TOP 20 YEAR END LIST-O-RAMA!!!

The other day while showering (where I do my best thinking...) I had a novel idea: Since the end of 2008 is almost here, why not recap the year in music with a 'Best Of' list? Now, I'm pretty sure this is a %100 original WRR idea, but I think it's so good that you can probably expect to see other music sites quickly copying us (possibly even preemptively).

Our brand new staff of five engaged in an intricate voting process to bring you the TOP 20 ALBUMS OF 2008. This list is purely objective, authoritative and definitive. Without further ado...

20. Thao and The Get Down, Stay Down - We Brave Bee Stings and All
Debut album is full of whimsical songs that recall carefree summer days. A unique voice, plucky guitar playing and a romping band have a playfulness that make this album pure fun.

19. She & Him - Vol. 1
Adorable movie star and veteran rocker combine to make folksy/country/motowny throwback songs. Actress Zooey Deschanel runs the gamet from Patsy Cline to Diana Ross (and never sounds forced) while M. Ward provides just the right backdrop.

18. Deerhunter - Microcastle
If My Bloody Valentine attempted to cover Brian Wilson songs, it might sound like the first third of Deerhunter's unique new release. It navigates itself into an ambient hole, only to emerge on the other side with more energy and intensity than the band has ever displayed.

17. Estelle – Shine
British songstress delivered the summer hit 'American Boy,' but this album goes much deeper than that. She's not the new Lauryn Hill, but with lyrical skills and a voice to kill shes about as close as anybody can get.

16. Goldfrapp – Seventh Tree
Ephemeral and restrained songs replace the big sounds of their earlier releases. So warm and blissful it can't but help evoke a dazzling sunset over a golden field in the countryside. This album is a joy despite what some doosh bags may say.

15. Bloc Party – Intimacy
Post-punk Brit rockers are back, and this time they brought the horns. Intimate lyrics, indeed, along with pounding rhythms that will make you want to find your dancing shoes and hope that they fit.

14. The Helio Sequence - Keep Your Eyes Ahead
The Portland, Oregon duo are hard to genre-fy, but let’s just say they fit in the Northwest sound many of us have come to know and love. The lyrical flow and layers of driving drums, guitar strums and keys to please will leave your eyes wide and wandering.

13. Q-Tip - The Renaissance
As a genre, rap artists have the shortest shelf life, but this old school rapper delivers a breath of fresh air. The Abstract kicks it with fresh lyrics and soulful production to make this the years best hip-hop album.

12. Los Campesinos! - Hold On Now, Youngster
Debut from these Welsh youngsters is filled with even more energy than the ! at the end of their name. Full of instrumentation, but led by jangly guitars and shared male/female vocals, these guys and gals have more hooks than Dustin Hoffman.

11. Black Keys - Attack and Release
Garage bluester/rockers head into the studio with Danger Mouse. A slight departure from their typical sound, but the lusty atmospherics here will make your mind drift away to some hot and humid place with Spanish moss dangling from trees.

10. Hot Chip - Made In The Dark
British electro-pop outfit return with their third and most fun album to date. Full of bouncy bassy beats and quirky computer chirps, this album will have you ready for the floor from start to finish.

9. Sigur Rós - Me_ su_ í eyrum vi_ spilum endalaust
Songs with English? Radio play? Underproduced? Acoustic Guitars!?! Don't fret long-time fans. Stripped down production and accessibility didn't compromise the typical haunting beauty, or the transcendence of your favorite Icelandic mood setters.

8. David Byrne and Brian Eno - Everything That Happens Will Happen Today
Talking Heads head and ambient genius reunite after a 27 year hiatus. It’s not surprising this dynamic duo made such a great record, but it is a shock to hear such optimism out of these chronicled old grumps.

7. TV on the Radio - Dear Science
Third album veers slightly towards the center with smoky grooves and catchy licks, but it's the emergence of Kyp Malone and Tunde Adebimpe's vocals that will make this album a fixture well into 2009.

6. Fleet Foxes - self titled
These youthful folksters have been compared to the Beach Boys for their multi-layered harmonies, but Crosby, Stills & Nash with a touch of Devandra Banhart would be a more apt description. Either way, these songs fly epic over sonic forests and fields, moors and mountains.

5. Vampire Weekend - self titled
Similar to Peter Gabriel and Paul Simon two decades ago, this foursome melded catchy rock with just enough African rhythms and melodies to avoid the "world music" label. The big question is did they catch lightening in a bottle or are they here to stay?

4. Lykke Li - Youth Novels
Aided by Bjorn Yttling of Peter, Bjorn and John, Lykki Li delivers the pop gem of the year. This album will make you want to do everything from Dance, Dance, Dance to hold your teddy bear while rocking back and forth.

3. Cut Copy - In Ghost Colours
Second album from the Australian foursome is full of steely, glittery dance music, but it's not as superficial as that sounds. There's a depth of song writing here that is immediately evident and hints at more good music to come. You'll want to save your best dance moves for these guys.

2. Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago
In case you hadn't heard, Justin Vernon (stage name Bon Iver) moved into a remote cabin in Wisconsin after breaking up with his band and girlfriend, where he spent three months recording this beautiful, haunting album. The music reflects that setting so strongly that you can almost see the stark winter landscape. Since there's inexplicably no video for this song, that's what I recommend you do right now.

1. MGMT - Oracular Spectacular
Two young kids mix your parents (if they were hippies) psych, folk and prog with dance grooves and synths to create infectious hipster anthems. Just because it was released 11.5 months ago and you've heard it 800 times shouldn't diminish its greatness. Give it a few more months rest-- but don't deny that Oracular Spectacular occupied a good part of your '08.

There you have it. Disagree? Feel your favorite got snubbed? Well there's no accounting for poor taste... Kidding! Feel free to leave your accolades, snubs or own list in the comments section.

Also, be on the lookout next week for our Top 54 Songs of 2008 with some freebies!

Happy Holidays,

The folks at Weekly Record Review
(Sean, Andrew, Sarah, Gaurav & Jason)

Back Fresh From Florida...

...and I must confess, I didn't really have time to do much listening (beach and ipod just don't mix for me) and when I did listen, it was some of my old summer time favorites like 311, Sublime, Less Than Jake. Sadly, I missed 311 again this year. Oh well.

P.S. Go see Batman... at the IMAX.

Lykke Li - Youth Novel

Wow, do I love this album. Hailing from Sweden, land of safe cars, assemble-able furniture, clever vodka ads, and H&M (who knew?) this perfect little jolt of near pop-bliss is so unassuming, charming and catchy that I can't imagine anyone not liking it. Bjorn Yittling of Peter, Bjorn & John produces, and one can't help but wonder how much of the creative inertia came from him rather than Ms. Li. Either way, they struck gold.

The production is an even mix between organic and electronic, with the focus on bass, drums and background melodies. Lykke Li's voice is almost childlike at times, and on 'Dance Dance Dance', the first song (not counting the slightly weird spoken intro, 'Melodies & Desires', analogizing love to music), it seems questionable if it's capable of carrying an entire album. But as the song builds to a crescendo and a bouncing horn and chorus join in, the intensity picks up and we learn that she knows exactly what to do: Let the song take over. Lykke Li doesn't engage in any vocal acrobatics, but she knows how to incorporate her voice into the music at all times, when to fall back or step up, be serious or playful.

It's hard to say what my favorite song on here is but I love the (almost only) line in Complaint Department: "If you want to complain, I'm not the complaint department." Check her out October 19 at the Black Cat.

Selected Song: Let It Fall

Black Keys - Attack & Release

I must say, I'm quite disappointed in the Black Keys latest release. This is the first album I've reviewed negatively. I was really looking forward to it but, unfortunatley, it lacks the energy, rawness and bluesyness of their previous releases. That's not to say its a terrible album... it's just lackluster.

For those who have never heard of them, the Black Keys are a two-piece band, who make pretty straight forward garage blues/rock. Their last album, Rubber Factory, was recorded.... wait for it... in an abandoned rubber factory. That description, along with their name, may spring the White Stripes to mind, but they're fairly different, lacking the eclectic/weirdness of Jack White.

Seeking a new creative direction (I'm assuming), they enlisted super producer Danger Mouse to helm the boards for Attack & Release. A few of the songs like 'Remember When (Side B)' and 'Same Old Thing' come close to their previous output, but most of it seems too thought through and that's not what the Black Keys do. They do heavily fuzzed power chords and badass riffs through the minor blues scale with a nonchalance that shows how naturally that style comes to them. I can understand wanting to evolve, but at the same time, if it ain't broke, don't bring in a trendy producer to meddle with your style.

Selected Song: Same Old Thing

Stephen Malkmus - Real Emotional Trash

In 1991, Pavement, a band headed by Stephen Malkmus, released Slanted and Enchanted, one of the the most important indie rock releases of all times.... or so I'm told. I never bothered to find out, as I generally prefer to live in the musical now. While there's certainly a good arguement for going back and visiting the precursor to what currently interests me, I (1) expect the the present has improved upon whatever ideas the forebearers had, and (2) don't have enough time to listen to everything.

But Malkmus's new release just might be the impetus for me to go back and see what all the fuss is about. At it's heart, Real Emotional Trash is a kick ass guitar record, but with enough charming quirks and clever lyrics to make it refreshing and original. Favorite lyric: "Who was it that said the world is my oyster? I feel like a nympho stuck in a cloister."

Selected Song: Cold Son