best records of 2008 (so far)

2008 is half over, and what am i loving right now? this begins my list of my favorite records
so far from 2008 (in no particular order).




Estelle - Shine

at first glances you wouldn't believe that i would dig this record, and neither did i. 99% of the music my wife hands me ain't my bag. this however was something very different. what should have been this summers biggest hit machine has stayed relatively quiet. my only guess is that this but beautifully crafted and soulful album has more substance musically and in style than most of it's contemporaries.

this has a big 60's sound which is a likable trend as in duffy's record "rockferry". but it's not a complete throwback. it's still very much a 2008 sounding record. yeah, this is a strange recommendation from me, and it's the only one like it on this list, but check it out guys.

start with these tracks:
pretty please (love me) (featuring cee-lo of gnarls barkley)
more than friends
american boy (featuring kanye west)





Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend

before these guys take over the world (well at least the hipster world), let me just say that i was into vampire weekend way before all their recent and well deserved attention. nothing makes me happier than to hear fantastic new bands get recognized. vampire weekend's self titled debut has been all the buzz around indie stations & hangouts lately. if you do not own this record than pause this blog right now and run out to your local... just go to itunes and get it.

these ivy league kids are the furthest thing from what seems would be cool, but their beautiful, simple, paul simon, african sound is all that i am listing to right now ( and i consider myself way cool).

i have told you to go get the record & i'm not going to do a review of this. just go get it. don't believe me? go to itunes and sample oxford comma, bryn & cape cod kwassa kwassa. you will see what i am talking about.

enjoy these two amazing videos. a-punk may be my favorite new video.







that was my review from earlier this year. the buzz seems to have settled down, but i think it's still a great record. i look forward very much to their next offering.