Amy's Top Albums of 2008 (as received and reviewed by December 31, 2008) These are listed in no particular order. Except that I can't remember loving an album/band as much as I do The Paper Raincoat.
I chose them the same way I did last year. I looked at the whole list of reviews and select out only the ones who made it into my personal rotation. I discovered E-Music this year as well, so I ended up actually buying music this year instead of just listening to stuff that was sent to me. Novel idea, I know.
So, here, before my top reviewed ones I will list the albums that I ended up listening to a LOT in 2008. Some of them may have come out earlier. So I give to you, my favorite albums of 2008...please to enjoy!
Comme si de rien n'était by Carla Bruni
My cousin Lyn who lives in Spain, but spent many years in Paris, has been recommending Carla Bruni to me for years and I only recently got around to taking her advice. The result is I listen to this CD a minimum of 3 times a week. Nope, make that 4. I’m not exaggerating. I love it. It’s achingly beautiful.
[Carla Bruni on E-Music]
Miracle of Five by Eleni Mandell
This is my most recent E-Music find and I’d admit I’m a little obsessed. It’s great driving home at night music. She reminds me at times of Sarah Harmer (especially on ‘Salt Truck’). But she’s also got some really cool dirgy tracks that are just mesmerizing. Beautiful voice. Beautiful record.
Eleni Mandell on E-Music
A Million Year Old Sand by Audra Kubat (is older but still in rotation)
I was supposed to get this sent to me, but it never arrived. I gave up. I had so many artists’ CDs that really wanted to be reviewed that I let this one go. But I found it on E-Music and so I got it. Wow. I loved Untitled For Now (her debut CD) and didn’t really know if anything could meet my expectations, but this is beautiful. I understand why her music has supposedly healed the sick.
Audra Kubat on E-Music
Pretty Boys And Ugly Girls by Agnes Milewski
I first became aware of Agnes Milewski when she played a show with Terami Hirsch at Kulak’s Woodshed (in California). I was at home in Minneapolis, but they were webcasting it. I really liked her but again…had so many albums waiting for me to review them that I put the idea of further discovering her on the back burner. Until E-Music. She reminds me of Vienna Teng and I would suggest that anyone who likes Veinna should check out this CD.
Agnes Milewski on E-Music
Who Killed Amanda Palmer by Amanda Palmer
Ah, Amanda…what a weird, goofy, cool ass person. I’ve been reading her blog for awhile now and after reading all about this project and her working with two of my other heroes (Neil Gaiman and Ben Folds) I knew I’d love this. And I do. Wild, wacky, beautiful, emotional, Amanda.
19 by Adele
A friend of mine recommended Adele to me after hearing her on the radio. I took a quick listen and dismissed her as too mainstream for me. But then, well, again, there was E-Music and I had something like 2 downloads left for the month so I said what the heck and got two of her songs. I listened to them in my rotation for a couple of weeks and then had to admit I was quite smitten. So I went back and got the rest of the album. It’s wonderful. Her voice has so much soul and the songs are funky jazzy and fun to sing along with. Another good car CD.
Adele on E-Music
Drama by Bitter:Sweet
Oh man, I love this band. Their music makes me feel cool,. You know? How some music makes you feel like you’re cool just for listening to it? That’s them for me. The rhythms, the vocals, the fun instruments.
Drama on E-Music
To Survive by Joan as Policewoman
Again, an artist I’ve known about but didn’t get around to checking out until I had these downloads I had to use or lose. I had a vague idea that she was Jeff Buckley’s girlfriend and that connection was enough to make me give her a listen. I was very pleasantly rewarded. Lovely voice with a lilting quality. At times haunting melodies. A very nice package.
Joan As Police Woman on E-Music
The Confiscation EP by Samantha Crain
I discovered Samantha Crain when Edie Carey (among others) were in the running for a spot on the Cayamo Cruise. In order to vote for your artist(s) of choice, you had to listen to all the artists that were vying for a spot and rate them. I thought this was going to be a pain in the ass, but I ended up discovering several artists from that little journey. Samantha Crain is my favorite. I went and downloaded this from (wait for it…) E-Music and I’m hooked. Her voice is so distinct and easy on the ears. It’s very comforting. I just wish it had more than 5 songs. But a full length release is due in 2009.
Samantha Crain on E-Music
Here are Anna Maria's Best of 2008:
Amanda Palmer "Who killed Amanda Palmer?"
Jill Tracy "Bittersweet constrain"
Voltaire "To the bottom of the sea"
Deep 6 Holiday "Awake at the funeral"
Frida Hyvvnen "Silence is wild"
Claire Diterzi "Tableau du chasse"
Maya Barsony "Femme d'exteriuer"
Marianne Faithfull "Easy come, easy go"
Astrid Swan "Spartan picnic"
Anna Ternheim "Leaving on a may day"
Dresden Dolls "No,Virginia"
Society of Imaginary friends "Sadness is a bridge to love"
Autumn's Grey Solace "Ablaze"
Melody Klyman's "Sovereign"
Sydney Wayser "Silent Parade"
Allison crowe "Little Light"
And now Amy's favorite reviewed albums this year...Click on the title to go to the review.
