“Life moves pretty fast, if you don’t stop to look around once and awhile, you could miss it.”

-Ferris Buehler

It’s hard to believe, but 2008 is halfway over. Time is a bitch, ain’t it? That being said, let’s jump to the point. We love top ten lists. Whether they’re self aggrandizing or pretentious, that’s for you to decide, but certainly, they help us clean house and keep some order around here. That’s why our staff writers have compiled some of their favorite albums this year (so far), all into a quaint, little top ten list.

How nice of us, huh?

While this year has been relatively dry so far, especially April, there have been some exceptional releases. Several artists stepped out of hibernation (R.E.M., The Magnetic Fields), some were brand spankin’ new (Vampire Weekend, Jukebox the Ghost), and some just continued on (The Raconteurs, NIN). Nevertheless, it was fun sorting through all the new ear candy that’s been made available and we can’t wait to see what else this year has in store for us.

10. Cut Copy - In Ghost Colours

Last month, staff writer Blaine Sayers proclaimed that this “refreshing and bright” album was littered with “catchy tunes that force you to tap your foot and nod your head”, where “each track is as good as the last.” If that isn’t a solid album, then you’re asking for way too much. These Australian rockers have been making some marks with their second album, and Sayers isn’t alone in his praise, with many reviews out of Pitchfork Media, Paste, and Drowned in Sound, all enjoying the electronic sounds. Be sure to keep an eye on this release, as it’s likely to be making the rounds of many top ten’s come December.

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9. Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks - Real Emotional Trash

Earlier this year, I called Malkmus’ latest effort a “scattered, guitar rock driven album” and three or four months later, I still agree. Between “Cold Son” and “Dragonfly Pie”, the instrumentation shifts from simple to perverse in a matter of seconds, exemplifying the late Pavement frontman’s ability to rework the guitar with ease. Another one of our writers, Zarik Khan, had this to say of Real Emotional Trash, “Backed by musicians that read like a who’s who of indie rock, Malkmus combines the sounds of indie and experimental to achieve musical bliss.” There’s not much else there to argue.

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8. Protest the Hero - Fortress

Another one of our writers, Jay Ziegler, called Protest the Hero “Canada’s next big thing” in his review of their latest album, Fortress. In fact, he was a bit overjoyed, to say the least, going so far as to label it, “the fourth column in a metal Parthenon of complex, yet awesome musical passages that guitarists will skin their fingers over for.” His opinions have yet to differ, as he digresses, “I think Protest the Hero honestly elevated guitar solos to a much higher level, and for a bunch of young kids, they could easily be Canada’s best metal band in recent years.” Does that sell you yet?

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7. Foxboro Hot Tubs - Stop, Drop & Roll!!!

There’s something about a great surprise that comes off as both rewarding and memorable. With Foxboro Hot Tubs, the side project from our boys of Green Day, their sneaky online release was more than a surprise, it was a blessing. On the first couple of listens, I called their new sound “poppy, snap n’ beat rock n’ roll” and their debut “the most entertaining listen for it’s genre since Weezer’s 1994 debut.” While the former is just a simple observation, the latter is quite the statement, and something I still stand by today. It doesn’t seem like I’m alone either, as fellow writer Matt Melis explains, “This a record dripping of influences and full of songs you’d swear you have heard before, but somehow Foxboro makes it their own. It’s a refreshing throwback and one of the best modern alternative records I’ve heard in years.” Well, at least I’m not criminally insane.

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6. The Black Keys - Attack & Release

The Ohio rock duo have a lot going for them. “Maturity” is one thing, according to our writer Laurie Fanelli, who insists their latest inherits an “intelligent simplicity in the sound, that allows the Black Keys talent to shine threw without being showy about it.” One of our other writers, E.N. May, tends to agree, but for other reasons, explaining, “The appeal for this gritty duo is that it is garage rock with strong roots in the old delta blues tradition. With Danger Mouse now on the record, the garage has opened just a little to let in some original growth.” Not too shabby for two boys from the Midwest. If they keep up this stride, Jack White might have to watch out for his back.

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5. NIN - Ghosts I-IV

For Trent Reznor, 2008 has been his year. By closing out on a major label, he’s not only found freedom in writing what he wants, he’s free to release it in any way he pleases. The result? An overload of free, exclusive content that has been both superb and worthy of the NIN discography. The first of the online gifts was Ghosts I-IV, the sprawling 36 track instrumental album that will forever appease student filmmakers everywhere. While it’s a favorite among many of our staff members, writer Bill Fanelli, in his review, calls it “entirely new, refreshing and close to perfection.” He doesn’t seem to change his mind, either. “[Ghosts I-IV] still giv[es] us exactly what we want in a NIN album. Brilliant, innovative, liberating and most importantly…true!”

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4. R.E.M. - Accelerate

There’s a word that’s rampant in R.E.M.’s latest record and one that describes anyone’s initial response to Accelerate. “Wow!” After 2004’s disappointing Around the Sun, it was more than a relief when the band came back in full force, rocking harder than musicians half their age today. In my review, I said that Accelerate “doesn’t try to make the band grow” and instead, “its more or less a throwback to the familial alternative feeling that started with 1987’s Document and peaked with 1991’s Out of Time.” Certainly the sound scales back some, but this album brings juice to a band that lost steam almost a decade previously. E.N. May seems to agree, “Accelerate proves that Michael Stipe and the band are back after a few less than notable records. The album has just enough growth to attract new listeners, and still sticks to what old time fans love best about the band.”

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3. The Raconteurs - Consolers of the Lonely

Simply put, Jack White is insane. He’s an animal on stage, he duets and jams with everyone who’s anyone, and he looks like an enraged insomniac, which is probably true given his impressive discography and brilliant communication skills. Last Spring’s “left field” release of The Raconteurs sophomore album really shocked everyone. Not to mention, it brought some electricity to an otherwise stale season. Initially, I wasn’t too enthused with the second helping, insisting that it had “more flavor and less bite.” Looking back, and so soon, I regret not focusing on “Carolina Drama”, which might be the album’s real gem. Regardless of what I think, Consolers of the Lonely is a big staff favorite.

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2. Hot Chip - Made in the Dark

No one can deny the irresistible electro-pop of Britain’s hottest indie act. It’s various sounds are not only inviting, but accessible to a variety of demographics (I tried saying that without being too “public official”-like). That being said, there’s reason we’re so giddy about it. Our own publisher, in his review, called Made in the Dark, “a pop masterpiece full of elegance, passion and lyrical quality.” He’s not alone. One of our readers, Nick Sprouse, commented, “This album is partly responsible for my renewed interest in modern music.” That’s generally a good thing, right?

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1. Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend

Whatever Columbia University is teaching, they’re doing it right. Vampire Weekend is all the hype (or at least they were) and with good reason, they have a great sound and they know how to manipulate it to its full potential. Starting with “Mansard Roof”, continuing with “A-Punk”, and hitting an ethereal high with “Walcott”, it’s hard to dismiss this rising indie act. That’s the probably the reason I called their debut, “a stretch of mental nirvana.” Considering this is the top rated album of our staff, it’s not too hard of a statement to swallow, I guess. At least our publisher agrees, writing, “Though now known as much for its hype as it is for its sound, Vampire Weekend’s debut wlll stand the test of time thanks to a perfect balance of lyrical richness and musical tranquility.” Yeah, this album’s pretty hot.

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The Breakdown:

Alex Young recommends: Jukebox the Ghost - Let Live and Let Ghosts, Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend, Hot Chip - Made in the Dark, Los Campesinos! - Hold on Now…Youngster, Sons and Daughters - This Gift

Michael Roffman recommends: Vampire Weekend – Vampire Weekend, R.E.M. – Accelerate, Foxboro Hot Tubs – Stop Drop & Roll!!!, Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks – Real Emotional Trash, NIN – The Slip

Jay Ziegler recommends: Protest The Hero – Fortress, Children of Bodom - Blooddrunk, The Magnetic Fields – Distortion, Alestorm - Captain Morgan’s Revenge, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Dig!!! Lazarus! Dig!!!

Laurie Fanelli recommends: Hot Chip - Made in the Dark, Radiohead - In Rainbows (physical release), NIN - Ghosts I-IV, The Black Keys - Attack & Release, NIN - The Slip

Bill Fanelli recommends: Hot Chip – Made in the Dark, NIN – Ghosts I-IV, Moby – Last Night, NIN – The Slip, Junkie XL – Booming Back At You

Matt Melis recommends: Foxboro Hot Tubs - Stop Drop & Roll!!!, The Gutter Twins - Saturnalia

Matt Friedman recommends: Flogging Molly – Float, Thrice - The Alchemy Index, Vol III & IV, Atmosphere – When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold

Blaine Sayers recommends: Cut Copy - In Ghost Colours, The Last Shadow Puppets - The Age of the Understatement, MGMT - Oracular Spectacular, NIN - Ghosts I-IV, Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend

Zarik Khan recommends: Portishead - Third, Stephen Malkmus - Real Emotional Trash, Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago, The Roots - Rising Down, Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin - Pershing

E.N. May recommends: R.E.M. – Accelerate, The Black Keys - Attack & Release, Radiohead – In Rainbows, Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes

Phillip Roffman recommends: The Mars Volta – The Bedlam and Goliath, The Raconteurs – Consolers of the Lonely, The Helio Sequence – Keep Your Eyes Ahead, Protest The Hero – Fortress, Flight of the Conchords – Flight of the Conchords

Ashley Kjos recommends: The Raconteurs - Consolers of the Lonely, The Black Keys - Attack and Release, Elvis Costello - Momofuku, My Morning Jacket - Evil Urges

Nardo Marquez recommends: Santogold - Santogold, Man Man - Rabbit Habits, The Mars Volta - The Bedlam in Goliath, The Roots - Rising Down, Death Cab for Cutie - Narrow Stairs

Leo Paretti recommends: Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend, What Made Milwaukee Famous - What Doesn’t Kill Us, The Raconteurs - Consolers of the Lonely, R.E.M – Accelerate, The Black Crowes – Warpaint

See you around December.

Categories: CoS Favorites, Features, News
Tags: Cut Copy, Foxboro Hot Tubs, Hot Chip, Mid-Year Reports, NIN, Protest The Hero, R.E.M., Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks, The Black Keys, The Raconteurs, Vampire Weekend