We’re Getting Arrested (Funny Blog)

Top Albums of 2008, Part 2

Posted by The Prom King On December - 16 - 2008

In Part One, I covered the first ten albums (20 down to 11) of my 2008 musical year in review. I won’t dilly dally because we have a lot to cover here including other 2008 albums not on the list, the buddy list, and a list of albums to look out for in 2009. GO!

The Rest

Obviously when constructing a list of 20, you have to make certain sacrifices. 2008 was probably the best years in music since 2004 and there just has to be a bunch of albums looking from the outside in (alphabetically):

Black Kids - Partie Traumatic
Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago
Born Ruffians - Red Yellow and Blue
The Dodos - Visiter
Eagles Of Death Metal - Heart On
Gang Gang Dance - Saint Dymphna
Gnarls Barkley - The Odd Couple
Ladytron - Velocifero
Late Of The Pier - Fantasy Black Channel
Los Campesinos! - We are Beautiful, We Are Doomed
Nick Cave & The Bad Seed - Dig Lazaris Dig
Santogold - Santogold

Note: MGMT’s “Oracular Spectacular” was NOT released in 2008, sorry guys! The NME can suck my salami, I don’t care when you got it or when the physical disk was out. MGMT released this album in October 2007 digitally (Columbia Records) on the interwebs, so it has no business as anyone’s #1 album this year! End of tale. (Bon Iver gets a pass because he self released his album in 07, then re-released it in 08 on a label.)

My most disappointing album of 2008 was by far Of Montreal’s “Skeletal Lamping”. How do you follow up last years ridiculously self righteous “Hissing Fauna: Are You The Destroyer?”… if you’re Of Montreal, you just don’t apparently!

Onto the Top 10…

10. M83 - Saturdays=Youth

I feel like I’m watching Degrassi Junior High when I listen to this album. If you watch their music videos, you can certainly see why I guess. But it has this fun, sorta mellow vibe that takes me back to the 80s when I was just a young pup, still wet behind the ears. I used to watch really lame TV shows and thought that that’s what life was going to be like. I was sadly mistaken. However, albums like this elicit those kinds of innocent memories of when things were much easier, and you could blame everything on your little sister.

9. Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes

I like hippies. No wait, I don’t. I like this album though.

8. Okkervil River - The Stand-Ins

Encompassing the intricate complexities of a 7-Layer Burrito and a side of Fries Supreme with the simple pleasures of a regular 99-cent Hard Shell Taco. The album invokes emotion, that’s what I’m getting at here. Not unlike it’s Taco Bell brethren. These guys are from Texas right?

7. Beck - Modern Guilt

Elephant in the room? Okay, so he’s a Scientologist (and mentally deranged)! This guy only puts out great records though. He probably takes a lot of heat because he hasn’t released another Odalay, but in all fairness, how could you, right? The lead off single “Gamma Ray” was solid, frankly, the entire album is just ace. One of the more critically underrated albums of 2008 in my estimation. This shit is 100% certified, Thetans-free music! Tom Cruise (aka Xenu) is pleased.

6. No Age - Nouns

A little controversy never hurt anyone. I think people really appreciated these guys more after the whole Turd Ferguson/Obama mini-scandal where CBS tried to ban them from performing because Randy Randall refused to take off his Obama shirt. No Age did the set with the shirt inside out, scrawling “free healthcare” on it instead, finished the song, and walked off. The album is just straight up, drum heavy, rock.

5. The Cool Kids - The Bake Sale EP

Did you think I was gonna do an ebonics-laden review because these guys are black? Okay, well you know me too well then, because I was tempted. But if you ask me, this is where hip hop should be headed. Sorry Lil Wayne, I realize your album was a big deal this year, maybe I just didn’t get it, but this is where hip hop needs to be going… coincidentally it’s taking it back to the old school - crazy beats and crazier rhymes. I don’t care if they never put out an LP (fuck an LP!), this record is brilliant.

4. TV On The Radio - Dear Science

Don’t hate on Tunde Adebimpe because he’s acting in crappy Ann Hathaway flicks. Didn’t think they’d be able to top Return to Cookie mountain, and actually, they didn’t really (in my opinion anyways, many might disagree), but this album is on par and one of the best albums of the year by a long shot.

3. Cut Copy - In Ghost Colours

The most important thing about this album is that they spelt “Colours” right! Album is sold, start to finish. Caught them live earlier in the year and though I went in not expecting too much, I was blown away (Although, their opener “The Presets” were as good or better). I also literally almost bumped into Kevin Drew at that show (Kevin, keep your head up when you’re walkin punk!) and he also seemed to be really enjoying the set. Certainly the best electronic album of the year, hands down.

2. The Walkmen - You & Me

I was so sure this album would be my number one this year. I fell in love the first time I heard it and still haven’t got it outta my head. Much like a good high, or warm urine down your pant leg, it just lingers. If it’s not too “Will and Grace” of me, I would call this album Romantic. I know, right? It just has this eerie sexy sound. Hamilton Leithauser’s voice is like no other and Matt Barrick is an animal on the drums. Definitely worthy of a #1 spot on anyone’s list. Maybe next time Walkies.

1. Black Mountain - In The Future

Black Mountain does it again, another beast of an album. This album came out in early 2008, I listened to it a ton, loved it, put it down. I saw BM (Not feces, silly) at Lee’s Palace in Toronto, a venue I’m not overly fond of anymore, and they were good, but not great. Perhaps my perception of the show, an early album release or just plain ignorance left me forgetting how amazing this album was. Three weeks ago I picked it up again and was blown away, even more so than the first 20 times I listened to it this year. If Led Zeppelin was re-born into modern day (and I’m mean REAL Led Zeppelin, in their prime), I think this is the kind of albums they’d be making. Drum heavy, whaling-guitar-riffs, EPIC rock and roll. FUCKEN’ EPIC.

That’s all she wrote kids! 2008, we hardly knew you. Here are the lists from my other “Getting Arrested” partners in crime:

D-Bone’s List

20. Neil Young - Sugar Mountain Live At Canterbury House 1968
19. Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago
18. Okkervil River - The Stand Ins
17. Bob Dylan - Bootleg Volume 8 - Tell Tale Signs
16. Jason Collett - Here’s to Being Here
15. Beck - Modern Guilt
14. The Hold Steady - Stay Positive
13. Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds - Dig Lazarus Dig
12. Conor Oberst - Conor Oberst
11. Wolf Parade - At Mount Zoomer
10. BB King - One Kind Favor
9. Portishead - Third
8. Atlas Sound - Let the Blind Lead Those Who Cannot See
7. David Byrne and Brian Eno - Everything That Happens Will Happen Today
6. Beach House - Devotion
5. TV on the Radio - Dear Science
4. The Walkmen - You & Me
3. M83 - Saturdays = Youth
2. Deerhunter - Microcastle/Weird Era
1. Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes

Marq’s List

Marc decided to do a list of 25 because he has listening problems as well as a great fear of letting people down, even if those people happen to be inanimate objects like albums (namely albums 21-25).

25. Born Ruffians - Red Yellow and Blue
24. Let’s Wrestle - In Loving Memory Of…
23. M83 - Saturdays=Youth
22. Kelley Polar - I Need You To Hold On While The Sky Is Falling
21. Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend
20. Hot Chip - Made In The Dark
19. The Hold Steady - Stay Positive
18. Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes
17. Okkervil River - The Stand Ins
16. The Bug - London Zoo
15. Air France - No Way Down Ep
14. No Age - Nouns
13. Beck - Modern Guilt
12. Jason Collett - Here’s To Being Here
11. Gang Gang Dance - Saint Dymphna
10. Flying Lotus - Los Angeles
9. Plants and Animals - Parc Avenue
8. Lindstrom - Where You Go I Go Too
7. Wolf Parade - At Mt. Zoomer
6. Portishead - Third
5. TV On The Radio - Dear Science
4. Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago
3. Cut Copy - In Ghost Colours
2. Deerhunter - Microcastles
1. The Walkmen - You and Me

Mr Rock & Roll’s List

Clearly too busy buying new guitars or selling his personal possessions for drug money to put a list together like the rest of us. Nice work hero, I hope you get syphilis in 2009.

Industry Lists

Here are a few other lists from semi-reputable sources:
Stereo Gum
Pitchfork’s Readers Poll
Rolling Stone
Spin
NME (Complete garbage, I hate you NME)

Upcoming In 2009

Lastly, here is a list of artists who are expected to be releasing albums you should be looking forward to in 2009: Soundtrack Of Our Lives, Animal Collective, Antony And The Johnsons, Franz Ferdinand, Von Bondies, Mos Def, Neko Case, The Decemberists, Depeche Mode, Ambulance LTD, Blur, Pete Doherty, Noel Gallagher, Gang Of Four, Junior Boys, Morrissey, New Pornographers, The Postal Service (probably not!), Stars, Stellastarr*, Wilco.

1 COMMENT

The Prom King Sees A Show: Beck/MGMT

Posted by The Prom King On October - 9 - 2008

Before I review the show, in my typical cynical fashion, I’m going to throw this out here:

The invention of the digital camera and portable recording devices was the death of the rock and roll show.

Profound? (I know, I’m amazing)

Really though, it’s the truth. But probably not in the way you think. WHY do I go to a show and have to view the band through a sea of glowing white screens being held above people’s heads? What is this obsession people have? I really don’t understand it. You pay $50 for a ticket and watch the entire show through a mini digital camera you’re holding over your head. How is that enjoyable? I’d rather run my dick along a cheese grater, but that’s just me.

And what’s with tall people? I decided the other day that NO ONE should be taller than 6 feet. Does that sound unreasonable? What’s the fucken point? Ladders were invented long ago, we don’t need you people anymore, you have no business here, fair fellow. From now on, I will officially punch any person at a show over 6 feet, in the dick. SQUARE in the dick.

So, I went to a show, didn’t I? Oh ya, well let me start out by saying that the highlight was watchign some dude slowly slump over onto the bar and puke some relish-looking sludge from his mouth, then collapse to the floor. You can’t put a price on that shit. We literally just stood and stared at him, rather than call someone of significance (bartender, juiced up bouncer, ghostbusters).

Oh, oh, another fun part was when we were waiting in line for wrist bands, I heard some girl say “Ya, were here to see MGMT, there is another band called Beck too I think.” I literally almost punched her, then I realized I don’t need anymore assult charges (Punching a drunk clown? How does that even count?). I hate kids under 19 at shows. Final answer.

MGMT was on when we got in, was pretty jacked to see them since I’ve been reppin’ that album from before some chick asked me “Do you know that song with the girls singing… something-something-pretend?”. I was sorely disappointed kiddies, the sound was ear piercing. I know I’m getting old, but it wasn’t even the volume, it was just poor sound quality. Strike 1 (I only allow 1 strike by the way, I’m a no-bullshit kind of guy). MGMT = FAIL.

Beck came on pretty prompty and didn’t disappoint - staring with an awesome version of “Loser”. Highlights included some rapping and record-scratching, as well as him playing every song he needed to play to impress me. Lot of Odalay and just enough new stuff. Some fucken 7 foot giant blocked my view of Mr Hanson the whole time, but whatever, I’m over it. Sound was good, which made me even more pissed about MGMT I think.

Regardless, Beck didn’t disappoint and I’ve found a few new categories of people to dislike, great success. Peace in the Middle East, b-words.

ADD COMMENTS

It’s Show Time

Posted by The Prom King On October - 5 - 2008

Just wanted to rub in the fact that I’m just about to leave to go see MGMT and everyone’s favourite Scientologist Beck @ Sound Academy.

Here’s a couple vid-yas to get you in the mood.

MGMT - Electric Feel

Beck - Gamma Ray

Smell ya later be-otches.