Left on the Burner in 2008

It happens every year. The best music of the year stands out in my mind rather clearly (in no particular order, of course). Those worthy albums, the artistic gems I want to pull from my glove compartment just at the right time so that the others in the car happen to notice (ohhh ... you saw that ... just a little album I heard of ... ), leap forward in my mind. And yet, those albums didn't always contain the tracks I listened to repeatedly.

Here is a list of tracks that I returned to over and over, and still did not find a place on a lot of "Best of ..." lists. These are the ones I came back to, just because they were flat out enjoyable.


Neon Neon: "Dream Cars," from the album Stainless Steel
(Hint: This is a fun album minus a few tracks that these lads should have contributed to a Justin Timberlake and T pain duet. The fellows of Neon Neon turn in some great 80's retro-tunes, which quite frankly they should concentrate on).


Delta Spirit: "Trashcan," from the album Ode to Sunshine
(Hint: Another great album for your full listening pleasure)


School of Seven Bells: "Half Asleep," from the album Alpinisms
(Hint: A really nice album as well, even if it does journey on into long psychedelic realms in some junctures.)

(Note: This album made some lists. I suspect it was released too late in the year to make the impression it probably should have on many lists).

Parts and Labor: "Satellites," from the album Receivers
(Note: This album suffered from the same problem as the School of Seven Bells release).

Glasvegas: "Geraldine," from the album Glasvegas

Kaiser Chiefs: "Never Miss a Beat", from the album Off With their Heads

Thao with the Get Down Stay Down: "Bag of Hammers," from the album We Brave Bee Stings and All
(Did anyone else notice this song in the background of a Kath and Kim episode? Wow ... I just admitted I watch that show!)

M83: "Graveyard Girl", from the album Saturdays=Youth
(Yes, this track and album did get a lot of critical attention. But, come on, it is a great song!)

Gentlemen Auction House: "The Book of Matches," from the album Alphabet Graveyard

Deerhoof: "The Tears and Music of Love", "Offend Maggie," and "My Purple Past"
(Hint: This is a fantastic guitar driven, experimental album. I understand the reservations you are having as you read this - it is Deerhoof. But, these tracks are very accessible, and may in fact kick your ass!)

The Stills: "Being Here," from the album Oceans Will Rise

Jenny Lewis: "The New Messiah," from the album Acid Tongue

Passion Pit:"Sleepy Head," from the album Chunk of Change

Frightened Rabbit: "The Twist" from the album Midnight Organ Fight

The Futureheads: "The Beginning of the Twist" from the album This Is Not the World

The Whigs:"Right Hand on My Heart" from the album Mission Control
(I have might have given this track, and the Hold Steady track below, the most spins of any other track this year.)

The Hold Steady: "Slapped Actress" from the album Stay Positive

This is not an exhaustive list. In addition, it is clearly biased towards the latter part of the year (what the hell was I listening to last January anyway ?).