Ten Best Albums of '08 (so far...): #1 & #2

#1 - No Age Nouns; When I was composing this list I had absolutely no doubt what my top album was going to be. It was truly the only record that had solidified it's place and there was nothing that could have moved it from it, and I'm going to go out on a limb and say that when I renew this list December that it will still be standing here on top. That is how good No Age's Nouns is! Building on the strength of last year's Weirdo Rippers, No Age have taken the noise to a new level, ripping apart ear drums when cranked to the right decibel but also lacing those songs with intricate bits of pop music. Their songs are dance happy, clap along anthems that are absolutely mesmerizing and addictive. I have listened to this record so many times that I know it backwards and forwards and as soon as I put it on and finish listening to it I am ready for another go. There have been terribly few albums that I have loved as much as this one, not just this year but in my entire life! I am in complete awe of what No Age are doing and I am in love with Nouns!
No Age - "Eraser"
No Age - "Sleeper Hold"


#2 - The Dodos The Visiter; When Visiter was released it slipped quietly under my radar. I didn't even know it was coming, I had never heard of the band, and I picked a couple other albums to spotlight the week it came out. But shortly after it's release I heard all the buzz about it and decided to give it a listen, call me a bandwagon hopper if you must because in this instance I certainly am, but I am so glad the buzz reached me on this one! Visiter is a beautiful record, existing somewhere between folk and punk, and loaded with some of the most ridiculous drumming I've heard all year. That percussion is the backbone of this record, but it's the songwriting that truly makes it an addictive record. Songs like "Fools" and "Ashley" are gorgeous examples of songwriter at the top of his form, and they are sung so well that it's difficult to switch to another record once you've put this on.
The Dodos - "Fools"
The Dodos - "Ashley"