What started out as general excitement over their live show turned into a convincing win for album of the year by Seattle’s Fleet Foxes. Early on, main crooner Robin Pecknold stopped by this blog to explain his thoughts behind making their self-titled debut, and his intentions felt as pure as the quintet’s harmonies. Runners up TV On The Radio are also known for their voices, but Dear Science likely placed so high because it’s their most consistently written collection to date and comes closest to what it’s like seeing them live. Speaking of voices: Justin Vernon, aka Bon Iver, went from Wisconsin hunter with a magical falsetto to Wisconsin hunter with a magical falsetto and a very popular record. (His For Emma was self-released last year, but hit most folks’ radars via Jagjaguwar in February.) Rounding out the top ten: Deerhunter justified what some discounted as empty hype, Portishead confirmed their status as most vital reunion of 2008, and Walkmen made a surprise appearance (You & Me‘s a great album, for sure, but not one that got as much lip service as its top 10 neighbors). It should be noted that the Killers placed a respectable 177. Others who lodged votes, but not enough to crack the top 50 were Torche, High Places, Fucked Up, Gang Gang Dance, Marnie Stern, Grouper, Crystal Stilts, Fuck Buttons, Stephen Malkmus, Mt. Eerie, and El Guincho. A few people voted for “PHISH.”
50
Islands
Arm’s Way
(Anti)
49
Born Ruffians
Red, Yellow & Blue
(Warp)
48
Man Man
Rabbit Habits
(Anti)
47
Bloc Party
Intimacy
(Atlantic)
46
Flight Of The Conchords
Flight Of The Conchords
(Sub Pop)
45
Chad VanGaalen
Soft Airplane
(Sub Pop)
44
Gnarls Barkley
The Odd Couple
(Atlantic)
43
Crystal Castles
Crystal Castles
(Last Gang)
42
Hercules And Love Affair
Hercules And Love Affair
(Mute)
41
Kanye West
808s & Heartbreak
(Roc-A-Fella)
40
Hot Chip
Made In The Dark
(Astralwerks)
39
Los Campesinos!
Hold On Now, Youngster…
(Arts & Crafts)
38
The Black Keys
Attack & Release
(Nonesuch)
37
Ryan Adams & The Cardinals
Cardinology
(Lost Highway)
36
Dr. Dog
Fate
(Park The Van)
35
Jenny Lewis
Acid Tongue
(Warner Bros)
34
Blitzen Trapper
Furr
(Sub Pop)
33
The Raconteurs
Consolers Of The Lonely
(Warner Bros)
32
Lykke Li
Youth Novels
(Atlantic)
31
Santogold
Santogold
(Downtown)
30
Kings Of Leon
Only By The Night
(RCA)
29
Conor Oberst
Conor Oberst
(Merge)
28
She & Him
Volume One
(Merge)
27
Beach House
Devotion
(Carpark)
26
Coldplay
Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends
(Capitol)
25
Lil Wayne
Tha Carter III
(Cash Money)
24
M83
Saturdays = Youth
(Mute)
23
The Dodos
Visiter
(French Kiss)
22
My Morning Jacket
Evil Urges
(ATO)
21
Okkervil River
The Stand Ins
(Jagjaguwar)
20
Cut Copy
In Ghost Colours
(Modular)
19
Department Of Eagles
In Ear Park
(4AD)
18
Beck
Modern Guilt
(Interscope)
17
Frightened Rabbit
The Midnight Organ Fight
(Fat Cat)
16
Ra Ra Riot
The Rhumb Line
(Barsuk)
15
No Age
Nouns
(Sub Pop)
14
Death Cab For Cutie
Narrow Stairs
(Atlantic)
(Atlantic)
13
WHY?
Alopecia
(Anticon)
(Anticon)
12
Sigur Rós
Með Suð Í Eyrum Við Spilum Endalaust
(XL)
11
Wolf Parade
At Mount Zoomer
(Sub Pop)
10
The Walkmen
You & Me
(Gigantic)
(Gigantic)
9
Girl Talk
Feed The Animals
(Illegal Art)
(Illegal Art)
8
The Hold Steady
Stay Positive
(Vagrant)
(Vagrant)
7
Portishead
Third
(Mercury)
(Mercury)
6
of Montreal
Skeletal Lamping
(Polyvinyl)
(Polyvinyl)
5
Deerhunter
Microcastle
(Kranky)
(Kranky)
4
Vampire Weekend
Vampire Weekend
(XL)
(XL)
3
Bon Iver
For Emma, Forever Ago
(Jagjaguwar)
(Jagjaguwar)
2
TV On The Radio
Dear Science
(Interscope)
(Interscope)
1
Fleet Foxes
Fleet Foxes
(Sub Pop)
(Sub Pop)
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AND WHERE IS TIMES NEW VIKING!? [looking in the garbage] OH YEAH – NVRMND!!
home taping is killing the music industry.
WHERE IS MGMT- ORACULAR SPECTACULAR???????!!!!!!!!
in 2007
there needs to be a fucking recount. MGMT should have been top ten. i’ve listened to that album countless times and it is still fresh and good i wish i could say the same about VW. they just got old really quick. take out VW replace it with MGMT. and replace the hold steady with black mountain and you got yourself a fucking amazing list.
lil wayne relaly needs to dissapear off the earth- THAT FREKAING ALBUM IS LAME.
and jenny lewis?kanye’s new album?
eh, at least the positive picks outnumebred the dumb ones.
pretty good…
death cab? uhhh…… hello?
m83 whoooooo
yeah last years was definitely better
Can’t believe no one put the Gutter Twins’ “Saturnalia.” That was an amazing album, like a desert road trip with the Four Horsemen riding in the back seat.
Lists suck. Everyone complains. My only complaint is that TV On The Radio sucks. And they keep pulling it off on ya’ll. That really gets my goat.
I wholeheartedly agree with ‘mother of twins’ – WHY FLEET FOXES ??? It is a hollow sham – you will see next year when it sounds completely out-dated and shit. Mark my words……. You have been conned….
Agreed – Mountain Goats album super amazing (again) and probably shuld be in top 20, if not higher. Islands – Arms Way is genius. Anybody rate the “Late of the Pier” album ??
Edit Stereogum’s list yourself here (vote the albums up or down, etc):
http://stereogum.patrolmag.com/
VAMPIRE WEEKEND ARE PROBABLY LIKED BY EVERYONE TODAY, BUT THATS BECAUSE THEY MADE A GOOD ALBUM. JUST BECAUSE THEY MIGHT HAVE BEEN PLAYED ON GOSSIP GIRL OR YOU LITTLE SISTERS FRIENDS LISTEN TO THEM, THEY STILL MADE A GREAT ALBUM AND THATS THAT.
Plants and Animals should have made this list. If you at all enjoyed Fleet Foxes’ record (as it appears most of you did) you should check out their album. It really is a massively overlooked little gem. Black Mountain should have made this list too, along with Friendly Fires. I love love love Of Montreal and Portishead but I didn’t think either of their albums put out this year warrant their top 10 status, and I know I’m going to get hated on for saying that about Third.
welp.. all these rehashes can eat a dick. born ruffians should be #1 rehash.
HOLY SHIT!
DCFC should have been higher. Narrow Stairs CHANGED THINGS.
WHERE THE FUCK IS THE RED ALBUM IN ALL OF THESE LISTS? that right there is a visionary piece of shit.
Dissapointed Stereogum readers. Diss-a-point-ed.
DID ANYONE LIKE TOKYO POLICE CLUB’s ALBUM????
I think its really sad how the “indie scene” has totally turned its back on Tokyo Police Club since they started making music videos and getting air time on fuse. we get it, thats all very lame, but They are still producing awesome indie rock. Maybe if they went low-fi and added 10 back up vocal harmonizations to every track you would all like them a bit more? at least people haven’t turned their back on Ra Ra Riot yet, though i foresee that happening with their next album. too upbeat and mainstream sounding for you lot.
ELEPHANT SHELL?!?!
But I bet if the Ting Tings were on there, lots of your college friends would say its wonderful and is great music.
Its terrible to hear you say so many bad cliches tucked under one indie blanket. Indie music is about discovering bands for how much the listener likes the band. Indie music doesn’t give a shit about who else likes it. If lots of people do, so be it. That’s why I agree with some of these albums (Fleet F-ing Foxes & Ra Ra Riot) and disagree with many others.
Don’t go rubbing your opinion all over this group like icy/hot on a cold winter night. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, even if it sucks – like yours.
… and that’s in reply to Mr. Jolson’s “indie-pretentious list” comment above.
I would have liked to see The Helio Sequence on here.
white denim. nuff said.
hey, what’s with the people who comment here days? fuck, i miss the old stereogum commenters who were bitching and moaning about everybody and everything, like true members of the independent music scene ™.
This year’s list seems reasonable. If this list angers you so much as to fits of cursing and convulsions, you probably just don’t agree with the concept of numbered lists anyway. That is fine, of course, but please just don’t say otherwise.
Fleet Foxes had a fantastic live performance this year. Not gonna lie.
so, uh, was anyone else as impressed with okkervil river’s latest as i was? i feel like they’re definitely not getting enough lovin’ on these year end lists.
If only Born Ruffians were higher. I seriously believe “Red, Yellow, and Blue” was one of the best albums of 2008. :[
Funny how Vampire Weekend got number 4, just a breath away from number 1, but still got voted most overrated.
Go Cardinals!
Cardinology is a great album- not the best, but better than 90% of music today. I am SO SICK of the attitude towards Ryan Adams and his music. He is a GENIUS and anyone who is on the “I hate Ryan Adams” bandwagon is missing a lot of really great music.
I think everyone is missing the best album…..Slipknot’s- All Hope is Gone. hahahahaha
I DO NOT understand Portishead. Absolutely do not understand it.
And I think it’s a shame that MGMT got overlooked (as I’m assuming that it was lack of votes and not release date technicalities that left it off the list). But to be honest: I forgot to vote for it. It was released so early on in the year…
how the fuck are hot chip only at number 40?!?!?!? what a travesty.
In serious leftovers mode and should be ditched as quickly as possible: Death Cab, of Montreal (#6??!??!?), Ryan Adams, Beck, My Morning Jacket
Heartbroken over ignoring Shearwater.
Glad to see about where they are: Why?, the Dodos, Sigur Ros, Wolf Parade, Deerhunter, Bon Iver, TVOR, Fleet Foxes (enjoying the backlash on the TVOR and FF).
Glad not to see MGMT at all.
Up: Okkervil River and Department of Eagles.
Down to the bottom half: Frightened Rabbit, Girl Talk, the Hold Steady, Vampire Weekend.
No Thao? The Mountain Goats? Port O’Brien? Breathe Owl Breathe? DeVotchKa?
to all of the people complaining about so-and-so being to low/high or missing: who gives a shit? it’s a stupid list and you don’t have to swear by it. there are a lot of artists on this list i absolutely despise, but it’s serving its purpose in giving me a whole slew of new albums that i’ve missed checking out on this past year. that’s the important part. so shut the fuck up, everyone.
I am surprised the Ratatat record has been ignore on most of these end of year lists. Also, no Friendly Fires? I know this is a democratic process, but man, that record was tops. And sodding hell, Vampire Weekend? The formula is cute, but I waited for it to go somewhere, and nothing. It just goes to show what a little hype from MTV and the blogosphere can do. Go Man Man!
How does Bonnie Prince Billy’s new album keep getting snubbed on these lists? I think “Lie Down in the Light” is arguably his best album since “I see a Darkness”. Surely it deserves to be on a list ranked somewhere higher than “Acid Tongue” or “Cardinology”!!
Missing one thing: Titus Andronicus.
I couldn’t agree more
The Kills – Midnight Boom should be on the list. But of course everyone is too busy kissing Kanye West’s ass.
Alben 2008 Top9
1. Cut Copy – In Ghost Colours
2. Black Mountain – Black Mountain
3. MGMT – Oracular Spectacular
4. M83 – Saturdays=Youth
5. Fleetfoxes – Fleetfoxes
6. Deerhunter – Microcastle
7. Vampire Weekend – Vampire Weekend
8. Le Loup – The Throne of the third heaven (…)
9. Bob Dylan – I’m not there
Songs 2008 Top9
1. Strangers in the Wind – Cut Copy
2. Pieces of What – MGMT
3. Kim & Jessie – M83
4. Your Protector – Fleet Foxes
5. Tyrants – Black Mountain
6. M79 – Vampire Weekend
7. I had a dream I died – Le Loup
8. Moonshiner – Bob Forrest (I’m not there)
9. Never stops – Deerhunter
I cannot believe that Martha Wainwright’s “I Know You’re Married” wasn’t included in this list.
can’t believe kanye cracked the top 50. his album was the worst of the year. only idiots can listen to that shit (like the sterogum editors).
You forgot “In Rainbows” dickheads.
One HUGE omission. In Rainbows by Radiohead. Man the shit that won. I mean Fleet Foxes, Kanye?
You are a year back man!
In Rainbows was released in late 2007 people.
That’s why it’s not on this list.
FYI
you assholes forgot “the notwist”.
gang gang dance
I don’t have a good reason, but man oh man do I fucking loathe The Hold Steady. I just don’t understand their rabid critical following at all.
GREAT LIST BUT WHERE IS NEON NEON?
The Fleet Foxes is some vapid shit.
Dear Science is really well-written, though, and definitely deserves the high rating.
Portishead, most overrated album of the year, i listen to all kinds of music all over the board and it just does nothing for me. believe me i wanted to like it.
White Denim and Thao are the glaring omissions in my opinion. If you haven’t heard White Denim “Exposion” you should really check it out. Makes me have such a good day when I listen to it.
i have all 50 of these. good year, i didnt miss anything.
Go listen to a record from 2002……… and hear a, weirder, more creative, more soulful, and original sound that the Fleet Foxes adopted.
It’s My Morning Jacket’s “At Dawn” It’s a modern classic and will change your life. The FF’s record is nice and of quality, but “At Dawn” will change how you feel about the world.
Seriously. Go listen to that record on a long walk….
Where is Spiritualized? Not even an honorable mention? I don’t get it. The album comes out to much anticipation, it blows everyone away, PF gives it a 8.4, saying it’s their best work in 10 years, but somehow omits the album from even getting an honorable mention?
And am I the only one who thinks that the Evangelicals record, The Evening Descends, is one of the best of the year? With the an unfortunate January release date, it managed to stay afloat above all else all year for me, earning the top spot in my top abums of the year.
Since we’re griping…Vampire Weekend is “Alternative” for people who don’t like (and are, frankly, a little scared) of newish or exciting or pleasant type musics. It’s not surprising it’s on here, just that it is so high. I listened (oh, God, how I listened), but I found I liked it less and less each time (which I can’t say for any other album I’ve heard on this list, except…). Lil F*cking Wayne! Stop It! It’s absolute sh#t! But getting back to VW, they just sound like they want to be Talking Heads/David Byrne at their/his very worst and contrived. The rest of the list is fine.
I cannot believe the Weezer red album was not included in the top ten comments.
You guys…
these comments remind me ……school !!! .
for the most interested ears ,some great songs with Deus (the best european rock band (from belgium ) behind Radiohead of course),the Notwist & Get Well Soon from Germany,Gotye belgic guy who live in australia ,the Girls in Hawai belgium and for the frenchy people the great Alain Bashung (with M Ward on guitars ) M83 and Syd Matters for example
great job stereogum !thank’s
Fuck the fleet foxes, they suck. And so do the rest of the top 5.
Cold War Kids?
yea people that say missing M83 are right
death cab and beach house albums = BORING
and why do these stupid indie blogs insist on hating on the killers? THEY ARE NOT BAD
Man oh man, several of you really have your panties in a bunch over extremely boring and uninteresting music.
I mean, what do you listen to in the car on your way to class/work? 90% of this shit puts me to sleep after less than a minute. Beach House. Department of Eagles. She & Him. SO BORING!
And don’t even get me started on Why?’s “Alopecia”…it’s like, “ok, let’s hire some decent musicians and have them make some trippy music while the lead singer of the fucking Bloodhound Gang is on vocals”.
why? isn’t alopecia by why? in the top 5
I admit that I didn’t like Fleet Foxes at first but it was a grower, just like Deerhunter. However, you can’t shut me up about:
Fucked Up – The Chemistry
Mountain Goats – Heretic Pride
Damned – So, Who’s Paranoid?
tv on the radio struggles at making good music… despite this whole website disliking them , the killers should be on this list..and seriously coldplay not in the top 5!!
I loved Modern Guilt, I don’t know why it didn’t do so well. At least it beat Coldplay.
& also I love that there enough closet Coldplay fans here. Obviously plenty of people voted for them.
As for Vampire Weekend, I see them as a pretty good pop band that “mainstream” listeners will enjoy just as much as “indie” listeners.
of montreal was my #1 this year. apparently nobody here can agree with that.
i am not surprised that it is not on the list, but i am surprised that nobody has mentioned my brightest diamond. that was my #2 of the year. so fucking good.
Also, where is Parc Avenue?
I’m sorry but I fall asleep listening to Fleet Foxes.
They sound like a slow, progressive hemmorage of the brain.