The Best in Rock Music 2008

December 15, 9:45 AMMusic ExaminerLinda Laban

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Why choose to be the Rock ‘n’ Roll Examiner?  For no other reason than it’s a title that cuts a broad swathe through pop culture and allows a free reign to write about whom and what we please. Often,  rock ‘n’ roll is simply an attitude anyway. Who could have guessed that bubblegum pop Britney would have turned out so rock ‘n’ roll? One day we might include her. However, when it came to compiling a year-end best of list, we threw objectivity out of the window and went personal.  So, welcome to the first annual Rock ‘n’ Roll Examiner Awards, a completely subjective, though not uninformed reckoning of the year’s most accomplished rock moments.

Top Five Albums It’s difficult to put these in preferential order. So we haven’t. Each disc captivated the imagination; each is a astoundingly fresh and vital work in its own right. No mean accomplishment in these days when original thought is seemingly impossible. Simply put: these bands had something to say and managed to do it in brilliant music.

Mogwai  “The Hawk Is Howling” (Matador) This one gets to sit on top of the heap because this record, from start to finish, is stunning. Following the more accessible and pop-toned (for this band of salty post rock Scots, that is)  “Mr. Beast,” Mogwai returned with this gorgeously moody set of lengthy instrumentals. The one break from the epic statement is the cute “The Sun Smells Too Loud,” whose title is longer and heavier than this bouncy little pop song's fun flavor warrants. It’s what we call the “car ad” song. C’mon Volkswagen, get your cool on. Check out this brilliant mash-up at YouTube. Photo: The mighty Mogwai howls, enjoys nature ramble

Radiohead "In Rainbows" (TBD/ATO) We voted this as tops last year, when it was released as a pay-what-you-want download. But, as it officially came out on CD last January, it gets top vote again. So good. Though far less obviously techy, “In Rainbows” is one of Radiohead’s most accomplished records: an elegant result of the English band’s electronic wanderings and a slight return to “Bends” era pop roots, without looking back or repeating itself. Photo: And the point of this photo is? Radiohead being Radiohead. Photo: Kevin Westenberg

Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds “Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!!” (Anti-) Cave refuses to grow old gracefully, kicking and screaming with the sexually charged Grinderman, before rejoining his Bad Seeds brothers for this stunning indictment of the times. Oh yeah, we always blame the times don’t we. Damn it, Cave’s on our post modern anxiety case. Photo: Nick Cave: A Bad Seed. Discuss. Photo: Peggy Borland.

This Will Destroy You “This Will Destroy You” (Magic Bullet) In just three years, this Texan band has gone from delivering a promising brooding EP (“Young Mountain”) to releasing this thoroughly beautiful full-length debut. These young post rockers hit a zen note with often slow, regal instrumentals; all cleverly produced by the band and fellow Texan John Congleton. Photo: This WIll Destroy You breaks from moody noirs, has a little giggle.

The Black Box Revelation “Set Your Head On Fire” (Beverly Martel) When it comes to good old sexed-up chords and dirty beats, this duo issued the best garage rock album this year. Yes, duo. But you wouldn’t know it. This is wild party music that grooves like a panther on heat. Oh and did we mention that Black Box Revelation don’t scowl around the streets of Brooklyn. They come from the land of lambic and chocolate: Belgium!

Best Tour of Humongously Hideous Enormodomes Radiohead.  Nothing can beat the band's raw performances in smaller venues in 2006. But this was one tour not to miss this year.

Best club gig Caspian, Paradise Rock Club, Boston. More great post rock, this time from a three-guitar fronted outfit from Boston’s north shore. Are we ready for post rock as the next big thing yet? (Erm, was that 1996?) Photo: Post rock is the new emo. Caspian agrees, leaves.

Best newcomer  Chairlift. Gorgeous, smart, indie pop.

Best rock opera (not a category we encourage):   “Monkey: Journey To The West” (XL). Another fine fantasy from Gorillaz’ Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett. Alright it's not a rock opera really. Or is it?

Best Fest: All Tomorrow’s Parties, NY.  Beck understated the potential for rockin’ the Catskills.