My top songs of 2008

So, now that comps is finally over and done with, it's time for me to point out some of my favorites in the music of 2008. I was a little surprised to see all the "best of" lists come out starting last month, especially since Kanye West had a new album out right when some people were saying what their favorite albums of the year were. Now, I know that 808s and Heartbreak is a stylistic departure for Mr. West and has both its supporters and critics, but chances are some people would have included it if it came out in June (it didn't make my list, but part of that could be due to lack of time to let it ruminate). Then I found a comment from John Darnielle of the Mountain Goats (who are on my best of list this year) that makes a lot of sense, "Labels who wait 'til November to unleash your heavy hitters: November is too late for a great record to really be able to assert itself, so get that stuff out by September. You may not have noticed but it's a new world." So, I guess I'm saying 1) I agree with Darnielle that labels should put albums they think might be best of the year out sooner and 2) people should at least wait until December to put out their best of lists. I understand that print publications are under pressure to deliver on antiquated deadlines that don't work well with the fast pace of the internet, but I think there's a chance of passing over some possible jewels.

I'm pretty much finalizing my best albums list, but in the meantime, I did want to put out a list of songs that I liked a lot this year. I don't really feel like ordering them, and my knack for posting mp3's leaves a lot to be desired. I'll just list the songs, and if you are interested in hearing them, you can search The Hype Machine or something. It's also possible that some songs were left off b/c another song from the same artists was already on the list. I didn't want to overload with 3 or 4 songs from an album that I just might be raving about in the "albums of the year" post. So...without further ado, and in no particular order.

Glasvegas, “Geraldine”
Deerhunter, “Nothing Ever Happened”
Tilly and the Wall, “Tall Tall Grass”
Santogold, “Lights Out”
The Mae Shi, “Run To Your Grave”
Portishead, “Machine Gun”
The Mountain Goats, “Sax Rohmer #1”
The Mountain Goats with Kaki King, “Thank You Mario But Our Princess Is In Another Castle”
Frightened Rabbit, “Good Arms vs. Bad Arms”
Cut Copy, “Feel the Love”
Death Cab for Cutie, “Cath…”
Coldplay, “Viva La Vida”
Chairlift, “Bruises”
The Week That Was, “Scratch the Surface”
TV on the Radio, “Dancing Choose”
Ra Ra Riot, “Ghost Under Rocks”
R.E.M., “Living Well is the Best Revenge”
Okkervil River, “Lost Coastlines”
One Day as a Lion, “Wild International”
MGMT, “Time To Pretend”
M83, “Graveyard Girl”
Mates of State, “Get Better”
Hello Saferide, “Anna”
Goldfrapp, “A&E”
Grand Archives, “Sleepdriving”
Fleet Foxes, “White Winter Hymnal”
Vampire Weekend, “A-Punk”