I’ve watched “Funny Face” unintendedly while i was enjoying an Audrey Hepburn’s marathon. The movie is ok, a cute love story, i can talk about it more in some other post. But I just wanted to show the best moment in the entire film. It’s a scene where Audrey’s dances alone (while Fred Astaire watch it). The dance is very modern and I would say daring for those times as well as for the public that would watch such a movie. Her look, as well as her movements are corky, androgenous and very sleeky. Best coreography in the entire movie.
This was one of the greatest surprises I’ve found in 2008. This french/belgian duo is one of the most creative duos i’ve seen lately. Forget about mgmt, this is what experimental is about! I gotta confess that at the beginning i thought they were too inconsistent because they play with a lot different kind of rhythms, and melodies and even languages, but who cares about consistency when you get 15 great songs in only one album? Excellent, incredible album.
Favorites songs: All of them, seriously
I know, I’m a Cold War Kids fan, but some of my favorite bands stayed out of this list, so that’s not the reason they are here in 3rd place. Althought i like the first album a lot more, this album is great. A bit less experimental, a bit more melacholic, i think, but still very cold war kids. And I love them.
Favorite songs: “I’ve Seen Enough” and “Mexican Dogs”
This is just because i like her just a little bit hahaha. She’s a bit hype, right? I went to listen to her album with bad expectations and I was amazed but her creativity and specially her unique voice. Her album is as eclectic as my taste in music, maybe that’s how i loved it so much. I was really blown away by her. Great record.
Favorite songs: “Little Bit” and “Dance, Dance, Dance”
This was a recommendation by last.fm. It thought that I might like her based on my taste and it was right. I’ve loved it. It was one of the greatest surprises for me in 2008, along with the whip and the number 2 that i’m not gonna say right now. She has an incredible voice, so unique and her sound is a bit retro, a bit trip-hop, which is already a retro style, right? Anyway, i like the atmosphere of the songs that matches perfectly her voice. This is her second album and i can’t wait to hear more.
Favorite songs: “Valentine” and “Phoenix” (and the whole album)
They’re definetly crazy. Paint a white shirt in their body and make it the cover of their album? That’s crazy. Their music is as crazy as well. And I love it. They show that they can be crazy, have fun and still play well. Most of electroclash, 80’s retro style bands that came up only knows how to copy old songs and make a mess with the sound and say “this is punk”. Funny lyrics, songs that makes you dance, wild attitude, and nice arrangements. Do you want more for an electroclash band? I don’t. I’m thinking about getting a shirt like that…
Favorite songs: “Don’t Copy Me” and “Animals” (and a lot more)
There are not many albums that i can listen to and like all of the songs. And listen to it over and over again and never get sick of. And most important, it’s electronica, which is easier to get sick when you listen to it outside of a dancefloor. And i must say, i’m not an electronica fan. At all. And this album is one of my favorites, undoubtly.
Favorite songs: “Frustation” and “Blackout” (and all the rest)
Along with Vampire Weekend, Fleet Foxes were the most hype band of 2008. And I really didn’t want to listen to both of them because i hate the hype. But they are really good, and a lot better than VW, in my opinion. Folk is what is the most hype in this moment but i’ve always like folk a little bit, so i’m not getting hype, you may be sure about that. Their sound is amazing and is not “just another folk band” like many we see every day. You they have a bit of experimental taste but the final result is not that mess like most of the bands that tries to “experiment” with sound. Great record.
Favorite songs: “White Winter Hymnal” and “He Doesn’t Know Why”
I’ve never was too fan of Beck’s music. It always sounded a bit too cheesy, pop or just not my style. But this album is great. If Beck had done only this album I would definetly be a fan. Great songs, great lyrics, his voice is a lot better now (for me). Looks like he has grown up. Ok, is not that experimental like the others, sounds more rock & roll, more put together, and that was awesome for him. Great album.
Favorite songs: “Youthless” and “Chemtrails”
Ok, I have to remind you that this is not a list of the best 2008 albums ever but a list of MY favorite albums. And i’m not a music expert, i think. Anyway, i loved this album since the first chord of the first song. It’s simple, it’s unpretensious, it warms the heart, despite of the album cover and they make me smile, and that’s an important thing for me when i listen to a record. So, they are in my top 10! I must re-listen to make a decent review.
Favorite songs: “I’ll love” and “Moving”
I really think that drums are the most important instrument in a band. You can be excellent guitarrist but if you put a simple and cliché arrangement for drums you got yourself a pop and boring tune. That’s the opposite with this band. Without the incredibly creative percussions every each track it would be just another copy of Death Cab for Cutie, which are dozens. Love the creativity, maybe they should try to be a little bit more creative with the song’s melodies as well. But they’re just great.
Favorite songs: “Red and Purple” and “Paint the Rust”
This is crazy. I just got to know this band now but they are in the industry for a long time. But i just loved them. They have incredible arrangements, very good musicians and a very intriguing vocal. I really don’t know too much about the history of the beginning of indie bands but maybe this band is one of the first to have a girl with a minimal and inexpressive voice which incredibly matches the songs. That’s a hope for those who think they can’t sing. Anyway, it’s so surprising that you end up liking it. It’s crazy, it’s different, totally non-commercial, but I love it.
Favorite songs: “The tears and music of love” and “Offend Maggie”
Well, I love Hot Chip. I watched them live once and they are really fantastic. And they can do something really rare in electronic music: play better in a show than in the studio. I listenned to this album without any expectations cause I thought this album would not be good and i had a great surprise. I love the way they can experiment without fear.
Favorite songs: “Shake a Fist” and “Ready for the Floor”
I took too long to listen to her because i just hate when something is too hype, I always listen to it with bad expectations. But I really like Santogold. I love black women’s voice and specially when they dare to sing in different rhythms like rock and stuff. She knows how to mix rock, electro, ska, rap and everything without sounding a mess. She used to be a producer, right? Why took you so long to release your own record, girl? Great record.
Favorite songs: “You’ll Find a Way” and “Say Aha”
