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Roger's Best of 2008 (#1 Tune Revealed)
ATRL Senior Member
Member Since: 6/9/2002
Posts: 6,789
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albums: VW! awesome. Also like what i've heard from Beyonce and Oasis' albums.
singles: another great set. T.I., Incubus, Ting Tings, and VW rule.
woO!
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Member Since: 6/30/2007
Posts: 18,079
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ATRL Senior Member
Member Since: 11/6/2002
Posts: 10,641
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31. OneRepublic – Stop & Stare
32. Chris Brown – With You
33. Jordin Sparks f/ Chris Brown – No Air
34. T.I. f/ Rihanna – Live Your Life
35. Britney Spears – Break The Ice
36. Incubus – Love Hurts
38. The Ting Tings – Shut Up And Let Me Go
39. Duffy – Stepping Stone
40. Vampire Weekend – A Punk
Fantastic set ^__^
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Member Since: 8/2/2006
Posts: 31,102
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10/10
Good set!
<3 Shut Up And Let Me Go, Live Your Life, No Air, With You, Stop And Stare
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Member Since: 2/26/2006
Posts: 62,897
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ATRL Senior Member
Member Since: 12/29/2003
Posts: 6,311
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Haha, I've just recently been really getting into
128. All American Rejects - Gives You Hell
131. Against Me! - Stop
34. T.I. f/ Rihanna – Live Your Life
and still obsessed with
99. Vampire Weekend - Oxford Comma <-- "Who gives a **** about an oxford comma?" is my favorite line ever. (Great overall description for the album.)
79. Death Cab For Cutie - I Will Possess Your Heart
63. Natasha Bedingfield – Pocketful Of Sunshine <-- def. more than just above average pop song!
I can't believe I forgot about Last Shadow Puppets and the new Tokyo Police Club! NOOOooooo [gets albums]
While I find your I Am... Sasha Fierce review quite amusing, still surprised to see it so high.
Otherwise, great list Roger ^_^
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ATRL Senior Member
Member Since: 10/1/2002
Posts: 14,726
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Thanks everyone. Hope you had a great Christmas ^_^
The Top 40 Albums of 2008: Part 6
10. Death Cab For Cutie – Narrow Stairs
The evolution of DCFC into a legitimate and respected modern rock band has been incredible. ‘Transatlanticism’ cemented their cool status with the indie-kids, and got huge recognition on the once upon a time hip TV show, The O.C.; thanks to a rambling Seth Cohen (Adam Brody). After all that free promotion, they were smart enough to unleash the crystal clear ‘Soul Meets Body’, their first true Alternative Rock hit and perfect launching pad for “Plans” – their first ‘big’-selling album. So naturally, all of this good fortune leads the way for disappointment and abandonment by the hipsters who “knew them before they were big”. Think again. Death Cab returned this year with an album that was maybe their most well-received by critics and fans continued to eat it up, spawning two hit singles in the 8-minute mammoth, “I Will Possess Your Heart”, and the treasure, “Cath”. It’s very hard not to find these guys likeable, as their perfect mix of pop sensibility and gentle-instrument playing make them the perfect music outlet for a warm summers evening, or a cool fall day. That’s where “Narrow Stairs” comes in, a completely experimental and wild diversion from their trademark sound. Sometimes noisy, sometimes out of the atmosphere and psychedelic, Death Cab realized that to continue their upward movement in the Alternative Rock stratosphere, they had to keep it coming but served with a different twist. And that they did. “No Sunlight”, “Long Division”, are perfect examples of their new found sense of discovery. While songs like “Cath” – pay homage to their foundations. A terrific, just terrific album.
9. Ne Yo – Year Of The Gentleman
I can’t say I was ever a huge fan of Ne Yo’s breakout single, ‘So Sick’, or the album it came from. But when he launched ‘Because Of You’ – I realized that there could be something really good here. It was not until the pulsating beats of ‘Closer’ rang through the club for the first time, that I realized Ne Yo was a legitimate RnB crooner capable of branching out into the realm of dizzying and sonicating beats. Then came, ‘Miss Independent’, which is probably the most detailed and rewarding homage to the lady in your life that could ever be written, all overlapped by the terrific, “She got her own thing…” chorus. Those two tracks were enough to make me buy the album, and I’m glad I did. His solo-take on ‘Single’ destroys the New Kids on the Block version, and he’s got at least another 4 or 5 perfect, ready to be surfaced radio sure-fire hits. When I saw an album of the year nomination for this at the Grammy nom presentation, I was shocked. But upon closer inspection, he almost deserves it.
8. Kings Of Leon – Only By The Night
All it took was the absolutely mammoth “Sex On Fire” to convince North American audiences that the U.K. had gotten it right again, and had been right all along about these guys. Kings of Leon were the U.K.’s best kept American-based secret. They should have exploded here when ‘On Call’ was released, but still, they never quite got their due despite scoring a moderate radio hit. After ‘Sex’ came out, I knew this was the time for the Tennessee-bred band to shed their “southern” version of the Strokes image, and become serious stadium rock stars. All it takes, is the first four songs off this album; ‘Closer’, ‘Crawl’, ‘Sex On Fire’, and ‘Use Somebody’ – and you’ve already got one of the best rock albums of 2008. The rest is just pure bonus, a reak treat. The fact that we get even more great music after that fiery and perfect introductory set, is unbelievable (‘Revelry’ and ‘Manhattan’ are badass too). Kings of Leon are intriguing because their sound is so distorted at times; with combinations of throbbing bass lines, awkward percussions, and everything else that makes garage-indie so easy to classify. But it’s their ability to orchestrate stadium-ready choruses, like the one in “Sex on Fire”, that helps them transcend that restricting garage label, and let them capitalize on the opportunity at hand. Kings of Leon are finally recognized; halle-freaking-luiah.
7. Jason Mraz – We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things
I’ve always liked Jason Mraz, ever since ‘The Remedy’ and ‘Curbside Prophet’. He had that time in between that album and the unleash of ‘I’m Yours’, where people thought he was fading into obscurity, even though he did release the pretty damn good “Mr. A-Z” in that time. It wasn’t until I heard a very stripped down version of ‘I’m Yours’ earlier this year, not that ridiculous Jack Johnson mimic-attempt radio mix, that I recalled the brilliance of Mr. Mraz and got very excited for his album. ‘I’m Yours’ is about as good as any guy is ever going to get at sweeping his lady off of her feet. Really though, it’s so carefully constructed and well versed, the guy should get a Pulitzer for his songwriting on that track. But the album boasts so much more, including two fantastic collaborations with Colbie Caillat and James Morrison. His love of instruments shines on tracks like ‘Make It Mine’, ‘Butterfly’, and ‘Coyotes’ – where the big band, brass, and some Motown influences begin to shine. This album was initially being leaked in peaces, and upon the insane reaction to ‘I’m Yours’ online, it was finally put together as a product. And thank friggin’ God for that.
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The Top 100 Tunes of 2008: Part 8
    
    
21. John Mayer – Say
22. Ne Yo – Miss Independent
23. Paramore – Decode
24. Bon Jovi – Lost Highway
25. Rihanna – Rehab
26. T.I. – Whatever You Like
27. Paramore – That’s What You Get
28. Chris Brown – Forever
29. Oasis – The Shock Of The Lightning
30. Taylor Swift – Love Story
Another pretty diverse set here with respect to genre. Leading the way is two male vocalists that girls love, and most guys would be comfortable enough to say they have respect for. John Mayer has his only appearance on the chart with the terrific single off ‘The Bucket List’ soundtrack, with an easy-going acoustic riff with that simplistic chorus, “Say what you need to say..”. Ne Yo shows up with his second and final appearance with what is by far my favorite track from him. Smoldered over a throbbing beat, the tale of a woman who defies all stereotypes and expectations is thoughtful and extremely well written. The big rock band in this set are 2007’s breakout act, Paramore who show up with their first two of three on the year-end set. ‘Decode’ is the amazing lead single off the ‘Twilight’ soundtrack – one that complete encapsulates the magnitude of Hayley’s voice and the ability of this band to pound away power chords and guitar riffs that perfectly suit her voice. Then you have ‘That’s What You Get’ – the flipside to the harder mantra of Paramore, a very melodic and simple offering that has a catchy as hell chorus and Hayley’s trademark vocals on cue. Bon Jovi in the set is something probably no one saw coming, but I had the chance to catch his fantastic ‘Lost Highway’ tour this year, and honestly, they released one of the best country-influenced stadium rock albums I’ve ever heard. The title track is perfect for the summer months and it sounded amazing live. The last bit of rock dosage we have in this set comes from Oasis, who hit #1 on my personal chart this year with the raging return to form, ‘The Shock Of The Lightning’. It’s gritty, and it’s the Gallaghers at their finest.
The rest is all CHR-goodies. T.I. sees his second and final appearance with the hilariously brilliant, ‘Whatever You Like’. Cockiness never came across so well and flaunting your financial assets never sounded so good chanted in the clubs. I made a mistake in the previous set saying Chris Brown charted with ‘Forever’, when really it was his phenomenal acoustic-rnb smash, ‘With You’. ‘Forever’ shows up here, and still sets the club on fire whether its at #33 or #28 on my year-end chart. His gal-pal Rihanna shows up with her first of three on the year-end, a track I’ve always pegged as one of the best off ‘Good Girl Gone Bad’ and finally got it’s due as the unprecedented 8th single off that album. And last but not least, the year’s feel good story Taylor Swift makes her second and last appearance with the sensible and downright adorable, ‘Love Story’. I’ve got a soft spot for this gal, I really do.
Tomorrow:. #20-11 tunes, and the #6 album!
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Member Since: 10/13/2003
Posts: 48,022
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ATRL Senior Member
Member Since: 7/24/2004
Posts: 12,563
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The albums: I have heard all four albums, but I'm not too fond of Ne-Yo's latest record. However, the other three are awesome albums, especially King of Leons and Jason Mraz both made my list.
The singles: John Mayer, Ne-Yo, Paramore, Chris Brown, and Rihanna all have great single this year. I love your write-up by the way. Nice job, Roger. <3
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ATRL Senior Member
Member Since: 12/29/2003
Posts: 6,311
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I am really liking the albums in the top 10 so far, especially DCFC and KoL!
Sex on Fire was seriously a great way to get one into the album.
Oh, and the latest set for songs ^_^! You're right-on with Decode!
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Member Since: 6/29/2007
Posts: 3,761
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45/80
And nice write-up on Ne-Yo's album! 
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ATRL Senior Member
Member Since: 9/26/2001
Posts: 22,475
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Forever will I decode. That's what I get for not shutting up and letting you go.
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ATRL Senior Member
Member Since: 5/9/2003
Posts: 3,779
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Gotta love the love for TI, Paramore, Death Cab, and Kings of Leon.
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Member Since: 6/22/2005
Posts: 6,931
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Say, Miss Independent, Decode, Rehab, Whatever You Like, That's What You Get, Forever, Love Story
FANTASTIC!
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ATRL Senior Member
Member Since: 10/1/2002
Posts: 14,726
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Thanks guys. Here’s the tentative schedule for the rest of the year;
Sunday, Dec. 28; #10-7 songs, #5-3 albums
Monday, Dec. 29; #6-3 songs
Tuesday, Dec. 30; #2-1 albums
Wednesday, Dec. 31; #2-1 songs
Top 40 Albums of 2008: Part 7
6. Bon Jovi – Lost Highway
I know this may come as a surprise to some, especially for it’s high placing, but hear me out will ya. First of all, I am aware this came out in 2007. But I didn’t buy it until this year after I saw the ‘Lost Highway’ tour in Toronto this past March. What an incredible show is all I can say. This album was being hyped as Bon Jovi gone country, but really, it’s just an appropriate pairing of commercial country and commercial rock aspects, packaged into a very likeable album. All the trademark Jovi is here, from Sambora’s ear-candy guitar hooks, to Bon Jovi’s relatable and see yourself in them type of lyrics. The country tings flourish in tracks like ‘Till We Aint Strangers Anymore’, the haunting duet with Leann Rimes, or the bar-ready ‘We Got It Going On’, the feisty duet with Big and Rich. Classic stuff comes way in the mid-tempos, ‘Any Other Day’, ‘Whole Lot of Leavin’, and ‘Seat Next To You’, all about life’s big messages; embracing what you have, moving forward to the next step, and so forth. The albums big winner is ‘Lost Highway’, the title track, with its infectious “Hey! Hey” chorus refrain, right down to its nostalgic sense of wonder. I just truly enjoy this album, and its perfect for the stadiums. And it deserves #6.
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Top 100 Tunes of 2008: Part 9
20. Adele – Chasing Pavements
This is Adele’s second appearance on the year-end chart, with the highlight hit single off her monumental debut album ‘19’. XL Records must have nearly shat their pants when they signed Adele, a much-hyped next big think UK songwriter who struck it gold with this terrific should I or shouldn’t I debate track that sparked anti-gay and lesbian outcry. Adele’s vocals soar as the chorus hits its first note, and then transcends to a more human level for the verses. The stark contrast embodied in this song is what makes it so alluring. And is what makes it #20 on the 2008 year-end.
19. M.I.A. – Paper Planes
Not like M.I.A. ever needed help, but you gotta give it up to the folks who put this track on the trailers for The Pineapple Express. A ****ed up song for a ****ed up movie, perfect fit. The double-time nature of the verses, and the everyone loves it gunshot BRAAAAP BRAAAAP BRAAAAP of the chorus – I mean really, what’s there not to love. M.I.A. has always been in that league of her own, but this track proved she could play in the league everyone else seems stuck in – and it scored her a Grammy nomination to boot.
18. Katy Perry – I Kissed A Girl
Not having this song in your year-end for 2008 is atrocious. Everything from its synthetic opening beat to Katy Perry’s awkward vocals to the first lick of that delicious chorus, this was the song of summer 2008. Spending 7 weeks atop the Hot 100, and 4 weeks atop my personal chart, Katy Perry let the whole world taste her cherry chapstick, and made it alright for novelty to reign. No matter what the circumstance, this is every guy’s favorite song at the bar because of the way girls behave when they hear it start. It’s just brilliant.
17. Lady GaGa f/ Colby O’Donis – Just Dance
I’ve said it at least 5 times now, but I’ll say it once more; Canada got it right first, again! ‘Just Dance’ was huge in the Great White North back in June, and was maybe the biggest song of the summer here. How could it not be? Despite the Christina Aguilera and Gwen Stefani comparisons, Ms. GaGa is truly a unique entertainer. She made an entire vision for ‘Just Dance’, a concept you could easily recognize and attribute to whenever you heard this song on the radio or in the club. That’s pretty impressive. This song made her a recognizable figure with a standout look, and it’s this year’s #17.
16. Kanye West f/ Chris Martin – Homecoming
Released properly in 2008 and hit the top 10 in the U.K. and should have done wonders in the U.S. but it didn’t. This has always been one of my top 3 favorite tracks off of ‘Graduation’. Chris Martin is given very little to work with, lyrically, for the chorus – and yet he takes it to soaring heights on top of a simple piano hook. Kanye West drops the verses hard, telling the story of a girl who taught him life in Chi-Town and what that life was like after he left for the big leagues. I’m sure **** hits the fan when Kanye comes home, and anytime this song comes on, **** hits my fan because I like it so much.
15. Paramore – Crushcrushcrush
A little surprising that this is the highest Paramore entry, but maybe not considering it was one of their most under-looked hits. The lead into the chorus (“Taped over your mouth..”), as well as the catchy and campy as hell concluding bridge, “Rock and roll baby don’t you know that…”, I mean Hayley really does give it here. Whenever I hear this song, it’s really easy to picture her singing it and moving to the infectious beat on stage. I don’t know if it’s the most memorable Paramore song ever, but I do believe its by far their best in terms of craftsmanship and instrument playing.
14. Rihanna – Don’t Stop The Music
Yes, it was huge in Europe late 2007, but this was the first big club hit in 2008. The hypnotic clapping backdrop, the build-up verses that tell the story of Rihanna who fell victim to what many of us do; show up at the club with no intentions, but get side-swiped by someone unsuspectingly. All of a sudden we accept what’s about to happen and let instincts drive us. And that’s where the mega chorus, “I wanna take you away…” comes in, and everyone just goes frigging bananas son. “Mama-sey-mamma-sa…” and whatever the hell else she says, indeed. Rihanna’s still got it.
13. Coldplay – Violet Hill
It was one of those rare occasions where I loved a song immediately. How could you not. The pounding guitar back drop that leads into the reflective, “I took my love down to Violet Hill” refrain, as well as a message that drives many of us crazy; why do people **** with us if they apparently love us? Coldplay were almost foolish in a way, to let this song become overlooked by the uber-mega hit ‘Viva La Vida’ – but in it’s own right, this song remains the gem on the album, even if its not necessarily the best track or the better of the two lead singles. It’s the one “go to” you can be sure of, whenever VLV might be getting tiring that one day. Here’s to consistency and reliability, all in the name of Coldplay-goodness stadium rock.
12. Kanye West – Heartless
This is the second of four Kanye tracks (yes, so that means there are two in the top 10!) to make the year-end chart, and it probably would have been higher had it come out a little bit later in the year. This is one of, if not the standout from his love it or hate it just released album, ‘808s and Heartbreaks’. Remember what I said about Jason Mraz laying his love down all on the line for his lady, and doing it so effectively in ‘I’m Yours’. Well here is the anti-thesis to that. Kanye West ALSO deserves a Pulitzer for the amazing craftsmanship that went into writing this song. Everything from, “Somewhere far along this road he lost his soul…”, to “How could ya be so Dr. Evil you’re bringing out a side of me that I don’t know”. For a guy who’s so arrogant and sure of himself, he sure can be vulnerable. And that stark contrast is what makes him refreshing, and is what makes this song so relatable. After any big break up where you know you were right and the bitch was wrong, this is your go-to song.
11. Rihanna – Disturbia
I desperately wanted to put this in the top 10, but there is no track in the top 10 that I could sacrifice. ‘Disturbia’ is pop in its most creative form. It’s gothic, dark, ominous, disturbing as it’s title suggest, but overall, it’s about Rihanna’s vocals. No one else could pull off this song but the Caribbean temptress, a woman who has been able to successfully unleash certified club bangers year after year since 2005, beginning with ‘Pon De Replay’. This may be the peak of her work so far, and to think, it came at the expense of a re-issue. Well thank god for re-releases in this case. I think what makes this track so great is that it has so many signature lyrics, like ; “It’s too close for comfort…”, “Figure this **** out”… or the infectious “Bum bum be dum”… chorus. Rihanna, we are not worthy.
Tomorrow: Big update. #5-3 albums (which you’ll all love), and #10-7 songs.
Please, don’t miss it.
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ATRL Moderator
Member Since: 2/19/2003
Posts: 34,484
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Oh don't worry ... number 18 will be on my list. Just on a VERY DIFFERENT TYPE OF LIST.
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Member Since: 6/22/2005
Posts: 6,931
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10/10
That is a brilliant set! 
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Member Since: 1/19/2006
Posts: 4,466
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This whole set is Amazing! 
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Member Since: 11/4/2006
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Member Since: 1/3/2007
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