best in music, 2008.

as heard on KPBS (these days with tom fudge.)

kpbs. part 1.

kpbs. part two.

btw, technically, radiohead and MGMT was released in 2007. =)

best in music, 2008.

10. Aaron Parks. Invisible Cinema.

A jazz pianist from Seattle, Washington (now, based in Brooklyn.)

A child prodigy, Parks entered the University of Washington at fourteen as a double major in computer science and music.

A huge Radiohead, Bjork, and Death Cab for Cutie Fan, Aaron fuses alternative rock stylings into his dramatic, cinematic compositions.

Don’t you feel smarter? I do.

9. Ratatat. LP3.

Brooklyn-based electronic duo, featuring guitarist Mike Stroud and programmer Evan Mast.

8. Q - Tip. The Renaissance.

Instant (old school) hip-hop classic from the leader of A Tribe Called Quest.

Bass heavy. Great flow. Meaningful rhimes. werd.

7. Glasvegas. self-titled.

A four piece from the east end of Glasgow, Scotland.

Gut-wrenching, honest lyrics surrounded by souring, rock anthems.

Working class sound (at times, reminds me of early, early U2.)

6. TV on the Radio. Dear Science.

It’s been a pleasure watching TVOTR mature over the years….

Solid record.

5. Fleet Foxes. self-titled.

SubPop FolkPop at its finest.

4. Bon Iver. For Emma, Forever Ago.

Bon Iver (good winter,) or Justin Vernon is an indie folk singer from Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

After a failed band and relationship, the “goal was to hibernate” in his dad’s hunting cabin in northern Wisconsin (at the onset of winter.)

Instead, with aged equipment and a couple of mics, he recorded a melodic, beautiful, thoughtful record (full of passion, humility, and raw honesty.)

3. The Walkmen. You & Me.

The Walkmen, an indie rock outfit from D.C./NYC, return in true (vintage) form.

A solid and complex record, You & Me combines inspired songwriting (about romance and drama) with gritty, live band production.

2. Why? Alopecia.

Hailing from Cincinnati, Ohio (currently based in the Bay area,) Why? is an indie pop, “psychedelic folk-hop” trio.

Jonathan “Yoni” Wolf, the second son of an art book editor and Rabbi, has released three full lengths and four EP’s under the moniker, Why? (also in the band, older brother, Josiah Wolf on drums.)

Alopecia, the follow-up to 2005’s critically acclaimed Elephant Eyelash, is a smart, “darkly tinted pop” masterpiece.

1. Elbow. The Seldom Seen Kid.

A fan since their first record (Asleep in the Back,) this is their strongest, most consistent release to date.

The band self-produced, mixed and recorded the album without outside help.

This year, Elbow beat out Laura Marling, Burial, and Radiohead for the UK’s Mercury prize (a big deal.)

your thoughts?