2008 was a killer year for new music in my opinion. This years list is also unusual because it consists of not one, not two, but THREE Chapel Hill, NC based bands and one Durham, NC based band. Last year was kinda slim pickings but this year I actually found it a bit hard to whittle it down. The only album that I REALLY wanted to include that I didn’t was AC/DC’s new one “Black Ice” and the main reason being that they had it for sale ONLY at WalMart stores and I do not support WalMart (ok, so I “borrowed it” from a friend). Other than that, my list is complete this year. Again, some great music out there in 2008 and these were my favorites!
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Drive By Truckers – Brighter Than Creations Dark
Hands down my top pick of 2008 and it literally came out of nowhere. I was turned onto these guys by my buddy Ira. Many of my friends kept telling me I HAD to listen to this band that I would love them. Maybe I just tuned them out because of the hype but after seeing them live, I was a changed man. This album is so full of character and has so many dynamics to it and the fact that there are 3 distinct songwriters in the band really makes for an exciting collection of music. From dark, brooding folk/country to balls out rockers, this album covers all the basses. It’s probably the most exciting record I’ve heard in years because of this. The songwriting is top notch and the album is really well produced and played. Any lover of great songwriting w/ a southern flair for storytelling should love this record.
Favorite Tracks: 3 Dimes Down, The Opening Act, Homefield Advantage, The Righteous Path
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My Morning Jacket – Evil Urges
I would have to say that this is my SECOND fave album of 2008 just behind Drive-By Truckers. Talk about a versatile album. This album covers all the bases from Neil Young tinged folk rockers and psychedelic jams to songs that sound like they could’ve been done by Prince. The album starts with a bang and closes leaving you feeling pretty much exhausted. It’s not an album I can listen to as just background music. There are so many different styles and each song seems to have it’s own “mood”. This album is a great example of a band that knows no boundaries and a band who is pushing the envelope both lyrically and musically. What a great treat from an already awesome band.
Favorite Songs: Evil Urges, I’m Amazed, Librarian, Highly Suspicious
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Durham, NC’ based Bombadil put out one of the most exciting records of the year. As cheesy as it sounds, it’s like a party on a disc. I have played this CD or just about everyone and the minute they hear it they smile and say, “Wow! Who is THIS???”. This is what The Band would sound like if they got drunk as hell and played shanty ballads. The songwriting is top notch and the instrumentation is absolutely outstanding. From start to finish it’s a great collection of songs that you can drive to, party to and just plain out enjoy:
Favorite Tracks: Trip Out West, Rosetta Stone, Susie Marie
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One of the most pleasant surprises of the year for me. I was never a huge Wallflowers fan but I did dig some of their stuff. While I did dig them kinda, I always used to ask myself, “Why doesn’t this guy make an acoustic folk record?” I mean, it’s in his blood right? This album was well worth the wait. It’s a raw, warm sounding collection of songs and Jakob really shines on this album and shows that he is a strong enough talent to pull an album like this off. His voice is so strong yet fragile and lyrics that show that he paid attention to what his father has been doing all these years. It’s not so much a personal album as it is an intimate album. One of the greats of this year.
Favorite Songs: Evil Is Alive and Well, Valley of the Low Sun, This End of the Telescope
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I had no damn clue just what “steampunk” was until my buddy Jay told me about his new band Lemming Malloy and just what steampunk was. I’m still not sure if I really “get it” but I can tell you that this EP from Chapel Hill’s Lemming Malloy has some outstanding songs. The songs have a poppy, bouncy kind of edge yet they really do rock. The songs are like short stories full of vivid imagery and the delivery of the songs are just as dynamic and fun as the lyrics themselves. I love this band and this EP!
Favorite Songs: House of Cards, Brother Rabbit, Don’t Act Like Prey
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Birds & Arrows – Woodgrain Heart
Here’s another Chapel Hill based group to make my little list. Birds & Arrows is a great folk/Americana duo that put out their 2nd EP this year. One listen to their songs and it’s clear that they were two lost souls that found each other and have documented their ups and downs in life through vivid imagery in their songs. An inspired collection of songs that is easy on the ears and makes you feel like you are getting to know these two as people, not just as musicians. Completely recorded at home in their living room, it’s a warm collection of songs. Much like Mazzy Star, to me, Birds & Arrows is a mood and a warm comfy place.
Favorite Songs: Garden Shed, Wood Grain Heart, Black Shoes
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The Black Crowes came back in a strong way with “Warpaint” this year. Their last album of original material was 2001’s “Lions” which left a bad taste in many fans mouths. The songs were there but the production was so bad and it was obvious that the band was uninspired and the delivery was weak. In my opinion, this album is the band’s strongest release since “Amorica”. The album is the first to feature new members Luther Dickenson on guitar and Adam MacDougal on keys. These guys are replacing long time members Marc Ford and Eddie Harsch but in all honesty, I don’t feel that they are missed. The Crowes to me have never been about who’s in the band because as long as Chris and Rich are writing and performing together, ANYONE can be in this band. The songs are strong and full of life and Chris sounds better than he ever has which makes it even more apparent that he is without a doubt on of the greatest voices in rock music.
Favorite Songs: Goodbye Daughters of the Revolution, Oh Josephine, God’s Got It, There’s Gold In Them Hills
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The Strugglers – The Latest Rights
Yet ANOTHER Chapel Hill, NC based band that made the list. Randy Bickford (main songwriter/singer/guitarist) put this album out this year and the entire album sounds and plays like a memoir. If Bickford had left his personal journal sitting on a table at a coffeehouse and you picked it up and read it, it would be this CD. An incredibly inspired collection of personal songs played by top notch local players and a production that rivals most major label albums I’ve heard. I love hearing songs like this as it really gives me a glimpse into just who the songwriter is and where they’re coming from. Opening yourself up that much as an artist isn’t easy by any means. Give this one a spin!
Favorite songs: Morningside Heights, The Latest Rights
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Old Crow Medicine Show – Tennessee Pusher
This was one of the most anticipated albums of the year for me. I knew going into this one that with the departure of long time songwriter/banjo player Critter Fuqay, the dynamics of the band and the album would be different. I was pleasantly surprised at just how amazingly strong this album stands next to the others. It shows growth in their songwriting and performing and the songs themselves are fantastic. The band wears their influences on their sleeves but this works well for them and always has. The weakest point of the album is the Gil Landry penned and sung tune “Mary’s Kitchen” which just seemed to stick out like a sore thumb. A for effort on this tune but it felt like they were trying too hard on this one. Over all though, a fantastic album.
Favorite Songs: Alabama Hi-Test, Highway Halo, Methamphetamine, Tennessee Pusher
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Rebecca Martin – The Growing Season
Once Blue is one of my fave jazz/folk groups and Rebecca was one half of the songwriting team along with Jesse Harris (who wrote Don’t Know Why for Norah Jones). After the band split in the late 90’s, Rebecca went on to release string of solo albums that I never heard. You can only keep up with so many acts and somehow I let her slip through my fingers. I just recently picked up her 2008 release and I was floored by it. She’s definitely found her ground and this album is a great collection of songs. She’s got such a fragile voice that it really pulls you in and makes you listen to the lyrics. She’s an outstanding songwriter and as much as I hate to compare the two, she’s like a more delicate Norah Jones. Norah’s great but I feel that Rebecca comes across as more real and natural. A great and wonderful talent that I’m so happy I’ve reconnected with.
Favorite Songs: The Space In A Song To Think, What Feels Like Home, Free At Last
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