Top Ten Albums of 2008

The highly subjective list of what was invading my stereo this year…
By Kristina Mameli
Link Staff

Every year I face the exact same predicament. My music geek friends and I exchange lists our highly subjective lists of our top picks of the year in an effort to see what we missed and compare notes on what we couldn’t get enough of. But when compiling said list, it’s impossible to do justice to the myriad of releases that hit shelves this year. This is my highly futile and extremely subjective attempt to convey what was well worth a listen in 2008.

In no particular order: Top Ten Local Discs:

Black Mountain In the Future

I will admit that Black Mountain took a considerable amount of time to win me over. Sure, I bought the self-titled, but I never really appreciated it until In the Future. A testament to its greatness, Black Mountain was shortlisted for the Polaris Music Prize, but remained down to earth enough to play a charity gig outside of Insite.

Black Mountain continue to amaze and stupefy me. Each song is laden with hook after hook, each note more hauntingly beautiful than the last, meshing perfectly with the haunting vocals of Steve McBean and Amber Webber.

Expect even greater things for Vancouver’s Black Mountain.

Recommended Tracks: “Stormy High” and “Evil Ways.”

Ladyhawk Shots

I was instantly in love with Shots, Ladyhawk’s sophomore album. Recorded live off the floor (reportedly while participating in copious amounts of, well…shots), Phil Spector style, the album is bluesy in a Black Mountain sort of way, but original enough to warrant its’ position on this list.

It has a rock steady jam session feel that is appreciated more and more every time it’s played and aptly captures their live sound, an extremely difficult task for even the most seasoned of bands.

Recommended Tracks: “STHD,” “Corpse Paint” and “I Don’t Always Know.”

DOA Northern Avenger

Produced by Bob Rock, (of Mötley Crüe, the Cult, David Lee Roth, the Offspring, etc, fame), DOA’s 12th studio album remains true to the classic DOA sound that reigning kind of Vancouver punk Joe Shithead had been honing for so many years. Despite Rock’s strong background in Canadian punk, having produced the Young Canadians, the Subhumans and the Pointed Sticks, many have discounted his work as a producer thanks entirely to Metallica’s 2003 upset Saint Anger; but I assure you, Northern Avenger is in no danger, instead, showcasing a band that three decades down the line, still refuses to be ignored.

DOA is about to embark on a brief tour of China.

Recommended Tracks: “Human Bomb” and “Police Brutality.”

Bison BC Quiet Earth

Born of the ashes of skatepunkers S.T.R.E.E.T.S, Bison BC, formerly known simply as Bison, has come a long way since releasing its first EP in the summer of 2007. It has a beer brewed in its honour, a strong following of die hard fans and it recently signed to Metal Blade Records. With strong thrash influences rooted in punk (courtesy of time served in S.T.R.E.E.T.S), Bison BC is easily one of Vancouver’s hardest bands, with one of the most powerful live shows and one of the most raging records of the year.

Recommended Tracks: “Dark Towers” and “Medication.”

The Pack A.D. Funeral Mixtape

This female duo is anything but girly, winning me over with the whiskey soaked vocals of Becky Black. White Stripes and Joplin comparisons aside, the Pack A.D.’s brand of blues rock has such a full sound that it’s hard to believe there are only two instruments at work.

Back in studio February 15th through 19th, and playing two shows at the Railway on the 15th and 27th, the Pack is sure to kick 2009’s ass and leave a wake of destruction.

Recommended Tracks: “Blackout” and “Wolves and Werewolves.”

Dylan Thomas and the Vancouver Vipers S/T

To be perfectly honest, Dylan Thomas and the Vancouver Vipers is essentially a mystery to me. While record shopping, I stumbled onto their self titled debut and am glad I did!

Comprised of members of the Parallels, and other various bands, the three Vipers are essentially hired guns backing singer/songwriter Dylan Thomas. Both parties flawlessly mesh, making their debut album essential when attempting to sum up 2008. On the back, a tally in pen relates that only 100 copies were pressed. I strongly suggest getting your hands on one of the other 99 copies before it’s too late!

Dylan Thomas and the Vancouver Vipers heads back into the studio January 16th and 17th and plays the Biltmore February 5th.

Recommended Tracks: “Seasick Ocean Queen” and “Storm In Your Eyes.”

The Jolts Haute Voltage

Ever since I became addicted to 2006’s Jinx EP, I’ve been madly in love the Jolts! It is easily Vancouver’s answer to the Ramones now that the Badamps have disbanded, with the added bonus of an Electric Frankenstein feel meets Turbonegro attitude. The Jolts boast one of the most energetic live shows, and its simple music is the definition of pop punk.

The Jolts play the Sweatshop with Pride Tiger, the winner of my top record of 2007, February 14th.

Recommended Tracks: “Bloody Eye Socket,” “DXM” and “Lament For the Death Rider.”

Vancougar Canadian Tuxedo

In an unusual turn of events, this is the second all female local group on Mint Records to make my top ten. Mind you, with a band name like Vancougar, it’s hard not to love its sense of humour; something that happens to be laced throughout the band’s music.

Spawned from Cobalt jam sessions, paying homage to Canada’s unofficial national dress code, Vancougar is a fun band full of somewhat grown up teen angst, presented in a sweet sounding album that hints at a darker side. The ever paradoxical pop/grunge label seems appropriate.

Recommended Tracks: “Philadelphia” and “Vanity.”

Black Halos We Are Not Alone

The fourth album from Vancouver’s prime purveyor’s of punk n’ roll was perfectly poised for success following its release at the end of February, but while on tour across Canada, with plans to tour Europe immediately following, the Halos had all of their gear stolen from outside a Montreal hotel room. None of it was ever recovered and the European tour was cancelled. Unfortunately this series of unfortunate events has left the Halos on yet another hiatus, with rumours that this time it could be permanent.

We Are Not Alone, sees the Halos paired for the fourth time with legendary producer Jack Endino, of Nirvana and Soundgarden fame and contains all of the Halos' signatures, channelling the pop sensibilities of the Ramones, the audacity of the Dead Boys, with a distinct tinge of Johnny Thunders.

Recommended Tracks: “Suck City,” “Holes” and “Love and War.”

No Horses S/T

No Horses is comprised of six people form varying musical backgrounds (from punk and metal to indie and country), all of whom have come together to form an amazing rock and roll band that isn’t afraid to push and explore musical boundaries. Indeed, becoming a staple in Vancouver’s music scene, this will be a band to watch for in 2009.

No Horses also boast an energetic show guaranteed to get you dancing. They play the Railway February 20th.

Recommended Tracks: “Grab Yer Coat” and “Tombstone Eyes.”

Top Ten Everything Else:

1. The Gaslight Anthem the ’59 Sound

The ’59 Sound was hands down my favorite record of 2008, and consequently the soundtrack of the later half of my summer. My reviews of the album, the band’s live performance and even an interview with lead singer/guitarist Brian Fallon has littered the pages of the Link all year…I’m not sure there’s much more to be said about the New Jersey quartet.

The Gaslight Anthem play the Plaza April 10th.

Recommended Tracks: the whole album on repeat.

2. The Matadors Sweet Revenge

Sinister rumours of Howlin’ Hooch Perkin’s demise have been greatly exaggerated.
After breaking my heart with what I thought was to be the Matadors final Vancouver
show ever early in the summer (strong contender for best show of 2008), imagine my
surprise to see a new album on the shelf in October.

Since 2006’s Horrorbilly 9000 was released, the album has yet to leave my stereo,
leaving my expectations for its long awaited follow-up extremely high. I’m pleased to say that Sweet Revenge did not disappoint, chock full of infectious horrorbilly goodness from what is still one of Ontario’s best bands.

Recommended Tracks: “A Little Bit Of Alcohol,” “I Love You When You’re Dead,”
“Bush Party Handjob” and “If You’re Gonna Bitch (I’m Gonna Drink).”

3. The Wet Secrets Wet Fantasy

I have absolutely no idea how I stumbled across Edmonton’s the Wet Secrets, but I’m
certainly glad I did. The Wet Secrets deliver distortion laden shards of sound with
sarcastic and biting, often blunt lyrics, that leave the listener puzzled, but inclined to sing along. Because I couldn’t get it out of my head, no matter how hard I tried, the Wet Secrets make the cut.

Recommended Tracks: “Get Your Own Apartment” and “Grow Your Own Fucking
Moustache, Asshole.”

4. The Raconteurs Consolers Of the Lonely

In my books, Jack White can do very little wrong, as showcased by the Raconteurs
sophomore album which held the position of soundtrack of my early summer. Well worth
a listen.

Recommended Tracks: “Salute Your Solution,” “Old Enough” and “Many Shades Of
Black.”

5. Be Your Own Pet Get Awkward

At first, I found it difficult to take Be Your Own Pet seriously. The youthful
extravagance of this pop punk bonanza was initially a little too much for my refined
musical palate; and, as is often the case, the album went on the back shelf. Upon
rediscovery, I questioned what the hell I was thinking?

The extremely young Nashville quartet instantly reminds me why I was so drawn to
the pop element of punk bands like the Ramones. It sounds like what high school
should’ve.

Recommended Tracks: “Super Soaked” and “Food Fight.”

6. Vampire Weekend S/T

New York’s Vampire Weekend is yet another band with an early release that still took time to grow on me. Creating quite the buzz among the Pitchfork crowd and making waves at Pemberton, I tried to fight the hype. But try as I might, I was overwhelmed by the sheer quality of the music.

The modern ska meets Afropop of songs like “A-Punk” won me over almost instantaneously once I decided to give the album a chance. While the lyrics may not be the deepest, the music is undeniable fun and full of melody.

Recommended Tracks: “A-Punk” and “I Stand Corrected.”

7. Tokyo Police Elephant Shell

After the first time I heard “Nature Of the Experiment” on Myspace, I couldn’t seem
to shake this band. Releasing only a series of EP’s, Elephant Shell was one of the most anticipated full-lengths of the year. And despite being largely ignored after “Your English Is Good” was released as a single, it was still one of the most solid releases of 2008, showcasing a band with strong indie sensibilities.

Jump on the band wagon now, Ontario’s Tokyo Police Club are here to stay, if
landing a guest spot on Desperate Houswives is any indication.

Recommended Tracks: “Your English Is Good” and “Tesselate.”

8. MGMT Oracular Spectacular

Originally I wrote off MGMT (or Management as they’ve chosen to go by these days)
as a poor attempt to copy the Scissor Sisters in both fashion sense and electro pop. Oh, how wrong I was. It soon appeared that one couldn’t even stroll through the mall without hearing “Time To Pretend.” Over the holidays, HMV was even using the track in their commercials.

Instantly memorable and extremely well crafted pop songs epitomize what I’d like to
hear more of from the quickly stagnant and auto tuned to the max pop scene.

Recommended Tracks: “Electric Feel,” “Time To Pretend” and “the Youth.”

9. Islands Arm’s Way

“Creeper” was instantly memorable from the get go and has remained stuck in my
head since early in the summer. Every track is almost as immediately infectious, the
straight ahead stomping guitar often breaking in favour of more reflective periods where the focus shifts to melody.

Well worth a listen from a Canadian band born form the ashes of the Unicorns.

Recommended Tracks: “Creeper.”

10. Chad Vangaalen Soft Airplane

Calgary’s Chad Vangaalen is light years away from what you might expect me to
like, but from the moment I heard “Bones Of Man” I was inexplicably hooked, finding
Neil Young qualities and an extremely well rounded singer/songwriter.

Little known, Chad Vangaalen is also an amazing artist, credited with Soft Airplane’s
cover as well as the art in the video for “Molten Light.”

Recommended Tracks: “Molten Light.”