2008: music

I'm running a little behind on my end of the year stuff. I'm still writing our Christmas blog, and here it is, already January 18th and I'm writing a best of 2008 post. But, guess what? Big deal. So I'm a little behind, shoot me. Well, please don't shoot me. If you do, then you won't be able to read this boring blog anymore if you do that. But then again, maybe you hate this boring blog, but for some reason feel compelled to read it. You're addicted, there's nothing you can do about it. The only way that you can stop is if I stop writing it. In that case, I plead with you, don't shoot me.

Okay, enough drivel, on to the post.

2008 saw some pretty great music. There were some fabulous debut albums from bands, as well as some amazing comebacks from Metallica, REM, AC/DC and GN'R. I didn't get as many CDs this year as in previous years, but I still managed to check out quite a bit of it. I like a lot of different types of music, and I'm definitely not some music snob that will only tell you that you should listen to bands that you've never heard of. Don't get me wrong, I love indie music, and a big part of the music I listen to is from small bands, but that being said, I'm not afraid to listen to more mainstream stuff.

It's hard to pick an album of the year. I'm no music critic, so I can't tell you about the structure of a song, or anything like that. I just know what I like. I know what kicks ass. And, of course, I'm partial to the bands I like. I think that's why I'd have a hard time writing a music column, I'd give 5 stars to every album from my favorite bands. So my two favorite albums of the year, the two CDs that I played way more than any other are the following (I've included a bitchin' track from each one):

Metallica • Death Magnetic (AllNightmareLong.mp3)

Wolf Parade • At Mount Zoomer (KissingTheBeehive.mp3)

Let's start with Metallica. Since I was about 11, Metallica has been one of my favorite bands. I freaking love their old stuff. It just doesn't get any better than Master of Puppets or And Justice for All. But something happened in the mid-90s, and Metallica seemed to have lost their way. They made three straight CDs that were okay at best. Sure, each CD had its moments, but overall they just weren't the same. It wasn't Metallica, if you know what I mean. There was no Blackened or Battery. So when I heard that Rick Rubin was going to produce the new album, my interest was piqued. Rubin has produced albums for Run-DMC, The Beastie Boys, Johnny Cash, and way more. Then, my interest was piqued further when Rubin told Metallica that they needed to go back to their roots. They weren't Metallica anymore. He asked them, "if you could make one CD, just one, and that CD is what Metallica would be known for, what would that album sound like?" Taking Rubin's challenge, they decided to play the entire Master of Puppets album on their 2007 tour, just to get into the mood. This excited me to no end. But I didn't want to get my hopes up, although it was difficult. I had been burned before by getting too excited for a Metallica album.

As the release drew nearer, I couldn't help but get excited. Then they released the first single, The Day that Never Comes, and I liked it, a lot. I didn't quite love it, at least I didn't think I did. Again, I was holding some reservations, not trying to get too excited. The week before the CD came out, they were streaming it free online, but I made a choice not to listen to it—I like to experience the music the day I buy the CD. (I know, I'm a huge nerd). So, on September 12, 2008, the wife and I stopped at the local Circuit City (may they RIP), excitedly bought Death Magnetic, slipped it into the CD player, and this is what I found:

ThatWasJustYourLife.mp3

I could only think one thing. Metallica. Is. Back. (Mel wasn't too pleased with the album, she kept skipping tracks to try and find one she liked, but didn't have much luck because pretty much every song thrashed so hard). It is a great album, by Metallica's standards, as well as any body else's for that matter. However, it is not a sound for everybody, as you all know. But take it from me, it kicks ass.

In December I caught Metallica live at Cox Arena, and it was epic. They blew the roof off the place. And needless to say, for four days after the show, my neck hurt, my ears were ringing and I didn't have a voice. Like I said, Metallica is back.

As for Wolf Parade, their CD was highly anticipated as well. Both Mel and I loved their first full length album, Apologies to the Queen Mary, released in 2005. So when we heard that they were going to release a disc, we were stoked, and it didn't disappoint.

I can't give any reasons as to why it was the best album of the year, other than the fact that it rocks, extremely hard. In fact, I implore you to listen to the song I posted above (Kissing the Beehive) and disagree with me. Go ahead, I dare you. You can't do it, can you? Admit it, it's one of the best songs you've heard in an age, isn't it? If not, then go listed to it again.

Anyway, Wolf Parade is from Montreal, Quebec, and they consist of two singers, Spencer Krug (who my wife will probably leave me for someday) and Dave Boeckner. For more about the band and their live act, read my description from last summer here).

As for the rest of the music this year, there were plenty of other awesome releases. Here are a few that I quite enjoyed (I've included a song for each band so you can see if they are to your liking).

Vampire Weekend • Vampire Weekend (A-Punk.mp3)

Foals • Antidote (RedSocksPugie.mp3)

My Morning Jacket • Evil Urges (TouchMeImGoingToScreamPt.2.mp3)

Weezer • Red Album (Troublemaker.mp3)

Fleet Foxes • Fleet Foxes (WhiteWinterHymnal.mp3)

The Raconteurs • Consolers Of The Lonely (ManyShadesOfBlack.mp3)

Kings of Leon • Only by the Night (SexOnFire.mp3)

Of Montreal • Skeletal Lamping (An Eluardian Instance.mp3)

There you have it. Looking back, 2008 was a great year for music after all. If nothing else, Axl Rose stopped teasing us and finally released Chinese Democracy (I have it, it wasn't too bad, but just not the old GN'R). And sure, I could keep listing CDs and bands, but I'm not going to do it. Sorry. If you want more, you just let me know and I'll send some your way. Here's hoping that 2009 will be as good a year music wise!

PS, if I've forgotten anyone, and I'm sure I have, I'll update this later.