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1. Statik Selektah – Stick 2 The Script
While he doesn’t rap, he doesn’t shoutout annoying catchphrases either, and the East-Coast’s DJ Khaled’s soul-driven production, and guestlist, is far superior, starting with To The Top, featuring Cassidy, Saigon, and Termanology. Southern heavyweight Bun B and the lesser known Cory Mo on the east-Asian tinged Get Out The Way, while On The Marquee features soul-ful, 9th Wonder-ish production by Statik and Little Brother on the mic. What makes S2TS excellent is the balance between harder street oriented bangers like For The City (on which Jadakiss shines) and Streets Of MA (featuring a bevy of Boston rappers) and commercial, radio/club friendly tracks like Talkin’ Bout You (feat. Skyzoo, Joell Ortiz, and Talib Kweli), So Good (Live From The Bar) (feat. Naledge, Reks, & C.L. Smooth), and the g-funk laced Cali Nights. rappersof Statik’s talents are especially evident throughout his scratching, especially the hooks, my favorite being the chorus of Talkin’ Bout You, which samples Jay-Z, Biggie, and Bun B voices, to name a few. Production-wise, this album is not only my favorite, but perhaps the best of this year, along with having a guestlist with both underground and mainstream appeal

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2. Reks – Grey Hairs
I first heard Rek’s on Statik’s So Good (Live From The Bar), and damn, I had no idea who he was, but when I gave this album a listen I was blown away. Most notable would be the consistently dope production throughout, mostly by Statik Selektah, but also DJ Premier, Say Goodnight, and Large Professor on the insane Stages – almost every second track is a gem. The first would be How Can It Be, followed by the incredibly dope Money On The Ave, which Skyzoo kills, and even better Black Cream (The Negro Epidemic), featuring Big Shug of Gangstarr. Following that is the soulful Love Sweet Misery and a remix of Big Dreamers, an ill cut off Statik’s first album. I highly, highly recommend this album – it’s been a long time since I’ve been so thoroughly impressed with the consistency, balance and quality of an album as a whole (lyrically and production-wise), especially coming from such an unknown artist.

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3. Kanye West – 808's & Heartbreak
Needless to say, 808’s marked a dramatic change in Ye’s style, which, love it or hate it, couldn’t make me happier; it’s not often that an artist at their peak of popularity makes such a remarkably different, and what could be genre-defining album. Fueled his emotional loss and pain, Yeezy made an album that artistically explores his pain, guilt, and regret, yet remains appealing despite it’s dark and, honestly, depressive sound. Upon hearing the first song, Say You Will, the minimalist aesthetic that Ye uses throughout 808’s is evident – there is also no sampling on the album. However, what is left is all Kanye, and his emotion is felt not only through his varied use of the auto-tune, but through it’s chilling, bare-bones beats as well. Welcome To Heartbreak puts Ye’s regrets on display: “Chased the good life all my whole life long/Look back on my life and my life gone”, followed by the radio-friendly Heartless and Love Lockdown, and the Jeezy-featured Amazing, which lives up to it’s name. The second half of the album definitely gets weaker, as tracks like Paranoid and See You In My Nightmares just don’t work, but Robocop and Coldest Winter, a tribute to his mother, are both gems. Overall, while Ye’s latest could be a bit more consist, it is still one of the best, and definitely the most creative pop album of the year.

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4. Nas – Untitled
While Nasir couldn’t get it the title he wanted, Untitled is still an album to naming it Untitled is genius – we all know what it’s really called. His 9th studio album features the usual exceptional lyricism we’ve come to expect, along with one of his most consistent efforts yet, focusing on socially, racially and politically charged topics. After a forgettable Queens Get Money Too, Nas sets the pace with the funky You Can’t Stop Us Now and Breathe, but misfires on an awkward, forced-hit in Make The World Go Round with The Game and Chris Brown. However, the next track, Hero, is a uniquely synthetic yet thunderous and energetic single, perhaps one of Nas’ best. Sly Fox, an attack on the Fox news empire, and America are some of the weaker tracks, but Testify, a slow, soulful gem, and Fried Chicken, featuring Busta Rhymes, are both incredible. The production on Untitled is on point throughout, and Nas’ rhymes are, as always, exceptional. Untitled is a must-have from ’08.

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5. T.I. – Paper Trail
Paper Trail is another album that does well balancing commercial and street tracks, going from Ready For Whatever to the mega-hits Live Your Live (featuring Rihanna) and Whatever You Like (production courtesy of Jim Jonsin). Even though he is facing jail-time, Paper Trail is a positive upbeat album that does well showcasing both sides of Tip; the public, fearless machismo side (I’m Illy, Every Chance I Get), along with his introspective, intellectual and self-reflective side (Dead And Gone, Slide Show, You Ain’t Missin Nothing). No Matter What may be T.I.’s best song yet; however, singles Swagga Like Us and Swing Ya Rag are both awful. Paper Trail is packed full of great songs, and is arguably his most consistent release yet.

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6. Bun B – II Trill
After Pimp C’s tragic death, Bun B was forced into the solo spotlight, again. Clearly missing Pimp’s twangy-funk, Bun’s second solo album, II Trill, is no southern classic, but it’s still a great album. He keeps it trill on That’s Gangsta with Sean Kingston, get’s funky with Lil’ Wayne on Damn I’m Cold, and parties hard on I Luv That and Pop It 4 Pimp; but as usual, Bun also takes his time with the social and political on Get Cha Issue (Y'all some liars, stealers, philanderers and all/ Got senators sucking dick inside of bathroom stalls) and If It Was Up II Me (featuring the legendary Junior Reid). Other standout tracks include Good II Me featuring Mya (with a sick guitar lick at the end) and the emotional Pimp C tribute, Angel In The Sky, beautifully sung by Razah. II Trill is a much improved follow-up to Bun’s debut, Trill, but still a far cry from the bar set his southern classics with UGK.

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7. Ra – Black Sun
Ra took a step back with the release of the inconsistent yet experimental concept album Duality, however, they have returned to their much heavier, but still melodic and hook-laden form that led to their classic debut From One. The album begins with two great tracks in Broken Hearted Soul and Faulty Information, followed by standouts Don’t Turn Away and I Believe Again (reminiscent of From One’s I Believe). On Waste of Space, Ra also proves scathing criticism of their relationship with their former record label. The album finishes with the masterpiece Easier Than This. Ra’s third studio album regains the consistency that From One boasts, as well as the hard/melodic style backed by the incredible vocals of Sahaj Ticotin.

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8. The Game – LAX
The melodramatic bullshit and questionable tattoos never end for Jayceon Taylor, but that’s never stopped him from putting out dope music. L.A.X. is a marathon of namedropping, shoutouts and r&b features, but in between quite a bit of filler are quite a few dope songs, beginning with State Of Emergency with Ice Cube, My Life with the autotuning Lil’ Wayne, and Money. After that is a slew of r&b laced tracks, which, love em or hate em, I love; Ne-Yo shines on Gentleman’s Affair and Camera Phone, Angel features Common servin rhymes and Kanye droppin beats, and Game’s Pain featuring Keyshia Cole all standout, along with the single Dope Boys featuring Travis Barker. L.A.X. lacks the consistency of The Documentary, and The Game’s non-stop namedropping gets excessive, but it’s still a great album, and step up from Doctor’s Advocate.

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9. Young Jeezy – The Recession
Jeezy’s latest offering, The Recession, is his best yet. Jeezy’s never been a master lyricist, but the dark, synthetic production matched with his hard, yet smooth flow creates a grimy yet energetic sound that Jeezy has become known for. Also notable is the relative lack of features – the first 2/3s of the album are just Jeezy, and he holds is own with a vengence on By The Way, Crazy World, Vacation and Hustaz Ambition (a still enjoyable Pac ripoff). Even better are the tracks complemented by crooners Trey Songz (Takin’ It There) and Anthony Hamilton (Everything) and Kanye, with his auto-tune coming out party on the anthemic Put On. This great album features Jeezy not only basking in the world around him, but also questioning it, and showing a more introspective side for the first time. While the beats get a bit repetitive, and the tracklist a bit long, The Recession is easily Jeezy’s best work to date.

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10. Plies – Definition of Real
Plies gets a lot of hate, and I get that. Yeah, he’s wack, his voice is annoying, he’s ain’t ever been to jail, he doesn’t really have a criminal past. That he puts ‘realness’ on a pedestal at the same time doesn’t help either, but you can’t deny he makes sick tunes, or the fact that he isn’t the first to lie about his past (see Akon, Rick Ross). You gotta give him credit for him work ethic as well; he’s just put out his third album in two years, and could possibly have already completed his fourth. On DOR, his strength, female-oriented r&b songs, is on full display here, just see the irresistible Ne-Yo assisted Bust It Baby Pt. 2, #1 Fan (featuring Keyshia Cole and J. Holiday), Somebody (Loves You) and Feel Like Fuckin. However, Please Excuse My Hands is just awful, along with the easily forgettable street anthem Who Hotter Than Me; but the Drumma Boy produced Watch Dis is dope. Plies has shown his talent doesn’t lie with making hard, street songs, but with his and appeal with making tracks for the club and R&B oriented tracks for the ladies.

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11. Murs – Murs for President
Murs For President is Murs’ first major studio album, and while he sheds some of his underground roots for that major label status, he doesn’t disappoint. Frequent collaborator 9th Wonder’s production is sparse (3 tracks), but Murs still shines, especially on the Snoop Dogg assisted, piano heavy Time Is Now. His songs about relationships are humbly honest and relatable (A Part Of Me, Breakup (The OJ Song)), and his ability to relate to the everyman is his greatest strength. Everything, The Road Is My Religion, the guitar laced are all amazing cuts. The token will.i.am feature on Lookin’ Fly is forgettable, and 9th Wonder is missed on most of the album, but Murs For President is a great major debut by an even better rapper, whose earlier work unfortunately sets the bar higher than achieved here.

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12. Inverse – So Far (The Collection)
a. So Far may be one of the most slept on hip-hop albums of ’08. The west-coast duo of Toby (Jewish) & Tunji (Nigerian Muslim) is as unique as they come, and they bring it on So Far with a progressive, diverse sound - from the smooth HipHopSoul, upbeat Sunnycalifornia, introspective Constellation and Til’ The End (C.A.L.I.), which samples Common’s Faithful, are all equally and incredibly dope. The album is crafted from start to finish, lacking any filler. If you haven’t check it out; it’s available for free on Last.fm.

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13. Lil' Wayne – Tha Carter III
Lil’ Wayne aimed to make a classic, and was close, as Tha Carter III, an overrated but still great album, is no masterpiece. However, there are some incredible tracks, like the soulful Mr. Carter, featuring Jay-Z, the piano-driven, Yeezy produced Let The Beat Build, the Jim Jonsin mega-hit Lollipop, the silky-smooth Comfortable, also produced by Yeezy, and Tie My Hands, an emotional duet with Robin Thicke. But the singles A Milli and Got Money, featuring T-Pain, both miss, especially the latter. Tha Carter may have been the most hyped and overrated album of ’08, but it’s still one of the best.

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14. The Roots – Rising Down
The edgy, darker, political and serious Rising Down begins with one of the best collabos of ’08, the title track, featuring Mos Def and a sick Styles P verse. Rising Down is especially dope from the middle to end, with standout songs like Criminal (featuring Saigon), I Will Not Apologize (featuring P.O.R.N., Dice Raw & Talib Kweli), Lost Desire (also featuring Talib) and The Show (with Common and Malik B). The production throughout the album is on point, along with an impressive array of guest spots, many of whom are lesser known. The gritty, angst ridden Rising Down is an amazing release by The Roots, and is a definite must-have of ’08.

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15. Rick Ross – Trilla
The Boss was maybe a bit overambitious naming his third album Trilla, however, while it has it’s limitations, it remains one of my favorites of this year thanks to it’s abundance of dope, bangin beats courtesy the J.U.S.T.I.C.E League (Maybach Music, Billionaire, Luxury Tax), Drumma Boy (Here I Am), The Runners (Speedin’), and J.R. Totem (The Boss). These, and some great guest spots (see Lil’ Wayne, R. Kelly, & Jay-Z) that saves the album from Ross’ miniscule vocabulary and lyrical ability, not mention wackness.

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16. Shinedown – The Sound of Madness
The Sound Of Madness is Shinedown’s best album yet; it’s harder, heavier and more intense than either of their past two albums, and there isn’t a single weak track. Lead singer Brent Smith’s vocals are amazing throughout the album, especially on the first three tracks, Devour, The Sound Of Madness and Second Chance. TSOF is album that is easily listenable from start to finish, and has more consistency than either of their previous albums; Sin With A Grin, Breaking Inside, and The Energy are also standout tracks.

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17. Ludacris – Theater of the Mind
Luda’s new album is based on the concept of a movie, and delivers, for the most part. While some songs don’t fit well with the theme, such as One More Drink, which is a great song, the beats are bangin. However, Luda’s latest isn’t his most consistent and could’ve benefitted from being slimmed down to Release Therapy size. Wish You Would, Nasty Girl and MVP are great songs, but the album’s best is easily I Do It For Hip Hop, which co-stars Nas & Jay-Z, and samples the classic Keep Their Heads Ringin by Dr. Dre.

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18. Guns N' Roses – Chinese Democracy
Axl’s work, almost a decade and a half in the making, is not really Gun’s N Roses – he is the only original member – and the mountain of expectations that come with such a mythical release fall squarely on his shoulders. Nothing could have possibly met the hype or expectations generated in 14 years, but Chinese Democracy is a great album, with a new, more modern, industrial-rock sound that is still as hard and grimy as classic GNR. If The World is a masterpiece, and the guitar solo in There Was A Time is hair raising. Chinese Democracy, Better, and I.R.S. are also all amazing tracks. Axl’s voice is still as great and unique as ever, and Chinese Democracy is easily one of the best albums of the year.

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19. DJ Khaled – We Global
What exactly does DJ Khaled actually do? Other than ruin the songs he shouts on and look like an idiot in videos? Who the fucks knows, but We Global is a beast! While Khaled still lacks consistency, he does put out some excellent tracks in Go Hard (w/ Kanye & T-Pain), Red Light (The Game), Go Ahead (Lloyd, Fabolous, Rick Ross, Flo-Rida & Fat Joe) We Global (Trey Songz, Fat Joe, Ray J), and I’m On (Nas).

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20. T-Pain – Thr33 Ringz
I’ve always been a huge T-Pain fan, and I see why he gets a lot of hate, but you gotta give it to Pain, he’s made quite a career for himself. The self described ‘Ringleader Man’ leads it off with a song by the same name, and unfortunately, it’s the albums best track, and can be heard throughout in the background of the fairly funny skits. I Can’t Believe It is deliciously tropical Lil’ Wayne assited single, Freeze is a great duet with Chris Brown, and Therapy, featuring Kanye West, has a hilariously killer chorus. However, with such a long album, there’s bound to be plenty of filler, along with similar, repetitive sounding beats – T-Pain’s limited range becomes obvious as the 17-track (plus bonus tracks) beast chugs on. But as a whole, Thr33 Ringz is T-Pain’s best album yet, and statement affirming his successful place in the music biz.

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21. Kings of Leon – Only By The Night
Only By The Night is the first I’ve heard of the Kings Of Leon, and wow, I was impressed. Their southern/garage-indie-post-rock style is unlike any other band I’ve head, and lead vocalist Caleb Followll’s voice is uniquely intriguing their sound. The album as a whole is a great listen from beginning to end, but Closer, Crawl, Sex On Fire, I Want You and Be Somebody are all standout tracks.

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22. Sevendust – Chapter VII: Hope & Sorrow
Sevendust’s latest is not as heavy as their earlier work, but achieves an excellent balance of melodic and heavy metal elements – Walk Away goes back and forth from heavy to melodic, ending with a soft fadeout. All three songs featuring guests standout, especially Hope (the others being The Past and Sorrow). As a whole, the slim, eleven track album runs under 50 minutes and is remarkably consistent. Chapter VII is easily my favorite metal album of the year.

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23. eMC – The Show
Masta Ace is one of my favorite unsung, unrecognized rappers, and he, along with Strick, Punchline & Wordsworth, have made a sick show-concept-based album in The Show. That the four had frequently collaborated in the past is evident, as they ooze lyrical chemistry throughout. Who We Be, Traffic (featuring Little Brother), Don’t Give Up On Us, eMC, Once More, and Feel It are all outstanding tracks.

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24. Atmosphere – When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold
Ant’s experimental, live production is amazing on Lemons, while Slugs introspective lyrics are as good as ever, making for an excellent album. The minimalist, guitar solo Guarantees is incredible, perhaps the albums best, and most original cut. Wild Wild Horses is backed by a fury of horns, and the piano/hand-clap laced Puppets is as chilling as it is catchy.

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25. Nicolay and Kay – TIME:LINE
Nicolay, a Dutch producer, and Kay, a rapper from Houston, are quite a peculiar combination, but the result of pushing their musical boundaries is one of the most intriguing albums of the year, incorporating a variety of styles ranging from neo-soul, reggae, hip-hop, and R&B, as well as experimental production. Blizzard, The Lights, and The Gunshot are my favorite tracks, if you like The Foreign Exchange, cop this immediately!

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26 - 50

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26. Anthony Hamilton – The Point Of It All
Top Tracks: Soul's On Fire, I Did It For Sho, Cool (Feat David Banner)


27. Nappy Roots – The Humdinger
Down 'N Out (Feat. Anthony Hamilton), No Static (feat. Greg Nice), On My Way To GA


28. In This Moment – The Dream
Lost At Sea, Her Kiss, Forever


29. Immortal Technique – The 3RD World
Crimes Of The Heart (feat. Maya Azucena), Reverse Pimpology (feat. Mojo), Harlem Renaissance


30. Black Milk – Tronic
Long Story Short, Without U (feat. Colin Munroe), Losing Out (feat. Royce Da 5'9")


31 Q-Tip – The Renaissance
WeFight/WeLove, Move, Dance On Glass


32. Jean Grae – Jeanius (w/ 9th Wonder)
My Story, Love Thirst, American Pimp Feat. Median


33. Dwele – Sketches Of A Man
Body Rock, A Few Reasons (Truth Pt. 2), I'm Cheatin'


34. Killer Mike – I Pledge Allegiance to the Grind II
Can You Hear Me, Good-Bye (City Of Dope), Big Money, Big Cars (feat. Chamillionaire & Messy Marv)


35. Usher – Here I Stand
Before I Met You, Lifetime, Appetite

]
36. The Foreign Exchange – Leave It All Behind
Daykeeper feat. Muhsinah, I Wanna Know, Something To Behold Feat. Darien Brockington & Muhsinah


37. Ice Cube – Raw Footage
Do Ya Thang, Cold Places, Thank God


38. Jamie Foxx –Intuition
Just Like Me (Feat T.I), Digital Girl (Feat The-Dream & Kanye West), Blame It (Feat T-Pain)


39. Ruste Juxx – Indestructible
Blaze My Fire (Feat. L.A.W.) (Prod By DJ Large), Love Is Worth Waiting For (Prod By Blastah Beatz), Pimpin Ya Wife (Prod By M-Nasty)


40. Ne-Yo – Year Of The Gentleman
Miss Independent, Fade Into the Background, Back to What You Know


41. John Legend – Evolver
It's Over (feat. Kanye West), Green Light (feat. Andre 3000), Quickly (feat. Brandy)


42. Metallica – Death Magnetic
The Unforgiven III, The Day That Never Comes, All Nightmare Long


43. Devin the Dude – Landing Gear
Thinkin' Boutchu, I Can't Make It Home, In My Draws


44. Jake One– White Van Music
How We Ride (feat. Freeway), Bless The Child (feat. Little Brother), The Truth (Feat. Freeway & Brother Ali)


45. Kidz In The Hall – The In Crowd
Lucifer's Joyride (Feat. Travis McCoy), Drivin' Down The Block (Low End Theory) (Feat. Masta Ace), Love Hangover (feat. Estelle)


46. Snoop Dogg – Ego Trippin
One Chance (Make It Good), Sexual Eruption, Deez Hollywood Nights


47. Skillz - Million Dollar Backpack
I'm Gon' Make It (Prod. By Bink), Where I Been (Prod. By Jake White), (For Real) He Don't Own Me (Prod. By Bink)


48. Jean Grae – The Evil Jeanius (w/ Blue Sky Black Death)
Threats Featuring Chen Lo, It's Still a Love Song, Strikes


49. Common – Universal Mind Control
Punch Drunk Love. feat Kanye West, Announcement feat. Pharell, Inhale


50. Ace Hood – Gutta
Guns High Ft R City, Can't See Yall Ft Brisco, Gutta ft Trick Daddy

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Let me know if you have any recommendations, and though i've tried not to, i'm sure i've slept on some great albums this year, so please, let me know what i've missed. Thanks!

Como amante do 'early' punk, o que mais costumo ouvir vem do final da decada de setenta, e comecinhos dos anos oitenta, fica dificil julgar um ano em termos de lançamentos, uma vez que grande parte das bandas que você ouve já acabaram, raras são as excessões, que muitas vezes ainda tem que trabalhar com o ego do seu ouvinte, fan e inevitáveis comparações com a sua 'epoca de ouro'.

Lendo a um artigo no site da Rolling Stones sobre os 50 melhores discos desse ano que passou, percebi que não tive contato com nenhum deles, e os unicos artistas que conhecia um pouco do trabalho (por osmose em sua maioria), foram os artistas que ja caminham para muitos anos de estrada e discos gravados, ou seja, em termos de bandas novas, ou menos conhecidas que possam ter estourado, pra mim 2008 foi uma incognita, como muitos anos tem sido.

Se tratando dos 50 'melhores' da RS, o que vi foi um Guns N' Roses e o aguardado "Chinese Democracy" decepcionarem até seus fans (que beiram o 'xiitismo'), o Metallica tentando recuperar um prestigio de 15 anos atrás e o AC/DC manter a formula que deu certo a vida toda. Se tratando ainda dessa lista, o que não vi e nem faço ideia do que estão dizendo, fazem parte pelo menos 45 artistas, como o primeiro da lista, TV on the Radio ou os elogiáveis pela crítica Coldplay e Lil' Wayne.

2008 foi um ano de lançamento para outros nomes como Bob Dylan e mais um volume de seus Bootleg Series, o oitavo, e muito elogiado, dando a Dylan a segunda posição na lista da RS. O Nine Inch Nails também apareceu de excentrico disco novo, como ja é de praxe em tudo que Reznor coloca as mãos. Além desses, Nick Cave também presenteou seus fans com trabalho novo, o Motörhead também, mas Lemmy segue o ditado, 'em time que tá ganhando não se mexe'.

Porém, mesmo com o lançamento de todos esses nomes de respeito, 2008 não me diria nada se não fossem dois discos ingleses, um lançado em 2 de junho, e outro em 10 de novembro, que foram, respectivamente a super-produção "22 Dreams" do genial Paul Weller (um dos meus idolos, como todos sabem), e "So, Who's Paranoid?" do The Damned.



Paul Weller presenteou seus fans com uma obra única, um dos melhores trabalhos na sua carreira solo que contou com outros 24 musicos divididos nas 21 faixas do disco. Mostrou o disco mais ecletico da carreira, juntando todas suas influencias de mais de 3 decadas de musica e mostrou por que é um dos artistas ingleses mais influentes de todos os tempos. Isso e minha admiração por toda carreira de weller, renderam a "22 Dreams", o titulo de melhor disco de 2008 que ouvi.
O The Damned acabou de mostrar ao mundo, a menos de 2 meses, por que é uma banda punk tão cultuada, digno de obras e honras que poucas bandas alcançaram, "So, Who's Paranoid?" traz uma mescla de varias epocas da carreira, do punk ao gótico. Amor a primeira ouvida, com pelo menos 5 faixas dignas de UK charts na epoca de sua melhor fase. Vanian continua com uma voz divina, que tem a incrivel habilidade de continuar a mesma, sem mudanças significativas de tom e afinação, nesses mais de 30 anos de carreira.

Levando em consideração a industria fonográfica de 2008 fica a pergunta:
Será que vale a pena tanto investimento musical no novo, se é para se aproveitar 2 albuns em um ano todo?

Creio que se 2009 nos apresentar 2 albuns tão bons quanto "22 Dreams" e "So, Who's Paranoid?", sim.

2008 was a great year for music - lots of exciting new projects and bands that blew me away, plus some great ones that surprised everyone and returned after a decade or more in hibernation.
Compiling a list of what I thought were the best albums released last year was a painful process, as a lot of great work was released last year and it was difficult to pick just 50 of them. Even more difficult was the process of ranking them.
This is the first time I didn't split the list into two parts (like I did in the previous years, into heavy and light(er) stuff). The reason for this lies behind the fact that I found it impossible to justify why a certain album fit into one category more than the other. Nothing reflects this better than the Crystal Castles and Portishead albums - usually electronica would automatically fit into the light(er) category, but anyone who has heard these two albums knows they are anything but light.
Anyway here they are, 50 of the best albums released in 2008, according to me:

01. Best albums:
1. Portishead - Third
One of the most influential groups of the 90s came out of retirement to scare the shit out of everybody. I was a huge skeptic when it was announced, thinking nothing could surpass their previous work, but they managed to prove me wrong. It's definitely a challenging listen – an attack of dark, noisy and industrial compositions by mastermind Geoff Barrow accompanied by Beth Gibbons sounding like she's on the verge of a nervous breakdown. They definitely weren't holding back when making this one, as there isn't a single second of relief for the listener in between the moments of pure terror. Album of the year? Album of the decade!

2. Meshuggah - obZen
I loved Catch-33, but for the majority it was a difficult listen, even by Meshuggah standards. obZen is more direct and varied than its predecessor, but at the same time still incredibly heavy and technical. They managed to join everything that was great about their previous work and make it even more brutal and complex. This album is the culmination of everything they've done in the last 15 years, it's what they've been working towards throughout their entire career.

3. Mogwai - The Hawk is Howling
Holding the emotional impact and subtlety of their earlier work and the dynamic and complexity of their later albums, The Hawk is Howling combines the best of everything Mogwai have to offer – in their best work since CODY.

4. Beck - Modern Guilt
5. TV on the Radio - Dear Science
6. A Silver Mt. Zion - 13 Blues for Thirteen Moons
7. Sigur Rós - Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust
8. Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds - DIG, LAZARUS, DIG!!!
9. Opeth - Watershed
10. Bloc Party - Intimacy
11. Gnarls Barkley - The Odd Couple
12. Boris - Smile
13. The Mars Volta - The Bedlam in Goliath
14. Hot Chip - Made In The Dark
15. Crystal Castles - Crystal Castles
16. Foals - Antidotes
17. Elbow - The Seldom Seen Kid
18. Made Out of Babies - The Ruiner
19. Cult of Luna - Eternal Kingdom
20. Duffy - Rockferry
21. Glasvegas - Glasvegas
22. Earth - The Bees Made Honey In The Lion's Skull
23. Cursed - III
24. Burst - Lazarus Bird
25. These Arms Are Snakes - Tail Swallower and Dove
26. Torche - Meanderthal
27. The Verve - Forth
28. Bloodbath - The Fathomless Mastery
29. Moby - Last Night
30. The Last Shadow Puppets - The Age Of The Understatement
31. Mourning Beloveth - A Disease for the Ages
32. Katalena - Cvik cvak!
33. MGMT - Oracular Spectacular
34. No Age - Nouns
35. God Is an Astronaut - God Is An Astronaut
36. Genghis Tron - Board Up The House
37. Skepticism - Alloy
38. Primal Scream - Beautiful Future
39. Chris Eckman - The Last Side Of The Mountain
40. Eagles of Death Metal - Heart On
41. Zach Hill - Astrological Straits
42. The Haunted - Versus
43. Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard - The Dark Knight OST
44. Hercules and Love Affair - Hercules And Love Affair
45. The Raconteurs - Consolers Of The Lonely
46. The Gutter Twins - Saturnalia
47. Psycho-Path - The Ass-Soul Of Psycho-Path
48. Dub Trio - Another Sound is Dying
49. Intronaut - Prehistoricisms
50. Communic - Payment Of Existence


02. Disappointments/worst albums:
- Kings of Leon - Only By The Night
One of the most promising names in rock become just another copy of U2. Thanks, but no thanks.
- Coldplay - Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends
If even Brian Eno can't save them, nothing can.
- Cryptopsy - The Unspoken King
Tech death kings now playing predictable deathcore? No thanks. They should've called it quits when Lord Worm left the band.
- The Killers - Day & Age
I've been defending Sam's Town ever since it came out, and I still believe it's better than their debut, but this one just doesn't click with me.


03. Refused to listen:
- Guns N' Roses - Chinese Democracy
For me, the Guns N' Roses ended with Axl playing a piano and using an orchestra on Use Your Illusion I. They were a completely different band from then on, one I haven't listened to in years, and well... I don't intend to change that now.
- Metallica - Death Magnetic
I listened to The Day That Never Comes and it sounded like a bad cover band trying to recreate the sound of the first four albums.
And I read this: http://www.sevenstring.org/forum/general-music-discussion/67110-death-magnetic-wave-form-analysis.html
'Nuff said.
- Queen + Paul Rodgers - The Cosmos Rocks
Three words: Freddie is dead.


04. Best shows:
- 1. Mogwai @ WUK, Vienna, Austria (14.11.)
- 2. Animal Collective @ Menza pri koritu/Metelkova, Ljubljana (16.10.)
- 3. Qui @ Menza pri koritu/Metelkova, Ljubljana (12.09.)
- 4. A Silver Mt. Zion @ KUD FP, Ljubljana (18.10)
- 5. Mondo Cane @ Piazza Santo Stefano, Bologna, Italy (18.07.)


05. Biggest suffering:

Nightwish, Pain @ Hala Tivoli, Ljubljana (04.03.)

Someone gave me a ticket for this, so I thought I'd go check out Pain, since I'm a big Tägtgren/Hypocrisy fan. Pain weren't all that bad, something you'd see on MTV, industrial pop rock aimed at teenagers... but I know I'd be pissed off if I actually paid for the ticket. I'm a bit disappointed in Peter, but I'm sure that'll go away when the new Hypocrisy album comes out.
Still, if Pain were mediocre I don't know what to say about Nightwish. They've been going downhill since the Wishmaster album (not that they were that great back then), but they are nothing but complete crap right now. I thought I hated Tarja and her pretentious/exaggerated pronunciation, but nothing prepared me for how bad the new one is. "Bland" isn't the right word, but it's the first word that comes to mind. Tarja at least had some range. I got the hell out of there after three songs cause it made me physically ill - I think this is what they were playing to the prisoners in Guantanamo to break them.


Anyway, if I forget about this painful experience, it was quite a great year, and with everyone from Isis, Mastodon, Slayer, Anathema and Katatonia to Queens of the Stone Age, Franz Ferdinand, Animal Collective and The Prodigy recording new albums, it looks like 2009 is gonna be even better.

OK, I think this ranks (just about) as my ultimate 80s playlist. The order may need a bit of work but...

Early Days
1 Ramones Baby, I Love You
2 The Teardrop Explodes Reward
3 The Jam A Town Called Malice
4 Motörhead Ace Of Spades
5 Squeeze Labelled With Love
6 The Toy Dolls Nellie The Elephant
Pop
7 a-ha Take On Me
8 Duran Duran Rio
9 Wham! Freedom
10 Cyndi Lauper Girls Just Wanna Have Fun
11 The Bangles Walk Like An Egyptian
12 Belinda Carlisle Summer Rain
13 Roxy Music Jealous Guy
14 Spandau Ballet True
15 INXS Need You Tonight
16 Soft Cell Tainted Love
Cheese
17 Air Supply All Out Of Love
18 Meat Loaf Dead Ringer For Love
19 Europe The Final Countdown
20 Joan Jett and the Blackhearts I Hate Myself For Loving You
21 Billy Joel Uptown Girl
22 David Lee Roth Just Like Paradise
23 The Georgia Satellites Battleship Chains
24 Poison Talk Dirty To Me
Metal
25 AC/DC Back In Black
26 Iron Maiden Bring Your Daughter… …To The Slaughter
27 Faith No More Epic
28 Mötley Crüe Kickstart My Heart
Country
29 Steve Earle Copperhead Road
30 Garth Brooks Everytime That It Rains
Rock
31 Chicago Look Away
32 REO Speedwagon Can't Fight This Feeling
33 Pat Benatar We Belong
34 Robert Palmer Addicted To Love
35 Bruce Springsteen Dancing In The Dark
36 Dire Straits Walk Of Life
37 Billy Idol White Wedding
38 Alice Cooper Poison
39 Skid Row 18 And Life
40 The Cult Love Removal Machine
Classic
41 George Michael Careless Whisper
42 The Pogues Fairytale Of New York
43 Don Henley Boys Of Summer
44 Heart Alone
45 Foreigner Urgent
46 Bon Jovi Livin' On A Prayer
47 Guns N' Roses Sweet Child O' Mine
48 Bryan Adams Summer Of '69
49 Alannah Myles Black Velvet
50 Cutting Crew (I Just) Died In Your Arms

✖ Gringos:
MYCHILDREN MYBRIDE - Unbreakable
Inhale Exhale - I Swear...
Dead and Divine – The Fanciful
Agraceful - The Great I Am
Blessed Is He – Prepare For Battle
Showbread - Anorexia & Nervosa
Sky Eats Airplane – Sky Eats Airplane
Closure In Moscow – The Penance And The Patience
Johnny Truant – No Tear