The Top 20 Countdown Begins!
This post was written by Benjiposted in Uncategorized |
Ladies and Gents, Gents and Ladies-
I’ve been in a little hiatus (theme of the latter half of 2008 for this blog), but this is for good reason. I’ve been working out the annual CSV Top 20 albums of 2008! I have to say that this year produced some very interesting results; whereas 2007 was ripe full of obviously excellent albums, I felt that 2008 was a little more subtle in this manner. Nonetheless, I think you’ll be pleasantly pleased with the results. So let’s begin!
16. Ray LaMontagne - Gossip in the Grain
I’ve come to expect only the highest quality from Ray LaMontagne, and Gossip in the Grain is no different. That sultrous rasp and penchant for soulful folk music is at its best on Gossip in the Grain as both the production qualities and Ray’s charm are on full blast. Take a listen to “You Are the Best Thing” and tell me that’s not foreshadowing for this album to be on the CSV Best of 2008 list.
Listen to Ray LaMontagne - “You Are the Best Thing”
17. Dr. Dog - Fate
An exciting approach to folk-rock from the Philadelphian collective Dr. Dog, Fate forages into upbeat, foot-tapping superlatives that will have you questioning what the hell the term freakfolk actually means. Splendid choral harmonies and some good ol’ guitar pluckin and piano hoppin’ make this album one of the best of the year without a doubt.
Listen to Dr. Dog - “The Rabbit, The Bat, & The Reindeer”
18. Thao Nguyen & The Get Down Stay Down - We Brave Bee Stings and All
Nguyen’s gentle, petite vocals teeter on the edge of sounding cutesy and strained, but somehow she pulls it off with class. Perhaps that is a testament to her band, who supplies a fair share of lazy guitars (”Big Kid Table”), funky keyboards (”Geography”), and rolling drums (”Beat (Health, Life, and Fire)”). Ranging from off-kilter reggae (”Bag of Hammers”) to lifting sing-alongs (”Yes, Soon and Soon”), this album is a real pleasure.
Listen to Thao Nguyen - “Beat (Health, Life, & Fire)”
19. Manishevitz - East to East
Chicago veteran alt indie-rockers Manishevitz have never made kosher food sound so good! Their new long player East to East is an entrancing collection of songs that span experimental rock, bluesy jazz, and some downright funk. These songs are a collection of experimental rock symphonies, topped off with the delightful touch of a tenor sax.
Listen to Manishevitz - “Eiji”
20. Laura Marling - Alas I Cannot Swim
Moody and uplifting, Uk singer-songwriter Laura Marling’s voice floats effortlessly through various ranges on her debut Alas I Cannot Swim. Marling seems to be connoting an ominous, pessimistic life-view, but each song seems to insinuate the very opposite. Each track is a proverbial wink from Ms. Marling, assuring us that in the end things really aren’t so bad.
Listen to Laura Marling - “Tap At My Window“
