2008: The Year In Music

2008 – Barack Obama becomes the first African-American to be elected President of the United States. The Summer Olympics in Beijing becomes the most watched event on TV ever – nearly five billion, or 70% of the world’s population, tune in. “Breaking Bad” premieres on AMC. Fidel Castro retires as the President of Cuba. Cyclone Nargis kills 130,000 in Myanmar. The Large Hadron Collider at CERN is powered up in Geneva, Switzerland. This was also the year the economy started tanking … so let’s see if the music can pick us out of the rut!

I’ll be looking at the popular and highest-rated songs / albums of the year, giving my opinions on their musicality and longevity as well as an overall verdict for the year as a whole.

Before we begin, you can check out some of my related blog posts below:

Billboard Top 10 (Popular) Singles

Source: Wikipedia

10 – Forever (Chris Brown)

We’ve had P Diddy in previous years, and now it’s time for Chris Brown’s year in the spotlight. Yikes.

“Forever” is the better of the two Chris Brown tracks at the bottom of this list.

9 – With You (Chris Brown)

Generic 00’s RnB.

8 – Love in This Club (Usher feat. Young Jeezy)

Not one of Usher’s most iconic.

7 – Love Song (Sara Bareilles)

A fairly memorable hit. “Love Song” has a decent chorus.

6 – No Air (Jordin Sparks & Chris Brown)

Apparently Jordin Sparks won American Idol. Her reward – a song with Chris Brown.

Again, this is the kind of 00’s slop I can skip.

5 – Apologize (OneRepublic)

It’s weird that OneRepublic had two one-hit wonders in two separate decades – later with “Counting Stars” and here with “Apologize”.

I like the Timbaland-enhanced version slightly more.

4 – Lollipop (Lil Wayne feat. Static Major)

“Lollipop” is like “Candy Shop”, except without everything that makes “Candy Shop” memorable.

Is it hyperbole to say I hate this with all my heart?

3 – No One (Alicia Keys)

Alicia Keys has been a saving grace of 00’s Pop music. “No One” is yet another success in her catalogue.

Like with other Keys songs, the vocals are immense and the chorus is catchy.

2 – Bleeding Love (Leona Lewis)

“Bleeding Love” is supposed to be a classic, but I’ve never vibed with it quite like other people do.

1 – Low (Flo Rida feat. T-Pain)

Apple bottom jeans, boots with the fur, FUR!

“Low” is definitely the most iconic song in this list. Is it the best? Probably, but there wasn’t much competition this year.

FAVOURITE – “Low” (Flo Rida feat. T-Pain)

LEAST FAVOURITE – “Lollipop” (Lil Wayne feat. Static Major)

Top-Rated Songs

Source: http://www.besteveralbums.com

10 – Earthmover (Have A Nice Life)

The closer and the longest song on “Deathconsciousness”, “Earthmover” is the epic conclusion to the album.

Have A Nice Life throw every sonic trick in the book at you to make sure you leave with your jaw dropped.

9 – Ragged Wood (Fleet Foxes)

Fleet Foxes are one of the most exciting emergent acts of 2008 – their Folk-y production is very pleasing on the ears.

“Ragged Wood”, like other Fleet Foxes tracks coming up, is a gorgeous display of vocals and stripped-back songwriting.

8 – A-Punk (Vampire Weekend)

Short, punchy, with production that’ll keep you on the edge of your seat and make you hum along.

“A-Punk” is a brilliant ditty. My only wish is that it was longer.

7 – Agoraphobia (Deerhunter)

Deerhunter sounds like if Lou Reed decided to make bubbly, melancholic Pop.

“Agoraphobia” is very chill, but it doesn’t engage me very much.

6 – Bloodhail (Have A Nice Life)

“Bloodhail” is dark and moody, and I loved it.

It’s like if the Pixies made a more ambient, gloomy Rock song.

5 – The Prayer (Kid Cudi)

Kid Cudi is one of the great rappers of the modern generation.

His lyrical flows are always so tight and always so full of emotion.

4 – The Rip (Portishead)

Great synths, and Portishead’s production and songwriting are as bizarre as ever.

“The Rip” is probably the best song on that album, but it’s a close race.

3 – Nothing Ever Happened (Deerhunter)

Much more upbeat and memorable than “Agoraphobia”.

“Nothing Ever Happened” has a great bass tone and a catchy energy throughout.

2 – White Winter Hymnal (Fleet Foxes)

“White Winter Hymnal” is very catchy and accessible – I immediately felt compelled to hum along.

The vocal harmonies are divine.

1 – Mykonos (Fleet Foxes)

“Mykonos” is on a separate EP to the rest of the Fleet Foxes stuff this year, which is a shame – it’s fantastic and should’ve made the main album.

The acapella switch-up in the middle is stunning.

BEST SONG OF 2008 – “Mykonos” (Fleet Foxes)

Top-Rated Albums

Source: http://www.besteveralbums.com

5 – Deathconsciousness (Have A Nice Life)

“Deathconsciousness” by Have A Nice Life is very sombre and drawn out, and yet mesmerizing nonetheless.

It sounds unlike anything else in 2008.

4 – Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends (Coldplay)

When Coldplay collaborate with Brian Eno, it’s almost always a classic.

“Life in Technicolor”, “Viva La Vida”, “Lost!” and “Violet Hill” are all great tracks – some of Coldplay’s best.

3 – Third (Portishead)

Portishead bring their odd style to “Third”, which just so happens to be third place in the album ranking.

The songs are even more off-putting and haunting than usual.

2 – Vampire Weekend (Vampire Weekend)

As far as self-titled debuts go, I think Vampire Weekend knocked it out of the park.

This is what I imagine 00’s Indie Rock to be – fresh and exciting, with songs like “A-Punk”, “Oxford Comma” and “Campus” that live long in the memory.

1 – Fleet Foxes (Fleet Foxes)

Fleet Foxes were on the forefront of the Indie Folk scene, and this is yet another self-titled debut that slaps.

It’s not as inherently exciting as Vampire Weekend’s debut, but it makes up for it with lovely songs like “White Winter Hymnal”, “Ragged Wood” and “Blue Ridge Mountains”.

BEST ALBUM OF 2008 – “Vampire Weekend” (Vampire Weekend)

Final Thoughts

I’ve come to terms with the fact the hits are going to be sub-par from now on. Luckily, the high-rated songs and albums saved the year – but only just.

Overall Grade: C+

Aaaaand that’s my list! You can check out some of my latest blog posts below: