A Day Late And A Dollar Short: The Best of '08

So here it is... Airbag Radio's annual look back a the year that was.  And this year, it's a day late and a dollar short.  Why so?  Well, save a few pleasant surprises, 2008 was on off year for music, so it was a little slow going getting this list together.  Initially we weren't even sure if we could even list enough great albums from 2008 for this to qualify as a list.  Fortunately, after putting our brains together, we were able to come up with 8 (as in two thousand eight).  So that explains the whole day late thing.  But why a dollar short?  Well, thanks to the recession we find ourselves in, 2008 was the year that we were all a dollar short.  Without further banter, here it is!  (No particular order, except that the first is the best.)

Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago

Hands down, best album of the year.  Real.  Raw.  Subtle.  Statement.  As the year came to a close, we found ourselves feeling very uninspired by the music that had come out this year.  Then, without notice, we stumbled across this little sleeper that had flown under our radar since it came out in March.  You have to hear this one.  It'll be with us for years to come.  A once every ten years kinda album.  Highlights: Every Song On The Album.

Portishead - Third

Triumphant return.  Portishead came back in 2008 with a bag full of new tricks and some old one's as well.  Deep. Dark.  Mysterious.  Highlights:  "Machine Gun," "The Rip."

TV On The Radio - Dear Science

Best album yet for TV On The Radio.  Highlights:  "Dancing Choose," "Golden Age."

Mark Kozelek - The Finally LP

OK, so this isn't actually an album, but rather a compilation of covers from Mark Kozelek, aka SunKilMoon, but it's so good that we had to make an exception.  Mr. Kozelek really has a way of stripping down songs, rebuilding them and pulling out a whole new meaning (See his take on AC/DC's "If You Want Blood").  Highlight's "Celebrated Summer,"  "My Friend Bob."

Beck - Modern Guilt

So retro cool.  Every time Beck goes into the studio, he emerges with something totally different that is still so Beck at its core.  For this trip through the sixties, Beck, brought Danger Mouse along for the ride and the results are genius.  Highlights: "Chemtrails," "Youthless."

Girl Talk - Feed The Animals

The best party of 2008 took place on this album.  Crazy.  Mashup. DJ.  Highlights:  The hangover you feel the day after listening to this one.

Santogold

Pure pop brilliance for people who hate pop music.  Part M.I.A, Part Gwen Stefani, All Brooklyn.  Highlights: "L.E.S. Artistes," "Creator."

Sigur Ros - Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust

What can be said about this band that hasn't already been said?  Untouchable.  The latest epic from Sigur Ros is the first to feature brevity.  As time has passed, they have learned to say so much more with so much less.  By the way...  Best.  Concert.  Ever.  Highlights: "Gobbledigook," "Við spilum endalaust."

So there you have it!  Now run down to your favorite local indie record store and grab these eight  albums (ON VINYL!)  But first before you do, let us know what your favorites of 2008 were.  First 10 posts get a free mix CD featuring Airbag Radio's Best of '08.  Let yourself be heard!

Thank you one and all for your support in 2008.  Here's to a great 2009!

M.I.A x Santogold x Spank Rock = FREE

This project's been in the works for some time now, so it's good to finally here the outer space sounds of N.A.S.A (that's North America South America, kids).  The full-length album is stacked with cameo's from Method Man to Seu Jorge (that's right the guy from Life Aquatic) and everyone in between.  

Our favorite online retailer, Insound, has a helping of "Whachadoin?" free for your listening enjoyment.  Get ready, this one's got the First Lady of all things music, M.I.A., and the mayor of Brooklyn, Santogold, together on the same track.  As if that wasn't enough, Spank Rock makes an appearance and Nick Zinner of Yeah Yeah Yeah's hosts the whole thing.

The Spirit of Apollo is out February 17th.

More info at LameSpace.

Here It Is... Finally!

Definitely going to Friday's show!  Anyone else up for it?

Back In Sac

Death Cab For Cutie are giving Sacramento another chance. Nearly a year after the band's headlining show at UC Davis (Remember, the one with the narcoleptic audience), Mr. Gibbard & Co. will be at downtown's Memorial Auditorium. This is a show you don't want to miss, especially because the opening band, Cold War Kids, are real barn-burners themselves.

Be there, Monday, April 27th. Tickets go on sale Saturday, January 31st.

Now, who's going?

You Are What You Share

I know there's more than a few of you out there who'll appreciate this video on shared information, open collaboration and the new shape of community in our world today.  Make the jump to catch the video below.

Pavement Reunion?

So there's a rumor out there on the ole internets that Airbag Radio's absolute second or third favorite band, Pavement, may be getting back together for a little reunion tour in the near future.  This would be so fucking awesome! Next to Rage Against The Machine, this is the number one reunion that I would want to witness.  And I was lucky enough to see Rage reunite at Coachella 2007.  Will I be as lucky this year?  C'mon Pavement... I've got my fingers crossed.  Here's to Coachella 2009!

Public Service Announcement

Tired of sorting through all that shit in your mailbox?  You know, those pages and pages of ads offering to save you a whopping 35 cents the next time the next time you take your goldfish to get groomed.  Well do yourself and your mother (Earth, that is) a favor and click here to unsubscribe from the PennySaver.  It might not take care of all of your junkmail but it's a start.  You'll be glad you did.

Fake Plastic Song

There's a new old project in the works called 7 Worlds Collide featuring an all-star list of musicians, including Ed and Phil from Radiohead and Wilco's Jeff Tweedy.  Check the vid below to catch Jeff Tweedy laying down the vocals for a cover of Radiohead's "Fake Plastic Trees."

Philosophical question of the day: Is this still a cover song if 40% of Radiohead (e.g. Ed & Phil) is featured in the performance as well?  Or is it Radiohead featuring Jeff Tweedy?  If not, then how many members of a band does it take to pass as the original?  In Radiohead's case I'll go out on a limb and say that if any one of the members is not present, it just quite isn't the same.  There's something unique about those five guys playing instruments together that doesn't happen with just any group of people.

Hittin' The Studio

Airbag faves The Raveonettes are hitting the studio this year.  Some of you may know them from their contribution to our Turn It Up! compilation, "Aly, Walk With Me."  Look for a new album in September.  And if you haven't already done so, get an earful of their last full length, Lust Lust Lust, one of our faves from '08.  (PS We promise some future postings on the year that was.)

Happy Birthday To Airbag Radio's Number One Fan!