Heavy Rotation: 2008

As soon as the concept of a Side B, Track 1 disappeared, the album died for me. Side B, Track 1 songs were always some of my favorites. "Bigmouth Strikes Again," "She's Lost Control," "Interstellar Overdrive"... you get the idea. The interruption of flipping the tape/record forced those midway song to be all the greater just to keep you interested. Since Side B fell by the wayside, the idea of a whole album with no interruption, no pause for breath, makes my palms sweat.

It's sad, but true: for the most part, I'm now drawn more to songs than to albums. There are a few exceptions to this (see the first three bands listed below, bands who released albums that truly felt complete, well thought out, and not geared towards iTunes buyers), but not too many. So, for the second year in a row, and until they bring back Side B, I give you my twenty favorite songs of 2008.

The Week That Was
"Learn To Learn" (download @ Stereogum)
"Scratch the Surface" (download @ The Futurist)
I'm a little bit nerdy over Field Music. They are the only band I have never skipped through on my iPod because I wasn't in the mood. I'm ALWAYS in the mood for Field Music. I was crushed when I heard they were splitting, only to discover that they were splitting so that they could create two bands — TWICE as much goodness. School of Language is nice, but just when I'm in a certain mood (my notorious Pavement mood, which is an awesome laid-back mood that doesn't come around nearly often enough). TWTW is another one for all moods, and the fullness of the album made it impossible to choose just one song.

Fleet Foxes
"White Winter Hymnal" (download @ Stereogum)
"Tiger Mountain Peasant Song" (stream @ projectionist)
The other night I lost my voice singing along to this album. I've previously expressed how I feel about this band. The feeling hasn't yet worn off, and I hope it doesn't for a while.

Elbow
"The Bones of You" (vid)
Elbow writes melodies that make me weep. Flat out shiver in my shoes with goodness. I would say more about this, but I can't stop listening to this song.

Kings of Leon
"Sex on Fire" (vid)
"Use Somebody" (vid)
We could have predicted this album to be a success ever since Journey's re-released "Don't Stop Believin'" became a hit again. I love this stuff. It makes me want to wear ripped jeans, knot my t-shirt, and line up the Outfield record for a bit later on. And is it just me, or does that first one make you a little warm in all the right places?

Bon Iver
"Re: Stacks" (download @ Rollo & Grady)
I came late to the Bon Iver party; it wasn't until I heard this track that I started to listen more closely, and I realized why this album is on so many best-of lists this year.

Neon Neon
"Raquel" (vid)
"Belfast" (vid)
Super Furry Animals released an album this year too, but as much as I love "Run-Away," Gruff Rhys' star turn was his side project, a Delorean concept album with LA DJ Boom Bip.

MGMT
"Weekend Wars" (stream @ last.fm)
Department of Eagles
"No One Does It Like You" (download @ Stereogum)
Everything I liked this year sounded like something else I used to like. Is that a sign of aging? Department of Eagles is straight up Beach Boys, while MGMT's "Weekend Wars" conjures Ween. Both are welcome tributes.

Apollo Run
"Stars" (stream or download @ Apollo Run website)
I really wish this guy wasn't my brother. It makes you less likely to believe me when I tell you how good his songs are. But "Stars" holds up next to the rest of my favorites this year. Also essential: John's Bell And Bones — both "The Birdcage" and "For Emilia (Reprise)" are on heavy rotation.

Beach House
"Gila" (download @ largehearted boy)
The Helio Sequence
"Keep Your Eyes Ahead" (download @ largehearted boy)
British Sea Power
"Waving Flags" (download @ Cartoon Music for Superheroes)
The problem I always seem to have in selecting lists like these is that I neglect to bone up on all the music of the year until the final months, and so inevitably I come up with a far darker and more somber list than I would if it weren't 30 degrees outside. These three were late arrival surprises, but they're uplifting enough that it's even believable that I may have been wearing a tank top when I first heard them, rubbing my bare feet in the grass.

Prata Vetra
"Es jau naku" (stream @ YouTube)
Excepting a couple people I know of (hello, Rich and Maija!), I will probably be the only one who cares about this band who reads this blog. Still, this song was one of my most listened to songs all year. (Full disclosure: a good friend of mine produced the album; but even if I hadn't known it, I would have loved this song anyway.)

Jamie Lidell
"Another Day" (vid)
Come on. You're not dancing to this? You are an unhappy person. Move your bones.

And, finally, two songs I should probably hate by now but somehow don't:

Coldplay
"Viva La Vida" (vid)
Does everyone feel compelled to start off with "I don't care what anyone says" when talking about Coldplay? I'm well aware of the loss of cred that occurs at the mere mention of that band, but I've admitted worse things, so I'll admit this: I turn up this song every time it comes on the radio. The Husband, on the other hand, just shouts "when did you ever sweep a street, Chris Martin?" I think he misses the "Shiver" days.

Vampire Weekend
"M79" (stream @ Vampire Weekend website)
I got so tired of this band by the end of the year. But this song frequently accompanies me on my commute. A lovely city bus song. A song about a bus! What more could a girl ask for? Maybe a little less of the cricket sweaters, please. Unless you're actually playing cricket.

And now I hope your ears are as happy as mine.

© Zan McQuade. All rights reserved.