Top 10 Albums of 2008
Steve Harpine
Issue date: 12/11/08 Section: Entertainment
Sophomore Steve Harpine is SAB's concert executive. His responsibilities include deciding which concerts come to Messiah and running the concert committee, a group of students that help him make these decisions and work the concerts. Doing this requires constant listening to music and keeping up to date with the newest artists. Steve says, "This includes ALL genres and styles of music, so I have a broad range of music that I enjoy listening to."
10. She and Him - Volume One
The blend of Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward is truly admirable on this album full of relaxing country and folk songs mixed with soft 60s/70s pop. She and Him showcases Deschanel's voice and Ward's tasteful guitar parts and backup vocals. Volume One is an easy listen that brings a lot of emotion and a light mood to all ears that listen.
9. TV on the Radio - Dear Science
When you first give a listen to some of what TV on the Radio is doing on this album, you will notice the level of musicality that was put behind every song. With a second listen, you'll be swept away by how well every intricate part of the music blends with the lyrical content of the album.
8. Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend
The band mostly known for their Afro-pop grooves and new wave style has put a very original feel into their self-titled album, like most new artists that make a top ten list. Their songs get better every time they're listened to and deliver a new sound to the current music scene.
7. Gnarls Barkley - The Odd Couple
From songs of R&B and pop to songs of soul, the collaboration of singer Thomas "Cee-Lo Green" Callaway and producer Brian "Danger Mouse" Burton has brought us a great second album. Songs like "Going On" and "Run" contain the fast paced experimental hip-hop beats that Gnarls Barkley and Danger Mouse have been known for, while more songs run off old school soul and other intricate rhythms.
6. Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes
This band exploded onto the scene with the release of their self-titled album of music that they describe as "baroque harmonic pop jams." The harmonies produced by this young band, as well as the songs they have created, are very mature and well-organized. The lyrical subject matter consists of family, love, lost friends, and the natural world; however, their presentation of these subjects is truly unique.
5. My Morning Jacket - Evil Urges
My Morning Jacket has really mixed things up in a good way with their fifth album. What frontman Jim James wants is to give people a diverse rock and roll experience, and he has definitely done it by including a wide variety of styles in the songs. "I've gotten tired of normal rock & roll sounds," James recently told Rolling Stone. "My ultimate goal is to hopefully turn people on to different types of music."
4. Jon Foreman - Fall and Winter, Spring and Summer EPs:
Much different from the albums produced by his band Switchfoot, Jon Foreman's solo albums have been a hit with many listeners this year. These two albums deliver a one-on-one experience with Foreman, giving the impression that the listener is sharing a part of his thoughts and emotions. All together, these albums are a truly relaxing and uplifting piece of work from a great Christian musician/songwriter.
3. Jason Mraz - We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things
Jason Mraz clearly shows what a diverse musician he is in the selection of songs on his latest and best album. His reputation for pop music expands to include ballads, electronic, and even includes a rapping style in "The Dynamo of Volition," but that's not all. The album also features Colbie Caillat on "Lucky," a melodious duet between the two laid-back singers, and James Morrison on "Details In the Fabric," a simple yet meaningful acoustic song in the middle of the album.
2. The Raconteurs - Consolers of the Lonely
Jack White of The White Stripes has hit it big with The Raconteurs and their second album, which was released two years after their debut album Broken Boy Soldiers. However, this second album has taken the energy level of the band to another level. It's a new level of rock for the band that includes additions from The Memphis Horns and some strong influences of the blues.
1. Death Cab for Cutie - Narrow Stairs
The number one pick deserves its spot because Narrow Stairs really seemed to fully compile all strengths of the band. Even lead singer and writer Ben Gibbard commented, "I just don't feel like we really have anything to prove of it other than to ourselves and to making a record we really enjoy." Along with their own approval, Death Cab has gained new listeners and the praise of long-term fans. MTV's James Montgomery referred to Narrow Stairs as "unquestionably the best thing [Death Cab has] ever done," and I agree.
10. She and Him - Volume One
The blend of Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward is truly admirable on this album full of relaxing country and folk songs mixed with soft 60s/70s pop. She and Him showcases Deschanel's voice and Ward's tasteful guitar parts and backup vocals. Volume One is an easy listen that brings a lot of emotion and a light mood to all ears that listen.
9. TV on the Radio - Dear Science
When you first give a listen to some of what TV on the Radio is doing on this album, you will notice the level of musicality that was put behind every song. With a second listen, you'll be swept away by how well every intricate part of the music blends with the lyrical content of the album.
8. Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend
The band mostly known for their Afro-pop grooves and new wave style has put a very original feel into their self-titled album, like most new artists that make a top ten list. Their songs get better every time they're listened to and deliver a new sound to the current music scene.
7. Gnarls Barkley - The Odd Couple
From songs of R&B and pop to songs of soul, the collaboration of singer Thomas "Cee-Lo Green" Callaway and producer Brian "Danger Mouse" Burton has brought us a great second album. Songs like "Going On" and "Run" contain the fast paced experimental hip-hop beats that Gnarls Barkley and Danger Mouse have been known for, while more songs run off old school soul and other intricate rhythms.
6. Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes
This band exploded onto the scene with the release of their self-titled album of music that they describe as "baroque harmonic pop jams." The harmonies produced by this young band, as well as the songs they have created, are very mature and well-organized. The lyrical subject matter consists of family, love, lost friends, and the natural world; however, their presentation of these subjects is truly unique.
5. My Morning Jacket - Evil Urges
My Morning Jacket has really mixed things up in a good way with their fifth album. What frontman Jim James wants is to give people a diverse rock and roll experience, and he has definitely done it by including a wide variety of styles in the songs. "I've gotten tired of normal rock & roll sounds," James recently told Rolling Stone. "My ultimate goal is to hopefully turn people on to different types of music."
4. Jon Foreman - Fall and Winter, Spring and Summer EPs:
Much different from the albums produced by his band Switchfoot, Jon Foreman's solo albums have been a hit with many listeners this year. These two albums deliver a one-on-one experience with Foreman, giving the impression that the listener is sharing a part of his thoughts and emotions. All together, these albums are a truly relaxing and uplifting piece of work from a great Christian musician/songwriter.
3. Jason Mraz - We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things
Jason Mraz clearly shows what a diverse musician he is in the selection of songs on his latest and best album. His reputation for pop music expands to include ballads, electronic, and even includes a rapping style in "The Dynamo of Volition," but that's not all. The album also features Colbie Caillat on "Lucky," a melodious duet between the two laid-back singers, and James Morrison on "Details In the Fabric," a simple yet meaningful acoustic song in the middle of the album.
2. The Raconteurs - Consolers of the Lonely
Jack White of The White Stripes has hit it big with The Raconteurs and their second album, which was released two years after their debut album Broken Boy Soldiers. However, this second album has taken the energy level of the band to another level. It's a new level of rock for the band that includes additions from The Memphis Horns and some strong influences of the blues.
1. Death Cab for Cutie - Narrow Stairs
The number one pick deserves its spot because Narrow Stairs really seemed to fully compile all strengths of the band. Even lead singer and writer Ben Gibbard commented, "I just don't feel like we really have anything to prove of it other than to ourselves and to making a record we really enjoy." Along with their own approval, Death Cab has gained new listeners and the praise of long-term fans. MTV's James Montgomery referred to Narrow Stairs as "unquestionably the best thing [Death Cab has] ever done," and I agree.
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