1. Kings of Leon - Only By the Night
The Followill brothers from Tennessee just get more amazing with each release. And they were mind blowing good with their first release in 2003 "Youth and Young Manhood". I didn't have great expectations for this album because it came so quickly following 2007's "Because of the Times" - which btw made my number 1 last year as well. But, it turns out, this was my most played album - the song
writing of bible belt youth and rebellion combined with Caleb Followill's killer voice, and southern rock guitar is addicting.
2. My Morning Jacket - Evil Urges
MMJ is probably the greatest, most innovative, rock band in America right now. What other band could play 4 hours at Bonnaroo? Evil Urges had a big bill to fill following up to 2005's Z - but it was a homerun. Blending rock grooves, southern rock, 70's pop and falsetto vocals straight from Prince, it was nothing that you would have expected, and a CD I just couldn't get enough of all year.
This was my first Killers album.
I passed on Hot Fuss when it was big and I now can't understand why. This album was the last album of the year for me - arriving in December - but it plays constantly. Reminicient of The Cure. I saw them live, and I think that helped push this CD way up to the top.
New band makes my top 10. These guys came out in January of 08 - tough road to make top 10 when its out that early - but I listened to this album all year long. Especially in the summer. The African and pop beats, make you want to be outside dancing on a warm summer night.
4. Death Cab for Cutie - Narr ow Stairs
"I Will Possess Your Heart" = Listen to it. Enough said.
5. Death Magnetic - Metallica
After what I would call a bit of a disappointment in Metallica's 2003 St Anger, Metallica has roared back with Death Magnetic - an album that would stand up next to ..."And Justice For All", and "Masater of Puppets" with ease. Most of the songs are 7-8 minutes of pure Metallica - machine gun riffs and head banging drums. You couldn't ask for a better Metallica album and honestly I didn't expect such a great one.
6. Weezer - (Weezer) Red
I just love these singing this chorus! I mean who doesn't eat their candy with the pork and beans?:
"Imma do the things that i wanna do
I ain't got a thing to prove to you
I'll eat my candy with the pork and beans
Excuse my manners if i make a scene
I ain't gonna wear the clothes that you like
I'm fine and dandy with the me inside
one look in the mirror and i'm tickled pink
I don't give a hoot about what you think "
Honestly though - this is just a fun, classic nerd rock Weezer album that you love the second you hear it.
7
. Brighter than Creations Dark - Drive-By TruckersThe truckers manage to make me laugh and be in awe at great music making all at once. How can a band sound so serious but be so damn funny? And good! Songs like "Daddy Needs a Drink" and "Bob", and the opening "Two Daughters and a Beautiful Wife" will hook you to become a lifetime fan of DBT.
8. Jack Johnson - Sleep Through the Static
Ok, Jack just doesn't leave my iPod. He's chill music. He's party music. He's cooking music. He's driving music. Maybe its that he makes me dream of being at a beach campfire listening to great tunes after a day in the waves or on the beach. But its so much more and this album did it again - Love this.
9. Sheryl Crow - Detours
When I listened to Detours for the first time, I felt like I was listening to a continuation of Sheryl's debut album "Tuesday Night Music Club" - turns out, its the same producer. This is a classic Sheryl Crow album - amazing song writing, and pop chorus's that will make you sing along, and all around great music.
10. AC/DC - Black Ice
Other Albums I loved this year:
- Counting Crows - Saturday Nights & Sunday Mornings - very close in my top 10 - definite 11.
- TV On The Radio - Dear Science - Maybe would have landed in the top 10 - but I just got it and need a little more listening time.
- John Mayer - Where the Light Is - Amazing blues compilation by John Mayer - capturing acoustic songs, John Mayer Trio, and with the full band.
- Attack and Release - Black Keys
- Nikka Costa - Pepple to a Pearl
- Jenny Lewis - Acid Tongue - Rilo Kiley lead singer solo. Very good.
- Los Lonely Boys - Forgiven - Love these Texas boys.
- Black Crowes - Warpaint
- Kasey Chambers Rattlin' Bones
- Tift Merritt - Another Country - Probably should be higher on my list - I listen to this a lot.
- B-52's - Funplex - Classic 80's sound, still makes you want to get up and dance.
- Coldplay Viva La Vida - Great Coldplay album. Not that gripping though.
- Helio Sequence - Keep Your Eyes Ahead
- Mudcrutch - Tom Petty's old country band
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