Nathan’s Top Albums of 2008

Posted: January 11th, 2009 | Author: | Filed under: Articles About Music | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments »

To be quite honest, I am a little disappointed with music this year. It was rather difficult for me to come up with my top 10 again this year, not because there were just tons of great albums to choose from, but that there were tons of mediocre albums to choose from.  There were just very few albums that I fell in love with, from beginning to end, this year.  So here are the ones that stuck out to me the most, and don’t get me wrong there are some great ones in this list. I just think that the music business has seen and will see better years.

10 KaiserCartelMarch Forth

One of the first bands I discovered via I Hope Your Ears Bleed mailbox that didn’t suck. In fact they didn’t suck so much that they made this list.  They are a cheery pop duo that kept me whistling all year with this fantastic debut. If you are a Mates of State fan check out this album for a double dose of pop candy goodness.  But don’t misunderstand that phrase and think that this album lacks substance or doesn’t leave you satisfied. Unlike most “pop candy” these guys have created something that will last. I will be enjoying this album for a long time to come.

KaiserCartel – Oh No

09 She & HimVolume One

She & Him is made up of the gorgeous and very likeable actress, Zooey Deschanel and the him part is indie folk artist M. Ward. With her voice and song-writing combined with his gorgeous arrangements you get one of the most enjoyable and accessible records of the year.  I don’t know how anyone could not like this album at least a little bit.  Which might be why it ended up as Paste’s favorite album of the year.  It has a little something for everyone.

She & Him – Sentimental Heart

08 AnathalloCanopy Glow

These guys are one of the most dynamic groups around. The orchestration on each song is very complex and they utilizes a wide variety of instruments, including horns, guitars, drums, piano, bells, strings, and the list could go on.  But what makes them so unique, and why love them so much is they also love to use tons of unconventional objects like chains, velcro strips, stomp boxes, pipes and even their own hands.  Plus they have incredible voices that they utilize as yet another instrument with great harmonies throughout the album.  Even with its late November release it has become one of the most played records of the year for me. Who knows how high it might have climbed the list had it been released earlier.

Anathallo – The River

07 The Silent YearsThe Globe
This album provided for me not just the best song of the year, but just an all-around great rock album.  If that’s what you want to call it. I have a hard time describing this album since it seems jump genres from song to song. But it does so gracefully.  It isn’t disjointed at all.  It seems like their drummer somehow seems to carry you safely from song to song.  Not to mention the song-writing and vocals of Josh Epstein are impeccable.  This is another album that utilizes a plethora of instruments. But I think my favorite thing about the album is the way they use silence as an instrument in this stand-out track from their great sophomore effort.

The Silent Years – Black Hole

06 Vampire WeekendVampire Weekend

vampire-weekend-vampire-weekendWhile I think that this band is one of the more overrated bands out there, I couldn’t help but include it in this list.  I probably listened to this album more than any other this past year.  It is incredibly fun and very different than anything else that’s being played these days.  Not to mention their song writing is very clever.  There are many standout tracks on this album, and if somehow you made it through 2008 without hearing these guys you have to give this album a listen.  I absolutely love the way the strings open this stellar track.  It takes me back a couple centuries to a time when you still had to squeeze oranges to get fresh orange juice, yet you were still somehow more sophisticated than today.

Vampire Weekend – M79

05 MGMTOracular Spectacular

mgmt-oracular-spectacular This album started with just two freshmen art students  playing pretend that they were indie pop stars.  They started off just playing around with some synthesizers and pre-recorded vocals playing shows and just having some fun.  Before they new it they had a long-term deal with Columbia Records and were the opening act for Of Montreal. Still not able to believe their good fortune, when asked who they’d like to have produce their record, they responded with Prince, Nigel Godrich, Barack Obama, and “not Sheryl Crow.” Fortunately for us, they were hooked up with Flaming Lips collaborator, Dave Fridmann, who helped them create one of the best psychadelic indie-pop albums around.

MGMT – Kids

04 Mates of StateRe-Arrange Us

mates-of-state-re-arrange-usSo if you haven’t noticed, I’m a big fan of catchy sing-a-long pop.  That is so long as it doesn’t completely suck.  Like this fantastically addictive, emotionally charged, hook-laden pop masterpiece.  While they have injected a little more piano than in the past, they haven’t strayed too far from their roots.  Hammel’s slick and drumbeats still drive the entire album, and Gardner’s vocals are better than ever. It’s soft and loud, sweet and sour, cheerful and melancholy. It’s a fully realized album that will appeal to indie snobs and ignorant radio listeners alike.  So whichever you are, go out and buy this album today.

Mates of State – The Re-Arranger

03 Noah and the WhalePeaceful, The World Lays Me Down

peaceful-the-world-lays-me-down Here is the fifth debut album to grace my top ten list (it’s not the last).  Yes I am a sucker for folk-rock bands that use lots of strings and horns throughout their songs.  But it is Charlie Fink’s songwriting that boosted this mediocre debut into the top of my list.  It’s hopeful songs like “Give a Little Love” and its more melancholy successor “Second Lover” that make this album so great.  And who isn’t put in a better mood when they hear “5 Years Time” pouring through the tv set?

Noah and the Whale – Second Lover

02 Conor OberstConor Oberst

conor-oberstThis is one of the last album’s I expected to make my list this year.  But I have not been able to stop listening ever since I saw him live back in September. Just think of a happy and country version of Bright Eyes.  I am blown away at how well Conor is able to do southern rock.  Make no mistake though, this is not a solo album in the least.  This record would be nothing without the Mystic Valley Band.  Let’s hope that he doesn’t just kick them to the curb and that these guys have only just begun their musical journey together.

Conor Oberst – Get Well Cards

01 Bon IverFor Emma, Forever Ago

for-emma-forever-ago While this list was difficult for me make, choosing who belonged on top was not.  Justin Vernon isolated himself in a remote cabin in Wisconsin just looking to get away and take a break.  And he walked out with the best album of the year. There was a tiny bit added upon his return in the studio (horns, backing vocals, drums), but the majority of the album is just Vernon and his hauntingly enchanting voice.

Bon Iver – Lump Sum

Well I hope you enjoyed the list and found at least one new album to out and purchase.  And stay tuned for the albums we’re most excited about for 2009.  Here’s to another great year of music. Huzzah!


KaiserCartel ‘March Forth’

Posted: July 29th, 2008 | Author: | Filed under: Album Reviews | Tags: , | 3 Comments »

So over the past couple of months, lots of different bands have been sending me their stuff hoping that I mention them on the site, which is really exciting. But as you can imagine, the majority of it isn’t even worth mentioning. Fortunately, I have been taking the time to listen to all of them, because I hate the thought of missing out on the delightful debut album from a new pop duo known as KaiserCartel. The album is filled with catchy melodies and gorgeous harmonies. Their vocals are so seamlessly intertwined that I automatically assumed that they must be related. Although they aren’t the next Jacksons, they still have a pretty great story. Courtney Kaiser, the elementary school music teacher and Benjamin Cartel, the early childhood art teacher, had met several times at different gigs while supporting their own musical talents, but never got the chance to hang out or play together. That is until finally on March 4th (how witty of them), they finally got to hang out. That fateful night not only was the beginning of a new romance, but it also led to one of the best pop albums of the year. Fans of Mates of State will have no problem getting into this album right from the start. Musically they are a little different. Where as Mates of State rely a lot more on a catchy percussion beat, KaiserCartel relies a little more on what they can create with a guitar. But vocally and melodically they are very similar. Now they aren’t just some knock off that almost sounds like a band I like. They are making great music in and of themselves.  March Forth is a strong album from start to finish. Not a dull moment. Take a listen to one of my personal favorites and let me know what you think.

KaiserCartel – Okay (removed 2/13/09)

i hope your ears bleed. (but not really)