This was a good year for English-language music. So many great albums and new artists, but only ten have been deemed worthy on my annual list. Read on to see who made the cut.
10. Kaiser Chiefs - Off With Their Heads
After the mediocre "The Angry Mob" last year I began to worry that Kaiser Chiefs were going to fade into obscurity. Thankfully I was wrong. Not only does OWTH top their previous album, it also proves to be much better than their "Employment" debut. Its opening track "Spanish Metal" is like a calm matador going against a raging bull that is "Never Miss a Beat," and "You Want History" is a cheery Britpop ditty that calls to the days of Madness. Tracks like "Addicted to Drugs" and "Half the Truth" also show why this is the best album to not be released in the '80s.
Kaiser Chiefs - "Never Miss a Beat"
9. The Streets - Everything is Borrowed
Mike Skinner's fourth album is a bit softer than his previous takes, but that's what might make this his best work yet. The sound is very reminiscent to his first album "Original Pirate Material," which helps to disprove that you can never go home without success. "Everything is Borrowed" shows why the UK is on top of the rap game, from its opening title track and the danceable "The Sherry End." The album ends with "The Escapist": this year's most beautiful hip-hop track. Let's hope that Skinner's final album under the Streets name will be as grand as this piece of British treasure.
The Streets - "The Escapist"
8. Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend
When Vampire Weekend first hit the scene, people claimed they were all hype and no promise. The critics were silenced with their debut album, which mixes alt. rock with African/Jamaican tribal. (Think the Police if they had continued to evolve as a band instead of disbanding.) "A-Punk" proved to be a wonderful, simple hit, while other tracks such as "Campus" and the harpsichord-friendly "M79" tickled the ears.
Vampire Weekend - "A-Punk"
7. Weezer - The Red Album
If the only good song on this CD was "The Greatest Man That Ever Lived (Variations on a Shaker Hymn)," it probably still would've made this list. Thankfully there's a lot to love on this album. The YouTube-friendly "Pork and Beans" is catchy and fun, and "Heart Songs" brings out something of the history of the band. Having Rivers Cuomo share the lead vocal position with the rest of the bandmates also helped to make this an interesting album. While still not up to par with "Pinkerton" Weezer showed that it's still got a lot of great songs under their sleeve.
Weezer - "Pork and Beans"
6. Metallica - Death Magnetic
Produced by Rick Rubin, Metallica brings forth their best album in 18 years. The three-minute guitar solos are back, as well as the raw energy that made the band famous. From the opening track "That Was Just Your Life" and "Cyanide" to "The Unforgiven III" (bringing the trilogy to a stunning finale) and the instrumental "Suicide & Redemption" "Death Magnetic" still proves once and for all that Metallica are the kings of heavy metal.
Metallica - "The Day That Never Comes"
5. Ben Folds – Way to Normal
Ben Folds has come a long way since his BF5 days. His recent solo album brings him back towards his classic wit and and humor in his previous solo outings, as well as some great piano playing that will make even Elton John jealous. From “Hiroshima” and “You Don’t Know Me” to “The Bitch Went Nuts” and “Effington” Benny shows how good piano folk rock is done the right way.
Ben Folds - You Don't Know Me (feat. Regina Spektor)
4. Eagles of Death Metal – Heart On
The kings of sex rock return with their strongest album yet. Jesse Hughes (aka Boots Electric) and Josh Homme (aka Carlo Von Sexron) bring out the best in erotic rock. From its title track to “Wannabe in LA” there is plenty of grind-inducing riffs that will most surely cause the birth rate all over the world to greatly rise.
Eagles of Death Metal - "WannaBe in LA"
3. Flobots – Fight With Tools
I think it’s safe to say that we don’t need Rage Against the Machine to release another album. This Colorado group has made an album that’s not only catchy but also political in the right ways. Their hit song "Handlebars" is just the icing on the cake on this amazing CD. "Mayday!!!" and "Rise" shine the most on this album, but the rest of the tracks also are bright with great beats and lyrics. Look out for this band in 2009. If you saw them in a small club this year, you're lucky. Next year they'll probably be taking their songs to your arenas (and possibly stadiums).
Flobots - "Handlebars"
2. Coldplay – Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends
No longer can this band be considered a light U2. Chris Martin and company made an album that blends J-POP, Britpop and classic strings; and transformed it into one of this year’s most powerful albums. It speaks to so many people in so many volumes, and has a soulful tune that no one can turn their ear away from.
Coldplay - "Viva La Vida"
1. The Gutter Twins – Saturnalia
Mark Lanegan and Greg Dulli’s new band shines in the darkness thanks to their long-awaited debut album. Like a soft apocalypse in your ear canal “Saturnalia” is a desert road album that you play alongside the Four Horsemen. What makes this album the best of the year is its mix of dark undertones with beautifully orchestrated rock music. The album opens with the rapture in "The Stations," stops in the middle for "Circle the Fringes" (which should have its own music video, IMO) and ends peacefully at "Front Street." "Saturnalia" is fantastic from start to finish, and is a big reminder to everyone on how to do a dark rock album properly.
The Gutter Twins - "All Misery/Flowers"
Look out for the J-POP Top 10 sometime soon. Until then, this is King Baby Duck saying, "Ain't born to lose, baby, I'm born to win! I'm so Goddamn slick, baby, it's a sin!"
10. Kaiser Chiefs - Off With Their Heads
After the mediocre "The Angry Mob" last year I began to worry that Kaiser Chiefs were going to fade into obscurity. Thankfully I was wrong. Not only does OWTH top their previous album, it also proves to be much better than their "Employment" debut. Its opening track "Spanish Metal" is like a calm matador going against a raging bull that is "Never Miss a Beat," and "You Want History" is a cheery Britpop ditty that calls to the days of Madness. Tracks like "Addicted to Drugs" and "Half the Truth" also show why this is the best album to not be released in the '80s.
Kaiser Chiefs - "Never Miss a Beat"
9. The Streets - Everything is Borrowed
Mike Skinner's fourth album is a bit softer than his previous takes, but that's what might make this his best work yet. The sound is very reminiscent to his first album "Original Pirate Material," which helps to disprove that you can never go home without success. "Everything is Borrowed" shows why the UK is on top of the rap game, from its opening title track and the danceable "The Sherry End." The album ends with "The Escapist": this year's most beautiful hip-hop track. Let's hope that Skinner's final album under the Streets name will be as grand as this piece of British treasure.
The Streets - "The Escapist"
8. Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend
When Vampire Weekend first hit the scene, people claimed they were all hype and no promise. The critics were silenced with their debut album, which mixes alt. rock with African/Jamaican tribal. (Think the Police if they had continued to evolve as a band instead of disbanding.) "A-Punk" proved to be a wonderful, simple hit, while other tracks such as "Campus" and the harpsichord-friendly "M79" tickled the ears.
Vampire Weekend - "A-Punk"
7. Weezer - The Red Album
If the only good song on this CD was "The Greatest Man That Ever Lived (Variations on a Shaker Hymn)," it probably still would've made this list. Thankfully there's a lot to love on this album. The YouTube-friendly "Pork and Beans" is catchy and fun, and "Heart Songs" brings out something of the history of the band. Having Rivers Cuomo share the lead vocal position with the rest of the bandmates also helped to make this an interesting album. While still not up to par with "Pinkerton" Weezer showed that it's still got a lot of great songs under their sleeve.
Weezer - "Pork and Beans"
6. Metallica - Death Magnetic
Produced by Rick Rubin, Metallica brings forth their best album in 18 years. The three-minute guitar solos are back, as well as the raw energy that made the band famous. From the opening track "That Was Just Your Life" and "Cyanide" to "The Unforgiven III" (bringing the trilogy to a stunning finale) and the instrumental "Suicide & Redemption" "Death Magnetic" still proves once and for all that Metallica are the kings of heavy metal.
Metallica - "The Day That Never Comes"
5. Ben Folds – Way to Normal
Ben Folds has come a long way since his BF5 days. His recent solo album brings him back towards his classic wit and and humor in his previous solo outings, as well as some great piano playing that will make even Elton John jealous. From “Hiroshima” and “You Don’t Know Me” to “The Bitch Went Nuts” and “Effington” Benny shows how good piano folk rock is done the right way.
Ben Folds - You Don't Know Me (feat. Regina Spektor)
4. Eagles of Death Metal – Heart On
The kings of sex rock return with their strongest album yet. Jesse Hughes (aka Boots Electric) and Josh Homme (aka Carlo Von Sexron) bring out the best in erotic rock. From its title track to “Wannabe in LA” there is plenty of grind-inducing riffs that will most surely cause the birth rate all over the world to greatly rise.
Eagles of Death Metal - "WannaBe in LA"
3. Flobots – Fight With Tools
I think it’s safe to say that we don’t need Rage Against the Machine to release another album. This Colorado group has made an album that’s not only catchy but also political in the right ways. Their hit song "Handlebars" is just the icing on the cake on this amazing CD. "Mayday!!!" and "Rise" shine the most on this album, but the rest of the tracks also are bright with great beats and lyrics. Look out for this band in 2009. If you saw them in a small club this year, you're lucky. Next year they'll probably be taking their songs to your arenas (and possibly stadiums).
Flobots - "Handlebars"
2. Coldplay – Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends
No longer can this band be considered a light U2. Chris Martin and company made an album that blends J-POP, Britpop and classic strings; and transformed it into one of this year’s most powerful albums. It speaks to so many people in so many volumes, and has a soulful tune that no one can turn their ear away from.
Coldplay - "Viva La Vida"
1. The Gutter Twins – Saturnalia
Mark Lanegan and Greg Dulli’s new band shines in the darkness thanks to their long-awaited debut album. Like a soft apocalypse in your ear canal “Saturnalia” is a desert road album that you play alongside the Four Horsemen. What makes this album the best of the year is its mix of dark undertones with beautifully orchestrated rock music. The album opens with the rapture in "The Stations," stops in the middle for "Circle the Fringes" (which should have its own music video, IMO) and ends peacefully at "Front Street." "Saturnalia" is fantastic from start to finish, and is a big reminder to everyone on how to do a dark rock album properly.
The Gutter Twins - "All Misery/Flowers"
Look out for the J-POP Top 10 sometime soon. Until then, this is King Baby Duck saying, "Ain't born to lose, baby, I'm born to win! I'm so Goddamn slick, baby, it's a sin!"
Labels: Ben Folds, Coldplay, Eagles of Death Metal, Flobots, Gutter Twins, Kaiser Chiefs, King Baby Duck, Metallica, Music, The Streets, Vampire Weekend, Weezer
« Home