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Roger's Best of 2008 (#1 Tune Revealed)
ATRL Senior Member
Member Since: 10/1/2002
Posts: 14,726
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Thanks everyone! Here it comes. The two best albums of 2008.
But first, here’s a recap of what we’ve seen so far.
Top 40 Albums of 2008
3. Britney Spears – Circus
4. Duffy – Rockferry
5. The Killers – Day And Age
6. Bon Jovi – Lost Highway
7. Jason Mraz – We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things
8. Kings of Leon – Only By The Night
9. Ne Yo – Year Of The Gentleman
10. Death Cab For Cutie – Narrow Stairs
11. Beyonce – I Am… Sasha Fierce
12. Oasis – Dig Out Your Soul
13. Rihanna – Good Girl, Gone Bad: Reloaded
14. The Kooks – Konk / Rak
15. Vampire Weekend – Vampire Weekend
16. John Mayer – Where The Light Is;Live In Los Angeles
17. Leona Lewis – Spirt: Deluxe Edition
18. Adele – 19
19. Weezer – The Red Album
20. Tokyo Police Club – Elephant Shell
21. Carrie Underwood – Carnival Ride
22. Keane – Perfect Symmetry
23. The Ting Tings – We Started Nothing
24. Lady GaGa – The Fame
25. Taylor Swift – Fearless
26. Bedouin Soundclash – Street Gospels
27. Kenny Chesney – Lucky Old Sun
28. T.I. – Paper Trail
29. MGMT – Oracular Spectacular
30. Madonna – Hard Candy
31. Sam Roberts – Love At The End Of The World
32. Theory Of A Deadman – Scars and Souvenirs
33. Jordin Sparks – Jordin Sparks
34. Jimmy Eat World – Chase This Light
35. Kaiser Chiefs – Off With Their Heads
36. Snow Patrol – A Hundred Million Suns
37. Katy Perry – One Of The Boys
38. Last Shadow Puppets – Age Of The Understatement
39. City & Color – Bring Me Your Love
40. Bloc Party - Intimacy
The Top 40 Albums of 2008: Part 9
2. Coldplay – Viva La Vida… Or Death And All His Friends
I honestly believe that people must be joking when they say they “hate” Coldplay. Whatever they’re excuse is; “you know how I know your gay… you listen to Coldplay” (40 Year old Virgin) – or the too cool for you indie kids, or the macho-men of the Metallica breed who think true rock and roll is not the wimpy lot that Chris Martin and co. provide. All skeptics aside; the talent that shone like a beacon on their first two albums hit a roadblock after they released the extremely safe ‘X & Y’ – even though it was their biggest commercial hit to date. Needing to prove to fans, critics, music listeners in general, and to themselves – that they were capable of producing smart rock music, Chris Martin and co. put all hands on deck for this horrifically titled album. Thank God they didn’t disappoint. From the first moment I heard ‘Violet Hill’ – and its barrage of explosive guitars and heartbreaking lyrics – I knew this would be something different and groundbreaking. Then came the soaring, atmospheric epic that is ‘Viva La Vida’ – Coldplay’s best single ever and will be truly difficult to top. This song is their ‘Wonderwall’ - with the resonating chorus, the ability to inspire the masses in sing-along, and dreams and desires of ‘ruling the world’. The album thankfully does extend beyond the monstrous two singles that first greeted us back in the early Summer of 2008. Given Brian Eno’s tendency to make everything more complicated than it is, you have to admire how direct and no detours taken this album is. Everything is in it’s place, and there is a smooth sense of transition between tracks. From the church organs that bring a lush sense of survival to the otherwise, depressing ‘Lost’ – to one of the albums highlights, ‘42’ – which takes time to grow from melodic and sweet to its rapid barrage of choppy guitars and catchy bridge, “you didn’t get to heaven but you made it close”. Chris Martin displays a huge recognition for awe-inspiring melody here, and it helps avoid songs like ‘Lovers in Japan’, ‘Yes’, or ‘Strawberry Swing’ from turning into dreary ‘Fix You’-type tracks.
I guess the truly terrific thing about this album is that Coldplay have finally abandoned the notions that they will ever make an album as surprisingly mysterious and deep as a ‘Rush Of Blood’ – or an album that had no self-acknowledgement of how good it was like ‘Parachutes’. Coldplay have risen to the elite of stadium superstars and fame comes with a price relative to musical creativity (sometimes). How do you compromise? Release an album that is so rich and full-bodied, full of life and ambience, that it is well suited for the stadiums while simultaneously admirable for it’s efforts.
And the #1 album of 2008…. He takes it for the second year in a row…
1. Kanye West – 808’s and Heartbreaks
Kanye West was #1 on the 2007 year-end album tally with his third, earth-shattering studio album, ‘Graduation’. This year, he tops the 2008 tally with a much different, almost ‘concept’-like record. This is a love or hate it album. Some people empathize with Kanye for his work on the gloomy, depressing, and yet somehow gratifying ‘808’s album’ – and admire his use of the auto-tune to bring life to these otherwise miserable songs – while some people think he just sold out and needs to go back to rapping. Regardless of where you stand, Mr. West has gone from being completely pleased with himself on ‘Graduation’, to completely perplexed and abandoned on ‘808’s’, an album that is plagued by harsh emotion that overcame Kanye when he lost his mother and the demise of his 6-year relationship with his fiancée. To channel all of these intense, raw emotions and to begin to cope with circumstance – Kanye West has circumvented the ultimate outlet on this album. Utilizing auto-tune and moody synthesizers and incessant drumline beats, the songs carry a distinct and similar monotony between them but yet the overall result is truly fascinating and compelling. From track #1, ‘Say You Will’, where people who break promises are reminded that you are only as good as your word, to track #11, ‘Coldest Winter’, the full realization of where Kanye stands as a man today and his need to let go of the pain and be able to love again and move on – the listener is completely absorbed in his story. Most songs contain very little rapping, but it’s the heartbreak and story-telling that inspires awe. From the dejected loneliness of ‘Heartless’ – where Kanye loses his soul, to the coming to grips ‘See You In My Knightmares’ – where the intensity in his voice during ‘tell everybody THAT you know’ convinces me of his anger and fear completely – these are menacing and brooding accounts of a man who had lost his self-assurance in the world and himself, and this is the way he’s getting it back.
‘808s and Heartbreaks’ has potential hit singles, and it will still perform well commercially – but this is by far one of the most unconventional records a musical artist has ever made at this point in a career. Kanye West was riding the high of a successful third album and worldwide tour, and he could have continued to make aspiring hip hop music that was in the same vein as his previous work, rapping and all. But instead – he chose to be thought provoking. And although that was met with some resistance, and a debut sales week about half that of his previous album – the creation of a masterpiece always comes at the expense of something else. Kanye West has released an album of transition and of self-gratification, where his demons are fought and we are invited into a dizzying world of anguish and self-reflection. It’s an incredible ride and a story to hear everytime you listen to the album, and it humanizes Mr. West. Any album that can humanize the most arrogant son of a bitch in the game, deserves the #1 album of 2008.
Later tonight: #2-1 tunes! Don’t miss out.
(edit: this may end up being posted on New Years Eve. depends when I get home from work)
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Member Since: 2/22/2008
Posts: 46,108
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2/2
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Member Since: 8/9/2004
Posts: 21,889
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Your choices and write-ups are so ****ing brilliant. Fantastic top two! I can't wait for your top two tunes.
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ATRL Senior Member
Member Since: 2/21/2005
Posts: 21,684
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Awesome choice for number one. 808's & Heartbreak <333
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Member Since: 6/29/2007
Posts: 3,761
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Your Top 2 Albums are beyond amazing!!! And your write-ups might just be even more awesome!! I mean, we have the same #2 album, and 808s is my #3. So....I think your Top 2 Albums are the best Top 2 on this website besides my own!
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Member Since: 6/22/2005
Posts: 6,931
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ATRL Senior Member
Member Since: 7/24/2004
Posts: 12,563
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Holy ****, Kanye for number one album? American Boy, Sex on Fire, and Mercy in top 5 singles? Your list is ****ing amazing. Great write-ups! Can't wait for your top two songs.
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ATRL Senior Member
Member Since: 10/1/2002
Posts: 14,726
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Yeah, definitely holding off on #2-1 tunes until tomorrow. Sorry kids
But enjoy this set while it's still haaawt.
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ATRL Senior Member
Member Since: 11/6/2002
Posts: 10,641
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Those are 2 fantastic albums. Great choices.
Can't wait for your top 2 singles.
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Member Since: 5/28/2006
Posts: 8,159
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Quote:
...This song is their ‘Wonderwall’ - with the resonating chorus
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YAY
Also Strawberry is the most memorable track from Viva La Vida. IMO
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ATRL Senior Member
Member Since: 12/29/2003
Posts: 6,311
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hah, I know a few Indie kids who get annoyed of Coldplay now, even though they still have some songs on their iTunes or something. Great top two! I think I heard Viva La Vida before Violent Hill but for the most part, your description seems accurate.
You always had good taste sir and I'm sure the top two tracks will also show that ^_^
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ATRL Senior Member
Member Since: 6/9/2002
Posts: 6,789
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That song set is like a perfect time capsule of 2008 in music. Really nice.
Also your final albums part just rules. Coldplay and Kanye! They should do a song together... oh wait.
can't wait to see what you have for us next.
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ATRL Administrator
Member Since: 5/2/2000
Posts: 2,844
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You really do have some of the best write-ups out there, I have to say again. Excellent selections. Can't wait for the rest.
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ATRL Senior Member
Member Since: 9/26/2001
Posts: 22,475
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Glad to see Coldplay at #2.
Now, onto the top two songs, y'all.
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ATRL Senior Member
Member Since: 10/1/2002
Posts: 14,726
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Thanks for taking the time to check out the albums list. Much oblige.
And I know I said I'd post these top two tunes earlier, so I apologize for the wait.
Top 30 Tunes of 2008
30. Oasis - The Shock Of The Lightning
29. Taylor Swift - Fearless
28. Chris Brown - Forever
27. Paramore - That's What You Get
26. T.I. - Whatever You Like
25. Rihanna - Rehab
24. Bon Jovi - Lost Highway
23. Paramore - Decode
22. Ne Yo - Miss Independent
21. John Mayer - Say
20. Adele - Chasing Pavements
19. M.I.A - Paper Planes
18. Katy Perry - I Kissed A Girl
17. Lady GaGa f/ Colby O'Donis - Just Dance
16. Kanye West f/ Chris Martin - Homecoming
15. Paramore - Crushcrushcrush
14. Rihanna - Don't Stop The Music
13. Coldplay - Violet Hill
12. Kanye West - Heartless
11. Rihanna - Disturbia
10. Radiohead - Jigsaw Falling Into Place
9. Britney Spears - Womanizer
8. Leona Lewis - Bleeding Love
7. Kanye West - Flashing Lights
6. The Killers - Human
5. Kings Of Leon - Sex On Fire
4. Estelle f/ Kanye West - American Boy
3. Duffy - Mercy
The Top 100 Tunes of 2008: Part 12
2. Kanye West - Love Lockdown
To call the 2008 year-end campaign a banner one for Kanye West would be a criminal understatement. Not only did he score the #1 album of the year for his mind-blowingly heartbreaking album, '808's and Heartbreaks', he already had 3 songs in the year-end top 20 ('Homecoming' at 16, 'Heartless' at 12, 'Flashing Lights' at 7), not to mention a guest appearance on 'American Boy' which sits at 4. And yet here he is again, at #2 with a song that literally sprang out of nowhere and found itself closing the show at this year's much-hyped VMA's.
The immediate reviews on this track were kind of like, WTF? Kanye singing? What's with the T-Pain autotune vocals? 'Ye is a silly little bitch and the guy's gone nuts. No, not quite. 'Love Lockdown' - although not as initially gratifying as 'Stronger', is maybe Kanye West's best single to date. With the drumline accompaniment to the chorus, where he simply chants, 'So keep your love lockdown, ya love lockdown' - the simplicity and repetetivenes is an easy set up for quick burn-out and early dismissal. But, it was the complete opposite. The song exploded on iTunes immediately, but it built a quiet following on radio, slowly but surely climbing towards the top 10 on CHR and Rhythmic formats. It is now a staple signature song for the clubs, and people go ape **** when they hear it. This was our introduction to the '808s' era where we finally took notice of the suffering sir West was going through; 'Im not loving you...' - and you're hooked. For it's originality, sheer novelty and innovation, and its ability to produce shock value for Kanye when he's already 4 albums deep into the game, 'Love Lockdown' is without a doubt one of the best songs of 2008, and here it is at #2.
.... And the #1 song of 2008 is.... does this top 2 look somewhat familiar to the albums list?...
1. Coldplay - Viva La Vida
Even though the album of the same name sat at a still-respectable #2 on the albums list behind Kanye, Coldplay has also had a phenomenal year-end showing this year, with 'Violet Hill' in the top 20 at #13, and 'Lost!' charting just below the top 50. I know this might seem like an "easy" choice for #1, one of the biggest songs of the year, and one that will be remembered forever and a constant on radio programmers playlists. But I just could not deny this track the #1 position.
If you haven't caught on yet - I am a big fan of large-screen stadium rock. I thrive on concert-going experiences when everyone in the stadium knows the words to the songs, and that "huge" chorus is about to come and you can feel the anticipation move up your spine. And no matter how many times you've heard it before, it's like your first time all over again (kinda similar to hearing 'I got soul but I'm not a soldier' close out every Killers show; its phenomenal). 'Viva La Vida', the song, embodies everything about sweeping, large-scale, epic stadium rock music. It practically writes the book on how to do it properly.
After being voted one of Britain's most 'boring' bands and the one most likely to put you to sleep - it's almost as if their manhood had been questioned, and in order to get it back, Chris Martin and co. hired Brian Eno, the man responsible for some of the most stark musical direction transformations the industry has ever seen. "I used to rule the world" - they never did lose their crown as the world's most popular rock band, but they always felt that they had to justify their status as elite. And 'Viva La Vida', the album and more notably the single, legitimately certified them. With it's "woah oh oh" chorus, and its spaceride ascent into some of the greatest leagues of the rock stratosphere, 'Viva La Vida' is truly a song for the ages. I remember going into Starbucks one day, and the song started playing, it was fairly new at that time - and the guy behind me in line, the cashier, and two people sitting at a table across from me - all took notice at the same time, and said to their friends, "this song is amazing". That's a pretty powerful example of this songs reach, and everything it stood for in uniting music listeners around the world. When you leave their concert, the fans are chanting this song as they walk out. "For some reason I can't explain ...." - but it's #1 anyways, and its just because its awesome.
Well, that's the show. Hope you enjoyed it. Hope it wasn't a letdown.
See you in 2009. Viva la 'Circus'.
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Member Since: 6/29/2007
Posts: 3,761
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Beyond amazing Top 2! I love Love Lockdown, but the vocals and drums in the chorus don't work that well together for me. Maybe if Kanye put the energy he puts into Love Lockdown when he performs it live into the chorus I would like it more. And Viva la Vida is such a powerful stadium anthem! Btw, Kanye West is my #2 live performer of the year, right behind Coldplay. Just thought I would point out that coincidence lol.
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ATRL Senior Member
Member Since: 7/24/2004
Posts: 12,563
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Haha, great top two. I have a feeling Viva la Vida is going to be your number one pick. I agree with the write-ups for both of them, "Love Lockdown" definitely took me by surprised with Kanye singing while "Viva la Vida" is a song that unites everyone. Great way to end this amazing list. Thumbs up.
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Member Since: 8/6/2003
Posts: 50,977
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OMFG VIVA LA VIDA!!
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Member Since: 9/18/2005
Posts: 6,209
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viva la vida was indeed huge and who knew bells in a song could make the tune as epic?
as usual, good choice.
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Member Since: 7/15/2005
Posts: 27,703
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