McCrank's Juke - Top Albums of 2008

I had to weigh-in on the best albums of 2008. After reading the latest list from SPIN and Rolling Stone (think: Lil Wayne and Coldplay) I had to bring a sanity check to all the blog lists and indie music pubs spinning their list of best music, albums, singles of 2008. I think we've got a case of groupthink out there with 8 out of 10 lists putting Fleet Foxes, Deerhunter, Bon Iver and The Hold Steady in the top 5. Seriously, indie cred starts with being able to admit certain bands suck. Indie is built on the garage sound and the independent music scene (not Clear Channel!) and having these 4 bands make the top 5 on multiple blogs seems a bit rare to me. I must admit, some of my list matches up with many of them, because bands like MGMT, Santogold, Ra Ra Riot, M83, and Glasvegas are truly unique and promising bands that delivered the musical goods in 2008. I can't say a conspiracy is afoot, but my musical ears tell me there is some profit and labels at work here, my friends. Think She & Him, Vampire Weekend and TV on The Radio -- certain rock shouldn't be crammed directly into our minds, repeatedly - labels. Once you see my list, you'll see I am as mainstream as the next guy!

Either way, the best way to learn about new music and explore bands you may never have listened to, but perhaps read about, is to scroll the 2008 lists and learn about new albums, snappy singles and rare upstart bands. That is how I got into The National, M83, Girl In a Coma and other cool talents. Largehearted Boy has collected all the lists (except this one) and given you a good cross-section of music blogs to choose from. Explore, spend the 10 hours, learn about a new song or band. Don't take Billboard and Rolling Stone at face value.

McCrank's Juke - Top Albums of 2008
01. Counting Crows - Saturday Nights, Sunday Mornings
02. MGMT - Oracular Spectacular
03. Diplo & Santogold - Top Ranking
04. Glasvegas - Glasvegas
05. Raphael Saadiq - The Way I See It
06. Ra Ra Riot - The Rhumb Line
07. Glasvegas - Glasvegas
08. Crystal Castles - Crystal Castles
09. The Walkmen - You & Me
10. Girl Talk - Feed The Animals
11. The Black Keys - Attack & Release
12. Sigur Ros - Med Sud I Eyrum Vid Spilum Endalaust
13. Crystal Stilts - Alight of Night
14. Nine Inch Nails - The Slip
15. Metallica - Death Magnetic
16. M83 - Saturdays=Youth
17. Sun Kil Moon - April
18. Low Vs Diamond - Low Vs Diamond
19. Spiritualized - Songs in A+E
20. The Cure - 4:13 Dream

No links required :-)