McCrank's Juke - December Mix (2008)

McCrank's Juke - December Mix (2008)

I must admit the Facebook phenom is waring off on me. (Missed me lately have you?) With the latest posting about the Best of 2008 and an upcoming post (new albums for 2009) I have been hitting the music scene more regularly. Locating bands I missed in 2008 and finding music that is rare, unreleased and ready to blow-up. From the musings of The Cribs to the electronica of Booka Shade. I have composed a special December mix that captures my monthly favorites. A McCrank's Juke playlist if you will (yes, it's on my ipod). Let me know your favorites and current musical obsessions. I must admit I grow weary of Coldplay and Lil Wayne related "Sam Goody" rock and rap. Hit me with your special indie-cred list and I will publish it here on McCrank's Juke. The rest of you stay silent.

McCrank's Juke - December Mix (2008)
01. Sweet Lies (Radio Edit) - Booka Shade
02. Come Back - Magnetic Morning
03. Breathe Into Glass - Asobi Seksu
04. Panic - The Cribs w/Johnny Marr
05. There's Been An Accident - Twilight Singers
06. Drug Deal Blues - Angelo Badalamenti & David Lynch
07. Sweeter Than Sweet - Lulu Rouge
08. Converging In The Quiet - Crystal Stilts
09. Undertow - Stars

10. My Dearest Love - Morrissey

Links Above

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 :-)