2008 Year End Reviews

It would be entirely inappropriate for the first post on this blog to discuss reviews of the past year. And, it would be blatantly moronic to begin commentary on this page with something other than snide comments about new and exciting releases. So, let's begin with what happened last year ....


In the month of December, when most labels and artists break for a short winter hibernation (unless you are Sufjan Stevens, in which case you have a Christmas tradition to uphold), the critic emerges from the underbrush to fill all media niches. The number of sub-species increases each year: the Great Grizzled Professional, the Spotted Sarcastic Independent Mag-er, the Elusive Rambling Blogger, the Top-40 Parakeet, the Common Internet Loud-Mouth. Each sub-species rouses cautiously; they watch the others and wait for the beginning of the great critic call. Usually, the elusive blogger is the first to sound this colorful chant. It is known among enthusiasts as the "Best of the Year" list, and it is delivered with all manner of verbal flourishes and colorful expressions. The media forest literally fills with these tonal chants around the solstice.

The Critic Molt of '08 has just concluded. All manner of music enthusiasts rushed through the media forest in search of the most colorful, the most thoughtful, and the most satisfying (i.e., closest to our own) "Best of ..." chants. Here is a quick look at some of this years lists.

Pitchfork:

http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/feature/148001-the-50-best-albums-of-2008?page=1

3. No Age: Nouns

2. Portishead: Third

1. Fleet Foxes: Sun Giant EP/Fleet Foxes

Pitchfork Readers Poll:

http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/feature/148094-2008-pitchfork-readers-poll

3. Vampire Weekend: Vampire Weekend

2. Fleet Foxes: Sun Giant EP/Fleet Foxes

1. TV on the Radio: Dear Science

WOXY (Note: this list is generated by air play):

http://woxy.lala.com/music/best.php

3. Ra Ra Riot: The Rhumb Line

2. TV on the Radio: Dear Science

1. My Morning Jacket: Evil Urges

To see the more subjectively determined lists from the WOXY djs, point your browser to http://woxy.lala.com/boards/showthread.php?t=56278

Stereogum's Gummy Awards (a reader's poll):

http://stereogum.com/gummys/2008/best-album.html

3. Bon Iver: For Emma, Forever Ago

2. TV on the Radio: Dear Science

1. Fleet Foxes: Sun Giant EP/Fleet Foxes

(also interesting is Stereogum's section detailing several artist's favorite lists: http://stereogum.com/archives/yearend-list/stereogums-favorite-artists-list-the-best-of-2008_043221.html)

.... Are you noticing a trend yet ????.....

My Old Kentucky Blog

http://myoldkyhome.blogspot.com/2008/12/my-old-kentucky-blog-albums-of-2008.html

The writers of this fine site offered a "Senior Superlative" list for the year in a fun attempt to avoid those awful rankings. Their superlatives included a lot of the same names you see above.

Of interest here is their best breakout of the year, which went to Dr. Dog.

Rolling Stone:

http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/24958695/albums_of_the_year/31

3. Lil Wayne: Tha Carter III

2. Bob Dylan: Tell Tale Signs - The Bootleg Series Vol. 8

1. TV on the Radio: Dear Science

Other Albums Consistently Receiving Critical Attention in those "Best of .." lists:

Blitzen Trapper: Furr

The Hold Steady: Stay Positive

Deerhunter: Microcastle/Weird Era Cont.

Cut Copy: In Ghost Colours

Bon Iver: For Emma, Forever Ago

M83: Saturdays=Youth

Sigur Ros: Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust

Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds: Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!!

Beck: Modern Guilt

Wolf Parade: At Mount Zoomer

The Walkmen: You & Me

Santogold: Santogold

Elbow: The Seldom Seen Kid

A little research reveals some clear patterns in the myriad of critic calls. Is this the result of objective, natural review in the wild ? Or, as is so often the case in competitive natural habitats, another case of emulation ? We may never know, at least until more data has been gathered on this great end of the year molt.