Best of the Best of 2008
December08, music other, cover December 8th, 2008Complied by Dan Fitzpatrick
As you, the avid Satellite reader, probably know, we’re always willing to throw a laurel or a dart as we see fit in our CD reviews. But who are we? I, for one, am just another armchair music critic. We thought that for our end of the year issue we’d indulge some of Gainesville’s best musicians and other people in the know musically, and pick their brains for a word or two on their favorite albums of 2008…
Eric Atria (Morningbell, Who’s The Bossa?, Orange Records, Shoddy Beatles)
Inuit Jargon – Pony
The sole reason I started a record label was to record this band. I receive no financial compensation for their sales, so I feel this is an unbiased vote. Released at their final show, this album features songs about Yanni domestically abusing his girlfriend, an Orlando golf pro whose name is “Dick Tiddy,” and a song simply entitled “Suck My Butt.” It’s rare for a comedy album to consistently bring a smile to your face no matter how many times you’ve heard it before. Laughs aside, it is still a solid collection of music, featuring the multi-instrumental skills of Andrew Celauro.
Travis Atria (Morningbell, Who’s the Bossa?, Shoddy Beatles)
Al Green – Lay It Down
Here’s the problem with musicians from a previous era, especially soul singers: their current recordings are generally so clean and modern that they lose the edge, the grit. Take Al Green – a man whose early recordings ooze raw sexuality, but whose output since has been lacking. Green had to turn to a musician half his age (?uestlove from The Roots co-produces) to reclaim his old sound, and that’s just what happens on Lay It Down. The low end has that muffled, pulsating thump he’s been missing, and the rest just falls into place. It’s his best in 20 years and sounds both modern and straight outta 1973.
Robbie Carroll (Giuseppe)
Torche – Meanderthal
It’s not that I forget how staggering the band Torche is live, but rather my memory simply cannot encapsulate the experience well enough to prepare me for the next time they play. I get a bug of anticipation that builds exponentially whenever a Torche show is approaching, and upon that show’s completion, I leave contemplating how long I’ll have to wait until they come back. Torche’s release Meanderthal continues their down-tuned pop mastery and gained my award for best of 2008. This album not only pushed their songwriting prowess but also came closer to their live intensity than any previous recording.
Michael Claytor (Umoja Orchestra, Lower 13th St. Jazz Band, Michael Claytor Trio)
Bon Iver – For Emma,
Forever Ago
Perhaps my favorite thing about Bon Iver’s For Emma, Forever Ago is how one album can sound so flawed and imperfect and still so intentional. On my favorite track, “The Wolves (Act I and II),” the numerous vocal tracks feature the crackly falsetto of Justin Vernon in three and four part harmony. Surprisingly, Vernon recorded the album by himself in complete isolation and is somehow able to flawlessly recreate it with his band live. Bon Iver makes you feel like everything in the world could go wrong but you’d still be okay, because then you can make a beautiful album.
Chad Darby (Averkiou)
Dead Meadow – Old Growth
Really…It’s hard to tell. I’m going to pick Dead Meadow’s Old Growth. The guitar solo in “What Needs To Be” has got me by the neck. Maybe it’s the onset of cold weather, but I’m really into the comforter sound. The overall recording has that “all snuggled up in bed” feel. It’s super warm and cozy. You can kind of hang out with it, or be best friends, either way it’s gonna totally rule.
P.J. Fancher (Grabass Charlestons, No Idea Records)
Dillinger Four – CIVILWAR
I’d been anticipating this recording for a while. At first listen I didn’t really like it. Now, I fucking love this record. In the last month when I get little melodies stuck in my head, 9 times out of 10 it’s a part from this album. But, in my book, this record is already a classic. Sometimes records I don’t like at first become my favorites later, which has been very true with CIVILWAR. It also tickles me that D4 usually has very long, funny, meaningless song titles, and song number four on CIVILWAR is simply called “Gainesville.”
Dan Geary (The Monistats, Hoyt & The Hotheads)
Nine Inch Nails – The Slip
NIN took the Radiohead “pay-what-you-will” distribution one step further and released the album in a number of different formats and forms – including a free download, a $5 high-quality digital download, a $10 double CD set, a $75 deluxe edition set, and a $300 “Ultra-Deluxe limited edition package” (which sold all 2500 copies in three days). Honestly, I chose it mostly due to the nature of its release, but it’s a pretty kick-ass album. Go ahead and download it, at least the RIAA won’t be knocking on your door.
Mike “Speck” Gersten (CYNE)
Dungen – 4
For me, Dungen’s 4 is one of 2008’s most excellent records. Aside from a few patchouli-laden trips to Jimiland, the album is flawlessly produced and arranged. The songs are short. The melodies are intricate, yet soulful. And, the drums make me teary-eyed. Chances are I’d like the record a ton less if I actually understood what the dude was singing about. But, I can easily set that aside, because the album sounds like The Soft Machine, The Delfonics and David Axelrod all smoking a doobie on the back of a gigantic sleepy pelican, as the sun sets over an ocean of reverb.
James Hernandez (Averkiou, The Beat Buttons)
No Age – Nouns
I like it when you never see the ROCK coming. You’re lulled into a sense of safety by weird noises, loops, guitar feedback and random percussion… then, ROCK! I love it! As soon as you start thinking, “oh, this is one of those lo-fi noisy indie bands,” No Age makes with the ass kicking. It’s a beautiful thing. Although I am a bigger fan of their first record Weirdo Rippers, No Age comes waaaaay correct with Nouns. If you don’t believe me, check out Teen Creeps and Sleeper Hold and tell me I’m wrong. Go ahead, I’ll wait.
Nick Lamberth (Oh Fortuna, Rabbit Punch)
Beach House – Devotion
The hype machine almost seemed to have grown self-aware in 2008 with the Black Kids/MGMT/Vampire Weekend Blog-o-bomb, but the only album to really worm its way into my heart this year was Beach House’s Devotion. Its direct contrast to the glamor of those albums was absolutely disarming. It’s like they made the album out of smoke, breeze, candlelight and lovably shitty keyboards. Best listened to in the dark and best of 2008 for me.
Dave “Enoch” Newell (CYNE)
Portishead – Third
Although 2008 overall wasn’t exactly mindblowing in terms of music, there were some great records. New releases from Torche, Lil Wayne, Electric Wizard, The Roots and Gojira remained fixtures in my CD player throughout the year, but the stand out for me is Portishead’s Third. After 10 years with no releases, Portishead re-emerged without losing a beat. Third is just as bleak and dreary as their first two records, and it somehow perfectly blends the sound they mastered in the ‘90s while adding some new stylistic elements to the repertoire. Hopefully, we don’t have to wait another 10 for the next one from them.
Brian Offenther (DJ B.O., The Factor)
Archive.org’s 78 RPMs & Cylinder Recordings
This Archive.org section features cylinder recordings and 78 RPMs and at least that many revelations. Featuring about a billion songs that miraculously fell from heaven and into public domain, from about 1900 to 1929, they are free; beyond that, priceless. Sure, they’re conversion from wax to digital leaves them sounding fuzzy, but this isn’t the crackling caress of ‘60s pop records. No, it’s the blistering scars that make the cuts from Blue Willie McTell run deeper. Yes, he’s been dead for a long time, but has anyone ever been more alive? Call me a sucker for looking backward, but in the era of ringtones and downloads, these other guys seem to actually listen to entire albums.
Jason Rockhill (Cutman, Common Grounds Co-owner)
The Baseball Project – Volume One: Frozen Ropes and Dying Quails
Members of R.E.M., The Minus Five and Dream Syndicate created a joyous album tribute to baseball, the nerdiest sport of them all. I say nerdy because it’s obviously the product of years spent staring at baseball cards, box scores and newspaper clippings. I forced this album upon everyone who would listen as it provided a perfect soundtrack to the Rays’ improbable pennant run and my own attempts to play semi-competitive league softball with my misfit friends. I’m anxiously awaiting Volume Two.
Matt Sweeting (Stressface, Strikeforce Diablo, Former Humans, No Idea Records)
Gauze – Binbou Yusuri No Rizumu Ni Notte
So technically the CD of this record came out in 2007, but it saw its U.S. release and first time on vinyl this past summer. What is there to say about Gauze? They are first wave Japanese hardcore and, in my mind, the best that ever was. They still burn with the same intensity – imagine if Minor Threat never broke up and just put out a new LP this year. That’s what this is – it’s music played 1000 miles an hour with the force of a bulldozer. This is the kind of record that in 10 years collectors will be paying through the nose for. So pay your respects to one of the genre’s all-time greats. You will be a better person for it.
Tony Weinbender (No Idea Records, The Fest)
Ninja Gun – Restless Rubes
Ninja Gun are like the cool cousins who live not that far away. You always get excited when they come to town. More than likely you know you are gonna get into some trouble. And when they leave, you feel a little bit like a piece of you left with them. This year Ninja Gun stepped into the spotlight when they released their new masterpiece Restless Rubes on Suburban Home records from Denver. People from all over finally got to experience the Gun on the level Gainesville has grown to accept and love as one of their own. Their Valdosta, Ga., roots shine through as well as their love affair for the classic rock hometown hero, Tom Petty. This album has set them up for the world’s stage. Let’s just hope they can make it out of the South more often to prove to everyone just how insanely good this self-described “million dollar record” really is.
Nick Zolnierowski (Common Grounds Karaoke DJ)
Lil Wayne – Tha Carter III
I truly believe that Lil Wayne released the best album of 2008 with Tha Carter III. From start to finish he sends you into some weird lyrical acid trip where each track lingers with you until the middle of the following one. Also, the beats are some of the best I’ve heard any artist use in years. Only Lil Wayne could call himself the best rapper alive, compare himself to MLK, tell you he’s a Martian and regale you with a romantic fling with a female police officer. Somehow it all fell together perfectly.
Leave a Reply
Best of the Best of 2008
December08, music other, cover December 8th, 2008Complied by Dan Fitzpatrick
As you, the avid Satellite reader, probably know, we’re always willing to throw a laurel or a dart as we see fit in our CD reviews. But who are we? I, for one, am just another armchair music critic. We thought that for our end of the year issue we’d indulge some of Gainesville’s best musicians and other people in the know musically, and pick their brains for a word or two on their favorite albums of 2008…
Eric Atria (Morningbell, Who’s The Bossa?, Orange Records, Shoddy Beatles)
Inuit Jargon – Pony
The sole reason I started a record label was to record this band. I receive no financial compensation for their sales, so I feel this is an unbiased vote. Released at their final show, this album features songs about Yanni domestically abusing his girlfriend, an Orlando golf pro whose name is “Dick Tiddy,” and a song simply entitled “Suck My Butt.” It’s rare for a comedy album to consistently bring a smile to your face no matter how many times you’ve heard it before. Laughs aside, it is still a solid collection of music, featuring the multi-instrumental skills of Andrew Celauro.
Travis Atria (Morningbell, Who’s the Bossa?, Shoddy Beatles)
Al Green – Lay It Down
Here’s the problem with musicians from a previous era, especially soul singers: their current recordings are generally so clean and modern that they lose the edge, the grit. Take Al Green – a man whose early recordings ooze raw sexuality, but whose output since has been lacking. Green had to turn to a musician half his age (?uestlove from The Roots co-produces) to reclaim his old sound, and that’s just what happens on Lay It Down. The low end has that muffled, pulsating thump he’s been missing, and the rest just falls into place. It’s his best in 20 years and sounds both modern and straight outta 1973.
Robbie Carroll (Giuseppe)
Torche – Meanderthal
It’s not that I forget how staggering the band Torche is live, but rather my memory simply cannot encapsulate the experience well enough to prepare me for the next time they play. I get a bug of anticipation that builds exponentially whenever a Torche show is approaching, and upon that show’s completion, I leave contemplating how long I’ll have to wait until they come back. Torche’s release Meanderthal continues their down-tuned pop mastery and gained my award for best of 2008. This album not only pushed their songwriting prowess but also came closer to their live intensity than any previous recording.
Michael Claytor (Umoja Orchestra, Lower 13th St. Jazz Band, Michael Claytor Trio)
Bon Iver – For Emma,
Forever Ago
Perhaps my favorite thing about Bon Iver’s For Emma, Forever Ago is how one album can sound so flawed and imperfect and still so intentional. On my favorite track, “The Wolves (Act I and II),” the numerous vocal tracks feature the crackly falsetto of Justin Vernon in three and four part harmony. Surprisingly, Vernon recorded the album by himself in complete isolation and is somehow able to flawlessly recreate it with his band live. Bon Iver makes you feel like everything in the world could go wrong but you’d still be okay, because then you can make a beautiful album.
Chad Darby (Averkiou)
Dead Meadow – Old Growth
Really…It’s hard to tell. I’m going to pick Dead Meadow’s Old Growth. The guitar solo in “What Needs To Be” has got me by the neck. Maybe it’s the onset of cold weather, but I’m really into the comforter sound. The overall recording has that “all snuggled up in bed” feel. It’s super warm and cozy. You can kind of hang out with it, or be best friends, either way it’s gonna totally rule.
P.J. Fancher (Grabass Charlestons, No Idea Records)
Dillinger Four – CIVILWAR
I’d been anticipating this recording for a while. At first listen I didn’t really like it. Now, I fucking love this record. In the last month when I get little melodies stuck in my head, 9 times out of 10 it’s a part from this album. But, in my book, this record is already a classic. Sometimes records I don’t like at first become my favorites later, which has been very true with CIVILWAR. It also tickles me that D4 usually has very long, funny, meaningless song titles, and song number four on CIVILWAR is simply called “Gainesville.”
Dan Geary (The Monistats, Hoyt & The Hotheads)
Nine Inch Nails – The Slip
NIN took the Radiohead “pay-what-you-will” distribution one step further and released the album in a number of different formats and forms – including a free download, a $5 high-quality digital download, a $10 double CD set, a $75 deluxe edition set, and a $300 “Ultra-Deluxe limited edition package” (which sold all 2500 copies in three days). Honestly, I chose it mostly due to the nature of its release, but it’s a pretty kick-ass album. Go ahead and download it, at least the RIAA won’t be knocking on your door.
Mike “Speck” Gersten (CYNE)
Dungen – 4
For me, Dungen’s 4 is one of 2008’s most excellent records. Aside from a few patchouli-laden trips to Jimiland, the album is flawlessly produced and arranged. The songs are short. The melodies are intricate, yet soulful. And, the drums make me teary-eyed. Chances are I’d like the record a ton less if I actually understood what the dude was singing about. But, I can easily set that aside, because the album sounds like The Soft Machine, The Delfonics and David Axelrod all smoking a doobie on the back of a gigantic sleepy pelican, as the sun sets over an ocean of reverb.
James Hernandez (Averkiou, The Beat Buttons)
No Age – Nouns
I like it when you never see the ROCK coming. You’re lulled into a sense of safety by weird noises, loops, guitar feedback and random percussion… then, ROCK! I love it! As soon as you start thinking, “oh, this is one of those lo-fi noisy indie bands,” No Age makes with the ass kicking. It’s a beautiful thing. Although I am a bigger fan of their first record Weirdo Rippers, No Age comes waaaaay correct with Nouns. If you don’t believe me, check out Teen Creeps and Sleeper Hold and tell me I’m wrong. Go ahead, I’ll wait.
Nick Lamberth (Oh Fortuna, Rabbit Punch)
Beach House – Devotion
The hype machine almost seemed to have grown self-aware in 2008 with the Black Kids/MGMT/Vampire Weekend Blog-o-bomb, but the only album to really worm its way into my heart this year was Beach House’s Devotion. Its direct contrast to the glamor of those albums was absolutely disarming. It’s like they made the album out of smoke, breeze, candlelight and lovably shitty keyboards. Best listened to in the dark and best of 2008 for me.
Dave “Enoch” Newell (CYNE)
Portishead – Third
Although 2008 overall wasn’t exactly mindblowing in terms of music, there were some great records. New releases from Torche, Lil Wayne, Electric Wizard, The Roots and Gojira remained fixtures in my CD player throughout the year, but the stand out for me is Portishead’s Third. After 10 years with no releases, Portishead re-emerged without losing a beat. Third is just as bleak and dreary as their first two records, and it somehow perfectly blends the sound they mastered in the ‘90s while adding some new stylistic elements to the repertoire. Hopefully, we don’t have to wait another 10 for the next one from them.
Brian Offenther (DJ B.O., The Factor)
Archive.org’s 78 RPMs & Cylinder Recordings
This Archive.org section features cylinder recordings and 78 RPMs and at least that many revelations. Featuring about a billion songs that miraculously fell from heaven and into public domain, from about 1900 to 1929, they are free; beyond that, priceless. Sure, they’re conversion from wax to digital leaves them sounding fuzzy, but this isn’t the crackling caress of ‘60s pop records. No, it’s the blistering scars that make the cuts from Blue Willie McTell run deeper. Yes, he’s been dead for a long time, but has anyone ever been more alive? Call me a sucker for looking backward, but in the era of ringtones and downloads, these other guys seem to actually listen to entire albums.
Jason Rockhill (Cutman, Common Grounds Co-owner)
The Baseball Project – Volume One: Frozen Ropes and Dying Quails
Members of R.E.M., The Minus Five and Dream Syndicate created a joyous album tribute to baseball, the nerdiest sport of them all. I say nerdy because it’s obviously the product of years spent staring at baseball cards, box scores and newspaper clippings. I forced this album upon everyone who would listen as it provided a perfect soundtrack to the Rays’ improbable pennant run and my own attempts to play semi-competitive league softball with my misfit friends. I’m anxiously awaiting Volume Two.
Matt Sweeting (Stressface, Strikeforce Diablo, Former Humans, No Idea Records)
Gauze – Binbou Yusuri No Rizumu Ni Notte
So technically the CD of this record came out in 2007, but it saw its U.S. release and first time on vinyl this past summer. What is there to say about Gauze? They are first wave Japanese hardcore and, in my mind, the best that ever was. They still burn with the same intensity – imagine if Minor Threat never broke up and just put out a new LP this year. That’s what this is – it’s music played 1000 miles an hour with the force of a bulldozer. This is the kind of record that in 10 years collectors will be paying through the nose for. So pay your respects to one of the genre’s all-time greats. You will be a better person for it.
Tony Weinbender (No Idea Records, The Fest)
Ninja Gun – Restless Rubes
Ninja Gun are like the cool cousins who live not that far away. You always get excited when they come to town. More than likely you know you are gonna get into some trouble. And when they leave, you feel a little bit like a piece of you left with them. This year Ninja Gun stepped into the spotlight when they released their new masterpiece Restless Rubes on Suburban Home records from Denver. People from all over finally got to experience the Gun on the level Gainesville has grown to accept and love as one of their own. Their Valdosta, Ga., roots shine through as well as their love affair for the classic rock hometown hero, Tom Petty. This album has set them up for the world’s stage. Let’s just hope they can make it out of the South more often to prove to everyone just how insanely good this self-described “million dollar record” really is.
Nick Zolnierowski (Common Grounds Karaoke DJ)
Lil Wayne – Tha Carter III
I truly believe that Lil Wayne released the best album of 2008 with Tha Carter III. From start to finish he sends you into some weird lyrical acid trip where each track lingers with you until the middle of the following one. Also, the beats are some of the best I’ve heard any artist use in years. Only Lil Wayne could call himself the best rapper alive, compare himself to MLK, tell you he’s a Martian and regale you with a romantic fling with a female police officer. Somehow it all fell together perfectly.
Leave a Reply
Best of the Best of 2008
December08, music other, cover December 8th, 2008Complied by Dan Fitzpatrick
As you, the avid Satellite reader, probably know, we’re always willing to throw a laurel or a dart as we see fit in our CD reviews. But who are we? I, for one, am just another armchair music critic. We thought that for our end of the year issue we’d indulge some of Gainesville’s best musicians and other people in the know musically, and pick their brains for a word or two on their favorite albums of 2008…
Eric Atria (Morningbell, Who’s The Bossa?, Orange Records, Shoddy Beatles)
Inuit Jargon – Pony
The sole reason I started a record label was to record this band. I receive no financial compensation for their sales, so I feel this is an unbiased vote. Released at their final show, this album features songs about Yanni domestically abusing his girlfriend, an Orlando golf pro whose name is “Dick Tiddy,” and a song simply entitled “Suck My Butt.” It’s rare for a comedy album to consistently bring a smile to your face no matter how many times you’ve heard it before. Laughs aside, it is still a solid collection of music, featuring the multi-instrumental skills of Andrew Celauro.
Travis Atria (Morningbell, Who’s the Bossa?, Shoddy Beatles)
Al Green – Lay It Down
Here’s the problem with musicians from a previous era, especially soul singers: their current recordings are generally so clean and modern that they lose the edge, the grit. Take Al Green – a man whose early recordings ooze raw sexuality, but whose output since has been lacking. Green had to turn to a musician half his age (?uestlove from The Roots co-produces) to reclaim his old sound, and that’s just what happens on Lay It Down. The low end has that muffled, pulsating thump he’s been missing, and the rest just falls into place. It’s his best in 20 years and sounds both modern and straight outta 1973.
Robbie Carroll (Giuseppe)
Torche – Meanderthal
It’s not that I forget how staggering the band Torche is live, but rather my memory simply cannot encapsulate the experience well enough to prepare me for the next time they play. I get a bug of anticipation that builds exponentially whenever a Torche show is approaching, and upon that show’s completion, I leave contemplating how long I’ll have to wait until they come back. Torche’s release Meanderthal continues their down-tuned pop mastery and gained my award for best of 2008. This album not only pushed their songwriting prowess but also came closer to their live intensity than any previous recording.
Michael Claytor (Umoja Orchestra, Lower 13th St. Jazz Band, Michael Claytor Trio)
Bon Iver – For Emma,
Forever Ago
Perhaps my favorite thing about Bon Iver’s For Emma, Forever Ago is how one album can sound so flawed and imperfect and still so intentional. On my favorite track, “The Wolves (Act I and II),” the numerous vocal tracks feature the crackly falsetto of Justin Vernon in three and four part harmony. Surprisingly, Vernon recorded the album by himself in complete isolation and is somehow able to flawlessly recreate it with his band live. Bon Iver makes you feel like everything in the world could go wrong but you’d still be okay, because then you can make a beautiful album.
Chad Darby (Averkiou)
Dead Meadow – Old Growth
Really…It’s hard to tell. I’m going to pick Dead Meadow’s Old Growth. The guitar solo in “What Needs To Be” has got me by the neck. Maybe it’s the onset of cold weather, but I’m really into the comforter sound. The overall recording has that “all snuggled up in bed” feel. It’s super warm and cozy. You can kind of hang out with it, or be best friends, either way it’s gonna totally rule.
P.J. Fancher (Grabass Charlestons, No Idea Records)
Dillinger Four – CIVILWAR
I’d been anticipating this recording for a while. At first listen I didn’t really like it. Now, I fucking love this record. In the last month when I get little melodies stuck in my head, 9 times out of 10 it’s a part from this album. But, in my book, this record is already a classic. Sometimes records I don’t like at first become my favorites later, which has been very true with CIVILWAR. It also tickles me that D4 usually has very long, funny, meaningless song titles, and song number four on CIVILWAR is simply called “Gainesville.”
Dan Geary (The Monistats, Hoyt & The Hotheads)
Nine Inch Nails – The Slip
NIN took the Radiohead “pay-what-you-will” distribution one step further and released the album in a number of different formats and forms – including a free download, a $5 high-quality digital download, a $10 double CD set, a $75 deluxe edition set, and a $300 “Ultra-Deluxe limited edition package” (which sold all 2500 copies in three days). Honestly, I chose it mostly due to the nature of its release, but it’s a pretty kick-ass album. Go ahead and download it, at least the RIAA won’t be knocking on your door.
Mike “Speck” Gersten (CYNE)
Dungen – 4
For me, Dungen’s 4 is one of 2008’s most excellent records. Aside from a few patchouli-laden trips to Jimiland, the album is flawlessly produced and arranged. The songs are short. The melodies are intricate, yet soulful. And, the drums make me teary-eyed. Chances are I’d like the record a ton less if I actually understood what the dude was singing about. But, I can easily set that aside, because the album sounds like The Soft Machine, The Delfonics and David Axelrod all smoking a doobie on the back of a gigantic sleepy pelican, as the sun sets over an ocean of reverb.
James Hernandez (Averkiou, The Beat Buttons)
No Age – Nouns
I like it when you never see the ROCK coming. You’re lulled into a sense of safety by weird noises, loops, guitar feedback and random percussion… then, ROCK! I love it! As soon as you start thinking, “oh, this is one of those lo-fi noisy indie bands,” No Age makes with the ass kicking. It’s a beautiful thing. Although I am a bigger fan of their first record Weirdo Rippers, No Age comes waaaaay correct with Nouns. If you don’t believe me, check out Teen Creeps and Sleeper Hold and tell me I’m wrong. Go ahead, I’ll wait.
Nick Lamberth (Oh Fortuna, Rabbit Punch)
Beach House – Devotion
The hype machine almost seemed to have grown self-aware in 2008 with the Black Kids/MGMT/Vampire Weekend Blog-o-bomb, but the only album to really worm its way into my heart this year was Beach House’s Devotion. Its direct contrast to the glamor of those albums was absolutely disarming. It’s like they made the album out of smoke, breeze, candlelight and lovably shitty keyboards. Best listened to in the dark and best of 2008 for me.
Dave “Enoch” Newell (CYNE)
Portishead – Third
Although 2008 overall wasn’t exactly mindblowing in terms of music, there were some great records. New releases from Torche, Lil Wayne, Electric Wizard, The Roots and Gojira remained fixtures in my CD player throughout the year, but the stand out for me is Portishead’s Third. After 10 years with no releases, Portishead re-emerged without losing a beat. Third is just as bleak and dreary as their first two records, and it somehow perfectly blends the sound they mastered in the ‘90s while adding some new stylistic elements to the repertoire. Hopefully, we don’t have to wait another 10 for the next one from them.
Brian Offenther (DJ B.O., The Factor)
Archive.org’s 78 RPMs & Cylinder Recordings
This Archive.org section features cylinder recordings and 78 RPMs and at least that many revelations. Featuring about a billion songs that miraculously fell from heaven and into public domain, from about 1900 to 1929, they are free; beyond that, priceless. Sure, they’re conversion from wax to digital leaves them sounding fuzzy, but this isn’t the crackling caress of ‘60s pop records. No, it’s the blistering scars that make the cuts from Blue Willie McTell run deeper. Yes, he’s been dead for a long time, but has anyone ever been more alive? Call me a sucker for looking backward, but in the era of ringtones and downloads, these other guys seem to actually listen to entire albums.
Jason Rockhill (Cutman, Common Grounds Co-owner)
The Baseball Project – Volume One: Frozen Ropes and Dying Quails
Members of R.E.M., The Minus Five and Dream Syndicate created a joyous album tribute to baseball, the nerdiest sport of them all. I say nerdy because it’s obviously the product of years spent staring at baseball cards, box scores and newspaper clippings. I forced this album upon everyone who would listen as it provided a perfect soundtrack to the Rays’ improbable pennant run and my own attempts to play semi-competitive league softball with my misfit friends. I’m anxiously awaiting Volume Two.
Matt Sweeting (Stressface, Strikeforce Diablo, Former Humans, No Idea Records)
Gauze – Binbou Yusuri No Rizumu Ni Notte
So technically the CD of this record came out in 2007, but it saw its U.S. release and first time on vinyl this past summer. What is there to say about Gauze? They are first wave Japanese hardcore and, in my mind, the best that ever was. They still burn with the same intensity – imagine if Minor Threat never broke up and just put out a new LP this year. That’s what this is – it’s music played 1000 miles an hour with the force of a bulldozer. This is the kind of record that in 10 years collectors will be paying through the nose for. So pay your respects to one of the genre’s all-time greats. You will be a better person for it.
Tony Weinbender (No Idea Records, The Fest)
Ninja Gun – Restless Rubes
Ninja Gun are like the cool cousins who live not that far away. You always get excited when they come to town. More than likely you know you are gonna get into some trouble. And when they leave, you feel a little bit like a piece of you left with them. This year Ninja Gun stepped into the spotlight when they released their new masterpiece Restless Rubes on Suburban Home records from Denver. People from all over finally got to experience the Gun on the level Gainesville has grown to accept and love as one of their own. Their Valdosta, Ga., roots shine through as well as their love affair for the classic rock hometown hero, Tom Petty. This album has set them up for the world’s stage. Let’s just hope they can make it out of the South more often to prove to everyone just how insanely good this self-described “million dollar record” really is.
Nick Zolnierowski (Common Grounds Karaoke DJ)
Lil Wayne – Tha Carter III
I truly believe that Lil Wayne released the best album of 2008 with Tha Carter III. From start to finish he sends you into some weird lyrical acid trip where each track lingers with you until the middle of the following one. Also, the beats are some of the best I’ve heard any artist use in years. Only Lil Wayne could call himself the best rapper alive, compare himself to MLK, tell you he’s a Martian and regale you with a romantic fling with a female police officer. Somehow it all fell together perfectly.
