As eclectic as this list is with respect to genre, there is an underlying connection between each of these albums. Every single one of them had a moment, if only one, where I experienced a new way to feel happy through their arrangements. These moments triggered the desire to listen to the rest of the album with a little more attention than before, and I discovered other subtle ways in which the music brought about more listening pleasure. By the end of 2008, countless hours of playlist time had been dedicated to these albums in particular, and a good chunk of that was spent twirling around my apartment teaching my cat how to enjoy dancing because the best music just makes me want to move! Let the listing begin!
Full-Length Fabulousness:
Menahan Street Band - Make The Road By Walking (Daptone Records)
Ok I’m going to start off with this one because I’m listening to it right now. I stumbled across this album while browsing the listening stations at the independent music store Rotate This. Once the music started playing, I wanted nothing more than to stand there and enjoy the jazzy bliss that was soothing my soul. This album entered my collection through its ability to make me smile and not want to skip ahead to the next song.
The Menahan Street Band is a collaboration of artists from the bands Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, The Budos Band, Antibalas, and the El Michels Affair, brought together by musician/producer Thomas Brenneck to record in his Menahan St. apartment. Their arrangements are nothing short of genius when it comes to how they complement each individual’s tone and style, and so perfectly layered and contoured that the listener is not left wanting… except for maybe another song just as rich and complex, that the only time the possibility of disappointment arises is when the album ends.
Adele - 19 (XL/Columbia)
Pardon the pun, but I’ve been singing this girl’s praises since the beginning of my stint at Pop Zap. Her voice is pristine and she is an incredible performer, complete with a down to earth personality. This album is a must-have -- and no I’m not biased...
Extreme - Saudades De Rock (Open E Records)
Who the….? What the….? Those guys? The poor saps who had their "More Than Words" added to every love song mixtape ever made in the ‘90s? Yes, those guys, and if you love an amazing rock album with its range of heavy, dark anthems such as "King of the Ladies" to its Queen-tinged "Star" and not without the lyrical ballads such as "Interface" and "Peace (Saudade)" – easily my favorite tune of the whole album -- just go get this album. On top of all that, don’t miss the folk inflections in “Take Us Alive", or the punk flavor they add to "Flower Man". Prepare to be amazed at how current and energized their arrangements are for a band who hasn’t released an album since 1995.
Alphabeat - This Is Alphabeat (Copenhagen Records / EMI UK)
No song this year has been more symbolic of perfect happy pop than Alphabeat’s song, "Fascination". My sister thinks I have the worst taste in music when I play it, but she listens to what I think is the worst kind of hip-hop, so we’re even. Plus, nothing says cheesy 80s movie prom scene quite like their tune "Rubberboots". I can picture the frizzy hair, puffy shoulder dresses, ugly bow ties and arms-length dancing within the first two notes. It will be hard to believe this album was released in 2008, especially if you watch their music videos.
Kurt Nilsen - Rise To The Occasion (Sony BMG)
If you have never heard of Kurt Nilsen and you like country music, you need to hear his duet with Willie Nelson for the song ‘Lost Highway’. The first time Kurt Nilsen crossed my radar was while watching World Idol with my family eons ago. It was also one of the few moments of my adolescence where I was 100% sure I knew something my dad didn’t: Kurt Nilsen was going to win, and beat Kelly Clarkson. It was a secretly proud moment when he did, and not only because I was right, but also because true talent gained a victory on a big stage. I also recommend his previous albums -- all of them.
City and Colour - Bring Me Your Love (Bedlam Music)
Ok, so I totally have to eat my words with this one. The first time I ever heard any part of this album, I was clearly in an ignorantly happy mood which made me unable to appreciate the music. If I remember correctly, the words I used went something like, “I think Dallas Green is enormously talented, but this album made me want to slit my wrists.” Then I listened to part of it again, months later – and am pretty sure those words were used again, if not verbatim. The third time was the charm, and that was when the songs "Sleeping Sickness" (with Gordon Downey), and "My Girl" completely changed my perspective. The chorus to "Sleeping Sickness" is easily one to belt out in the car when a bout of road rage needs diffusion; and someone told me the story of a friend using the song "My Girl" in their wedding – the slow part as the bride walks up the aisle with her father, and the faster part as the newly wed couple leaves the church. The hopeless romantic within me was instantly hooked, and the album entered my high-rotation playlist. I looked up the lyrics for "Sleeping Sickness" and learned them as quickly as possible so my landlords wouldn’t think I was lyrically challenged when singing along at the top of my lungs. I then proceeded to thoroughly enjoy the rest of the album many times over.
EPs of Epic Proportions:
Zaki Ibrahim - Eclectica (Episodes In Purple) (Irqa Music / DistrictSix Music / Red Ink)
Zaki is an extremely talented, detailed artist. Even though the songs may not be perfect according to some standards, everything that you hear and feel is exactly how she wanted it to be. All the songs will be once again different when she releases her full-length, so this is a one-time only deal and it shows how she embraces the ephemerality of music and life. Throw on your earphones, close your eyes and let her take you on a sonic escapade.
Jason Mraz - We Sing (Atlantic Records)
Although Mraz’s full-length, We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things., is a great album, I enjoyed the unplugged recordings of the four songs "I’m Yours", "Live High", "If It Kills Me", and "Beautiful Mess" so much more. Never will a radio version of "I’m Yours" ever be satisfactory.
Notable Mentions:
Keane - Perfect Symmetry (Interscope / Island)
The Script - The Script (Phonogenic)
Sigur Rós - Með Suð Í Eyrum Við Spilum Endalaust (EMI / XL Recordings)
Santogold - Santogold (Downtown Records)
