10 : KEXP Live at KEXP Vol. 4

The annual compilations of in-studio performances that our local ‘listener-powered’ radio station release are almost always a hit with me. This year, there are a few misses, but there’s a nice range of artists from Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings to The Ravonettes. If you’re interested in getting a copy, better hurry; it is now out of print and only available until supplies last.

On halloween, Charlie toured the KEXP studio, click here and here.

Sample track: (”Grounds For Divorce” by Elbow)
[audio:http://www.alphababy.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/2008_10.mp3]

9 : Delta Spirit Ode To Sunshine

This album didn’t get much press, but it was one that I instantly fell in love with. Raw, ‘vintage’, jazzy, bluesy—an all around good listen.

Sample track:
[audio:http://www.alphababy.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/2008_09.mp3]

8 : Vampire Weekend Vampire Weekend

To be honest, I was trying not to add this to the list. It got huge press and a lot of air-play and I was skeptical about the hype. I had the chance to see Vampire Weekend at the Crocodile last year, before it closed. While I thought they looked too young and hip with their old-school, oversized guitars and afro-pop beats to really be any good, I couldn’t help but do the “I’m too old and cool to dance, but I’ll move my old bald head to the beat”.

Their energy is incredible and any time I need a little pick-me-up, I make full use of these guys. Oh, and Charlie loves dancing along too.

Sample track:
[audio:http://www.alphababy.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/2008_08.mp3]

7 : Department of Eagles In Ear Park

This one took a few listens for me to truly appreciate. When I first started thinking about this list, it was maybe a runner up. Every time I listened it steadily moved up toward the top of the list.

If you want a treat, watch their Pitchfork.tv videos now posted on Department of Eagles’ site (specifically No One Does It Like You; apparently recorded on a rooftop in NYC.)

Sample track:
[audio:http://www.alphababy.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/2008_07.mp3]

6 : Hot Chip Made In the Dark

Just good ol’ fashion high-energy electronic beats. Their videos are always pretty interesting/funny; obviously they don’t take themselves too seriously, which I think is good for the genre.

Sample track:
[audio:http://www.alphababy.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/2008_06.mp3]

5 : Fleet Foxes Fleet Foxes

Another one that I was skeptical about, but what can I say? It’s good. Very good. Beautiful, in fact. Fleet Foxes have received a ton of press and reached the top of many lists, including KEXP’s top 90.3 albums of ‘08. It wasn’t my #1 but when I want something to calm my nerves and relax, I turn these guys up.

And if you want to hear a nice cover, Stockholm’s First Aid Kit did an incredible version of “Tiger Mountain Peasant Song”.

Sample track:
[audio:http://www.alphababy.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/2008_05.mp3]

4 : MGMT Oracular Spectacular

I’m not exactly sure if I can explain why this is #4 on the list. I am having trouble describing it’s goodness, so I’ll quote their horribly noisy and non-user-friendly website: “the duo’s much-anticipated first full-length album, an enigmatic and prophetic collection of hallucinatory sounds and hook-riddled pop tones for the new millennium.”

So, there you have it.

Sample track:
[audio:http://www.alphababy.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/2008_04.mp3]

3 : Dodos Visiter

Good, somewhat rough sounds of acoustic guitars, banjo, drum—it sounds like they make good use of the studio. Through the first part of the year, I listened to ‘Visiter’ a LOT. And it’s still one I come back to again and again.

Pitchfork Media says (what I can’t): “Visiter alternates between longer, more improvisatory material and near-interludes, which can leave a slightly spotty impression on its first few listens. With more exposure, the record reveals the celebratory acoustics of Led Zeppelin III or a more song-oriented take on tourmates Akron/Family…” [MORE]

Sample track:
[audio:http://www.alphababy.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/2008_03.mp3]

2 : Girl Talk Feed the Animals

Alright kids, plug your ears. Girl Talk is a rather controversial ‘mash-up’ artist best described by Wired Magazine. It’s certainly not for everyone, but what I like most about this album (and his others) is his ability to take bad songs (old and new) mix them up a bit and make them very listenable. He takes a lot of rather hard-core hip-hop, old eighties favorites, and even modern pop; deconstructs the music; and molds them into his own masterpieces.

The controversy is that he uses a lot of artist’s and labels’ music without permission. In fact, the label he belonged to is called Illegal Art.

Need a pick-me-up? Grab a cup of coffee or pay what you want for Feed the Animals here.

Sample track: CAUTION: you may hear some explicit lyrics that you should probably just ignore.
[audio:http://www.alphababy.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/2008_02.mp3]

1 : Cloud Cult Feel Good Ghosts (Tea-Partying Through Tornadoes)

Here it is. My #1 pick for the year. It was by far the most listened to album in my iTunes. It was the top album on The Onion’s list—although, now I’m not sure if I should take that seriously..

The music is beautiful. It refreshes me without making me drowsy. It rarely grows old. I can almost always depend on it.

And, while I’m at it I owe an apology to Cloud Cult. Last year’s list was completely void of their 2007 release, The Meaning of 8, which, I will say I like even better than Feel Good Ghosts.

Sample track from Feel Good Ghosts:
[audio:http://www.alphababy.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/2008_01.mp3]

Sample track from 2007’s Meaning of 8:
[audio:http://www.alphababy.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/2007_01.mp3]