Before you read any of this, look at the title of this post. No no, look at it again; it says KATA’s Best Records of 2008. You think I should have put Vampire Weekend or Frightened Rabbit on the list? Good for you. But to be honest, I just heard of Frightened Rabbit last week and Vampire Weekend just didn’t cut it for me. You got a list? Share it! I’ve been reading a lot of lists this past week and so far I’ve found out about some pretty awesome artists/bands. Here’s one and here’s another one. I also will not stand for the word ‘overrated’ unless you can give me the definition of the word. Are you bitter that all your friends and the blogs love Fleet Foxes and you totally know that Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy put out a way better record this year? Well good for you, but I’m not convinced. Opinions can be shared, but be reasonable. Remember that It’s a scary time for music. I mean Nickelback made a new record and Creed might get back together. So we need to stay strong and walk as one, okay? This was a good year for music and it’s time we enter this new year with something wonderful gracing our ears. So how ’bout we get started?
30. Flying Lotus – Los Angeles: Electronic music’s J Dilla does not disappoint with this one. Even the album’s more disorderly elements are somehow perfectly integrated into the overall sense of groovy calm and funky forward motion.
Flying Lotus – Melt!
29. Why? – Alopecia: There’s this twisted and hypnotic poetry coming from Why?s bizarre yet fantastic album.
28. Hot Chip – Made in the Dark: I guess they’ve done better (The Warning) but Made in the Dark is an enjoyable and wonderful tribute to 80s dance music.
27. Amanda Rogers – Heartwood: Sweet and smooth songwriting has never been so cute. Ms. Rogers takes her sound in a more upbeat direction and the results are superbly heartwarming.
Amanda Rogers – Fate’s Northern Shore
26. M83 – Saturdays = Youth: I felt like listening to old Depeche Mode after first hearing this record. I can’t say I saw this change in style coming from M83, but I can say I’m enjoying it.
M83 – Kim & Jesse
25. Flight of the Conchords – Flight of the Conchords: Most comedy rock go right for the laughs, but this record could be good even without the hilarious lyrics. From censorship to Bowie, this record spares no one and it is uproarious.
24. MGMT – Oracular Spectacular: Eccentric, weird, and super psychedelic; this album is the indie-kid anthem record. Not every song rocks, but tracks like Kids and Time to Pretend are undeniably catchy.
23. Russian Circles – Station: Each song on this record is like the soundtrack to a natural disaster. There was a lot hanging on this atmospheric yet brutal record. But the instru-metal band brought their A-game.
Russian Circles – Xavii
22. Santogold – Santogold: To me, the best types of artists are the ones that are not easily describable. Santogold fits in that category quite comfortably. While I was kind of overwhelmed by her songs on every other commercial on TV, this album still remains as my summer soundtrack.
21. The Mars Volta – Bedlam of Goliath: The chaos and post-punk rampage that I loved about The Mars Volta returned with this album. Still no where near De-Loused, the album still pierces the listener with its freak-funk beats and push-pull rhythms.
The Mars Volta – Ilyena
(click on album cover to purchase album)