10 Best Songs of 2008 and 5 Worst Albums

My only criteria were that it had to be from 2008 and only one song could make it from a band...or else this would just be the tracklisting from In Rainbows. Let me know if you think I missed out on something.

10. Another Way to Die by Jack White and Alicia Keys, Quantum of Solace OST

A very cool collaboration for the new Bond film, I really liked the bluesy beat and powerful singing by both Alicia and Jack. Having all the right elements from the White Stripes with a nice R & B twist, the song doesn’t fall back on the cheesy, old riffs of previous Bond themes.

The duet finds its way into the instruments with a smooth infusion of piano and guitar. It is as if neither artist compromised their signature sounds, but still seemed collaborative. Too bad the film wasn’t as entertaining as this song.


9. Strange Times- The Black Keys, Attack & Release

I don’t think that the Black Keys can put out a bad album. Even though Attack & Release departs from some Black Keys’ staple sounds, the album is a refreshing release. The song “Strange Times” seems to reflect that change and mix the roaring guitar with some interesting back up vocals and piano. The song deviates from the blues a little, but never have two white guys from Akron, Ohio had so much soul.


8. Paper Planes- M.I.A., Kala

Yes, yes, the “Pineapple Express” song. I understand that the movie propelled the song and vice-versa, yet I most remember the song from “Slumdog Millionaire.” Though I’m not going to tell you that Slumdog is the best movie I have seen in a LONG time (it is) and I won’t review it (You can just read Ryan Mostardo’s Top 10 movies of 2008), the movie lends more significance to the song than just a party song about selling weed. (If you don’ want to consider this song than anything more than a party song, don’t read on). I think the song reflects on how the United States is perceived by supposed “less fortunate” countries. (Yes, there are other cultures outside of the U.S.)

Besides a great energy and the best use of a cash register effect since Pink Floyd’s “Money,” I think the song shows how much the United States focuses on money and the effects of the money and drug culture on young kids all over the world. The fact that she uses kids voices in the chorus and that the cash register effect overpowers the voices really says something. I think the song also pokes fun at how the U.S. is viewed in the rest of the world. KA-CHING.


7. San Francisco- Alkaline Trio, Goddamnit (Redux)

Before I go further, “San Francisco” was originally released in 1998 on Alkaline Trio’s Goddamnit album. As a 10th anniversary celebration, Asian Man Records and the Trio decided to remix the album because the quality isn’t very good on the original. I didn’t put this song on here because I couldn’t think of any better Alkaline Trio song released this year (And I couldn’t; see Five Worst Albums 2008.) The new version of this song revitalizes Matt’s vocals and Dan’s bass.

The lyrics are that more anguished when Matt Skiba sings, “…and I was drinking you goodbye.” A song for any homesick or heartbroken, it is a song that sticks around during a hard time in your life and returns over and over. No one else except Matt Skiba can get away with such an emo lyric as, “I sink deep - 30 thousand feet into my window seat - electric chair,” and have it matter. The album gets a good dusting-off after being remixed and you realize the song, once again, is there to perfectly describe whatever you seem to be going through.


6. Hiroshima (B B B Benny Hits His Head)- Ben Folds, Way to Normal

After Songs for Silverman, I wondered if Ben Folds would ever regain the type of fun that was present in his earlier albums. At Bonnaroo 2008, I got the opportunity to see “Hiroshima” performed live. A narrative describing his experience falling off a stage in Japan, Ben Folds comes back into the light side of things.

With lyrics like, “You want to see what’s inside my head?” the song pokes fun at people that take him too seriously sometimes. The song seems to make fun of songs that are too ambiguous to understand. The song is clear and doesn’t require any further understanding. With an infectious chorus and piano, you can bet that you will be singing, “Oh Oh Oh Oh” in your head all day long. (It’s not a bad thing.)



5. I Will Possess Your Heart- Death Cab for Cutie, Narrow Stairs

I swear this song was on my playlists for the whole summer. With an amazing build up and crystal clear vocals, the song captures your attention for 8 minutes with no need to skip anything. You start to get bored but then Ben cuts in 4 and a half minutes in with the first line, “How I wish you could see the potential, the potential of you and me." Even though the lyrics are a little simple, he uses really powerful language, reflecting the powerful feelings that are presented in the song. This is the song that should have been stuck in your head all summer long.


4. Violet Hill- Coldplay, Viva la Vida

From the choral introit to the stripped down ending, “Violet Hill” shows Coldplay at its best. It was a hard choice between this song and “Viva la Vida,” but I think the drudging progression of the song shows a Coldplay that rises from the shadows of their Radiohead influence. While the war imagery is obvious in the song, it seems to reflect a break up, whether it’s a break from life, love or religion.

The song sounds like a banging piano march until the culmination of heartbreak, “So, if you love me, why’d you let me go?” Following these emphasized lyrics, the guitar-laden song breaks down into a beautiful piano accompaniment and some sort of resolution or ending to the meaning of the piece. Overall, the song reflects a Coldplay who has found their place in music and a Coldplay willing to set themselves apart from their earlier albums.


3. Lovecraft in Brooklyn- The Mountain Goats, Heretic Pride

John Darnielle once again proves that even if he is recording his albums in a studio and NOT on a tape recorder, he can still put you in any situation he wants through his beautiful lyrics and wonderful storytelling. Embarking on a paranoid journey, Darnielle paints the picture of walking around New York, “Woke up afraid of my own shadow, like genuinely afraid.” It’s known that Lovecraft couldn’t stand the large immigrant population in Brooklyn, which made Lovecraft highly xenophobic. John reflects on a claustrophobic fear that you can’t escape. He ditches his acoustic for a dark, electric sound and makes you feel as if you are on the run.

The intermittent high pitched violin and sliding guitar seems like a cry from Cthulhu and adds to the creepiness of the song. I’m just glad to hear something a little different from John and I love when he writes songs that put you in an uncomfortable place. Sometimes you get into those moods where the best way to describe it would be, “I feel like Lovecraft in Brooklyn.”


2. The Corner- The Smoking Popes, Stay Down

If you think that finding God can ruin a band, you would be wrong. After a 7 year hiatus, live reunion album and constant Chicagoland touring, the Smoking Popes produced another album. Since I have been waiting since Lollapalooza 2006 for the new album, I was apprehensive about where the album would take the Popes. Not ones to disappoint, the song “The Corner” was worth the wait alone. Based upon the Truman Capote book, “In Cold Blood,” the song takes the perspective of a serial killer. (If you think a religious band can’t make a song about a serial killer, you would be wrong.) When I saw them perform the song, I had chills down my spine.

The eerie crystal clear guitar melody and downright dark chorus is deceptive. The song speaks of redemption. After hearing the song, I read the book and I think they nailed the feelings you get when reading the book. You sense remorse in the serial killer and almost sympathize with him. Considering that, the lyrics “And if I had another chance to live through that dark night, I would unshoot every bullet, one by one, till the killing came undone” don’t seem that implausible. No matter if you read the book or not, the chilling lyrics and crooning voice will get to you and put you in that dark night.


1. Jigsaw Falling Into Place- Radiohead, In Rainbows

Ok, I’m kind of cheating with this one, because it was technically released on the last days of 2007 but it was so close and In Rainbows was so good that there had to be an exception made. Not only was the album free, but it was GOOD! Imagine that! In fact, I would put this album above previous releases, which is almost unheard of with so many big bands releasing disappointing new albums. The song “Jigsaw Falling Into Place” incorporates the feelings of the whole album. Radiohead seems to be focusing on love on this album and ditches some previous signature sounds, both of which have been downfalls for other bands. Yet, Thom’s ethereal voice and Johnny’s high pitched guitar combine with the upbeat drums to really make you feel the lust that presides over the entire song.

The feeling of a chase leads into a sense of bitterness towards the end. The lyric “Words are a sawed-off shotgun” seems to indicate the relationship is souring. An uncharacteristic narrative from Radiohead, the song seems to be describing relationships in general. The song leads beautifully into “Videotape” which seems to be a meditation of death or a break up. Never have I been so taken with a song like “Jigsaw Falling Into Place” or an album like “In Rainbows.”

5 WORST ALBUMS OF 2008


5. The Raconteurs- Consolers of the Lonely

I was really surprised that Jack White and Brendan Benson couldn’t come up with anything better than this. I think this release lacked the energy of Broken Boy Soldiers. The fact the there are two frontmen might have contributed to this. Well, I’ll just treat this as a little distraction between White Stripes albums.



4. Cold War Kids- Loyalty to Loyalty

Having been the only thing outside Muse at Lollapalooza 2007, I was excited for the new release. It wasn’t that it was a terrible album, it was just a terrible follow-up album. I was hoping for the energy on Robbers & Cowards, but only got a haphazard collection of lackluster songs. I remember when I saw them at Lolla and everyone left after “Hang Me Up to Dry,” the single on Robbers & Cowards. I really hope I didn’t put too much faith in them as a band and I really hope that they don’t end up a one hit wonder.



3. Weezer- Self Titled (The Red Album)

Well, I had heard that Rivers Cuomo had said that his band would be nothing without him and at the time, I thought he was a douchebag. But then the Red Album was released. WOW WAS HE RIGHT. Letting the other band members have more of a role was a REALLY bad idea. Maybe Cuomo felt bad with this release and that’s why he put out another solo album. For the sake of Weezer and its fans, please continue to be a douchebag, Rivers.


2. Guns 'N Roses- Chinese Democracy

HAHAHAHAHAHA! Is this really a surprise? Did anyone honestly expect this to be a good album? Really? HAHA! Oh my God!


1. Alkaline Trio- Agony and Irony

Wow, what a disappointment. Not only was I extremely pissed at the Trio for selling out with a Nike show deal, but then they put out this shitty, shitty album. Not one song redeems itself on the album. After hearing “Fire Down Below” and claims of returning to the good ol’ days of Goddamnit, I was expecting something a little better than Crimson. Little did I know that IT WOULD BE SO MUCH WORSE. Deciding to jump on the Fall Out Boy bandwagon, Matt sounds like every other singer out there. I’m sure moving to Beverly Hills only furthered the terrible sounds of this album. I felt like cutting myself with the CD, but luckily, I had only downloaded it... and promptly deleted it.