This is A Rush of 2008 with witty comments inserted where I see fit. Many songs listed are singles and just as many are not. I’ll be a free-format radio child for the rest of my life, always digging through album cuts. I noted if a song was played on the air to prove to you that I graduated with a degree in Indie rock. Make a comment, leave your contact information, and I’ll personally call you to read and/or sing E.E. Cummings’ poem “dying is fine)but Death” (#11).
1. Fleet Foxes – “White Winter Hymnal” (Ragged Wood)
I met the band in July at the Pitchfork Music Festival, before every Starbucks had their CD for sale by the register. They were about to leave the site after their performance, when I stuck my face into their van to say how I wished I still had a college radio show to promote their music. Without asking, they all hopped out of the van to take a picture. One point for Sub Pop Records and one point for men with beards.
2. Clinic – “Tomorrow” (Do It!) [4/16, 4/23]
Psychedelic freaks from Liverpool who are underappreciated in America.
3. DeVotchKa – “Transliterator” (A Mad and Faithfull Telling) [2/27, 3/5, 3/12]
4. Hercules & Love Affair (Feat. Antony) – “Blind” (Hercules & Love Affair)
All credit goes to KEXP for being my ears and finding this gem to play.
5. Animal Collective – “Water Curses” (Water Curses EP) [4/23, 5/7, 5/14]
I saw Animal Collective live twice in 2008. Once in Chicago at Pitchfork and a second time at All Points West in Jersey City, NJ. Their performance in Chicago was at night, while the NJ set was during the day. I prefer AC silly drunk off of free VIP beer with laser beams piercing the night sky with fantastic colors. Chicago and P4K wins over Jersey City and APW.
6. Little Joy – “No One’s Better Sake” (Little Joy)
Brazillan-hippie swoon music.
7. Lykke Li – “I’m Good, I’m Gone” (Youth Novels)
Who heard this during fashion week at the American Express Zac Posen show in Bryant Park? Me.
8. MGMT – “Electric Feel” (Oracular Spectacular)
Use the following pick-up like to improve your game: “Shock me like an electric eel.”
9. Beck – “Gamma Ray” (Modern Guilt)
The apocalyptic world according to Beck.
10. Fleet Foxes – “Mykonos” (Sun Giant EP)
11. Ra Ra Riot – “Dying Is Fine” (The Rhumb Line)
While reading E.E. Cummings’ poem “dying is fine)but Death,” listen to this song and silently thank your English teachers.
12. Vivian Girls – “Where Do You Run To” (Vivian Girls)
CMJ sirens.
13. The Magnetic Fields – “Please Stop Dancing” (Distortion)
2008 also marks the year I finally bought the 69 Love Songs box set and at an independent record shop (Sound Fix).
14. Vampire Weekend – “Oxford Comma” (Vampire Weekend)
I met the lead singer at Pitchfork. We’re tight. I don’t think he’ll attack me for my use of the Oxford comma.
15. Brian Eno & David Byrne – “Life Is Long” (Everything That Happens Will Happen Today)
16. Jenny Lewis – “Acid Tongue” (Acid Tongue)
This song would’ve been better with the Watson Twins on backup.
17. The Raveonettes – “Dead Sound” (Lust, Lust, Lust) [2/20, 2/27, 3/5]
18. Sigur Rós – “Gobbledigook” (Med sud i eyrum vid spilum endalaust)
19. Dungen – “Satt Att Se” (4)
Not that other band (#18).
20. Santogold – “L.E.S. Artistes” (Santogold) [5/7]
She’s vomiting gold glitter on the album cover!
21. The Walkmen – “In the New Year” (You & Me)
22. Ray LaMontagne – “You Are the Best Thing” (Gossip in the Grain)
I love horns. I love beards. I love being told that I’m the best thing over and over again.
23. Bon Iver – “Skinny Love” (For Emma, Forever Ago) [4/16]
The name’s French. Don’t say “Bahn Eye-vir.” It’s almost as bad as saying “Suff-Jan.”
24. The Verve – “Love is Noise” (Forth)
Oasis didn’t make this list. I’m making a statement in support of the British underdog.
25. Okkervill River – “Calling and Not Calling My Ex” (The Stand Ins)
26. Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds – “Today’s Lesson” (Dig!!! Lazarus Dig!!!) [4/9]
Exclamation points hunt in packs.
27. Wolf Parade – “Soldier’s Grin” (At Mount Zoomer)
28. Portishead – “Silence” (Third) [5/14]
Because I was 8 when Dummy came out.
29. Deerhoof – “The Tears and Music of Love” (Offend Maggie)
30. No Age – “Teen Creeps” (Nouns) [5/14]
31. New Bloods – “Oh Deadly Nightshade!” (The Secret Life) [4/23]
I trust the label Kill Rock Stars for a reason. Influences: The Slits and the Raincoats.
32. Beach House – “Wedding Bell” (Devotion) [3/5]
33. Ruby Suns – “Adventure Tour” (Sea Lion) [3/12/, 3/22]
I bow down to the advertising agency that picked the band’s song “Oh, Mojave” for a Microsoft commercial. Another successful album for Sub Pop Records.
34. Marnie Stern – “Ruler” (This Is It And I Am It And You Are It And So Is That And He Is It And She Is It And It Is It And That Is That)
She’s up there with my favorite Jewish ladies of the year (e.g. Rachel Maddow and Sarah Silverman).
35. The Mae Shi – “Run to Your Grave” (Hlllyh) [3/22]
That’s Hell Yeah without vowels.
36. White Hinterland – “Dreaming of the Plum Trees” (Phylactery Factory) [3/12, 3/22]
37. Destroyer – “Dark Leaves Form a Thread” (Trouble in Dreams) [3/12, 3/22]
Here’s to A.C. Newman’s January 2009 release.
38. The Kills – “Last Day of Magic” (Midnight Boom) [4/5, 4/9]
39. French Kicks – “Abandon” (Swimming) [4/16, 4/23]
40. Retribution Gospel Choir – “What She Turned Into” (Retribution Gospel Choir) [4/16]
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
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