"this is not the sound of a new man"

Most of my conversations the past week regarding music have led to a seemingly shared belief that it was a poor year for music. Most top 5 lists have included quizzically overrated albums from adored bands (Portishead, TV on the Radio) to some serious retread no one wants to admit to (Fleet Foxes, Vampire Weekend). My contribution to the disappointment of 2008 may be found in the fact that my compiled list of this years "favorite" albums and singles includes several, oldish import releases only released in the US this year and even my favorite album this year (Bon Iver) was technically self-released in 2007 before finally receiving acclaim. Some of the list includes what I would think of as comfort foods...bands I've listened to for a decade (Mountain Goats, Spiritualized) and that may have more to do with their inclusion.

On the bright side, their are a few sparks of potential out there. Los Campesinos! lived up to the hype surrounding their early singles and released two notable albums. And with only a pair of singles, I'm very interested to hear more from LA's Abba-esque Music Go Music. Dr. Dog remains sadly under-looked while Cut Copy and I'm From Barcelona matured. Well enjoy this mix I put together...

Wait for it...Best of 2008:

Los Campesinos! - "My Year in Lists"
Love is All - "Wishing Well"
The Mountain Goats - "Lovecraft in Brooklyn"
The Notwist - "Good Lies"
Dr. Dog - "From"
Spiritualized - "Sweet Talk"
I'm From Barcelona - "Music Killed Me"
Shugo Tokumaru - "Parachute"
Music Go Music - "Light of Love"
She & Him - "Sentimental Heart"
The Explorer's Club - "Do You Love Me?"
Lightspeed Champion - "Everyone I Know is Listening to Crunk"
Bon Iver - "Re: Stacks"
MGMT - "Kids (Skyve Reuter's Bunkalifony Edit)"
The Black Ghosts - "The Repetition Kills You (RAC Remix)"
Cut Copy - "Hearts on Fire"
MSTRKRFT feat. N.O.R.E. - "Bounce"
Sally Shapiro - "Time to Let Go (CFCF Remix)"