My List Is Fleet-ing...

So I may have posted my "Top 10" list prematurely. I'm guessing it had more to do with the time constraints that Hypemachine put up if you wanted to be included in their annual Zeitgeist (which I did, because I'm all about validation, but more importantly lists).

I've been combing the blogosphere reading other lists, as well as those on the major music sites (Pitchfork, Spin, Rolling Stone, etc) to catch up on all the awesomeness I missed out on, because there is surely too much good music out there to hear it all.

And I definitely missed a big one.

Pitchfork's readers named a song, White Winter Hymnal, the song of 2008, which I balked at pretty harding, considering I'd only heard it in passing at one point (on the aformentioned Hypemachine). I'd only even seen the band's name, Fleet Foxes, surface with the likes of Bon Iver, whom I wasn't sold on either despite their glowing reviews, and I'd be lying if I hadn't written them off as folky indie-cred crap. You know exactly what I'm talking about. (We can smell our own.)

With the amount of music available by way of the interwebz, it's tough to spend much time on a single record you've kinda psyched yourself up to dislike in the first place (the same scenario I blame for most people's negative reaction to Kanye's record); so why bother?

Well, some of it is amazing.

As I wrote my list, I spun Fleet Foxes' record for the first few times, glancing at it more than giving it a real look. Upon my first full listen, I came to see what all the fuss was about: Fleet Foxes had crafted a genuinely warm record for the winter (despite it's Spring release; timing is everything). Acoustic in nature, with harmonies carrying the weight of a past rich in Brian Wilson and the sunshine of his Beach Boys, mixed with the cold, airy, echo-laced production of a church recording. It's all very serene, nostalgic and innocent inner-child-revealing (and of course, indie-sensible). The record puts me in a great mood every time I've listened to it (I'd put the play count at about 20 full listens, plus repeat listens of my favorite tracks, like White Winter Hymnal. While I wouldn't consider Hymnal to be my favorite song of the year (a la Pitchfork), it's simplicity, lack of pop-structure (no verse-chorus-bridge here, just a refraining round) and "ooh-oooh's" wreak of genuine heartfelt music making. This isn't a pop record, nor would it ever stand a chance at commercial radio play, but it will welcome itself as the background to your winter season (or any other time you play it). And my guess is the Fleet Foxes loved every minute of creating it (as do I).

If the music doesn't sell you on that feeling, the liner notes will. While reading them today (after finally getting ahold of a physical copy of the disc for myself...it made for a christmas present or two on my behalf), I had a teary, emotionally personal moment. While waiting in the car, alone, outside of a Shoppers Drug Mart, I read the most sincere confessional concerning our youthful memories and how important a role music can play in it. It said something along the lines of all the memories we have of ourselves as children are derived from pictures and video collected; our recollections are shot from the same angle as the camera, which is a fear I've shared only with myself until this moment.

Differently, however, was the story when it came to music. Music carries no visual component, just an aurally pleasing/heartbreaking sound that can instantly transport you anywhere: to the first time you danced with a girl, drove your parents car, or felt something break your heart. Beautiful, and entirely fitting to the sound and feel of this record. A must have, as far as I'm concerned.

Plus HMV is stocking and selling it for $10.
Support the music you love -- Buy it!

High Bit-rate Samples:
White Winter Hymnal
or
Blue Ridge Mountains
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The updated "Favorite 10 Records" 2008 list:

01 Vampire Weekend, by Vampire Weekend
02 Fleet Foxes, by Fleet Foxes
03 Only By The Night, by Kings of Leon
04 Feed The Animals, by Girl Talk
05 808s & Heartbreak, by Kanye West
06 Pershing, by Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin
07 Dear Science, by TV on the Radio
08 Never Just A Dream, by Emma-Lee
09 We Sing We Dance We Steal Things, by Jason Mraz
10 Oracular Spectacular, by MGMT

(Bumped to Honorable Mentions: Universal Mind Control, by Common, which had really been inserted on a whim based on my initial state of shock from it's freshness. It hasn't sustained as well on repeat listens, though Make My Day will be in my top 20 songs of the year without a doubt.)

Favorite Records '08

I've got to give it up for music in 2008; there are easily 40 records I throughly enjoyed. The year was full of surprises, from a series of impressive debuts (Vampire Weekend, MGMT, Fleet Foxes), to mainstream break-throughs (Girl Talk, Kings of Leon, TV on the Radio), and unexpected twists in hip-hop (Kanye West, Common).

01 Vampire Weekend, by Vampire Weekend
For all of their supposed over-hype, I still enjoy this record every bit as much as I did the day I bought it. In January. I can't pick a single track to call my favorite because they're all that good. (But I will anyway...)
Download: Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa

02 Only By the Night, by Kings of Leon
A stadium-sized rock record, no doubt influenced by their tours with Pearl Jam. No song floored me the way "Sex On Fire" did the first time I heard it.
Download: Sex On Fire (or just turn on the local rock radio station, where it's over saturated)

03 Feed The Animals, by Girl Talk
While perhaps not as good as Night Ripper, you can't doubt the fact that Girl Talk is the most interesting DJ to watch in the business. This is a party of a record, even for those who aren't into the mash-up scene; anyone can have a good time picking apart the littany of samples of your favorite songs.
Download: Still Here

04 808s & Heartbreak, by Kanye West
I've already said my piece about this record. It's great, and ultimately refreshing.
Download: Street Lights

05 Pershing, by Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin
Sweet and saccharine, the easiest listening album of the year. The flavor of the Beach Boys and the indie sensibility of The Shins, with the down-to-earth production of your very own living room. Seriously.
Download: Some Constellation

06 Dear Science, by TV on the Radio
Found this while traversing the HypeMachine for something new. And it was exactly what I needed. Diverse and full of layers, from organic rock to drum machines and exotic reverb, this record gets better with every listen. There is so much to hear. I suggest some serious high-fidelity headphones. You'll see what I mean.
Download: Crying

07 Never Just A Dream, by Emma-Lee
I've also already pronounced my undying love for Emma-Lee (and her music). Anyone looking for breezy AM radio gems will be more than sufficed. The silkiest vocals in town.
Download: Isn't It Obvious?

08 We Sing We Dance We Steal Things, by Jason Mraz
A nice comeback album after his sophmore slump. I'm Yours is worth the price of admisson alone, but repeat listens will have you jamming to Make It Mine, Live High, and Butterfly, as Mraz gets back to his soul-driven roots.
Download: Make It Mine

09 Oracular Spectacular, by MGMT
It took me a while to come around; I called them over-hyped before I took the time to actually feel them out. After watching them open for Beck, I bathed in the awesomeness that was Electric Feel, and the ubiquity that was Time To Pretend. Much more depth than I'd anticipated.
Download: Electric Feel

10 Universal Mind Control, by Common
Quite possibly more surprising a twist than Kanye's record. Common makes a full-fledged leap into electronic production, from drum & bass to hard synths and back to laser-esque chirps, Universal Mind Control shows there might still be more to come in the stale state of hip-hop. The track Make My Day is infinitely catchy and uplifts me every time I hear Cee-Lo on the chorus.
Download: Make My Day

Honourable Mentions Worth Listening:::
Sexuality, by Sebastien Tellier
Evolver, by John Legend
Saturdays = Youth, by M83
In Ghost Colours, by Cut Copy
The Way I See It, by Raphael Saddiq
Konk, by The Kooks
Jim, by Jamie Lidell
The Black Ghosts, by The Black Ghosts

*All tracks are posted for previewing purposes only. Please support your favorite artists, and buy the music you love.