Zak Krone STAFF WRITER

I want to write something nice about someone for a change. ( I know, it’s weird )
(Editor's Note: See Zak's thoughts on T-Pain, The Jonas Brothers, or The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade)

Here are my picks for the best albums of 2008 (again – those picks had quite a bit of politicking going on even though I do love them all )

10) The Hold Stead – Stay Positive

I have never heard a band so aptly described as “solid.” No, your face will not be melted off. You won’t hear any trippy experimental modulations of instruments. You won’t understand what the hell this guy is singing about. What you will hear, though, is true blue Boston rock ’n roll. And they throw in a little Harpsichorid now and then.
The Hold Steady - Constructive Summer.mp3


9) Fucked Up - The Chemistry of Common Life

Hardcore Punk isn’t going out without a fight thanks to the Canadian bred band Fucked Up. Congas, flutes, bongos, and even a bagpipe or two keep the indie kids from being too intimidated by the chorus of thrashing guitars and the 300 pound vocalist “Pink Eyes.” He sounds like the cookie monster demolishing a plate of fresh baked chocolate chip cookies. If you live in the Charlottesville area, I’ll see you in the mosh pit during their Jan 26th show at the Outback Lodge.
Fucked Up - No Epiphany.mp3

8) Beck - Modern Guilt

The songwriting of “The Information” with the retro vibe provided by Danger Mouse makes for my favorite Beck albums since “Mellow Gold.”
Beck - Gamma Ray.mp3

7) TV on the Radio – Dear Science

There should be a rule that people can’t put this album on lists. It’s kind of a given. I can’t even begin to describe their sound, so just go pick it up and find out why it was SPIN and Rolling Stone’s album of the year.
TV on the Radio - Golden Age.mp3

6) MGMT – Oracular Spectacular

People love MGMT for the trippy vibe and hooky riffs, but the arc of this album is incredible. The pacing of the songs makes this one of the best albums to listen to straight through. Speaking of which...
MGMT - Time to Pretend.mp3

5) Girl Talk – Feed the Animals

...Girl Talk made “Night Ripper” 2.0 this year (which is an extremely good thing). Most notably, the mash up between Radiohead’s “Paranoid Android” and Jay—Z’s “Roc Boys.” It is the truly the highest form of DJing, putting two songs together to create a whole new context for each piece.
Girl Talk - Set It Off.mp3


4) Nine Inch Nails – Ghosts I-IV

“The Slip” made quite a few Top 10 lists this year. This is the more interesting album for me, though. Most striking are the piano based songs. The sound engineering is fantastic as well. Every instrument is well layered and leveled. Listen to it on Vinyl if you have the chance.
Nine Inch Nails - 34 Ghosts in IV.mp3

3) GZA – Pro Tools

Wu-Tang alum GZA never battled as well as Ghostface Killa and never had the Swagger of Method Man but as far as intelligent wordplay, he has every other member of the band beat. His lyrics combined with the jazzy production provided by the RZA makes for THE best solo project form a Wu Member.
GZA - Alphabets.mp3


2) Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks – Real Emotional Trash

The opening track is one of the best openers I have ever had the pleasure of hearing (“Dragonfly Pie”). This is Pavement with some bite, some grit, some balls. Not to mention the drumming. Holy Shit, Janet Weiss talent is like one big apology for Meg White being the face of female drummers. It’s not her technical skill, so much as the ability to constantly be changing up the beat and tempo to keep the rhythm interesting for fifty minutes on out. Please help me educate the public, and go buy this album.
Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks - Dragonfly Pie.mp3

1) The Black Keys – Attack and Release

Patrick Carney and Dan Aurbach have been propelled to a whole new level with the touch of Danger Mouse. The grand opening, the peaks and lows of the sound, the mellow tone of Aurbach’s voice, the blips of noise provided by Danger Mouse, the story of the lyrics. Get this album.
The Black Keys - Strange Times.mp3


Also Worth Noting

The Mars Volta - Bedlam in Goliath

Does It Offend You, Yeah - You Have No Idea What You're Getting

Flight of the Corchords – Flight of the Conchords

Foals – Antidotes

(Also consider that I haven’t had time to listen to a good deal of great music I’m sure I would respect including Bon Iver, Santogold, Deerhunter, Q-Tip, David Byrne / Brian Eno, and Vampire Weekend. I like what I’ve heard off of all these albums, but I have not listened to them fully so it would be pretentious of me to suggest them. Please consider this before you comment “OMG!!! You are so fucking stupid!!!!! I cannot believe you didn’t put ______________ on the list)