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Roger's Best of 2008 (#1 Tune Revealed)
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14/20
Jordin, Natasha, Seether (2), Coldplay, Nickelback, LP, Rise Against <3333
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Banned
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Carrie, LP, Natasha and TOAD <3333
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ATRL Senior Member
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T-Swift! That album is too good. Putting others to shame.
As for the singles, tons to like in the past few parts. Some of my favs being Queens, T.I. et. all, MGMT, C&C, Coldplay, and Winehouse. good work!
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Member Since: 8/6/2003
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12/20!! 
POM <3
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Thanks everyone =)
The Top 40 Albums of 2008: Part 4
The Top 20 Begins!
20. Tokyo Police Club – Elephant Shell
After releasing two well-received and relatively successful EP’s, both of which failed to crack 25 minutes in length (which kind of added to their appeal), it was needless to say that the pressure was on for the boys of Tokyo Police Club to release their debut full-length LP. What did we get? Well for starters, it’s still not very long, and doesn’t even crack 30 minutes. For all the ho-hum these guys receive, which is well deserved, you’d think they could have given us a little more. But I guess that’s what makes these guys so great, that in less than 3 minutes (for the most part), they are capable of generating intense rock banter that is accompanied by a killer hook with raspy vocals that are easily confused for one of the UK’s many fresh-faced lead singers of their own indie rock scene. Buzz for the band has somewhat tapered off after this album dropped, but it’s just as good as their EP’s, maybe just not as gratifying or as novel. Hopefully their next release will bring something new to the table.
19. Weezer – The Red Album
Yes, everyone is disappointed by this album. But I still think it’s worthy of a top 20 showing here. I love the contradiction that exists on the album, like how the lyrics slam musical conformity and how using Timbaland for hooks is meaningless, but yet their songs are about as catchy as pop-rock tunes come? Combining the hooks of the Green and Blue albums, along with the unusual aspects of Pinkerton, I think Weezer hit gold with “The Greatest Man That Ever Lived”, maybe one of the strangest songs I’ve ever heard. Weezer don’t ditch the sing-along melodies, but they do ditch some of the guitar work that made “Make Believe” so great. I really like this cd, but I don’t love it.
18. Adele – 19
Another one of those fresh UK faces that rode a wave of hype to the top of the UK album chart, catching the attention of eager North American music guru’s who are always the first to jump on the “next big thing”. Adele has a very refreshing blend of soul, jazz, blues, and most importantly, pop that is infused to heart-wrenching lyrics that are wise beyond her years. Her smooth and soulful voice helps take otherwise mediocre tracks like “Cold Shoulder” to a higher ground, and of course, her two crowning achievements – the aching “Chasing Pavements” and the nostalgic “Hometown Glory” – are the only 3:30 minutes of music that you need to hear to be convinced that Adele is the real deal. There is half of an absolutely terrific album here, and the other half is alright. Songs begin to get lost in monotony. For that one superb half, she is worthy of #18.
17. Leona Lewis – Spirit: Deluxe Edition
The buzz around Leona Lewis following her performance of “Bleeding Love” on X Factor could honestly be heard across the Atlantic. Never has such anticipation built around the launch of a soon to be superstar. I will talk more about her rise to the top when I give commentary on “Bleeding Love” in the singles tally – but about the album. Well quite simply, it’s a terrific collection of light rn’b and pop tracks that call to mind the likes of early 90’s Mariah Carey – with that huge, bombastic voice and not a trace of arrogance or worry about being sensual and provocative. Leona’s deluxe re-issue of the album is what makes the list because it contains that epic, absolutely power-house cover of Snow Patrol’s already terrific, “Run”. That performance on X-Factor gave me the chills. What a voice. But you already knew that from ‘Bleeding Love’ anyway.
16. John Mayer – Where The Light Is: Live in Los Angeles
I can’t say I’ve ever had a “live” album make the year-end cd’s tally, but this just had to make the list. I had the pleasure of seeing John Mayer in the summer for the second time, and he is honestly getting better with age. His guitar-playing capabilities, his knack for songwriting and a killer hook, are completely embodied in this wonderful compilation of live tracks. This album has “Slow Dancing In A Burning Room”, “Bold As Love”, and “Your Body Is A Wonderland” – three songs he mind-blowingly did NOT play at the Toronto concert. He has so much other good material though, that I wasn’t too disappointed.
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The Top 100 Tunes of 2008: Part 6
The Top 50 Begins!
    
    
41. Madonna f/ Justin Timberlake – 4 Minutes
42. Adele – Hometown Glory
43. Maroon 5 f/ Rihanna – If I Never See Your Face Again
44. Katy Perry – Hot ‘N Cold
45. The Kooks – Always Where I Need To Be
46. Ne Yo – Closer
47. Kevin Rudolf f/ Lil’ Wayne – Let It Rock
48. Jason Mraz – I’m Yours
49. MGMT – Electric Feel
50. Beyonce – If I Were A Boy
This set is led by a track that could have been an absolute disaster. Although Madonna hiring JT and Timbaland for a dead-cert #1 single seems like a complete cop out, it couldn’t be more of the opposite. What it turned out to be was a club-shattering and crowd pleasing collaboration that literally set the dancefloor on fire with it’s orchestrated beats and killer chorus. Speaking of duets, although this one was criminally robbed of being a hit and I still can’t deduce why, we see Maroon 5/Rihanna with their terrific face-off collaboration. Rihanna sounds incredibly sexy on her verses, and are a perfect compliment for Adam Levine’s smooth vocals. Back to club now, three tracks that took that dance-floor haven place to the nine’s included; Katy Perry who shows up with her first of two, Ne Yo whose track saw a “second life” on my personal chart when people (including myself) finally realized how good the song was, this is his first of two with his album sure to place very well on the albums tally, and finally, Kevin Rudolf with his one-off, fist pumping club anthem that yeah, is just catchy as hell.
The UK is well represented. Adele, who I just gushed about on the albums list, shows up with her first of two. I actually heard ‘Hometown’ after ‘Pavements’, but I probably like it more now even though its charting lower. The Kooks cap off an o.k. year with their only charting single this year, and their album is still to come. This single is by far the highlight off their new album, but nothing else comes quite as close. This one reminds me of someone infusing the best parts of “Naďve” and “See The World” together. This is the last we will see of MGMT, who make an appearance with the delightful slice of electro-rock that made me a fan. How about Jason Mraz eh? Years after 'The Remedy' was a hit, a time in which he did release good material, the guy hits it big again with the undeniable hit "I'm Yours". The version I first heard is not the same as the Jack Johnson-attempt mix that is played on the radio, and thats the version I'm charting here. And last but not least, Beyonce with a song so ridiculous but is saved by her outstanding vocal performance.
Tomorrow. Pretty busy. But, I’ll try to get albums #15-11 up at least.
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Member Since: 9/18/2005
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shock me like an electric feel
<33333
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EPIC BOW  Tokyo Police Club & Adele rock my soul.
9/10 on the single picks.
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Member Since: 6/29/2007
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33/60 for the singles, and I haven't listened to any of the albums from this set 
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Albums: Tokyo Police Club, Weezer, and Leona Lewis ^__^
Singles: Madonna/JT and MGMT ^___^
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What a great set! Nice to see somebody showing love for the poor Red album. Adele is great BTW.
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ATRL Senior Member
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albums wise, lots to like. While I am not too hot on the Red Album, the rest of this list is great. Tokyo Police Club and Adele rule, and Mayer is like this new superhuman ever since the John Mayer Trio album.
singles wise, also tons of greatness. love the MGMT, Adele, Beyonce, Maroon 5, and such. I also love how the Hot N Cold single cover is her using a watermelon as a phone. That is great, and she should win awards because of that.
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Member Since: 10/13/2003
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Member Since: 8/2/2008
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LOve those albums 
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ATRL Senior Member
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You the ****. =)
The Top 40 Albums of 2008: Part 5
15. Vampire Weekend – Vampire Weekend
Who gives a **** about an oxford comma? I ****ing do. These Columbia University alums prove their intelligence on their stunning debut album, and prove that even if your degree can’t get you a job, at least there’s the slight chance you might be that year’s given buzz band. What exactly is so good about them? Well, there free spirit approach to music elicits an enjoyable cocktail of light instrumentation, ethnic rhythms, and a sound resembling Animal Collective, with no concern for rules or conformities. Vampire Weekend do not pretend to be cool kids, writing eccentric songs about wearing polo tee’s and the place we used to play hockey, Cape Cod. The video and sound for “A-Punk” transcends the landscape of indie rock. These guys are almost too good, and too ahead of their time.
14. The Kooks – Konk / Rak
When this CD first came out, and I was absolutely loving “Always Where I Need To Be”, there was no way it was going to miss the top 5 on the year-end albums tally, much like their debut album “Inside In / Inside Out” hit #4 in 2006. So yet, here it is at #14. WTF? Well much like Interpol, I saw them live, after years of hype, anticipation, and missing concerts due to sell outs, and then the allure was gone. It was like I was done with The Kooks, there was nothing left for me to do or experience with this band. I don’t think they’ll ever get any better than this album; a very solid collection of acoustic-based and toe-tapping melodies that are led by some raspy and grimey vocals, again, contributing to their appeal. “Sway” is a highlight without a doubt, and you should hear it if you haven’t. But other than that, goodbye The Kooks. I don’t know if I’ll ever buy an album of yours again. It’s been fun.
13. Rihanna – Good Girl Gone Bad: Reloaded
I know, I know. This shouldn’t be here. The original release did hit #21 on last year’s album tally. But I’m saying a big **** YOU to the rules and charting the “reloaded” edition that came out this year, with the mother of all songs, “Disturbia”. This album should honestly just be re-named to Greatest Hits, because it has spawned 8, count them, EIGHT! Hit singles. I mean, really? Who does that. Nobody but Rihanna. She is a bonafied hit machine, and everything she touches is gold. Her vocals take songs to a whole new level, and acquire a sense of likeability that many other female vocalists couldn’t achieve. We had “Umbrella” – the most epic pop song of 2007. A couple of in-between good tracks – then came “Don’t Stop The Music” – a club romping, everyone loves it type song – then, “Disturbia”. Wow, what a monster. If there was ever a creepier, sexier, badass pop song ever written – I haven’t heard it. Rihanna – you are pop music.
12. Oasis – Dig Out Your Soul
Once I heard “The Shock Of The Lightning”, and indulged in all of its awesomeness, I just knew this album was going to be the one. The album that restored my faith in Oasis humanity. And I was not disappointed. Continuing to move away from the music that plagued their discography almost ten years ago, they finish what ‘Don’t Believe The Truth’ started and establish the Beatles comparisons readily with the ‘magical mystery’ of the lead single. This record is very abrupt and immediate, where instrument experimentation and pounding guitar lines, and an all to psychedelic album cover can’t help but make you feel like your listening to a harder, albeit a tiny bit less catchy, 2000’s version of the Beatles. Oasis, are truly the UK’s band, **** Coldplay (well Coldplay are better, but they are the world’s band).
11. Beyonce – I Am… Sasha Fierce
We all saw what a bi-polar concept album did to Garth Brooks, but thankfully, Beyonce doesn’t follow suit or victim here. She has always confused me with her multiple personalities that are evident in her music. She is often eccentric, over-bearing at times, as she was on songs like “Ring The Alarm” (the worst song of 2006 for me). At other times, she is completely melodic and soulful with a rich voice, like the long-withstanding “Irresistable”. Then you’ve got songs like “Crazy In Love”, or “Baby Boy”, where your just like, Daaaaaaamn. This **** is fire. This double-concept albums gives us the best of both Beyonce worlds, which is terrific because it isn’t taken to extremes.
I am on the side that prefers the “I Am” disc. I find there is more consistency and the ballads don’t get worn down by excessive moodiness or ache. They are truly reflective, and both ‘Halo’ and ‘If I Were A Boy’ are shining testaments to her voice. They also represent a contradiction, where IIWAB has detailed story-telling that makes the song so unique, while Halo is not so elaborate, and yet it doesn’t need to be. They both work. The ‘Sasha’ side is still good though. Although beyond ‘Single Ladies’, and ‘Diva’ – sometimes the music begins to veer into that nutty Beyonce category. Images of ‘Ring The Alarm’ started to come, but never fully settled. This is probably my favorite Beyonce album.
Tomorrow. Heading home for the holidays. But Christmas eve! Big update. I’ll do #10-6 Albums, and #40-31 songs. Don’t miss it!
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ATRL Senior Member
Member Since: 9/26/2001
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I do think that Vampire Weekend is ahead of their time, and, really, ahead of me. 
Shock me with that electric eel, everyone!
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