the heap for 2008 is The Acorn’s Glory Hope Mountain & Blankets! EP, these two discs are not only growers, but downright brilliant. Sufjan Steven’s, Arcade Fire, and many other indie bands were the jumping off point for The Acorn, but I believe they have taken their influences and expanded on them. Plates and Saucers from the Blankets! EP is straight up masterful, and Crooked Legs from Glory Hope Mountain is Paul Simon, Talking Heads and Sufjan Stevens all rolled up into one. Don’t miss this one!

While The Acorn is new and interesting, Fleet Foxes are like a well worn pair of shoes, but you just can’t wear them enough. Fleet Foxes sound like so many great bands of the past, although they bring very little new to the table. This is one of the most enjoyable listens of the year, although I am not sure how will hold up as the pull into December, but for now it fantastic. The Beach Boys (later period), Crosby Stills Nash & Young, The Eagles and other newer acts like Panda Bear can be heard throughout this disc, particularly the harmonies. If you like to step back in time to the early 1970’s, then this is the disc for you.

At Mount Zommer is the surprise of 2008, although I liked Wolf Parade’s last disc (Queen Mary), I was not blown away by it, but At Mount Zommer is wonderful. It rocks more than their first disc, and has more variety at the same time. This is a band that has really shown growth in a short time, a true grower and potentially my album of the year, but only time will tell.

Sigur Rós has never been my favorite band, but they have been a curiosity, but with Med Sud I Eyrum Vid Spilum Endalaust, they may become more. Gobbledigook is their first song to jump off a disc, and say LOVE ME! Even though I find it tough having all their songs (just about) sang in the native language, this song just makes sense.

The Hold Steady’s Stay Positive will be at the top of many critics lists come December because they remind so many people of what they have missed since the 1970’s, just plain old rock. If you liked The Smithereens, and old Bruce Springsteen (Darkness on the Edge of Town), and basically you just liked to have a good time or flash back to your youth, the Stay Positive will catapult you back to a simpler time. For those of you who have heard this disc, wow what a summertime album, reminds me of my youth, and I did not grow up in New Jersey (at all), but I feel the love that this band is sharing.

Much like Radiohead’s last release, the bar was raised so much for Coldplay, but I really feel Viva La Vida, or Death and All His Friends lives up to the hype. Brian Eno has done it again, and Coldplay has produced another solid album. They have shown growth, while still sounding like themselves, and it is a nice listen.

Aimee Mann is one of my favorite all-time artists, and I truly believe that she can not put out a poor album, and Smilers is another great effort. While very good, it is not as good as her last two efforts, but still better that 95% of the music put out this year. Thirty One Today is one of her best singles in a while, as always with downbeat lyrics, and great pop sounds. She can say more in one chorus, then most writers can say in a whole album.

As for the rest of the top 10, My Morning Jacket’s Evil Urges, Vampire Weekend, and Man Man’s Rabbit Habits all have their strong, exciting moments, but none are on the same level of my top seven.

1.Glory Hope Mountain & Blankets! The Acorn
2.Fleet Foxes Fleet Foxes
3.At Mount Zoomer Wolf Parade
4.Med Sud I Eyrum Vid Spilum Endalaust Sigur Rós
5.Stay Positive The Hold Steady
6.Viva La Vida, or Death and All His Friends Coldplay
7.Smilers Aimee Mann

•Rabbit HabitsMan Man
•Vampire WeekendVampire Weekend
•Evil UrgesMy Morning Jacket

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