What I listened to most in '08.

My bro-in-law does this list every year (see this year's incarnation here) and I've decided to chip in, too.
My criteria was not only play-count, but what records this year I've actually told people about.
You ought to respond with your own list, I'm always curious as to what folks are listening to.

1. Kings of Leon - Only By The Night

I'm surprised every time KOL puts out a record at how good they actually are. They are kind of entering a U2 phase with really big, arena rock songs right now, but they are still awesome songs and they are so tight live that it works for them. Plus, they've got much love for my Sooners.

2. Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend

Trendy? Maybe. But so good. I love the imagery they create - that is evident in everything they do, from lyrics to how they dress - of a yacht club rock show in the Hamptons.



3. Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes

Another band who just physically embodies the way their music sounds. "He Doesn't Know Why" is to me now, what MMJ's "The Way That He Sings" was 7 years ago. Who is this "He"? Probably Hugh Jackman.



4. Twilight Sad - Here, It Never Snowed. Afterwards It Did

The first of two Scottish bands on the list. This being the gateway band for me. The brogue is thick and the music fitting for a cold, wet island. It would be a little depressing if not for that William Wallace via Mel Gibson rallying the troops strain of hope that persists. A little more experimental than the next group of Scots.

5. Frightened Rabbit - The Midnight Organ Flight

A recent addition, but I'm really digging it. It's more than just the accents that somehow lend credibility to this style of music, not exactly shoegazing but its roots are there.
p.s. For further listening, Glasvegas combines Scottish brooding with Phil Spector's patented Wall of Sound with cool results.

6. Oasis - Dig Out Your Soul

Oasis does one thing and one thing only, make music for the Gallagher brothers to drink to. They are rock and roll, and I'm all for it, la'.




7. M83 - Saturdays = Youth

A little different for me, but it made me feel like I was in a John Hughes movie when I listened to it. Which was often.




8. Coldplay - Viva La Vida

They are the biggest band in the world and are on track to, at the end of their career, stand toe-to-toe with bands like U2 and Radiohead. And Joe Satriani wishes.



9. TV on the Radio - Dear Science,

These guys have something to say and a way to say it that is always interesting.





10. What Made Milwaukee Famous - What Doesn't Kill Us

It might be hipster rock, but these are well-crafted tunes, that guy can sing, and this band is more than a one-trick pony as far as I can tell.



And in the Original Motion Soundtrack category, give it up for Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard - The Dark Knight Original Motion Picture Soundtrack.





Honorable Mentions: these albums made a big end-of-the-year push to get on the list...
Santogold - Santogold; The Tallest Man On Earth - Shallow Graves; Bon Iver - For Emma Forever Ago; Johnossi - All They Ever Wanted; Girl Talk - Feed the Animals; Weezer - Red Album; Born Ruffians - Red Yellow and Blue; My Morning Jacket - Evil Urges