Best of 2008
The Top 10 (in “order”)
1) The Gaslight Anthem – The ’59 Sound
Easily my record of the year. Coming off their acclaimed 2007 album Sink or Swim, New Jersey’s the Gaslight Anthem dropped the magnificent Senor and the Queen EP earlier this year, which presented listeners with a take on the sound that let more of their blues, soul, and Springsteen influences shine through, all the while remaining decidedly pop-punk. Now, it’s clear that was just something to get us ready for The ’59 Sound. Turning off the distortion, the guys expanded their sound while singer Brian Fallon amped up his songwriting, bringing out a very rewarding album. Reminds us that you don’t need to play distorted punk at breakneck speeds to get a crowd going. Choice cuts: “Casanova, Baby!,” “Great Expecations,” “Miles Davis & the Cool”
2) Dillinger Four – C I V I L W A R
Goddamn, yes! Minnesota’s favorite punk sons (overstatement, I know) return after a 6 year break since their previous album, Situationist Comedy. If there was any fear that the time off would mellow the band, or cause them to lose some of what made them great, banish such fears! This is classic D4; it’s no Midwestern Songs of the Americas, but it’s some of their finest, catchiest music. In any other year (read: any year that didn’t include The ’59 Sound on its release calendar) this would be AOTY. Choice cuts: “Contemplate This on the Tree of Woe,” “Gainesville,” “Like Eye Contact in an Elevator”
3) Lemuria – Get Better
Released in January, the first great album of 2008. Lemuria had been getting hyped around the pop-punk circles for their excellent tunes, found on their split LP with Kind of Like Spitting, their contribution to the NY vs NJ Pop-Punk Battle Royal!! comp, and their split with the Ergs!, among others, not to mention their great shows and tour with the Ergs!. Now on Asian Man Records they drop Get Better, which has attracted a decidedly non-punk audience with its emphasizing of their Discount influences. Fine, Rainer Maria, too. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, I just think Discount first. Anyway, this album is stellar. Sheena Ozzella’s vocals are wonderful, and a good contrast to when Alex Kerns picks up the mic. Choice cuts: “Pants,” “Lipstick,” “Dogs”
4) Off With Their Heads – From the Bottom
Depending on who you ask, this is either the debut LP or sophomore LP from Minnesota’s Off With Their Heads; this all depends on how the person you’re asking views their Hospitals 10″. Regardless, this full-length is an impressive record no matter where it sits in the catalog. Vocalist Ryan seems to be channeling D4′s Paddy in his rough, gravelly vocals. The lyrics are pretty dire, with lines like “I don’t think I’ll ever make it out alive/So I might as well just kill myself tonight/I don’t want to, but I don’t see any other way” (from “Fuck This, I’m Out”) being pretty typical of the band’s outlook. The music, though, is nothing but full-throttle Midwestern pop-punk. The D4 comparisons are obvious, but worthy, and nothing but a compliment to both bands. Choice cuts: “I Am You,” “Fuck This, I’m Out,” “1612 Havenhurst”
5) Amanda Palmer – Who Killed Amanda Palmer
The debut album from the Dresden Dolls’ Amanda Palmer, produced by Ben Folds. Seems like a match made in heaven, and Folds’ production skills are at this point better than his own music (I just cannot get into Way to Normal); see his turn behind the boards for Shatner’s excellent Has Been. Here, the music is pretty much what you’d expect from Palmer, mostly being a logical extension following the Dolls’ 2006 album Yes, Virginia, save for a couple of tracks that seem to stick out (see: the unsettling date rape saga set to Beach Boys-esque harmonies that is “Oasis”). One track that I seem to have a love/hate thing going with is “Guitar Hero,” featuring the Dead Kennedys’ East Bay Ray; the song is great, until the chorus toward the last third. I’ll wait to see how all this comes off live before saying Amanda’s going to get along just fine without Brian for the time being, as that’s where they/she really shines, but so far, so good. Choice cuts: “Astronaut,” “Strength Through Music,” “Oasis”
6) Chuck Ragan & Austin Lucas – Bristle Ridge
OK, so I love Hot Water Music. As a result, if you put Chuck Ragan on something, odds are I will love it. So, you’ve taken Chuck and put him on a record full of some of the rootsiest country/bluegrass this side of Nashville circa the early half of the 20th century. (God, that was a stretch) Anyway, opening track “Bloody Shells” sets up the album perfectly, with the layered vocals, old-time instrumentation- banjo, bass, violin, vocals- and the sense of keeping it true to the period they’re invoking with the music. And even though I think Chuck Ragan is an amazing vocalist, and doesn’t disappoint in the slightest on his share of tracks, it’s Lucas who really shines here. I’m not familiar with his other work, but his voice sounds absolutely perfect on top of this traditional music. Choice cuts: “Bloody Shells,” “Darling Corey,” “Bells”
7) Teenage Bottlerocket – Warning Device
Apparently there’s punk rock to be had in Laramie, Wyoming. I know, I’m shocked too. I guess it’s really just a couple of guys in various bands, but still! Following the demise of The Lillingtons and Homeless Wonders, these guys got together to pay tribute to their favorite bands- The Ramones and Screeching Weasel. On this, their third album, the guys are sticking with the same bouncy, driving pop-punk approach that made up their previous effort, Total, and also propelled the best Ramones and Weasel albums. Some of their tunes rely on the music, with only some basic repetition of a key phrase or two (ex. “She’s Not the One”), while others are more traditional songs (see: the clearly Ramones-inspired “In the Basement”). For the former, the music is so energetic and fun that the lyrics aren’t that important; I can pump my fist and jump around, and that’s what I want from these guys. They’re not out to change the world, they just wanna make it a little more fun. Choice cuts: “Bottlerocket,” “In the Basement,” “Welcome to the Nuthouse”
The Damned – So, Who’s Paranoid?
It’s not really a punk album, and it’s not really a goth album. What is it? Excellent, that’s what it is. The Damned have returned from a long break between albums to deliver a very solid set of tunes. The lack of promotion behind this album is a shame, because it should be a lot bigger than it seems to be currently. Fans of fun rock and roll should get this album as soon as possible. Notable songs: “Diamonds,” “A Nation Fit for Heroes,” “Danger to Yourself”
9) The Shortcuts – s/t
Four rockin’ girls from Minnesota. What the hell is in the water out there that they produce bands like the Replacements, Husker Du, Dillinger Four, Off With Their Heads, and now this incredibly fun foursome? The music is bouncy and energetic, and that energy is infectious. If you can listen to this record and not get excited and pumped up, then I suspect you may in fact not be human. Choice cuts: “2012,” “A Banner Thursday,” “Derby Girl”
10) The Copyrights – Learn the Hard Way
Goddamn, do I love this album. Pretty short; 14 songs clock in around 20-odd minutes, but there’s nothing wrong with that. Suffer‘s 15 tracks last all of 27 minutes, and Group Sex blows through 14 songs in 16 minutes. The Copyrights have nailed the art of the brief, catchy-as-hell pop-punk song, managing to release two stellar albums back-to-back (last year’s Make Sound). The lyrics are great, and with the fast and fun music running alongside them, conjure images of sweaty club shows, with crowds of kids pumping fists and pointing fingers while yelling the words back to the band. Choice cuts: “Second Hearse Same as the First,” “Charlie Birger Time,” “Shit’s Fucked”
Honorable Mention:
Less Than Jake – GNV FLA
Every time the guys in Gainesville’s favorite band hit the studio, the anticipation builds. Especially leading up to the band’s 2008 release, since it was their first not on a major label since Borders & Boundaries. They referred to the album as a “return to form,” and they weren’t kidding. The skittering ska guitar and horns hearken back to their mid-’90s masterpieces, Losing Streak and Hello Rockview. Lead single “Does the Lion City Still Roar?” encapsulates pretty much everything I love about Less Than Jake, and the openers, “City of Gainesville” and “The State of Florida,” which are basically a two-part song, sums up the band’s ska and punk influences, distilling them into their separate parts before the aforementioned “Lion City” mixes them back together in the Less Than Jake style. Choice cuts: the three songs mentioned above, “Conviction Notice”
The Phenomenauts – For All Mankind
Take the punky-New Wave of DEVO as a starting point. Amp up the sci-fi aesthetics, and write lyrics to match. Throw in a large dose of rockabilly, then up the punx a bit (not much, just enough). And you might even mix in some Aquabats for good measure. Taking this concoction, you will find yourself with The Phenomenauts, and their 2008 release For All Mankind. Starting off with “Man Alone,” which tells the listener that we all need “a mission,” something to drive us. The music is littered with these sorts of positive messages, in particular space exploration anthem “Infinite Frontier,” which NASA has begun to use in official productions, also inviting the band to check out their facilities. Not bad, huh? Choice cuts: “Man Alone,” “Make a Circuit With Me” (Polecats cover), “Infinite Frontier”
Sparks – Exotic Creatures Of the Deep
It’s more consistent than Hello Young Lovers was, and the hooks are better. Ron pens some wicked, characteristically smart and funny lyrics for brother Russell to belt and yelp over inventive Lil’ Beethoven-like loops mingled with traditional rock instrumentation. A culmination of the various stages of the Mael brothers’ long career? Perhaps. Great record? Definitely. Choice cuts: “Good Morning,” “Lighten Up, Morrissey,” “(She Got Me) Pregnant”
Alkaline Trio – Agony & Irony
Alkaline Trio, 10 years ago, released their seminal album Goddamnit. Since the release of that raw, essential punk document, their sound has gotten significantly mainstream and commercialized, resulting in videos being released for singles from albums From Here to Infirmary, Good Mourning, and Crimson. And now, in 2008, they bring us their latest album and first on Epic, Agony & Irony. Skiba has said the album was to be “hard rock” and “anthemic and sing-a-long-y.” Did the Trio succeed? Well, there certainly are a boatload of anthemic sing-a-long choruses on this record. When opener “Calling All Skeletons” kicks into gear, it’s hard not to bounce and want to sing along. Things go decidedly pop with single “Help Me,” but that’s not necessarily a bad thing (minus 10 punx points). All in all, while nowhere near the greatness that the Trio achieved in their pre-Infirmary records, this is certainly a strong album, with great hooks and songs. Choice cuts: “Calling All Skeletons,” “I Found Away,” “Into the Night”
H2O – Nothing to Prove
These NYHC-types issued a marvelous return to form. It’s not as hard as I might expect for a band that purports to be hardcore, but it rocks all the same, and will reassure their fans that age and family life has not dulled the band’s attack one bit.
Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds – Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!!
I didn’t like it as much as Abattoir Blues/The Lyre of Orpheus, I admit, but a damn fine album from Nick and the boys, and something of a return to form after a series of (highly enjoyable imo) albums in the vein of The Boatman’s Call.
Pennywise – Reason to Believe
Oh Pennywise. They’re pretty reliable, and this album was solid. Even if it was on MySpace Records.
Banner Pilot – Resignation Day
Gritty, fun punk rock. What’s not to like?
The Slackers – Self-Medication
I’m starting to be convinced that Vic Ruggerio and his merry band can’t make a bad album. Their previous effort, Peculiar, was only not-stellar compared to their back catalog. But really, Redlight is a tough act to follow.
Dragonforce – Ultra-Beatdown
It’s Dragonforce. You get a Dragonforce album, you know exactly what you’re getting. That said, it’s some awesomely fun, silly epic metal. This is probably the soundtrack to a game of D&D, or your World of Warcraft raid. And there’s nothing wrong with that.
Black President – s/t
This album perfectly captures the band’s live sound: fast and brutal. The only question is, what do they do now that Barack Obama is president?
Notable releases:
Lagwagon – I Think My Older Brother Used to Listen to Lagwagon EP
No Torso – Ready Already EP
Dresden Dolls – No, Virginia companion album
Elegant Machinery – “Feel the Silence” single
V/A – God Save the Queers Queers tribute album, kickass
The Ergs! – Hindsight is 20/20, My Friend b-side/singles comp
The Gaslight Anthem – Senor and the Queen EP
Lemuria – The First Collection
Dead to Me – Little Brother EP
Any of the Suburban Home Under the Influence split 7″ records
The plethora of quality vinyl re-releases that continue to drain my bank account
Bummers:
The Steinways – Gorilla Marketing
After last year’s excellent Missed the Boat 10″, I had high hopes for this album. Sadly, it just kind of muddles around. The lyrics aren’t as funny or memorable, and the music is likewise. Hopefully just a misstep along the path of great pop-punk.
The fucking Ergs! broke up
This isn’t an album, it’s an event, and it’s a huge goddamned shame. If you never saw them live, you missed out on one of the best pop-punk acts of our time. A trio of music nerds playing deceptively simple tunes. Go listen to “Books About Miles Davis” and “Pray for Rain.”
Ben Folds – Way To Normal
I dunno, I can’t get into this record. It’s just not doing it for me. The one-off Ben Folds Five reunion show didn’t do anything to help that, honestly; it just made me go back and listen to The Unauthorized Biography of Reinholdt Messner again and realize that that album may have been the high point of Ben’s career.
The Offspring – Rise and Fall, Rage and Grace
Goddamnit, they’re gonna make a real follow-up to Smash someday, I just know it!
Vampire Weekend
This is what everyone is getting all crazy about? Seriously? This Internet Hype Machine needs to settle the hell down.
Exciting Stuff in 2009
Honestly, all I really know about (off-hand) is that the Pet Shop Boys have an album coming out in March. Hell yes!