The Best Albums of 2008
December 15, 2008
by Dominic Patten
Now, on to the list ... and before you ask, it's in no particular order. The ranking is simply good and they all are.
Can there really be a thing as too much fun.
Gabba Gabba No!
1. Guns'N'Roses - Chinese Democracy - By now you know the saga - over 13 years in the making, millions of dollars in the studio, a band fired, a band hired, a band stitched together, and then last week - BOOM! It’s out. It's no Appetite for Destruction, but no one can say they thought it would be, what we got was an epic in a time when pigmies rule the rock charts. Back off pretenders.
2. The Roots - Rising Down - I still can't believe that Philly's finest and the best band in hip hop are going to become Jimmy Fallon's late night house players next year. Just seems wrong. Then again, if they are going to be able to get off the road and spend more time with their families, let's pray that they spend some time in the studio making another record that crackles and grooves as much as this one - if that's possible
3. RTX - Ja Got Live RaTX - Dirty, sexy, murky full tilt boogie riffs galore. You couldn't take more if you wanted it.
4. J.D. Souther - If The World Was You - One of the most influential songwriters of our times (check out those Eagles credits and you'll see what I mean) returns with his first solo album in decades. His self-titled debut in 1972 caught the regrets of that time, this one captures the reality of ours.
5. YO GABBA GABBA! - Soundtrack - They say it’s for kids, but this is a show that aging punks, soon to be hockey Moms and Little Mr. and Ms all love in equal measure. How good? So good. It's not a question of how much fun this Nick Jr. release is, it is really a question of how much fun you can take.
6. The Clash - Live at Shea Stadium - Chinese Democracy took 13 years to come out, this recording of the Only Band that Once Mattered took 26 years to be released. I couldn't say the wait was worth it, because I wished I had this on high rotation for the last two decades. I will say "Punks, this is how it's done."
7. Marah - Angels of Destruction - This was the album Philly's other finest were always meant to make - a pure dose of roots rock, straight no chaser. No wonder High Fidelity author Nick Hornby loves them so much.
8. The Knux - Remind Me in Three Days - Straight outta New Orleans via LA and into a genre of their very own. Just saying "Hipster rap" may leave a bad taste in your mouth that no Red Bull can wash away, but ignore the labels and listen to the hook driven tunes. Then you can call it whatever you like.
9. Q-Tip - The Renaissance - the master returns. Finally.
10. My Morning Jacket - Evil Urges - Sorry Kid Rock, you've had a good year and sold more records than IHOP has pancakes but while you're lifting old Warren Zevon and Lynyrd Skynard samples, MMJ is where Southern rock is really going in the 21st century ... and it ain't just to the roadhouse.