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!