Here is a list of the 20 Best Albums of 2008. Let me know what you think. What were your favorite albums?

Enjoy.

1.

Islands – Arm’s Way

It took me a while to get into these guys. I got their first album, Return to the Sea, and after a few listens I just put it aside and kinda forgot about it. After Arm’s Way came out and I started hearing positive buzz about it I decided to give it a shot. I was almost immediately hooked by the first track “In Arm’s Way” but wasn’t so into the other tracks. After listening to the album all the way through a few times (while I was painting the house) I fell in love with it and couldn’t stop listening to it. I’ve since gone back and re-listened to Return to the Sea again and love that now too. These guys are very eclectic. Lots of different sounds and influences going on in each track. There are so many layers to their music. Arm’s Way almost feels like a Concept album in a way. I’m not sure why. It’s quite an experience.

2.

Kings Of Leon – Only By The Night

These guys have to be one of the most consistent bands I’ve come across in a long time. Literally EVERY song on EVERY album they put out is good. Each album seems to top the previous one. You can hear them growing with each release. Only By The Night is very “U2″ at times, some of the songs have that epic feeling to them. However the songs and the album is still very KOL they don’t feel like they are trying to be anyone but themselves. This album has been on HEAVY rotation ever since it came out. I can’t stop listening to it.

3.

Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks – Real Emotional Trash

The lyrics are kinda silly and “out there” at times, but the songs are put together really well. Really nice guitar work on this album.

4.

Sigur Ros – Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust

It’s nice to hear some shorter tracks from Sigur Ros. This is the most “straight forward” album they’ve put out and they did a good job balancing that and keeping their sound intact. There are some really beautiful, “Pop-y” sounding songs on here (“Inní mér syngur vitleysingur” and “Vi› spilum endalaust”).

5.

Helio Sequence – Keep Your Eyes Ahead

It’s a very heartfelt and emotional sounding album, almost to the point of being a little cheesey. These guys are really good at writing “hooks”. Every song has a really great hook that keeps you coming back for more. There are 3 acoustic songs on this album, which is a first for them. “The Captive Mind” and “Broken Afternoon” are nice, but pretty weak. However, “No Regrets”, (which closes out the album) is a really beautiful song done with just acoustic guitar, claps, harmonica, vocals and backup singers. It sounds like an old-timey gospel song. These guys (its just 2 of them) are amazing live by the way.

6.

My Morning Jacket – Evil Urges

I was very disappointed in this album at first. They’ve changed up their sound a bit. The vocals are treated differently (less reverb) and the songs are less progressive and jammy. There is a VERY STRONG Prince influence felt throughout (mostly in the vocals). But even though its not what I was expecting, or hoping for I can’t deny that this is a really good album. My Morning Jacket puts out really great music. I’m still hoping that I’ll get to hear some more guitar jams coming from these guys in the very near future!

7.

MGMT – Oracular Spectacular

Really good album. Hard to categorize these guys for me. They’re very eclectic. It’s a nice blend of Electronic and Traditional instruments with the right amount of emotion and feeling, which is usually lacking with music of this type. Really catchy stuff!

8.

David Byrne and Brian Eno – Everything That Happens Will Happen Today

I love David Byrne and I LOVE Brian Eno! It’s great to see them working together again. I hope there is more to come from this duo. This album is even better than I was expecting it to be. It’s got more of a Talking Heads vibe to it than some of Byrne’s more recent solo albums.

9.

The Dodo’s – Visiter

Really good album. After the first listen I was sold. It’s got a bit of a Death Cab For Cutie vibe to it at times, although more acoustic and folksy.

10.

Death Cab For Cutie – Narrow Stairs

I REALLY didn’t like their previous release, Plans, so I went into this not expecting much. I was happy to hear that the old Death Cab For Cutie that I liked was back. “Cath” is the stand out track on this one and is really great, but the rest of the album is really solid too. (Beautiful album art as well!)

11.

Fleet Foxes – S/T

When I first heard these guys I thought they sounded like a My Morning Jacket rip off (The vocals are very similar at times.) But these guys have a much more folksy sound to them and are more mellow. “White Winter Hymnal” is the stand out track and its a really beautiful song. This is a really solid album. I’m looking forward to hearing more from these guys.

12.

Born Ruffians – Red, Yellow & Blue

Very up-beat, fun, alternative/rock. Sounds very crisp and clean. “Foxes Mate For Life” is a really great track.

13.

Vampire Weekend – S/T

I guess these guys get a lot of flack for some reason. I’m not sure why. I love this album. It’s refreshing. It’s got an afro-pop/Paul Simon’s Graceland vibe going on with the guitar and drums. I can’t wait to hear more from them.

14.

Conor Oberst – S/T

This guy is really knocking it out of the park lately. First he won me over with Cassadaga, the last release from Bright Eyes and now this one. I used to not like him at all, but he’s redeemed himself with me and I’m a big fan now. I know people will disagree, but if this isn’t country music, then I don’t know what is. Some of the best country music now-a-days, is coming out of the Indie Rock scene.

15.

The Black Keys – Attack & Release

I had heard some really great things about these guys so I decided to check them out. Very bluesy sound. Hard to believe its just 2 guys. I’ve since gone back and checked out their other stuff as well. Awesome!

16.

The Walkmen – You & Me

It’s taken me a few listens to get into this, but its finally come around and its very good.

17.

Wolf Parade – At Mount Zoomer

I’m still not all that into this album. I LOVE their first album and the Handsome Furs album that was done in-between this was really great too. I feel like this one doesn’t quite stand up to those. Having said that though, this is a real good album and I think that It will really grow on me the more I listen to it.

18.

High Places – S/T

Well done electronic music. It’s got really beautiful, ethereal vocals. Nice and mellow chill out music. Easy to listen to.

19.

The Raconteurs – Consolers of the Lonely

These guys just Rock. It’s nice to hear straight forward Rock & Roll!

20.

Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds – Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!!

While this album doesn’t hold a candle to my favorites from him (No More Shall We Part and Nocturama), it’s Nick Cave, and the guy simply rules. Such a great songwriter.