what's on your list?

Your list of top albums of 2008, that is! I just voted for 89.3 The Current's "Top 89 of 2008" - the top 89 albums of the year. They accept 20 votes/person. Many of my selections have been drooled over and raved about on this blog previously, but here's the complete list below, anyway.

What are some of your Top Albums for 2008? Share with me!

Adele 19
"Chasing Pavements" is the big hit from this album, and it's a great song. But it was "Right as Rain" that made me fall in love with her soulful, sultry voice.

DeVotchka A Mad And Faithful Telling
I tried downloading this album even before it was released last winter. Unsuccessful! "Transliterator" (blogged about here), "New World," and "How It Ends" are all haunting and moody...yet somehow joyful tunes - as if the story of each song is about finding trandescence after despair. But "The Clockwise Witness" was my first favorite.

Michael Franti & Spearhead All Rebel Rockers
I tried to ignore Michael Franti and Spearhead for a long, long time. But there's no resisting "Say Hey!" Seriously. Give it a try. I don't care what kind of music you think you like, I don't care how old you are - you'll be moving your ass by the second chorus, or I'm a monkey's uncle.

Ryan Adams and The Cardinals Cardinology
I'm so proud of Ryan Adams for being all grown up, and developing more complexity to his brilliant country-rock arrangements! Now, no more tantrums, m'kay Ryan? In a couple more years, these won't be as cute anymore. I already discussed "Fix It" from this album here, so now perhaps I will call out another excellent track: "Go Easy."

Calexico Carried To Dust
I kept experiencing surprise, when some wonderful song would be revealed to me this year, as yet another Calexico track. Even the cheesy MPR Morning Show played "Two Silver Trees" one day; I was impressed with both Calexico and the Morning Show (R.I.P. Morning Show! *sniff!*). Songs to love: "Two Silver Trees," "The News About William," and "Writer's Minor Holiday."

Stereolab Chemical Chords
Hey, it's Stereolab! Does Stereolab do anything wrong? So cute. So French. Check out: "Valley Hi!" Again, please seek out the produced version; the live performance does not do justice to the adorably twee instrumentation.

Magnetic Fields Distortion
This album came out at the beginning of the year, so I hope nobody has forgotten it by now. Never before have the Magnetic Fields created such a fluid, playable album. And it is the kind of work that should be played as an album. Not that one can't enjoy "The Nun's Litany," or "Xavier Says," or, my favorite "Drive On, Driver" as singles.

My Morning Jacket Evil Urges
I think I'm biased because I loved It Still Moves and Z so much, but "Evil Urges" is a good track. I'm suddenly thinking that if I have the vote to do over again, I would choose Stars' The Night Starts Here instead. Darn it!

Kate Nash Made Of Bricks
Fun Brit Girl Pop. Kate played on my CD player constantly last Spring; this CD is wrapped up in all my memories of moving in with Samantha, mourning my ex-relationship, organizing my gazillion boxes of stuff in the basement. Blogged about her here. A couple of the songs are silly and missable, but the good ones more than make up for that. Best tracks: "Foundations," "Skeleton Song," "Merry Happy," and "We Get On."

Sigur Ros Med Sud i Eyrum Vid Spilum Endalaust
Fans were critical of Sigur Ros for making a pop-friendly album. I happen to think pop-ifying ethereal Icelandic music makes the merely contemplative sound outright joyful. And nowhere in the same league as Mariah Carey or Lil' Wayne. Favorite: "Gobbledigook."

Kings Of Leon Only By The Night
I'm not a fan of Kings of Leon, but not a hater, either. It's just that "Sex on Fire" is so hot! Go listen to it now.

MGMT Oracular Spectacular
I downloaded "Time To Pretend" last January, and then became predictably annoyed when the rest of the world discovered it last summer. I liked it FIRST! But this wasn't MGMT's only awesome song on the album. Also: "Kids" and "Electric Feel"

Mates Of State Re-Arrange Us
This album sounds like all of their previous albums. Fortunately for Mates of States, all of their previous albums are excellent. So far "The Re-arranger" is my favorite.

Fleet Foxes Fleet Foxes
I think I've spent enough time on Fleet Foxes here, here, here and here. Let's just say I still listen to this album, and their EP, constantly.

Santogold Santogold
Lovely, funky, and synthy. I've blogged about "Lights Out;" other incredible tracks include "Shove It," "L.E.S. Artistes," "You'll Find A Way," and "Say Aha." Blogged about it here.

Jeremy Messersmith The Silver City
Not to take from the originality of Messersmith himself, but I think one of The Current deejays described him best when they said that he's like "Sufjan Stevens singing about Illinois" - for Minnesota. So far "Franklin Avenue" is the best. Referenced Messersmith's lovely cover of "Skyway" here.

Fleet Foxes Sun Giant (EP)
Please see previous Fleet Foxes entry.

Vampire Weekend Vampire Weekend
Love it. Blogged about it here, here, here, here and here. Favorite songs on the album: "Mansard Roof," "A-Punk," "Oxford Comma," "Campus," "I Stand Corrected," and "Walcott." I'm thinking this one is in strong running to be #1 on The Current's list this year.

She & Him Volume One
Zooey Deschanel's velvety coarse voice is so sweetly irresistible on this album. I recommend listening to it as a whole. Particular favorite is the sad, poignant "I Thought I Saw Your Face Today." Also wonderful: "Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?" and "This Is Not A Test." Blogged about it here.

The Ting Tings We Started Nothing
Love love love this sassy, bouncy, fun album. Listen to "Shut Up And Let Me Go," "That's Not My Name," "Great DJ," and "Be The One." Blogged about it here.

Postscript: If I had my wits about me, I not only would have switched My Morning Jacket for Stars, but also wrote in Madonna Hard Candy. Oh yeah.