Top Ten Albums of 2008, part 1

Continuing on my recent ranking theme, the next few entries will discuss my favorite ten albums released this year.

10. Heretic Pride, The Mountain Goats
Their last couple of albums haven't been up there with The Sunset Tree, but there is plenty to enjoy among the upbeat, rockier songs. Opener Sax Rohmer 1# is fun, as is Heretic Pride. There are some great, more heartfelt tracks there too like Autoclave, San Bernandino and Michael Myers Resplendent.

9. Only By the Night, Kings of Leon
I can't believe the hype behind this album- it's number one in the Australian charts, it won the Triple J listeners album of the year poll last week, Sex on Fire is hot favorite to take out the Hottest 100 this year too. And for all that, it's nowhere near as good as Because of the Times. Don't dismiss it, though. There are great tracks like Crawl, Notion and those two overplayed singles are easily overshadowed by the edge of Closer and Manhattan.

8. Viva La Vida or Death And All His Friends, Coldplay
Put aside the fact that this is a Coldplay album. It's a great album, far better than X and Y and more original than many other albums out this year. This is an album that fits together the way an album should. There's great instrumental moments- songs like Life in Technicolour, Yes and Death And All His Friends. There are some stunning vocals in the latter song too, and some epic 'three act' songs.

7. Ladyhawke, Ladyhawke
Take a trip back to the eighties. The cover even has Super Nintendo featured in the artwork. Songs like Magic and Better Than Sunday are electronic pop with an edge. The single Paris is Burning is catchy and the closing vocal riffs are addictive and memorable. Lots to like here.

6. The Night Is Ours, Youth Group
Earlier in the year, this album would have come in higher up the list. But it's been recently overtaken by albums with a little more depth to them. There are some great songs here- a short album, yet superior to Casino Twilight Dogs. Highlights include A Sign, Friedrichstrasse, In My Dreams, single Two Sides and All This Will Pass.