Best Albums of 2008

I reviewed an even 50 new albums this year. Here are my 25 favorites, plus other recommendations, others I reviewed, and the 5 worst. Click on the title to read my original review; click on the album cover to link to an on-line store where you can buy the album.

1. Duffy - Rockferry
Once again, my favorite album of the year is by a female British singer. Rockferry came out early in the year, and I loved it all year long. Duffy's soulful, '60s-tinged pop was like the tonic to Amy Winehouse's gin. "Mercy" was the standout track, but her affecting ballads like "Warwick Avenue" and "Stepping Stone" were almost as unforgettable. What I said: "a gorgeous and swinging piece of retro pop." Essential track: Mercy

2. Madonna - Hard Candy
Madonna and Timbaland and Pharrell could have been a disaster, or at least just a retread of Nelly Furtado's Loose. Thankfully, it turned out to be a lot of fun, imbuing Madonna's sound with a contemporary freshness missing from Confessions on a Dancefloor. It's the year's best dance pop album. What I said: "double entendres, naughty lyrics, and delicious hooks permeate throughout." Essential track: 4 Minutes

3. Black Kids - Partie Traumatic
The new class of alternative/indie/'80s-worshiping pop/rock acts churned out a lot of great moments this year. Taking the cake are this Floridian band's upbeat, fun-loving debut. There were a lot of '80s-aping discs released this year, and none were better than this. Like Duffy's Rockferry, this was produced by Bernard Butler, two very different but both brilliant albums. What I said: "this is joyful, upbeat modern pop music, perfectly timed for summer." Essential track: Hurricane Jane

4. Coldplay - Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends
Coldplay continued to prove why they are the world's greatest rock band this decade. Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends saw the band stretch their safety zone more than on previous albums, most notably in restraining their stadium rock pretensions. What I said: "Coldplay delivers the sort of lovely pop/rock we've come to expect from them tweaked with little surprises here and there." Essential track: Viva la Vida

5. Oasis - Dig Out Your Soul
I know I'm late to the party, but this was the year I finally became an Oasis fan. While not a popular choice, I loved Dig Out Your Soul. It's the kind of (at this point) old school rock album that's hard to hate from rockers like "The Shock of the Lightning" to gentle piano ballad "I'm Outta Time." What I said: "There are a few ballads here, but most of the songs are charging rock numbers that retain a mostly standard simple formula." Essential track: I'm Outta Time

6. Will Young - Let It Go
Breaking up is hard to do, but it makes great music. Will's breakup album--and Pink's divorce album further down my list--finds the young artist doing his most personal work yet, ever much as tuneful as everything he's given us before. What I said: "a brilliant exercise in retro soul-drenched modern pop that is at times uplifting, at time sad, and genuinely affecting." Essential track: You Don't Know

7. Kanye West - 808s & Heartbreak
This was the year's biggest surprise. The decade's biggest hip-hop artist, who just last year released the acclaimed Graduation, abandoned rap and started singing the blues (the breakup blues yet again), albeit blues drenched in electronic synths and manufactured Roland 808 beats. What I said: "The sad songs are quite lovely and feel genuine; the few upbeat numbers, especially 'Paranoid,' are a lot of fun." Essential track: Paranoid

8. Beyoncé - I Am ... Sasha Fierce
The world's biggest female pop artist released her third hit album. Look past the silly alternate identity and double-album marketing ploys and you'll find Beyoncé's best collection yet, a remarkable blend of high-class ballads and upbeat fluff. What I said: "She sounds as good belting out 'If I Were a Boy' as she does on the lightly breathy 'Disappear,' the soaring 'Ave Maria,' and the restrained 'Satellites.'" Essential track: If I Were a Boy

9. Kaiser Chiefs - Off with Their Heads
The British rock band brought in big-name Amy Winehouse producer Mark Ronson for their third album, who helped steer this upbeat set in a less serious direction than last year's, Yours Truly Angry Mob. What I said: "There's a pleasing amount of warmth to this album, particularly from the rich strings arrangement of 'Like It Too Much' and the acoustic guitar melody of 'Remember You're a Girl.'" Essential track: Never Miss a Beat

10. Glasvegas
This Glaswegian band's debut was a good counterpoint to the Mancunian party scene overworked by Arctic Monkeys. They exude a similarly raw and youthful sound, but use their music to tell meaningful stories about social problems. What I said: "The band's earnestness sets it apart from the popular pack of current indie rockers (as does having a female drummer, Caroline McKay)." Essential track: Daddy's Gone

11. The Last Shadow Puppets - The Age of the Understatement
Speaking of Arctic Monkeys, lead singer Alex Turner's side project (with Rascals member Alex Kane) blended the gritty rock of the 'Monkeys with '60s pop influences. A nice stopgap before the band's next album. What I said: "'Like taking the Arctic Monkeys and parading them through Amy Winehouse and Duffy's recording studios, with a little dose of John Barry for inspiration." Essential track: Standing Next to Me

12. Estelle - Shine
With guidance from John Legend and a turn in American recording studios, Estelle's second album was an upbeat, soulful mix of old and new sounds that snagged her a Mercury Prize nomination. And it's big single--the Kanye West collaboration "American Boy" made her an international star. What I said: "Old school-flavored modern soul is what a lot of this album has on its mind." Essential track: American Boy

13. Take That - The Circus
While the sea of recent pop group reunions have seen many acts appear past their prime, Take That have proved they're still at the top of their game. This surprisingly good second album from the Take That reboot (their fifth overall) showed more range and better songs than their last, Beautiful World; a great mix of pop songs from the understated title track to the top-tapping "How Did It Come to This?" What I said: "The Circus proves that Take That's reunion isn't a novelty or quick cash grab, but the real deal." Essential Track: The Circus

14. Pink - Funhouse
After a commercial misstep with her third album, Pink has made a remarkable comeback that started with "U + Ur Hand" and continued this year with the international #1 hit "So What." The album is no less disappointing than that great single--a biting yet also vulnerable mix of emotions in the wake of her recent divorce. What I said: "(the 'So What') antics are a foil for the darker side Pink sometimes unveils throughout this 12-song set that chronicles her recent divorce from Carey Hart." Essential track: So What

15. MGMT - Oracular Spectacular
Just a few of years ago Ben Goldwasser and Andrew VanWyngarden were cocky college kids playing gigs at Wesleyan University. Then they had an EP and toured with Of Montreal. Now they are have NME's best album of 2008. That's quite a rise, but with a confident debut album as good as this, the best may be yet to come. What I said: "a modern, poppy set that shows its '70s and '80s influences on its sleeve." Essential track: Kids

16. The Killers - Day & Age
After the Springsteen-esque Americana of last album Sam's Town, The Killers returned to the less serious new wave sound that made them a hit with Hot Fuss, even expanding their musical palette to include world music-type sounds. This time with dance producer Stuart Price on board, the band delivered a third solid album. What I said: "The first three songs are instantly likeable--the rest of the album had to grow on me, but thankfully it has." Essential track: Spaceman

17. Mariah Carey - E=MC²
As its title implies, Mariah Carey's 10th album adheres closely to the formula of her last album, The Emancipation of Mimi, which brought her back to the spotlight after two albums that found her career in decline. E=MC² didn't land the singer as many hits as Mimi, but I actually prefer this album's more modern and upbeat sound. What I said: "E=MC² is a soundtrack for driving in the sun and going out with friends, despite some of its surprisingly personal more serious moments." Essential track: Migrate

18. Ne-Yo - Year of the Gentleman
Over the last few years, singer/songwriter/producer Ne-Yo has been steadily securing his status as one of the most influential rising stars of pop and R&B. This year he released his most accomplished album yet and landed a Grammy Album of the Year nomination for it. His winning mix of pop, R&B, and dance sounds, as well as his message about treating women as equals rather than sex objects, made him stand out. What I said: "he's the whole package." Essential track: Miss Independent

19. Adele - 19
British singer Adele Adkins got about as good a launch this year as a singer could hope for, being named the BBC Sounds of 2008 top new artist, getting strong promotion in both the UK and the US, and starting off with an amazing hit single, "Chasing Pavements." What I said: "19 is a soulful creation, showcasing Adele's powerful voice. It's not a magnum opus--most of the songs are about a young woman pining after boys--but why should it be?" Essential track: Chasing Pavements

20. The Raconteurs - Consolers of the Lonely
Jack White sound best when he's jamming with ex-wife/sometimes sister Meg in The White Stripes, but this second album with his other band wasn't bad. It actually sounds a lot like a White Stripes album but with more instruments and a greater classic rock influence. What I said: "It's strength is its simplicity, built on great rhythms, guitar riffs and rock strut." Essential track: Consoler of the Lonely

21. Goldfrapp - Seventh Tree
Goldfrapp's fourth album toned down the sexy electro-pop of their last two albums. As such, it has more in common with atmospheric Felt Mountain than stompers Black Cherry or Supernature. It's also a step down from those fantastic two albums, but still pretty good. What I said: "First track 'Clowns' and first single 'A&E' are perhaps the two loveliest songs Goldfrapp has ever crafted." Essential track: Clowns

22. Keane - Perfect Symmetry
Also taking a step down from their previous albums but still good enough to land in my top 25 is the third album from Keane. Credit the band for breaking out of their piano-based rock comfort zone to incorporate guitar and new wave. Just too bad the melodies weren't as strong this time. What I said: "Despite their experimentation, which I applaud, much of this feels very familiar without being as interesting as what they've done before." Essential track: Spiralling

23. The Ting Tings - We Started Nothing
There's nothing wrong with making upbeat fluffy pop/rock as long as it's done well. Not everyone's cut out to be U2, but just because an album may lack substance doesn't mean it can't exude melody, charm and fun, which The Ting Tings did quite successfully on their debut disc. What I said: "This isn't a serious work and it's not meant to be. The Ting Tings are clearly having a good time and so are we." Essential track: Shut Up and Let Me Go

24. Foxboro Hottubs - Stop Drop and Roll!!!
Green Day took a break from being Green Day, masquerading as the Foxboro Hottubs to deliver a quick and dirty set of fun jams far away from the social commentary of their epic 2004 award-winning album American Idiot. Like many of the year's best albums, the '60s and '70s were strong influences. What I said: "None of this is very substantive, but that's the point. It's just short, enjoyable bursts of '60s-flavored rock." Essential track: Mother Mary

25. Sheryl Crow - Detours
I associate this rather impressive and personal set from Sheryl Crow with a day last February when one weekend day I walked the two miles home from downtown through a cold but sunny DC winter's day. It was the perfect backdrop. What I said: "Sheryl draws on these life-changing events (her divorce, cancer and son's adoption) to give Detours a particularly personal depth, but she turns to the outside world too to give it political depth as well, touching on the war, the environment and our thirst for oil." Essential track: Shine Over Babylon


Also Recommended:
British Sea Power - Do You Like Rock Music?
Girls Aloud - Out of Control
Delta Goodrem - Delta
Elbow - The Seldom Seen Kid
Nine Inch Nails - The Slip
The Script
Sugababes - Catfights and Spotlights

Also Reviewed:
Dido - Safe Trip Home
Hot Chip - Made in the Dark
Ladytron - Velocifero
Mêlée - Devils & Angels
Moby - Last Night
My Morning Jacket - Evil Urges
Neon Neon - Stainless Style
R.E.M. - Accelerate
Sia - Some People Have Real Problems
Solange - Sol-Angel & the Hadley St. Dreams
Sam Sparro
Britney Spears - Circus
TV on the Radio - Dear Science,


Five worst of the year:

Snow Patrol - A Hundred Million Suns Snow Patrol released a sleepy retread of their fantastic 2006 album Eyes Open. A real disappointment.

Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan - Sunday at Dirt Devil This dark and too folksy follow-up didn't hold a candle to the duo's 2006 Mercury Prize nominee, Ballad of the Broken Seas.

Vampire Weekend This has shown up on every music magazine's year-end best list. Yet, I'm not changing my opinion that I thought it was pretentious, meaningless and boring.

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Dig!!! Lazarus, Dig!!! Here's another critics favorite--"storyteller" rock that just doesn't appeal to me.

The Verve - Forth Not necessarily the year's worst album, but the biggest disappointment for me. After an 11-year break, The Verve re-formed to deliver this somber set of overly long, listless songs. "Bittersweet Symphony," "The Drugs Don't Work," and "Sonnet" were such magic moments on their 1997 album Urban Hymns. I was really hoping for a repeat and didn't get it--not even close.