NapTime's 2008 Top Album List

That's right bitches - I only create prime number lists. So, without further ado, my top 11 of the (otherwise average) year in no particular order other than what came to mind first...


1. Delta Spirit - Ode to Sunshine. One of a handful of the new artists to catch my attention this year. Delta Spirit continues the retro-rock trend, but where most bands in the genre tend to lean toward 60’s-era Brit-pop, Delta Spirit is decidedly more American with a more traditional folk sound. An upright piano conjures very cool images of handlebar mustaches and saloon-style swinging doors on some songs.

2. Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks - Real Emotional Trash. Another solid album from SM. More blues rock and guitar-driven than previous releases, yet the playfulness and sardonic wit we’ve grown to love and expect from SM are still there. Dragonfly Pie, Cold Son, Gardenia and Wicked Wanda highlight the album.

3. Department of Eagles - In Ear Park. Shades of the Beatles, Radiohead, and the Beta Band. Nice orchestral arrangements and dynamic buildups in many of the songs on this album. Herringbone straight into Classical Records gets a vote for best back-to-back songs in tandem for the year.

4. Deer hunter - Microcastle. Best double album of the year. The middle of the first album is a weak spot, but fans of VU and the Pixies should be ultimately pleased with the overall package. Nothing Ever Happened and Operation are favorite tracks thus far. The second disc is more experimentally ambitious, but equally engaging.

5. MGMT - Oracular Spectacular. Another new band with a fun energy. This album embraces its own pop sound and makes no apologies (not that it needs to).

6. Dr. Dog - Fate. Dr. Dog is turning into one of the more consistent bands out there. Consistently underrated too! Think Beatles, The Band, and even some ‘50s and ‘60s Philly R&B mixed in. Also has some of that wild west saloon type of upright piano that I loved about Delta Spirit.

7. TV On the Radio - Dear Science. Probably one of the more deservedly hyped album over the past couple years. For some reason I grew a bit tired of Fleet Foxes and Vampire Weekend after a while - not this one.

8. The Airborne Toxic Event. Wow, first impression of the single, Sometime Around Midnight, was one of a poppy ballad by a one- hit-wonder band. But thankfully the album as a whole is much deeper than that. Fans of Okkervil River, the Clash and U2 should really like this band.

9. Portishead - Third. My favorite Portishead album yet. Like their other albums, the overall mood of Third is dark and creates a sense of foreboding, like the best Film Noir Soundtracks. Two words sum this one up - The Rip.

10. Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago. Just started spinning this one recently, but I already know how much I will like it. Best of this year’s “Acoustic Singer-Songwriter” variety. Warms you up inside.

11. Okkervil River - The Stand Ins. Maybe not quite as good as it’s predecessor, The Stage Names, but OR is one of the more consistent bands out there right now. Love the lead singer’s vocal style.

Honorable Mention:

Sigur Ros - Umm…the one from 2008...
Portugal. The Man - Censored Colors