Toad's Favorite Tunes of 2008

Bright Blue Dream

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 18:45:53 GMT

I was sad to see Sound Team disband. Thankfully former bassist Bill Baird marches on.

In Ghost Colours

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 18:47:10 GMT

2008 was one hell of a year for anyone wanting tunes that sound heavily influenced by 80s new wave (the new Cut Copy, MGMT, M83, Empire of the Sun, Ladyhawke).

The Evening Descends

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 18:49:21 GMT

Space glam? Not something I feel safe recommending to most listeners and friends.

The Horse, Rat and the Swan

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 18:48:05 GMT

Abrasive post-punk that comes out hitting hard with nice droning, tribal-like rhythms. This is easily one of the more unique listens of 2008.

And Still, Wanting

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 18:50:17 GMT

And Still, Wanting

Saturdays=Youth

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 18:51:32 GMT

I like this pop change-up from Gonzalez. It’s catchy and much more memorable than prior releases.

Ladyhawke

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 18:52:18 GMT

This album hooked me from the start and didn’t let go.

Figs, Wasps, and Monotremes

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 19:11:52 GMT

Figs, Wasps, and Monotremes

Censored Colors

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 19:12:34 GMT

Censored Colors

Walking on a Dream

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 19:13:49 GMT

Catchy electropop that sounds similar to MGMT, but it is what you would expect from Luke Steele working with Pnau (even heard on the early collab track “wild strawberries”).

Kids Aflame

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 19:15:01 GMT

A nice debut from the Harlem Shakes’ guitarist.

Visiter

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 19:16:09 GMT

Worst album cover of the year.

She's the Dutchess, He's the Duke

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 19:17:00 GMT

She's the Dutchess, He's the Duke

Everything/Everything

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 19:17:28 GMT

The missing link between Bobby Conn and Patrick Wolf.

Saint Dymphna

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 19:18:08 GMT

Saint Dymphna

Meanderthal

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 19:18:36 GMT

Sludge pop? Stoner metal? Possibly loses “hip factor” by sounding too mainstream.

The Glowing City

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 19:19:39 GMT

The Glowing City

Microcastle/Weird Era Continued

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 19:20:30 GMT

Microcastle/Weird Era Continued

Oracular Spectacular

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 19:21:00 GMT

Oracular Spectacular

Glasvegas

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 19:21:27 GMT

Glasvegas

Words Are Missing

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 19:21:53 GMT

Words Are Missing

Mega Breakfast

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 19:22:19 GMT

Mega Breakfast

Dragging a Dead Deer Up a Hill

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 19:22:48 GMT

Dragging a Dead Deer Up a Hill

The Airborne Toxic Event

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 19:23:15 GMT

The Airborne Toxic Event

1

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 19:24:01 GMT

Parc Avenue

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 19:24:53 GMT

Struggles a bit in the later half.

Women

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 19:32:56 GMT

Women

Ghost Town

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 19:25:16 GMT

Ghost Town

Third Transmission

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 19:25:53 GMT

Third Transmission

All Is Well

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 19:26:28 GMT

The first 2008 release I heard. It’s a grower especially if, like me, folk is one of your lesser enjoyed genres.

Feed the Animals

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 19:27:12 GMT

It feels smoother and flows better than Night Ripper.

Free Gold!

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 19:27:54 GMT

I don’t want to call this a disappointment, but I enjoyed the prior release more.

Seven Songs

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 19:35:59 GMT

Seven Songs

Clangour

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 19:28:23 GMT

Clangour

Alpinisms

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 19:28:45 GMT

Alpinisms

Ep

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 19:30:25 GMT

A 6-track EP.

One Day As A Lion

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 19:30:55 GMT

Finally something from de la Rocha.

Spirit

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 19:32:04 GMT

2008 reissue.

Deathconsciousness

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 19:34:34 GMT

Deathconsciousness

Fire on Corridor X

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 19:36:37 GMT

Fire on Corridor X

Island Diamonds

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 19:37:49 GMT

Island Diamonds

Kaka

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 19:38:55 GMT

Kaka

It's Midnight In Honolulu

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 19:39:52 GMT

It's Midnight In Honolulu

Keep Color

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 19:40:51 GMT

Keep Color

Naked Acid

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 19:46:25 GMT

Naked Acid

Ghosts I - IV

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 19:49:37 GMT

Ghosts I - IV

Board Up the House

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 19:50:23 GMT

Board Up the House

Soft Airplane

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 19:51:01 GMT

Soft Airplane

Slick Dogs and Ponies

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 19:47:03 GMT

Faux British accent (Green Day’s been doing it for years) & often panned by others. I may have to bump this one up to a B+. Call it a guilty pleasure. I like it.

Crystal Castles

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 19:51:26 GMT

Hey, it’s chip music that I can listen to more than once.