#1 of 2008: The Walkmen - You and Me

The Walkmen's You and Me is my 2008 number one album. Instead of the usual, I've pasted my original (yet-to-be-published) review below. See you in '09. It's gonna be a good year...

Five Hundred Sixty-Five Words: One's young adult life can accurately be described through the procession of albums released by the Walkmen.

2002's Everyone Who Pretended to Like Me Is Gone describes the drunken debauchery of the first few of years away from home. It's sloppy and drunk, but it's nice to reminisce about those old college days. You drink too much, stay out too late, and sleep with the wrong people. You regret much of it, but it pulls you back in every time you rest the needle on the record. Then there's Bows + Arrows. You go corporate and move a little faster in your new car and fancy clothes. However, you soon come to realize that you don't go out as often as you used to and you wouldn't know anyone at the bar if you did go out. You like your new adult life, but you still sort of miss the days when you could get drunk without worrying about having a hangover at work the next day.

Eventually, you want to change. You don't want the new, faster version of yourself, but you don't want to go back to your undergraduate years either. So, you make a few aesthetic changes. It also takes people a little longer to get to know you, because you're guarded now. Once they do get to know you, they realize you are a hidden gem. Such is the character of A Hundred Miles Off.

(Let's forget 2006's "Pussy Cats" Starring the Walkmen ever happened. Think of it as that one transgression, that one-night stand that should have never occurred. It was probably fun while it lasted, but as soon as it was over there was nothing but regret and self-doubt.) Now you enter a new place in your life. You've learned from your mistakes. You've also learned that some of that debauchery and fast living was kinda fun and can be enjoyed with some moderation. You're more confident now that you've survived your 20's. You have finally come into your own. This is the same thing that has happened to the Walkmen with their new album You & Me. It's as if the five previous Walkmen albums have culminated in creating this ideal document of the Walkmen genius. There's the sloppiness and whimsy of Everyone. The sonic levels of guitar and organ remain from B+A. A Hundred Miles has left an indelible mark of calypso and night's on the beach vibe with the band that doesn't appear to be leaving any time soon. Even the bar band sing along feel and nod to the classics of Pussy Cats has had a lasting effect.

Thematically, You & Me plays on the conversational tone of the band's lyrics. Each song seems to encapsulate a conversation one of the Walkmen may have had (or is planning to have) with a lover, band mate, or an acquaintance at the bar. This has always been the case with their lyrics, but the songs on this record are tempered and mature. I've had these very conversations at many bars on many a drunken night. And that's why the Walkmen are a great band and this is a great record: They capture those conversations just as they are. There's no pretension or malice. It's not fake or overly dramatic. It's sort of like one's 20's. It just is what it is. And that's fine with me.

The Moment of Truth: About five seconds into "Four Provinces" tells you that are listening to greatness.

Killer to Filler Ratio: 6:1

#2B of 2008: Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago

Before I even begin this review, I should make it clear that I am a liar...or just a flip-flopper. I can't decide. Originally, I had said that I would not include Bon Iver solely based on the fact that this album was originally released last year, but I have changed my mind upon seeing so many year-end lists including this great album. Had I not already committed to my #1 so long ago, this very well could have been in the top spot.


Thirty-Two Words: This album is what you get when you mix equal parts heartbreak, seclusion, and talent while recording in Wisconsin (as opposed to the deep south): a beautifully crafted work of pain and loss. (I lied again. That was thirty-three words, not thirty-two.)

The Moment of Truth: Track 3, "Skinny Love."

Killer to Filler Ratio: 7:2

#2 of 2008: Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes

Thirty-Two Words: Debuts on an indies (yes, Sub Pop is still an indie) doing something that's been done before rarely have the effect on the music landscape that Fleet Foxes did with this record.

The Moment of Truth: When it occurred to me that this is what I wanted My Morning Jacket to sound like, that's when I knew this record would be at or near the top of the list.

Killer to Filler Ratio: 9:2

#3 of 2008: Port O'Brien - All We Could Do Was Sing

Thirty-Two Words: Imagine that you are trapped on a fishing boat somewhere in the northern Pacific circa 1993 with nothing but Flaming Lips, Mudhoney, and Uncle Tupelo to listen to. That is Port O'Brien.

The Moment of Truth: At about 0:38 you should be hooked.

Killer to Filler Ratio: 8:3

#4 of 2008: She and Him - Volume One

Thirty-Two Words: One has to be skeptical when actors step into the recording studio. However, when someone like M Ward is willing to put his name on a project, it has to be good.

The Moment of Truth: The opening lines to "Sentimental Heart" pull you in from the beginning.

Killer to Filler Ratio: 10:3 (I could have done without "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot.")

#5 of 2008: Thao Nguyen with the Get Down Stay Down - We Brave Bee Stings and All

Thirty-Two Words: This may have been the best ignored album of 2008. Nguyen is a true wordsmith of the highest order. She doesn't get the credit because she's a woman on Kill Rock Stars.

The Moment of Truth: I was hooked last year ever since I discovered her set at Daytrotter.

Killer to Filler Ratio: 10:1

#6 of 2008: Wolf Parade - At Mount Zoomer

Thirty-Two Words: At Mount Zoomer is not the instant rocker that Apologies to the Queen Mary was, but it grows on you. Years of recording and touring with side-projects have benefited Wolf Parade greatly.

The Moment of Truth: At the 2:12 mark of "An Animal in Your Care" the piano comes in and changes the song completely, eventually evolving from a yawner into an epic of a song.

Killer to Filler Ratio: 9:0

#7 of 2008: Okkervil River - The Stand Ins

Thirty-Two Words: Sequels are rarely as good as the original work. However, like The Empire Strikes Back, The Stand Ins is as well-crafted (if not better) an effort as last year's The Stage Names.

The Moment of Truth: Watching my mom dance with Lucia to this album, Lucia stopped her fussing and turned her head slightly toward the stereo.

Killer to Filler Ratio: 8:3

#8 of 2008: Deerhunter - Microcastle/Weird Era Cont.

Thirty-Two Words: A dirty shoe-gaze in the same vein as No Age and the Strokes, Deerhunter lives up to the hype that made me avoid them for so, so long with the masterful Microcastle./The bonus disc, Weird Era Cont., on the other hand is loaded with brilliance but it is rough around the edges and feels unfinished. Of course, this disc helped me "get" Deerhunter.

The Moment of Truth: I was still figuring out what I thought about this Deerhunter stuff on my way to the grocery with a crying baby in the back. I turned up the volume and she stopped crying. That's when I started to pay attention to Deerhunter.

Killer to Filler Ratio: 6:6/8:5

#9 of 2008: Kimya Dawson - Alphabutt

Thirty-Two Words: I loved the Moldy Peaches way back in the day, before there even was a Juno. I had a kid and she needed music, so I bought her this Kimya Dawson CD.

The Moment of Truth: The first time I danced with my daughter was to this album.

Killer to Filler Ratio: 5:1

#10 of 2008: Destroyer - Trouble in Dreams

Thirty-Two Words: Dan Bejar, the best songwriter in the New Pornos, released the second-best Merge release of this year and that's saying something. It's strange and magical, everything we shouldn't like but we do.

The Moment of Truth: When I realized that all my favorite songs from The New Pornographers' Challengers were written by Bejar, I knew this would be one of my favorites of the year.

Killer to Filler Ratio: 8:3

#11 of 2008: Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend

Thirty-Two Words: Ignore the hype. Just trust that this is a great pop record. The songs are danceable and infectious. Vampire Weekend misappropriated the misappropriated better than all the upper-middle-class white kids before them.

The Moment of Truth: Upon the first listen I was air-drumming, nearly veering off the side of the road.

Killer to Filler Ratio: 11:0

#12 of 2008: Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks - Real Emotional Trash

Thirty-Two Words: Stephen Malkmus and his merry band of Jicks have recorded the most collaborative and live work of his two-decade career. Some of the songs meander while others are just silly, like Pavement.

The Moment of Truth: It wasn't when I first heard the record. It wasn't when I tried and tried to like because so many other bloggers loved it. It wasn't even after I saw him play the Note this fall. I just randomly played the album one day while driving for work and it clicked.

Killer to Filler Ratio: 4:1

#13 of 2008: TV on the Radio - Dear Science

Thirty-Two Words: TVOTR recorded the best Prince record of his career and somehow persuaded elite music rags to declare them the next Radiohead or Wilco. Whatever, it's a solid record from beginning to end.

The Moment of Truth: When the band released Return to Cookie Mountain, you knew that subsequent records would be pretty great.
Killer to Filler Ratio: 8:3

#14 of 2008: Silver Jews - Lookout Mountain, Lookout Sea

Thirty-Two Words: David Berman does his best Johnny Cash impersonation on his most sobering release to date. Past Silver Jews' records were drug- and depression-fueled gems. This album finds Berman at his most polished.

The Moment of Truth: As is usual for a Silver Jews record, one line does it for me...

Romance is the douche of the bourgeoisie.

Killer to Filler Ratio: 7:3

#15 of 2008: Grand Archives - The Grand Archives

Thirty-Two Words: I still think this band is the Bizarro Band of Horses. Never mind that a former member of Band of Horses now fronts Grand Archives. The harmonies and the hooks are addictive.

The Moment of Truth: The harmonica and whistling at the beginning of "Miniature Birds" was used in a car commercial or something. I'm sure of it.

Killer to Filler Ratio: 8:3

#16 of 2008: Times New Viking - Rip It Off

Thirty-Two Words: The band employs just five instruments: drums, guitar, keyboards, and tape hiss. That's the Times New Viking Sound. Hooks-a-plenty and boy/girl vocals remind you of a naiveté not heard since early-nineties Olympia.

The Moment of Truth: The opening chords of the album proved that TNV would not abandon their trademark tape hiss just because they joined the slick Matador crowd.

Killer to Filler Ratio: 3:1

#17 of 2008: Emergency Umbrella Records (Sinkane, Gentleman Auction House, Drew Danburry)

Thirty-Two Words: This may be pandering to the locals, but records each put out by Sinkane, Gentleman Auction House, and Drew Danburry respectively make Emergency Umbrella a label to which you should pay attention.

The Moment of Truth: Seeing the buzz and excitement these three acts (plus local heroes the Foundry Field Recordings and Bald Eagle) have garnered has made me realize that EU is doing something right.

Killer to Filler Ratio: 3:0

#18 of 2008: Plants and Animals - Parc Avenue

Thirty-Two Words: Emotion is more important than skill, but Plants and Animals bring both. I'm good with this album except for the few jam-band moments. H/T for all those who mentioned this at mid-year.

The Moment of Truth: The second part of "New Kind of Love" (at about the 3:30 mark) just nailed it for me. Nailed it.

Killer to Filler Ratio: 9:2

#19 of 2008: Flight of the Conchords - Flight of the Conchords

Thirty-Two Words: Normally, I don't like comedy albums, but this is an exception. I actually laugh out-loud when I listen to this album in the car. I'm giggling right now just thinking about it.

The Moment of Truth: I watched that first episode where the Chords sang "The Most Beautiful Girl (In the Room)" and was instantly ready to see/hear more.

Killer to Filler Ratio: 2:1