40. Bloc Party - Intimacy
There were two reasons this album dissapointed me; the first, after "Weekend In The City" was prepped and ready for the arenas of the U.K., a marked transition from the post-punk sonication of "Silent Alarm", this is a notable departure. And for me, it's not a welcome one. There's a bit too much of the shiny techno stuff on this album, closely resmebling The Chemical Brothers. Some tracks work very well, particularly "Mercury", "Halo", and "Ares" - but a lot of it is often way too much. A second reason for dissapointment? There is no worthy singles here. Not that you should ever make an album just for hits - but it does help make the album more accessible. For it's brief moments of glory, this deserves #40.
39. City & Colour - Bring Me Your Love
Dallas Green's sophmore solo album was presented by the terrific lead single, 'Waiting'. However, beyond that, much here is the same as the brooding and resentful debut album, "Sometimes". It really is quite a shame given that Alexisonfire had just released the best album of their career with "Crisis", and Dallas comes back with a step below his shining light debut album. There is pretty music here, and its often thought provoking. But eventually, it wears you out.
38. Last Shadow Puppets - Age of The Understatement
A year with no Arctic Monkeys record was only slightly salvaged by the marriage of Rascal's front man Miles Keane and the rambunctious Monkey's lead man, Alex Turner. The melodies and symphonies created on this impressive union bark 1960's with soaring atmospherics, involved instruments, and some of that true grit Turner so willingly invests into the Monkey's music. This is an immediately likeable album that takes very little to understand and appreciate. However, it also gets old quickly.
37. Katy Perry - One Of The Boys
You can't have a year-end albums list without this on it. Her sassy, tongue-in-chic attitude was a welcoming fresh face in the summer of 2008 as "I Kissed A Girl" was unleashed on the world. Thankfully, there is more to this album than that one single, including "Welcome to Vegas" and next single, "Thinking Of You" - each of which pay homage in slight forms to original glam-pop queen Gwen Stefani, and a pioneer of resentful bitch music, Alanis Morisette. I guess every straight guy in the world owes it to Katy Perry for making it alright for girls to kiss other girls, and like it. Thank you, Katy.
36. Snow Patrol - Hundred Million Suns
The commercially friendly "Eyes Open" was a worthy successor to the bands first BIG album, "Final Straw". The reason this album sits significantly lower on the album year-end chart relative to their other albums, is because there is nothing new here, but what is here, is still good. Their safe brand of soaring, atmospheric rock, with carefully constructed arrangements are as in tune ever. What appears to be lacking is that "one step above the rest" melody - the same component which made 'Chasing Cars' so great. The only thing that comes close to greatness here is 'Crack The Shutters' - the rest is just good.
35. Kaiser Chiefs - Off With Their Heads
Although "Yours Truly, Angry Mob" was met with a lukewarm reception, it had about 3 or 4 tracks that rivalled the intense, stadium ready brilliance of 'I Predict A Riot' or 'Oh My God'. There is nothing here remotely close to that level of genius. However, you can't deny the good humor of this band and their ability to make your toes tap. One thing going for this album is the inclusion of Mark Ronson at the helm, which gives the album a similar feel to the "easy going"-ness of Lily Allen's debut album. Let's hope album #4 is their memorable one.
34. Jimmy Eat World - Chase This Light
You gotta give JEW credit for being as consistent as they come in the current Modern Alternative Rock landscape. They always pump out 2-3 hit singles off their album, and the album itself is usually a collection of fully-expansive guitar driven and full alt-rock sounding tunes. Now fully diverged from the "pop-punk" days of 'The Middle', this album finds the boys chasing after broad aesthetics, which resonates clearly on mega-first single 'Big Casino'.
33. Jordin Sparks - Jordin Sparks
Here's an album I didn't ever think would make my year-end after she won the lucrative American Idol competition. But after three exceptional singles, I gave the album a listen, and there's nothing more here than a B-list Kelly Clarkson album. A respectable pop affair that has hints of contemporary R&B a la Beyonce, especially in the clear album highlight, the Chris Brown duet "No Air". But in the pure pop vein, "Freeze" and "Tatoo" work best. But next time, how about taking a risk. Could album #2 be her very own "Breakaway". We shall soon find out.
32. Theory Of A Deadman - Scars & Souvenirs
If we lived in a Nickelback-free world, it wouldn't come more meat and potatoes rock and roll than TOAD. These guys, much like Nickelback, do not pretend to be prolific rock stars who have a message worth spreading beyond the beer-guzzling, wing-eating fans that pack the stadiums to sing along to their hits. At least they are unlike Nickelback in the sense that their music is actually pretty funny, and likeable. And the power chord guitars are usually a least a touch harder. I can't say I dislike much on the album, and the duet with Daughtry, 'By The Way', is badass.
31. Sam Roberts - Love At The End Of The World
At the complete opposite end of the Canadian music spectrum, Sam Roberts does have a message, and he is a voice of prolific Canadian music. Sam Roberts often notes that his music doesn't change with the industry, but that the people who listen to his music help to guide the direction his music goes. Could the line, "them kids dont know how to dance to rock and roll" - be an outlandish cry at the inability of todays youth to appreciate rock, both old and new? Who knows. But this album represents another stern, and confident effort from Mr. Roberts, and is highlighted by the terrific 'Detroit '67'.
Tomorrow: We begins the songs list! Tracks #100-91.