NG Presents: NG's Top 30 Albums of 2008 (#4-3)
4. Ra Ra Riot - The Rhumb Line
Released: August 19, 2008.
Best Tracks: Each Year, Run My Mouth, Dying is Fine, Ghost Under Rocks, Can You Tell
Hearing "Each Year" for the first time left me curious about Ra Ra Riot. The band title caught my attention and their indie rock sound makes
The Rhumb Line my favorite alternative/indie album of 2008. I guess you can say they are like somewhat along the line of artists like Vampire Weekend and Cold War Kids; however, there is something about Ra Ra Riot that sets the band apart from others. What I like about them is the way they displayed the sound of each instrumental, the drum, violin, guitar, and bass, as if I was listening to a big modern chanting orchestra. The music is just a part of it, Wes Miles' vocal presents a tuneful and mellow voice that fits in with the music. Many tracks like "Each Year", "Ghost Under Rocks", "Can You Tell" showcases the the lead singer's vocal as well as the bands' writing ability to write a heartfelt lyrics. The ten songs on
The Rhumb Line are fast-paced tunes, with propulsive drums framing melancholy guitar, and violin and cello parts that are sometimes orchestral in scope. It's a collection of songs to honor the death of their ex-drummer, John Pike. The band even credited him for co-writing these songs. The album is an emotional ride, but definitely will take you on a great journey by the time you reach the end of it.
3. Madonna - Hard Candy
Released: April 25, 2008.
Best Tracks: Miles Away, Give It 2 Me, 4 Minutes (Feat. Justin Timberlake), Heartbeat, She's Not Me
First off you might ask, why is
Hard Candy so high on my chart? Because it's the side of Madonna I have never seen before. It's perky, cheerful, and interesting enough for me to become an official Madonna fan. I'm not saying her previous stuff wasn't amazing, of course they are, but
Hard Candy takes me to another level. Having big producers like Timbaland and Pharrell may sounds like a sell out plan, but at the same time, it's ****ing brilliant. Songs like "Miles Away" showcases Madonna's vocal that you probably won't ever forget since it's so mesmerizing. "Give It 2 Me" and "4 Minutes" are perfect singles to illustrate Madonna's concept of
Hard Candy, by means, fun tracks yet delivering an imperious lessons to her fans. "Heartbeat", "She's Not Me", and "Incredible" compiled a string of dance songs that get everyone on the dance floor, they define
Hard Candy's fun moment. Overall, the album is a collaboration that Madonna wants to try in order to give something new and show her fans that the queen is here to stay.
More stuff coming soon!
