Best of 2008 (Rustycat): Jagjaguwar Rocks!

By: Rustycat | in: Music |

I sifted through tons of albums while preparing my best of 2008 album list . It wasn’t until I really dug deep and had a good listen that I realized it wasn’t such a bad music year like I initially thought . I also came to the final conclusion that the Jagjaguwar/Secretly Canadian label, that I’ve been raving about for years, did it again with Bon Iver, Okkervil River, Black Mountain and Bodies of Water.

Here we go:

16. Bodies of Water – A Certain Feeling
Probably not as kick ass as 2007’s release but still a great album. It’s the vocals and big 60’s sounds that got this album in my 2008 list.

Bodies of Water - Water Here

15. Minus the Bear - They Make Beer Commercials Like This
Although only a 7 track album - they still manage to bring it. Check out the guitars on this track!

Minus the Bear - Houston We Have a Uh-Oh

14. Dukes of Windsor – Minus
I surprised myself with this choice, I guess it’s the ‘PIL’ and ‘Carter USM’ influence in me.

Dukes of Windsor - It’s a War

13. Asaf Avidan & The Mojos – The Reckoning
Out of nowhere comes this promising Israeli singer with a voice that makes Janis Joplin wish she never did drugs.

Asaf Avidan - The Reckoning

12. The Twilight Sad - Here, It Never Snowed. Afterwards It Did
I’ve always been a big fan since Stereogum broke them last year. I caught them live in London and they rocked!

The Twilight Sad - And She Would Darken the Memory

11. Black Mountain – In the Future
From Last.FM: “The band is a psychedelic amalgamation of Neil Young, Buffalo Springfield, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd, The Velvet Underground, and Black Sabbath.” Spot on.

Black Mountain - Angels

10. A Silver Mt. Zion – 13 Blues for Thirteen Moons
As always they rock, with long melodic tracks you can just get lost in this album is at par with all their previous stuff.

A Silver Mt. Zion - 1,000,000 Died to Make this Sound

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqHBQFLxzy0

9. Okkervil River - The Stand Ins
I have to admit I was a bit disjointed at first because I liked the previous album much more and this one is a bit more “produced” but I guess it grew on me and since Okkervil are one of my favorites of all time.

Okkervil River - Lost Coastlines

8. British Sea Power – Do You Like Rock Music?
I love the intensity and raw power this album brings to the mix.

British Sea Power - Lucifer

7. Neil Young - Sugar Mountain-Live At Canterbury House 1968
In this release from Neil Young’s archive series, I feel like it’s the first time that you could really get a closer feel to what Neil Young is like and what that era was for the 24 year old musician on the road to success.

Neil Young - Nowadays Clancy Can’t Even Sing

6. The Black Keys - Attack & Release
I thought I was the only one who loved this album but I see it coming up on a lot of 2008 lists. You just don’t get mean sounding guitars like these anymore.

The Black Keys - Lies

5. Bon Iver – For Emma, Forever Ago
All that’s left to say about this album is WOW. Very inspiring.

Bon Iver - Flume

4. Death Cab for Cutie – Narrow Stairs
I guess people were a bit disappointed with this album, but I think it’s an amazing collection of songs and am staying true to Death Cab on this one.

Death Cab for Cutie - The Ice is Getting Thiner

3. Calexico – Carried to Dust
Totally reminded me why this band is one of my favorites.

Calexico - House of Valparaiso

2. Kings of Leon – Only by Night
This one just took me by surprise completely - what an album!

Kings of Leon - Closer

1. MGMT - Oracular Spectacular
Well, I guess this one was the biggest surprise of them all. I’m sure the production and fresh sounds off this album will pave the way for many Brooklyn acts in 2009.

MGMT - Weekend Wars

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Posted on December 19, 2008

Comments

4 Responses to “Best of 2008 (Rustycat): Jagjaguwar Rocks!”

Interview with YouLicense CEO, Maor Ezer | guitarkadia on December 19th, 2008 8:09 am

[...] Maor has just written a great post on his favorite picks of 2008 with music examples. Must [...]

Charbarred on December 19th, 2008 9:01 am

Great choices bro. Something I always wondered about…is Bodies of Water singing about religion?

Nice find with the Asaf Avidan stuff!