That's right, thanks to a super spiffy new computer (courtesy of my father and Christmas) I am once again able to update the blog. So instead of trying to catch up and recap my life over the last few months, I've decided to do the obligatory year end lists and whatnot so that I can start up again fresh here soon. I have also decided to split this stuff into separate posts, because I'm wordy enough as is and I'd like people to be actually finish reading it.
2008 Year In Review Part One: Top 10 CDs (you saw that coming, right?)
10. The Black Keys-Attack And Release
I'm not really sure what took me so long to get into these guys, I just never bothered before. The wait has been worth it. This disc is a mix of blues, roots rock and pure sludge that is alternately rocking, droning and oddly beautiful. Not an easy listen and one I have to be in the mood for, but really good.
9. R.E.M.-Accelerate
A fine return to form, and the most rock they've put on a CD in years. Plus, it's got one of my favorite lyrics of the year: Life's pretty final/I'm collecting vinyl/I'm gonna DJ at the end of the world. Okay, it sounds better when sung but I still dig it.
8. Mudcrutch-Mudcrutch
Tom Petty reunites with his old band to make the country-rock record he's been trying to make for the past ten years. That's all you need to know.
7. Tift Merritt-Another Country
She's usually classified as a country artist, but Tift Merrit is more in the folky, singer songwriter type mode. Usually that would turn me off, but this is a great CD. Her voice is very pretty, but just rough enough around the edges to signify the hurt, longing and healing portrayed in these songs. A gem.
6. Old 97's-Blame It On Gravity
A great Old 97's record, every song a winner.
5. Motorhead-Motorizer
When you buy a Motorhead CD you basically know what you're getting. Some are better than others, and this is a good one. The differences disc to disc are pretty subtle but to a fan they are important. "Motorizer" took a while to grow on me, but those are the types of discs that usually become favorites. A must for all hard rock fans, or at least all Motorhead fans. Which, come to think of it, ought to be the same thing.
4. Hayes Carll-Trouble In Mind
In a perfect world, Hayes Carll would be the next big thing in country music...but the world isn't perfect and country radio sucks, so he's got to rely on the live show and word of mouth. Well, my mouth's a-flappin'. This record sounds like the best old school outlaw record never made. The songs are poetic, gritty, and occasionally funny as hell. Carll's Texas drawl spits out the lyrics perfectly and combined with a crack band he's made the country record of the year. And his live sets are great too.
3. Metallica-Death Magnetic
I believe I speak for all old school metal fans when I say it's about damn time. Metallica have made the record I've been waiting for them to put out since 1989. Some may say too little too late, but they're not listening properly. It keeps getting better with every listen.
2. Drive-By Truckers-Brighter Than Creation's Dark
Yeah, I'm surprised it's not number one too. It is a great album, though flawed. With its formidable length, there are bound to be a few moments not up to par. but the rest of the tracks make up for them. I do feel that there could be a few more rockers on the record, and that some of the connector songs could have been dropped or fleshed out a little more. Still, my objections are really pretty minor and it's only because DBT are my favorite working band that they matter at all. Otherwise a sprawling work that would fit well in anyone's collection.
1. Ray Davies-Working Man's Cafe
A masterpiece. Everyone who knows anything about anything knows Ray Davies as the leader of The Kinks. The trouble is, most people don't look beyond 'You Really Got Me" and "Lola", and therefore don't understand the breadth of Davies' work. Melancholy, anger, joy, wistful nostalgia and a firm British sense of humor were all a part of The Kinks sound and are all on display here. It's his best writing in years and the best CD of the year hands down. If the rumored Kinks reunion happens and the new music they produce is half this good 2009 will be a good year for music indeed.
Other Stuff:
Best Live Record:
Smithereens-Live In Concert
(And that says something when The Stones, Rush, Squeeze and The Clash all put out great live discs this year!)
Guilty Pleasure:
Def Leppard-Songs From The Sparkle Lounge
Disappointment Of The Year:
Alice Cooper-Along Came A Spider
(Not bad by any means, but could have been better)
Worst Album Of The Year:
Black Crowes-Warpaint
Best Song From An Average Album:
"Saints Of Los Angeles"-Motley Crue
Other Stuff I Drug:
AC/DC-Black Ice, Supersuckers-Get It Together, James Hunter-The Hard Way, Allison Moorer-Mockingbird, The Kooks-Konk, Hank Williams III-Damn Right, Rebel Proud
Stuff I Missed:
She & Him-Volume One, Judas Priest-Nostradamus, Duffy-Rockferry, Eagles Of Death Metal-Heart On
Okay, that's it for the music stuff. Be back soon (tomorrow maybe?) with a year end round-up and my resolutions for 2008.
