2008 was my first full year on Last.fm and I think that that really reflects on my charts, most if not all of these artists who sang these songs are in my top 50. That being said, 2008 was a pretty awesome year for music. I'll first list each song and then explain why it's on the list. So let's begin!
20.
The Cab -
I'll Run
Being a born and raised Las Vegan, I must say I am so proud of these local guys. They put on awesome shows and they're all also really nice guys. I'll Run got stuck in my head for a whole week once. Its catchy and fun - a great summer song.
19.
Santogold -
Creator
What can I say about Ms. Santi White? She's something quite different. Part
80's part
avant-garde, she definately exploded onto the scene this year. I think 'Creator' is a great showcase of her talent. Her bat-like screeching throughout song is unsettling, albeit brilliant. The song is really commanding and is very reminiscent of another artists I'm quite fond of,
M.I.A..
18.
Jesse & Joy -
Espacio sideral
I've found this year that I have a true linguistic love for Spanish. Its a romantic language and the music ain't too bad either! Jesse & Joy Huerta are a brother/sister duo from Mexico City, Mexico. 'Llevarte al espacio sideral' basically translates to 'I'll take you to outer space'. This song was invaluable to my college Spanish class, it taught me how to say cereal box! Joy's voice is beautiful and the song is awesome.
17.
Sia -
Soon We'll Be Found
I didn't realize how much I loved Sia 'til 2008. Her raspy, sultry voice found resonance in my heart this year. Her album
Some People Have REAL Problems is my favorite album to fall asleep to. 'Soon We'll Be Found' is a sweeping ballad fit for an Oscar-winning motion picture. Its like its own movie. She actually made
American Sign Language sexy with the video to this song.
16.
Yael Naim -
New Soul
Oh MacBook Air commercial, thank you for exposing millions to the joy that is Yael Naim. This French/Tunisian/Israeli singer had the whole world singing 'lala la la, lala la la' to almost the brink of insanity. 'New Soul' fortunately embodies the rest of her album too, delicate, folksy and exotic. Yael's shy, down-to-earth persona also wins her some cool points.
15.
Joy Williams -
Lose Myself (Demo 2)
Most of you probably haven't heard of Joy Williams, she's a semi-famous
contemporary christian singer here in the States. I thoroughly enjoyed her organic-sounding
Genesis album and was enthralled when I found out that she was making a leap to the
indie music scene after taking a 2-year hiatus to focus on songwriting and her marriage. The product of this sabbatical is extraordinary. 'Lose Myself' is urgent and intimate. The raw edit of this song actually complements Joy's voice. This is a song that I could play on repeat for hours on end. Joy is planning on releasing an EP with her new work sometime early 2009. I can barely wait.
14.
Feist -
I Feel It All
What a quirky, crazy fun song! The seizure-inducing pyromaniac video for this song is fitting. Nova Scotia-born Feist retains a certain vintage sound while still presenting fresh sounding material. Infinitely better than
1 2 3 4, 'I Feel It All' is my spazz-out-and-dance-anywhere-you-hear-it song of 2008.
13.
Kerli -
Love Is Dead
The Estonian answer to
Björk, Kerli really surprised me this year. Given her lolita baby-doll looks and facial piercing she looks like she could aptly fit in with
The Pussycat Dolls. What surprised me was her unconventional sound and songwriting. Kerli tries to be a hip-hop, goth rocker. This weird combination actually works.
12.
Phil Wickham -
Cannons
Phil Wickham is what Christian music needs. I cannot think of any worship-leaders that sound like him. His songwriting is impeccable, and his voice is so unique. What made this song stand out to me this year is the fact that I took an astronomy course this year for college. I studied the stars and galaxies. The song's title refers to God's presence being like 'cannons in the night'. Phil employs all types of astronomical themes in 'Cannons' and now knowing about the universe and it's workings in a more intimate way, I'm just in awe.
11.
Lenka -
The Show
'Just enjoy the show... I want my money back!'. Haha. I found out about Lenka through iTunes free single of the week. I was very impressed. Then I found out that she was coming to town and then I was excited. Her cute retro-flare and
Inara George voice perhaps may have sparked a little of infatuation directed towards her. Her entire album is packed-full of pop wonderhits. The fact that her, Sia and another aussie band are on the list prove that there is definately something in Australia's water supply.
10.
Idiot Pilot -
Last Chance
I don't know what it is about Idiot Pilot, but I love them so much. I saw them live before I had heard about them. Boy was I blown away. Their CD
Wolves is phenomenal. In fact, one of my favorites to listen to when I go running. 'Last Chance' has it all, buzzing, twinkling, chords, crashes, all the good stuff. The lyrics are powerful too. This song kind've grew on me, unexpectedly.
9.
Brooke Fraser -
C.S. Lewis Song
Brooke freakin' Fraser. I would have put
Shadowfeet right at the top of the list, but it was more of a 2007 release. New Zealand-bred Brooke Fraser is just simply amazing. Her humbleness and gift of songwriting are some of her awesome characteristics. 'C.S. Lewis Song' is so powerful. Lyrically based on some of C.S. Lewis' (of chronicles of Narnia fame) writings, is about how we can survive the temptations of this world, because hope and power are just around the corner. Its all very deep and very inspirational.
8.
Kaki King -
Pull Me Out Alive
The melody and rhythm of this song are what caught my attention. Kaki is a very gifted guitarists and songwriter. The line 'O take me to cities where all the hot spots are' gives me chills! The light-graffiti video for this song is awesome too. This is a great song to listen to when out in the cold air, it just has that aura I guess.
7.
Adele -
Chasing Pavements
I was a bit engulfed by this song earlier this year. Adele-fever had struck and had struck me hard. England's little secret got out and Adele was everywhere in 2008. When I first heard this song I thought it'd be something Michael Jackson would have sung back in his peak celebrity. If I hadn't seen the video I would've has guessed it to be a black London woman, the same conclusion I had drawn for
Daniel Bedingfield's '
Gotta Get Thru This. The vocals sound quite similar now to think about it... Haha.
6.
Sigur Rós -
Gobbledigook
What does it sound like if you give an indigenous Amazonian tribe percussion instruments and throw in Jónsi? AMAZINGNESS, that's what! I was really thrilled with Sigur Rós' new musical direction towards a more listener-friendly sound. I can actually play this record on a sunny day unlike
( ). Though the lyrics are all nonsense to me, 'Gobbledigook' makes me smile so much.
5.
Hillsong -
Lord Of Lords
AUSSIE-MANIA. That's what this journal should be titled. Though I'm not a big of a fan of Hillsong as I am of their younger/riskier worship band
Hillsong United, this song is perhaps my favorite worship song of the year. Sung by
Brooke Fraser, the delicateness and sincerity in which this song is delivered is awe-inspiring. Just a simple hymn declaring God's glory is surprisingly powerful, maybe simplicity is the best.
4.
Kate Nash -
Foundations
This is a song that I've found myself playing consistently throughout the whole year. While Kate Nash doesn't have the greatest voice, she has a certain quirk about it, perhaps its her smoky London-accent that seems to permeate everything she sings. 'You've gone and got sick on my trainers, I only got these yesterday!' is my favorite part in the whole song. The song is both fierce yet vulnerable. Hope and condemnation intertwined.
3.
Lykke Li -
Breaking It Up
Oh sweet Swedish meatballs! Lykke has probably been my favorite find of 2008. For some reason her voice sounds sticky to me, as if it is adhesive to my eardrums. 'Breaking It Up' has so much going on for it. The silly loop of children shouting and megaphones blaring is magnificent. Lyrically this song doesn't do much for me, and that's another realization I made this year. I've started to appreciate songs on the merit of their sound, not just simply their lyrics. Lykke Li scores big in the sound department. She's musically bi-polar, and that's a great thing.
2.
Fleet Foxes -
White Winter Hymnal
I must thank my friend
Sarah for discovering this band. She introduced me and now I'm hooked. They sound like
The Beach Boys all became mountainmen and holed up in the
Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia for a few years. I was drawn to this song. The melody is amazing. UGH. I LOVE THIS SONG SO MUCH. 'White Winter Hymnal' makes my inner-folk child come out and squeal. This was ALMOST my favorite song of the year...
1.
Robyn -
Handle Me
Sweet Swedish meatballs![2] This song is ridiculous. Robyn is ridiculous. 'Handle Me' being #1 is ridiculous! I don't know why I love this song so much... BUT I DO. I basically had this song on repeat all year long (though my charts would tell you otherwise). The hook to this song is just so catchy and the acoustic guitars and beat and calling someone a 'boot lickin' nazi freak' makes this THE song of 2008, haha. Cheers. Haha.
Phil Wickham
