The fourth annual Jimothys a year late

I honestly don’t remember if I ever did 2008 or not. I feel like I did but if so I don’t know where. But I intend to make it right. Here are my top seven albums of 2008. 2009 will come a little later. Hopefully not a year from now.

7. The Lord Dog Bird | The Lord Dog Bird

Wilderness’ Colin McCann comes up with a good solo album. Is it great? No. But I think he’s too modest for great. The entire album is a little too lo-fi and normally that wouldn’t deter from my enjoyment but in some cases during the listen it sounds unintentional. The Gift of Song in the Lion’s Den is an exceptional song though, and I found it on repeat many times.

6. Lisa Hannigan | Sea Sew

I wish it was possible to do but you can’t mention Lisa Hannigan without talking about Damien Rice. Don’t get me wrong; I greatly enjoy Damien Rice even in all of his depressing glory but Lisa’s vocals are what make some of his songs. Their creative relationship always seemed a little strained and weird but whatever events conspired to bring about Lisa’s truly solo career I welcome them. Sea Saw is elegant, effortless and Lisa’s talents are finally given the showcase that they deserve. Rice’s loss is our gain.

5. The Dodos | Visiter

Man, this album makes me tap my feet like no other. And I am not one to tap my feet. It is bare yet complex, stripped-down yet inspiringly layered. Meric Long has serious talent even if it usually represents itself as just complicated strumming. You have to watch a video of the two of them playing a song to really believe it’s just two of them.

4. The Walkmen | You & Me

Listening to these guys you can imagine them up on stage. There is a sincerity that is unmistakable. No effects. No electronic bleeps or bloops. A guitar. Drums. A guy yelling into a microphone. I love it.

3. TV On The Radio | Dear Science,

First, listen to them. Then, watch a video of them. You’ll be left scrambling trying to connect the dots. You rarely find people making music they so unabashedly adore. Weird music video aside these guys established that they can make an awesome album with Return to Cookie Mountain. Now they’re just showing off.

2. Fleet Foxes | Fleet Foxes

What can really be said here? Listening to Fleet Foxes is akin to auditory butter. The harmonies float along and make you want to go outside and lay in the grass. Often creativity and talent are mutually exclusive but Fleet Foxes has loads of both. This is easily number one if number one wasn’t already reserved for one of my favorite albums ever.

1. Bon Iver | For Emma, Forever Ago

Justin, Justin… it took a bout of mono and three months alone in a cabin for this album to be created. But if this is the result I say kudos to mono and seclusion. You would think an album created in those conditions would carry a little too much self-importance with it. There isn’t a hint of it. Okay, maybe a little but I don’t even care. Maybe I’m partial to the style but I could listen to every song on the album on repeat for hours and not get tired of it. For me, this is nearly as perfect as it gets.