# Top Ten Albums of 2008 **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 1, 2008, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-ten-albums-of-2008/475209 "2008-12-01T17:46:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![SuntanTigerTamer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e5b9ba/32.png) [@SuntanTigerTamer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanTigerTamer)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2008, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-ten-albums-of-2008/475209/41 "2008-12-02T19:18:08Z")
> [@msmith537](#): > > I suspect most of them are eclectic emo/indie bands that are only familiar to the kinds of kids who get beat up by kids who listen to Korn (or whatever kids who beat up other kids listen to these days). 1st: I’m not your pal. 2nd: This was the comment I was referring to. Though your comment about eye-shadow wasn’t as clever or sly as you may have thought. Regardless of all that, if you have nothing to contribute, why are you still here? ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2008, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-ten-albums-of-2008/475209/42 "2008-12-02T19:29:33Z")
It’s called a joke. That’s what the little “I’m goofing around” face —\>:p means. Stop taking yourself so seriously. ---
**Author:** ![SuntanTigerTamer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e5b9ba/32.png) [@SuntanTigerTamer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanTigerTamer)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2008, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-ten-albums-of-2008/475209/43 "2008-12-02T19:30:38Z")
Actually, I was taking you seriously. It won’t happen again. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![shy\_guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a6a055/32.png) [@shy\_guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shy_guy)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2008, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-ten-albums-of-2008/475209/44 "2008-12-02T19:35:51Z")
ANYhoo… > [@HoboStew](#): > > Biggest Disappointment: > Eagles of Death Metal - Heart On. Love these guys, loved Death by Sexy. This one just didn’t do it for me. This is really disappointing to me. I love EoDM, but I hadn’t gotten around to their latest. What didn’t you like about it? A shame about the Kanye album, too. I liked _Graduation_ a lot. This thread is reminding me of a lot of music I wanted to check out this year and didn’t get around to. I do have to admit that I don’t really get the Vampire Weekend love, though. All of my friends love them, and they just don’t do anything for me. ---
**Author:** ![woodstockbirdybird](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/woodstockbirdybird/32/7905_2.png) [@woodstockbirdybird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woodstockbirdybird)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2008, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-ten-albums-of-2008/475209/45 "2008-12-02T19:47:20Z")
> [@HoboStew](#): > > Good lists so far gang. The only shock for me here is the startling lack of love for MGMT. I don’t have all my notes here, but off the top of my head: For some reason, I thought MGMT’s album came out last year - maybe I got an, uh, advance copy. It’s definitely a good one, but a bit uneven, I thought. ---
**Author:** ![Freejooky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ba8739/32.png) [@Freejooky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freejooky)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2008, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-ten-albums-of-2008/475209/46 "2008-12-02T20:01:35Z")
I don’t think that the Kanye album is as bad as people are making it out to be, as long as you accept it on its own terms - that is, as a melancholy electro-pop album with R&B flirtations rather than “the next Kanye West album.” I do think the guy has been on a slow downhill coast since _The College Dropout_, which was an outstanding debut. The run from “Paranoid” through “Streelights” is excellent - the latter song is almost guaranteed to be the indie rock crossover cover song of choice, and I’d put money on someone covering it within the next three months tops…I’m thinking Jens Lekman, maybe in a BBC session or something. The song is truly twee. Likewise, I’d put cash down on a microhouse or nu-rave or whatever they’re calling it white-label remix of “Paranoid” to tear up the dance charts. And is it just me, or is “Robocop” totally a Harry Nilsson song? ---
**Author:** ![SuntanTigerTamer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e5b9ba/32.png) [@SuntanTigerTamer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanTigerTamer)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2008, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-ten-albums-of-2008/475209/47 "2008-12-02T20:20:01Z")
For those interested, here are some of the more popular site’s Top 10 lists: Gorilla Vs Bear: [http://gorillavsbear.blogspot.com/2008/12/gorilla-vs-bears-albums-of-2008.html](http://gorillavsbear.blogspot.com/2008/12/gorilla-vs-bears-albums-of-2008.html) Blender: [http://stereogum.com/archives/yearend-list/blenders-top-33-of-2008\_037601.html](http://stereogum.com/archives/yearend-list/blenders-top-33-of-2008_037601.html) Paste: [http://stereogum.com/archives/yearend-list/pastes-top-50-of-2008\_037351.html](http://stereogum.com/archives/yearend-list/pastes-top-50-of-2008_037351.html) Uncut & Mojo: [http://stereogum.com/archives/yearend-list/uncuts-top-20-mojos-top-50-of-2008\_038561.html](http://stereogum.com/archives/yearend-list/uncuts-top-20-mojos-top-50-of-2008_038561.html) And Pitchfork has its reader poll open to vote. Any thoughts on any of the above lists? ---
**Author:** ![Meltdown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Meltdown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meltdown)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2008, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-ten-albums-of-2008/475209/48 "2008-12-02T20:36:02Z")
> [@SuntanTigerTamer](#): > > Any thoughts on any of the above lists? Paste’s designation of She and Him as album of the year (and its appearance in this thread) puzzles me a bit. I bought it, and I like it fine, but it just seems so…minor. Maybe that’s part of the appeal (Paste’s website felt the need to defend this decision, calling it a “tiny, flawless diamond”). I can’t really argue with that, but for me a great album needs to grab hold of me on some visceral level that this one just failed to do. I felt the same way about Fleet Foxes, by the by. ---
**Author:** ![shy\_guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a6a055/32.png) [@shy\_guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shy_guy)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2008, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-ten-albums-of-2008/475209/49 "2008-12-02T20:40:49Z")
I’m a little surprised to see Girl Talk place so highly on two lists. I have the album, and I like it okay, but I wasn’t really blown away. Maybe I’ll give it another listen tonight. Very much appreciated the write-up of the new Q-Tip on Gorrilla v. Bear. I’ve been on the fence about checking the album out, and now I think I will. ---
**Author:** ![Kid\_A\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Kid\_A\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kid_A_1)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2008, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-ten-albums-of-2008/475209/50 "2008-12-02T21:05:33Z")
1. The Walkmen - You & Me 2. M83 - Saturdays=Youth 3. Los Campesinos! - Hold On Now, Youngster 4. Girl Talk - Feed The Animals 5. Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend 6. The Constantines - Kensington Heights 7. TV on the Radio - Dear Science 8. Cadence Weapon - Afterparty Babies 9. Nine Inch Nails - The Slip 10. Portishead - Third Tha Carter III should be probably be on the list but I haven’t bought it yet. But I like what I’ve heard so far. ---
**Author:** ![HoboStew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/f17d59/32.png) [@HoboStew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoboStew)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2008, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-ten-albums-of-2008/475209/51 "2008-12-02T21:40:22Z")
> [@shy\_guy](#): > > This is really disappointing to me. I love EoDM, but I hadn’t gotten around to their latest. What didn’t you like about it? Just didn’t have the flava of their previous efforts. The only song that grabbed me was High Voltage. The rest just seemed kind of bland, like they were either low on ideas or just going through the motions. [QUOTE=shy guy] I’m a little surprised to see Girl Talk place so highly on two lists. I have the album, and I like it okay, but I wasn’t really blown away. Maybe I’ll give it another listen tonight. [/QUOTE] I felt the same way. Part of me feels people are more caught up in how he made it than what he made. ---
**Author:** ![HoboStew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/f17d59/32.png) [@HoboStew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoboStew)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2008, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-ten-albums-of-2008/475209/52 "2008-12-02T21:47:27Z")
> [@Meltdown](#): > > Paste’s designation of She and Him as album of the year (and its appearance in this thread) puzzles me a bit. Couldn’t agree more, and I really like M. Ward. I’ll concede that I probably need to give it a few more listens, but nothing about that album said Top 10, much less album of the year. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2008, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-ten-albums-of-2008/475209/53 "2008-12-02T21:52:59Z")
> [@SuntanTigerTamer](#): > > Why? What fucking purpose does it serve? Post your own top 10 albums fer christ’s sake. How is it ok to come into a thread, say “I have no idea what you guys are talking about, so I assume it’s for pussies.” It’s a piece of shit move, and no one here asked for it or deserved it. Sure, I’ll post my Top 10: 10 Cafe Society - This Ain’t No Place For Name Callin’ 9 The Ciscos - I’m Not Your Pal, Chief 8 Emo! At The Straightdope! - I don’t know any of these bands 7 David Cook - David Cook 6 Nickleback - Why Does Everyone Make Fun of Nickleback? 5 Angry Indie Rock Guy - I Take Myself Too Seriously 4 The Goofy Smiley Faces - We Can Say What We Like And it Makes it OK:p 3 High School Musical 3 - Various 2 Nickelback - Dark Horse 1 The SuntanTigerTamers - I Need To Calm The Fuck Down When Someone Makes A Joke About My Selection of Music on a Message Board And Not Take It As A Personal Affront to My Very Existence ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2008, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-ten-albums-of-2008/475209/54 "2008-12-02T21:54:58Z")
> [@msmith537](#): > > 8 Emo! At The Straightdope! - I don’t know any of these bands That’s SO 2007. Emo at the Straightdope lost the exclamation point a long time ago…geesh! ---
**Author:** ![woodstockbirdybird](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/woodstockbirdybird/32/7905_2.png) [@woodstockbirdybird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woodstockbirdybird)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2008, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-ten-albums-of-2008/475209/55 "2008-12-02T21:58:09Z")
> [@shy\_guy](#): > > I’m a little surprised to see Girl Talk place so highly on two lists. I have the album, and I like it okay, but I wasn’t really blown away. Maybe I’ll give it another listen tonight. > > Very much appreciated the write-up of the new Q-Tip on Gorrilla v. Bear. I’ve been on the fence about checking the album out, and now I think I will. You should definitely check it out. If you’re a Tribe fan, you most likely won’t be disappointed. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Lance\_Murdoch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/47e85d/32.png) [@Captain\_Lance\_Murdoch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Lance_Murdoch)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2008, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-ten-albums-of-2008/475209/56 "2008-12-02T21:58:41Z")
Who is Nickleback? Only partly kidding. I’ve heard of them many times, but I don’t know any of their music. At any rate, I have a month more to go before I put a list up. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2008, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-ten-albums-of-2008/475209/57 "2008-12-02T22:00:05Z")
Think Creed, but 25% more angsty. Or Pearl Jam but with 50% less talent (and I don’t like PJ) ---
**Author:** ![ZebraShaSha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/eada6e/32.png) [@ZebraShaSha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZebraShaSha)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2008, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-ten-albums-of-2008/475209/58 "2008-12-02T22:00:26Z")
> [@SuntanTigerTamer](#): > > For those interested, here are some of the more popular site’s Top 10 lists: > > Gorilla Vs Bear: > [http://gorillavsbear.blogspot.com/2008/12/gorilla-vs-bears-albums-of-2008.html](http://gorillavsbear.blogspot.com/2008/12/gorilla-vs-bears-albums-of-2008.html) > > Blender: > [http://stereogum.com/archives/yearend-list/blenders-top-33-of-2008\_037601.html](http://stereogum.com/archives/yearend-list/blenders-top-33-of-2008_037601.html) > > Paste: > [http://stereogum.com/archives/yearend-list/pastes-top-50-of-2008\_037351.html](http://stereogum.com/archives/yearend-list/pastes-top-50-of-2008_037351.html) > > Uncut & Mojo: > [http://stereogum.com/archives/yearend-list/uncuts-top-20-mojos-top-50-of-2008\_038561.html](http://stereogum.com/archives/yearend-list/uncuts-top-20-mojos-top-50-of-2008_038561.html) > > And Pitchfork has its reader poll open to vote. > > Any thoughts on any of the above lists? Having listened to 90% of every album on these lists, I have to say they are all shit. The worst is Blender, but Uncut and Paste are pretty bad, too. Gorilla vs. Bear is harder for me cause I’ve only listened to maybe 60% of the albums, as they are mostly UK based, but it only seems cursory and doesn’t really expand on what decent albums were out there this year. Of course, that has a lot to do with selection of albums this year. There were some great moments, but compared to last year, or 2004? Not even close. So for me, the Top 10 of 2008 means bollocks, since none really seem to reach for Top 10of All Time. (They are also heavily, heavily influenced by the indie marketing machine which is also slightly disappointing.) ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2008, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-ten-albums-of-2008/475209/59 "2008-12-02T22:06:42Z")
> [@Captain\_Lance\_Murdoch](#): > > Who is Nickleback? > > Only partly kidding. I’ve heard of them many times, but I don’t know any of their music. At any rate, I have a month more to go before I put a list up. You just think you heard them because so many bands sound like Nickleback. If it makes anyone feel better (and by “anyone” I mean “SuntanTigerTamer”), I think I’ll probably check out some of the bands mentioned. I don’t think I downloaded enough full albums from 2008 to actually compose a top ten list. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Lance\_Murdoch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/47e85d/32.png) [@Captain\_Lance\_Murdoch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Lance_Murdoch)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2008, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-ten-albums-of-2008/475209/60 "2008-12-02T22:15:24Z")
> [@Captain\_Lance\_Murdoch](#): > > Who is Nickleback? > > Only partly kidding. I’ve heard of them many times, but I don’t know any of their music. At any rate, I have a month more to go before I put a list up. That’s pretty much what I figured. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-ten-albums-of-2008/475209.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-ten-albums-of-2008/475209.md?page=4)