Showbox Picks its Favorites of 2008

Brandon’s Ten Albums 2008

1.) Deerhunter – Microcastle

I can’t stop listening to the song “Never Stops.” I still play that song upwards of 5 times a day.  By far my favorite song of the year. The rest of the album is pretty good too.

2.) Spiritualized – Songs in A&E

How many times you can mention Jesus on record not play the Cornerstone festival?  And how many references to getting high can you really make without being Lou Reed? Jason Pierce is one of my favorite songwriters, and this album is really special.

3.) MGMT – Oracular Spectacular

These hipster icons deserve the hype. I can’t get these songs out of my head.

4.) Seawolf – Leaves in the River (Late 2007)

I found no better fall album this year. Listening to this makes me feel like I am beside a fire with my favorite book, while the rain pours and the wind roars on a stormy October day.

5.) The Rosewood Thieves – Rise and Shine

Unsigned and unheard of. I was lucky enough to be one of a handful of people to be blown away by this NYC band at the Comet earlier this year. In the vein of Ambulance LTD, or John Lennon solo work.

6.) Conor Oberst  & The Mystic Valley Band -  Conor Oberst

I vehemently opposed Mr Oberst until I heard this. It’s good.

7.) The Raveonettes – Lust Lust Lust

Danish people are really good looking, and really good with guitar pedals, and really good at harmonizing, and know how to work a drum machine…..really good.

8.) Flight of the Conchords –  Flight of the Conchords

Unfortunately for Murray I think these guys will be in need of a new band manager after this release. This is one of the few comedy albums that never get old.

9.) Vampire Weekend – Vampire Weekend

I didn’t want to like it because everyone else liked it. Sometimes everyone is right.

10.) Jim Noir- Jim Noir

Sounds like the Beatles got there hands on Pro tools. This guy knows his way around a recording studio and a pop song.

Brian’s Top 10 Albums:

1. Portishead - Third
2. TV on the Radio - Dear Science
3. Sam Phillips - Don't Do Anything
4. DeVotchKa – A Mad and Faithful Telling
5. Aimee Mann - @#%&*! Smilers
6. Santogold – Santogold
7. Past Lives – Strange Symmetry EP
8. Rodriguez – Cold Fact
9. Kay Kay and His Weathered Underground – Kay Kay and His Weathered Underground
10. Xiu Xiu – Women As Lovers

Gabe’s Top Ten Showbox Shows 2008

DJ Shadow & Cut Chemist - They only used 45's and effects pedals - not a single laptop on stage.  Are you kidding me?

Snoop Dog - I walked to the back stage door just to see him walk off the bus and pass by the fans who had been bunched up against the security barrier for an hour hoping for a picture or autograph.  The bus doors opened with a puff of smoke and an amazingly tall and skinny Snoop Dog, in head to toe track suit, loped off the bus with a girl on both arms.  Huggy Bear had arrived.

Wyclef Jean - I know, I know...you liked the Fugees and have never felt compelled to buy a Wyclef solo record.  Sadly, you missed one of the most energetic, entertaining shows of the year.  The last song stretched on long enough for Wyclef to leave the stage, order a drink at the bar, walk the perimeter of the showroom on tables and railings, and cap it off by pulling a fan on stage to do a handstand - and he was singing the entire time.

B-52's - They looked older...but they still brought the Love Shack and Rock Lobster like they meant it and at times it was clear that Fred Schneider and company had more energy then their aging fans.

Robin Williams - I missed half of the jokes because I was sitll laughing at the last one.  He ended the night by pulling his shirt over his head, and birthing himself through the collar.

Drive-By Truckers - Somehow, they make whiskey and PBR tall boys taste better.

Santogold - Hit single?  Check.  Hammer-pants back up dancers/singers?  Check.  Arrogant rock star attitude?  Nope.  She was refreshingly suprised to the point of laughter by an audience who clearly adored her and we were rewarded with a hook heavy, memorable set.

Dethklok - A cartoon death metal band live?  Creator, Brandon Smalls, had formed a band solid enough that the crowd was an even mix of metal heads and cartoon nerds who were all having the time of their lives.

Ice Cube - I was expecting a wimpy version of Ice Cube watered down by such movies as Are We There Yet and it's sequel.  I was ready to yell, "Did you really let Fred Dirst direct your last movie"?  He walked on stage and I immediately realized that we were going to be treated to a show by a founding member of N.W.A. and gangsta rap - one of the greatest hip hop artists of all time. 

Metro Station - Just kidding.  I enjoyed that show in the same way I enjoy slowing down when I drive by an accident on the freeway.  Maybe I'd feel differently if I was a 14 year old girl who grew up on MySpace and had been conditioned to find anorexic tattooed Billy Ray Cyrus spawn appealing.