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.