Best of 2008
by Phil Goldberg

Top 10 Albums

The Dodos
Visiter
(Frenchkiss)

This duo's French Kiss release made less waves that it should have by virtue of its sheer mastery of the familiar. Freak Folk? Yes. Duo minimalism? Yes. Where the album shines so much brighter than others this year is the breadth of accessibility. Dodos are as Magnetic Fields as they are Animal Collective, as Paul McCartney as they are Mountain Goats. What the formula made was the most accessible and well crafted album this year.

Frightened Rabbit
Midnight Organ Fight
(Fat Cat)
Sun Kil Moon
April
(Caldo Verde)
Emeralds
Solar Bridge
(Hanson)
Calexico
Carried to Dust
(Quarterstick)
M83
Saturdays=Youth
(Mute)
Bon Iver
For Emma, Forever Ago
(Jagjaguwar)
The Sea and Cake
Car Alarm
(Thrill Jockey)
Steven Malkmus & the Jicks
Real Emotional Trash
(Matador)
The Notwist
Devil You and Me
(Domino)

Honorable Plays

Vetiver
Thing of the Past
(Fat Cat)

Everything Andy Cabic's band of dudes touches turns to gold, including other people's oft forgotten tunes.

Neon Neon
Stainless Style
(Lex)

Gruff Rhys, we didn't really need an '80s throwback pseudo-soundtrack featuring tracks about Racquel Welch and Alderaan, but thank you.

Rhys Chatham & Guitar Trio All-Stars
Guitar Trio Is My Life!
(Table of the Elements)

Cool, yes. Overkill, yes.


Next Year's Models

Mew

The Archie Bronson Outfit

Sonic Youth

My Morning Jacket, "Thank You Too"

Other Writers
Kevin J. Elliott • Dorian S. Ham • Tom Butler • Michael P. O'Shaughnessy • Josie Rubio • Ron Wadlinger • Jennifer Farmer • Stephen Slaybaugh