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Favorite Albums - Top 30

Вторник 25 Ноя 2008, 21:54

More than just my favorite artists and songs. I like these albums because I can enjoy usually 100% of it.

I am in awe of him every time I hear any of his music. But this album in particular is amazing. I love the state concept albums he's done, and this did so much more to improve on the already awesome Michigan concept album. From the soft, beautiful "Concerning the UFO Sighting Near Highland, Illinois," the aching "John Wayne Gacy Jr.," the flawless "Come on Feel the Illinoise," bouncy "The Tallest Man, the Broadest Shoulders," and the most popular (for a reason) "Chicago," it's nothing but perfection. Even the lyricless tracks offer catchy melodies and beats. It's really a perfect album, in my opinion.

2. Y's - Joanna Newsom

I was introduced to Joanna Newsom about a year ago. I mostly listened to Milk-Eyed Mender first, but I've grown to enjoy this album even more. I have to hand it to any artist who can write songs of this length, and have every one of them be completely listenable and enjoyable. "Only Skin" is over 16 minutes, but it never drags on. Y's is the best kind of sophomore album; Joanna Newsom developed her sound and took a great risk, but even in spite of the ambitiousness of the album, she still "sounded like Joanna Newsom."

3. OK Computer - Radiohead

It's probably a cliche to have them on here, but there's a reason for that. I had been hesitant to check out Radiohead (for stupid reasons), but I finally see what all the fuss is about. This album is amazing! "Paranoid Android" never gets old, but then again, neither does any of this album. Even "Fitter Happier" is brilliant, albeit a little chilling and creepy. The whole album kind of feels that way, but it resonates, and the themes of alienation have really spoken to me. I read that Radiohead said they'd never be able to top this album, and they're probably right. But they haven't really tried to "top" it; they've continued to develop and explore. That a band can remain so consistently inventive and enjoyable after a success like this gives me hope for other artists I enjoy, that they can also continue to progress.

4. Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes

I was soooo surprised when I first got this album. Pitchfork had given it a really convincingly good review, so I thought I'd check it out. I listened to "White Winter Hymnal" about thirty times, but was so taken aback that the rest of the songs were just as beautiful. Things have felt a little dry this year music wise; most of the new releases from this year haven't been nearly as satisfying as last year. I've mostly been listening to older releases. Although there have been several surprises amidst the boringness of 2008 music, this is definitely the best.

5. The Shepherd's Dog - Iron & Wine

I was going to put Fever to Tell as my 5th favorite, but I had nearly forgotten about this one. I was first turned off to Iron & Wine, because I didn't like their Postal Service cover on the Garden State soundtrack. So I never bothered to check out any of his other music. But I broke down and decided to give The Shepherd's Dog a try, and I was not sorry in the least. The album is nearly flawless, and even "Carousel," my least favorite track, is superb. "Innocent Bones" is probably my favorite song ever. Since falling in love with Iron & Wine, I've downloaded his previous works and can appreciate even more the growth of Sam Beam as an artist, but none of them top this one. I could go on to describe more of the individual songs, but honestly every single song is worthy of praise. It is my belief that this album could curtail even the harshest critics of Iron & Wine. It's worth anybody's time to check out, believe me.

6. Fever to Tell - Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Rich
Black Tongue
Date With the Night
Maps
Y Control

7. Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destoyer? - of Montreal

We Were Born the Mutants Again With Leafling
A Sentence of Sorts in Kongsvinger
Gronlandic Edit
The Past is a Grotesque Animal
Suffer for Fashion

8. Milk-Eyed Mender - Joanna Newsom

Sprout and the Bean
Swansea
Peach, Plum, Pear
En Gallop
Bridges and Balloons

9. In An Aeroplane Over the Sea - Neutral Milk Hotel

King of Carrot Flowers Pt. 1
King of Carrot Flowers Pts. 2 and 3
Two Headed Boy
Ghost
Two Headed Boy Pt. 2

10. Everything All the Time - Band of Horses

Our Swords
Monsters
The Great Salt Lake
Wicked Gil
The First Song

11. In Case We Die - Architecture in Helsinki

Maybe You Can Owe Me
Do the Whirlwind
Frenchy, I'm Faking
In Case We Die (parts 1-4)
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