As we have stated via our other "favorites" lists...
This time of year is all about remembering what has been and getting ready for the change that will be. In a year that has had "change" as its mantra, we here at rednoW are looking back and remembering the things that have changed us through the wonderful experience of wonder. We aren't making a Best of 2008 list in the sense that this is an exhaustive list of all things good; it is simply what we happened to engage with in 2008 that has caused us to think more about what is going on in this world, in our lives and the reality behind it all.
Favorite Songs
Many of us have been exchanging mix-tapes (yes, we still call them that) for a number of years now and decided to share the love this year. This is not every song from our personal favorites list, but a compilation of songs we felt were wonder-full for whatever reason this year. We are able to provide full streams now through the genius of lala.com. We have created a playlist with (most of) the songs if you would rather listen via these means. The site will give iTunes a run for it's money, sign up here and "follow" what we're listening to throughout the year. The following is not in any ranked order, but like any good mix-tape there is order to it, an order we believe worthy of experiencing.
Think we missed something? We probably did. Share it with us. Enjoy!
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IN STEP (Girl Talk) - When Girl Talk performed at Lollapalooza in 2008, it was a blend of concert, party and a fully other experience... a recording doesn't do it justice. One listen through and you'll discover Greg Gillis is a mashup genius. And while his technical skillz are enough for the shout out, it is his willingness to give his DJ-like-blessing to musical diversity that has us enthralled. I mean...have you ever heard Roy Orbison, Salt-n-Peppa, Nirvana, Ludacris, and the Beach Boys sound so "right"? (You've seen "Big Love" if you recognize the last 10 seconds). - BD/MB/DS
GOING ON (Gnarls Barkley) - There are a handful of songs that found their way into the mix via their music video. This video is undoubtedly a favorite of the year - not only begging you to dance, but to "follow" (or not)... - BD
5 YEARS TIME (Noah and the Whale) - British folkish group who adapted their name from the film The Squid and the Whale - which sounds about right after you listen to a few tracks. Check out their throwback music video of the same track. Playful and absurd. Both of which we gladly welcome to this site. (It's more theological than you might think.) - BD
AGAIN & AGAIN (Keane) - I can't get this disc out of my rotation. After swimming under the iron sea, Keane came back ready to dance. Lyrically you just have to wonder which of these songs were written before, during or after Tom Chaplin's rehab. - EK
HUMAN (The Killers) - You do not have to browse far on this site to find philosophical discussion surrounding the What does it mean to be human?" question. The Killers are doing a little "play" with the question themselves in the "let's not take ourselves so seriously sense". It's no "Mr. Brightside", but it will catch. p.s. He is saying "dancer". - BD
MY ONLY OFFER (Mates of State) - This might be my (MB) favorite overall album of the year (or maybe Bon Iver's album...still can't decide...) This is what pop music is at its best. Check out "Get Better" as well. - MB/BD
INNÍ MÉR SYNGUR VITLEYSINGUR (Sigur Rós) - Come on...you think we would leave our favorite Icelandic friends out on such a list? Our favorite song on the album. - BD/MB/EK/DS
NEW SOUL (Yael Naïm) - If this song doesn't make you smile, your face is broke. - EK
HOW AM I TO BE (The Watson Twins) - I first heard The Watson Twins with Jenny Lewis, but they can hold their own. The wonder is in the beauty of their voices and their melodies...coupled with the simplicity and earnestness of their lyrics this is gonna make for perfect background music for late spring 2009 as the earth thaws. - MB
A FEW WORDS IN DEFENSE OF OUR COUNTRY (Randy Newman) - Something they don't teach you in kindergarten, but should: When Randy Newman sits down at his piano to pontificate about life, you should listen. - EK
DOWN IN MISSISSIPPI (Mavis Staples) - It was more than appropriate that Mavis Staples released her live album on November fourth. The woman whose music provided much of the soundtrack for the Civil Rights Movement returned home earlier in the year to record a lively and joyful concert full of well-known spirituals, anthems, and protest songs. History-drenched songs like Down In Mississippi took on new layers of significance in the days following the presidential election. If there was a better day-after-the-election soundtrack, we couldn't find it. - DS
SUPERSTAR (Lupe Fiasco) - Okay not officially a 2008 release, but it was such a late release last year, we let it slip. This is a really smart album all the way through from Lupe dealing with ideas of image and systems. Lupe reminds us of the good old days of rap, when people rhymed about things of substance instead of drinking and smoking substances. Lupe is The Cool. - EK/MB
SENTIMENTAL HEART (She & Him) - She & Him is mostly the sounds of actress Zooey Deschanel who found her "Him" (in the musical partner/producer sense) on the set of Elf. (Also in Almost Famous, Failure to Launch, Weeds...to name a few). The album takes on elements of a 50s/60s sound that continues to reemerge within the indie music scene (i.e. Rilo Kiley, Duffy, ADELE). This album was Paste Magazine's Album of the Year this year. This is the opening track: "Habits die hard when you've got a sentimental heart...what can you do with a sentimental heart?" Oh-so-nice. - BD/MB
NONI'S FIELD (Anathallo) - Chicago based Anathallo is one of the few groups out there doing truly imaginative work. They are playing at one of our partners - The Union - in February if you are in Chicago area. - BD
LOVE IS NOISE (The Verve) - "Dude, we're getting the band back together!" The Verve is back in the game. I have two framed posters in my house. One is from the '05 Sundance Film Festival. The other is a The Verve poster. Richard Ashcroft is the greatest voice of a searching soul in music. - EK
PRAAN (Garry Schyman) - If you recognize this song, you have seen the brilliant project of Matt Harding entitled "Where the Hell is Matt?" While the concept is intended to be somewhat silly, there is something special about the most recent (2008 version) installment. I am not embarrassed to say I actually teared-up in the middle of it. This is the accompanying track that is quite perfect. We have no idea what is being said, but really, who cares? It's beautiful. - BD
WHITE WINTER HYMNAL (Fleet Foxes) - A "Favorite Animated" music video of the year. This song is dedicated to the many winter nights that lie ahead for us northerners. - BD/EK/DS
SKINNY LOVE (Bon Iver) - If John Cusack would make it acceptable to put two songs from the same artist on a mix list, Bon Iver would have got two. The album is that good. Favorite live performance of the year as well. Be sure and checkout out "Re: Stacks" and "Flume". Love it! - BD/DS/MB
LOST? (Coldplay) - Of all the new music I got this year, Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends is the disc I have listened to most. I could have chosen a number of songs, but this acoustic version of Lost is great...not to mention this video put to footage from LOST is the coming together of two of my favorite things. - EK/MB
SLEEPING SICKNESS (City and Colour) - These guys released a brilliant interactive video to the same song that caught our attention. A fortunate find. The lyrics are a familiar call that I am sure each of us can associate with. - BD
HOW THE DAY SOUNDS (Greg Laswell) - There is an implicit question within this song we feel is worth entertaining: How does your day sound? Life with a soundtrack has never been a bad idea. - BD
WALKING (The Dodos) - The Dodos are listed as "Psychedelic Acoustic Folk" on their MySpace page. This song might not exemplify that as well as the rest of the album, but it's a favorite on the album. Also check out their song "God?" It might not be as good musically, but lyrically "God?" is WONDER-full. - MB
HALFWAY HOME (TV on the Radio) - Nobody is doing what TV On The Radio is doing with their musical compositions. This is there's release is accessible enough musically for the whole family...well, maybe not for your crazy aunt Jane, but it's more accessible than their last release. - MB
TESTIFY (Nas)- Nas often has something smart to say...this song is no exception:"Little rap fans who live way out in safe suburbia, would you stand with me, a United States murderer?...You buy my songs but will you ride with me? You understand my struggle That's what you claim right?" Yeah, I know...he's talking to me... - MB
U.R.A. FEVER (The Kills) - Anytime we forgot what rock and roll sounded like in 2008 we listened to the Kills. - MB
LOVERS PRAYERS (Ida) - This song is just beautiful (and in a nemo sort of way actually kind of "rocks")... and I can't get enough of song writing that includes lines like "There's nothing left of these ancient tears, just a great salt lake" and "all the hours that have brought you here, can you trust them now?" - MB
CHASING PAVEMENTS (Adele) - Hands down my favorite ‘I had never heard of you before' for 2008. Hopefully this youngster keeps up the good work for many years to come. - EK
UNTIL THE DAY IS DONE (REM) - Michael and Co. are still at it. This is classic REM. Why does a song about things falling apart sound so perfect? - EK
WHERE IN THE WORLD ARE YOU (Great Lake Swimmers) - "I've been looking in churches and looking in bars...Where in the world are you now?" That opening line might be about a girl...but the wonder really kicks in when we get the final verse: "And I looked for you there in music and song 'cause I thought I could find you there. They were only notes pulled from the air, not the kind I could read or breathe if I dare." - MB
TO BUILD A HOME (The Cinematic Orchestra) - These guys are known for writing soundtracks without the film; however, we fell in love with this song via one of the most cinema-like videos of the year. Love the theme. "This is a place where I don't feel alone/This is a place where I feel at home." - BD
To Build A Home - The Cinemati...
GLASS OF WATER (Coldplay) - OK. The Prospectors March EP is not much to right home about. But this song was worth any amount of packaging it takes to get it out to the masses. Prefect transcendent sounds from the self proclaimed Soft Rock Band. Live the Life. - EK
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BD= Bob Davidson, EK=Eric Kuiper, MB=Matt Browning, DS=David Swanson
