The Year in Music: A Short List of Crushes

Best of 2008
by Michael Hayes for Boston Band Crush

Wow...there's a lot of shit out there...too many bands trying to sound like Modest Mouse, Arcade Fire and M Ward. I can't recall a less exciting year for new music / new sounds. I see everyone talking about Bon Iver, Fleet Foxes, and TV on the Radio, but I'm probably just not cool enough to appreciate that stuff. Still, 2008 did provide some gratification for me, Mr. Negative. Here are some releases that I liked:

Oasis - Dig Out Your Soul (Big Brother)
Nobody has the guts to come out and say it, but Oasis holds the badge of world's best rock n roll band. Nobody can touch them, their swagger, their fan-base, and most importantly, their wonderful new album... Most critics call it more Beatles thievery, which I believe is rubbish. Look at what those same critics call the year's top releases and you'll find a slew of bands pilfering the sounds of less remarkable groups. Thank you Oasis for helping keep rock n roll on the ventilator.

The Turn-Ons - Curse (self-released)
This is the the third full-length release from an extremely underrated and overlooked Seattle-based artist, whose sound could be described as a boiling stew of T. Rex, Suede and early 70s Bowie. The Turn-Ons infuse their inspirations with glorious kernels of punk and well crafted hooks that haunt.

The Broken West - Now or Heaven (Merge)
Despite the fact that their sophomore album lacks the magic of their first, it's still one of my favorites of this year. On Now or Heaven, Broken West prove they have the ability to evolve and transform their sound. Unfortunately, everyone else is doing the hipster 'I'm so cool listening to my iPod' thing.

Hymns - Travel in Herds (Blackland)
Hymns are a wonderful live band, and while their sophomore album doesn't quite do their live act justice, this album offers some great songs and a glimpse at the promise that lies ahead for these young men.

Martha Wainwright - I Know You're Married But I've Got Feelings Too (Drowned In Sound)
She's the Kirsty Maccoll of our time...brash, sexy, and talented - and that voice!! Plus, anyone who covers Syd Barrett deserves praise.

The Last Shadow Puppets - The Age of the Understatement (Epic)
Side project between Arctic Monkeys' and Rascals' front men hits the mark with classic sound. Gerry and the Pacemakers meets modern Brit-pop.

Jay Bennett - Whatever Happened I Apologize (Rock Proper)
Bennett deserves way more credit for the critical success of Wilco's best albums from 1995 through 2001. Though carelessly discarded by Jeff Tweedy during the release of Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, Bennett's classic sound has been absent from Wilco's albums thereafter. On this new release (free on rockproper.com) we hear a time-worn troubadour whose haunting lyrics will shift your glance towards the glass.

Deerhunter - Microcastle
You'd hear this playing on vinyl in an independent record store somewhere in Cambridge, MA or Berkeley, CA. A hit of Pavement, a line of Mazzy Star, a shot of Sonic Youth...you get the picture.

Erykah Badu - New Amerykah
The queen of soul hop, Erykah is baaaaaack.

Amorphous Androgynous - A Monstrous Psychedelic Bubble Exploding in Your Mind Vol. 1: Cosmic Space Music (FSOL)
Mindblowing sounds from a confusing marketing effort by the Future Sound of London. Just get it if you can get your grubby hands on it. Remarkable, actually.

Neil Young - Live at Canterbury House
This live concert from 1968 provides a glimpse of young man well beyond his years.