jon_chaisson | [RTS] The Noughties: An Overview (pt. 9: 2008)

So! Did 2008 live up to my theory of years ending in 8's having awesome music? Well, er...not as such. Lots of good stuff, but as I'd said in the last TN:AO post, it seems that around 2007 I'd started backing away from music again and focusing on other things in my life. I suppose that's a good thing in certain ways--it certainly means I'm no longer so obsessive about music as I once was. Lots of things going on this year, personally and politically which took up a lot of my time. On the other hand, after putting this list together, there were a lot of good songs that popped up...perhaps, like 1988 for me, it'll become a great year for music in retrospect. ;)

With that, 2008's cool music below the cut. Surprisingly, I was able to embed most of them this time out!

Vampire Weekend, "A Punk" from Vampire Weekend, rel. 1/29/2008.

This video wins just on pure silliness. Very heavily played in the Bay Area, even if no one could figure out what the hell the song is about. ;)

Hooverphonic, "Expedition Impossible" from The President of the LSD Golf Club, rel. 2/5/2008.

YAY Hooverphonic!! :) Very cool and inventive album from one of my favorite bands.

Elbow, "Grounds for Divorce" from The Seldom Seen Kid, rel. 3/17/2008.

Hoo, you can just hear the gin in this song. Such a great band, and a beautiful album to boot. One of the best of the year. Sorry about the ad at the bottom, though...

Gnarls Barkley, "Run (I'm a Natural Disaster)" from The Odd Couple, rel. 3/18/2008.

The FUNKIEST song of the year, and a hella fun video. And once again Justin Timberlake willingly makes himself look like the dorkiest person alive. Heh.

Duffy, "Rockferry" from Rockferry, rel. 5/11/2008.

I <3 Duffy. Need I say more? This woman KILLS with the British soul sound.

Death Cab for Cutie, "I Will Possess Your Heart" from Narrow Stairs, rel. 5/11/2008.

Song of the Year for 2008 for me, and in the Top 5 of the Decade. First heard it while at work (this version, not the edit), and was completely blown away. One of their best albums as well.

Weezer, "Pork and Beans" from Weezer (the red album), rel. 6/3/2008

Weezer can haz internet meme win. :)

Wire, "One of Us" from Object 47, rel. 7/7/2008.

w000t! One of my all-time favorite bands surprised me with a new album! This one was reminiscent of their 'beat combo' years (late 80s), and once again it's excellent work.

Plain White Ts, "1 2 3 4" from Big Bad World, rel. 9/23/2008.

Oh sure, it's schmaltzy...but it's cute. :p

The Cure, "Underneath the Stars", originally from 4:13 Dream, rel. 10/28/2008.

Good live version of the first track (and my favorite) from their latest.

Snow Patrol, "Take Back the City", from A Hundred Million Suns, rel. 10/28/2008.

As I've said before, never underestimate a good "whoa-oh" in a song. Gary Lightbody's decidedly strong vocals here give this song a really good kick.

Steven Wilson, "Harmony Korine" from Insurgentes, rel. 11/25/2008.

Great track from the Porcupine Tree singer's solo album.

Other Videos:

MGMT, "Time to Pretend" from Oracular Spectacular, rel. 1/22/2008. I like this song a LOT better than their other, somewhat bigger hit "Kids"...this one sounds great cranked up too.

Duffy, "Mercy" from Rockferry, rel. 5/11/2008. Okay, I admit, she's totally my girlfriend. :p I saw her do this song live on Ellen DeGeneres' show, and Justin Timberlake was on...he just about plotzed, he was that impressed.

Coldplay, "Violet Hill" from Viva La Vida, or Death and All His Friends, rel. 6/17/2008. I'm not sure anyone expected this album to rock as much as it did. One of the best of the year.

Coming up tomorrow...best of 2009! :)