Tropicana's 2008 Music List

2008 was a pretty good year for fans of indie rock, folk, weirdo shit and “world” music alike. Diversity seemed to be everywhere, and a wind of change was certainly in the air (and on the airwaves) as we elected the first African-American President. But it was better year for veteran artists like Nick Cave, Elvis Costello and the Cure, as they released some of their best material in nearly two decades. My list of what I would consider the best music of 2008 doesn’t conform to the rock critics’ genre of a “Top Ten.” In fact, I’m hard pressed to even whittle it down to something manageable or rank them in some kind of order.

Jesus Pagan y su Orquesta “Salsa de la Mata”
Before I heard Pagan’s “from the roots” salsa music, I caught him playing live at the launch of his latest cd in Holyoke, Mass. It was possibly the best live show I’ve witnessed in years. This cd is my constant companion.



The Felice Brothers
“Bang, bang, bang, goes Frankie’s gun.” These upstate New York “brothers” are storytellers of tales I like: murder-for-hire, con-men, spies, whores and fucked up relations.



Dan Le Sac vs. Scroobius Pip “Angles”
“Thou Shalt Always Kill” is hands down the best single of the year.



Unkle “End Titles…Music for Films”
Having launched their career as the thinking man’s Chemical Brothers, Unkle have moved away from groove-oriented music, to well-sculpted imaginary movie scores blending, rock and old-school trip-hop seamlessly.



Grupo Fantasma “Sonidos Gold”
One the best live shows I’ve seen all year, it’s Latino soul music redux.



Ryan Adams and the Cardinals “Cardinology”
Despite his factoryesque approach to churning out music, Adams never writes clunkers.



My Morning Jacket “Evil Urges”
Fans were disappointed that MMJ continued to be wildly unpredictable—I rejoiced. Not a dull moment.



The Cure “4:13 Dream”
I had stopped giving a shit about Robert Smith, and along came this return to their glory days. Completely uncontrived and accidental, Smith scores big here.




Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds “Dig, Lazarus, Dig!”
Like the Cure, Cave had become irrelevant and a bore, but after the release of his side project, Grinderman, Cave had enough juice left over to produce this masterpiece. Lyrically wicked, with melodies that are straightforward and oddly textured, this cd is a must.



Elvis Costello and the Impostors “Momofuko”
Ditto.



Why? “Alopecia”
Smart, clever, whimisical; adjectives do no justice to describe these Californians.



T.V. On the Radio “Dear Science”
Better than their last release, “Return to Cookie Mountain,” this band’s lyrics are literate and sometimes oblique.



James Hunter “The Hard Way”
Old-fashioned soul that never goes out of style.



Eli “Paperboy” Reed “Roll With You”
The new kid on the block doing old-school soul gets it right.



Tim Gearan “No Remedy”
Anchored in Somerville, Mass, Tim can only be caught in the Cambridge area plying his rootsy Americana sound.



Winterpills “Central Chambers”
Northampton, Mass based band explores new levels of atmosphere and texture to create a perfect storm.



Fleet Foxes
Sure, everybody has them on their list. Tight harmonies and hybrid Appalachian music are an irresistible combo.



Sonya Kitchell “This Storm”
This little girl from Ashfield, Mass is all grown up and a serious contender for Feist's throne.



Ron Sexsmith “Exit Strategy of the Soul”
Nobody does humility like Ron. Always consistent and engaging, Sexsmith should be a god.



Conor Oberst
Enough said. Oberst is a genius.




She and Him “Volume One”
Oh Zooey D.! How I love thee. M. Ward and the actress team up to make some of the best music of their careers.



Underworld “Oblivion the Bells”
Still the pioneers in electronica...still relevant. Inscrutable lyrics + minimal grooves=oxygen bar.