Musical Musings 2008

This is just a stream on consciousness rant, somethings that will wrap up 2008 and music:

Rolling Stone sadly attempted to name the Top 50 albums of 2008 and failed. Sorry the Jonas Brothers can make bubble-gum crap and sell records to screaming fans, however it doesn't make it good music. It is still bubble-gum crap. Putting TV on the Radio at number one does not restore cred. Anyone else feeling Rolling Stone is increasingly becoming irrelevant to the point of obscurity?

This year was the year of the "Deer/Dear." The Dear Hunters, Dear and the Headlights and Deerhunter all brought it and I know Dear Hunter was 2007, but the seeing them live and meeting the brainchild Casey reminded me why the band rocks so hard. These three bands have unique artistic expressions that prove good music is happening and people are listening.

Fall Out Boy really? Can this band fall off the face of the Earth?! Please! Whether it's a shotgun wedding, a bad TV Show, a stupid clothing line, Oh wait. I guess my griping isn't Fall Out Boy, but Pete Wentz. I don't want you to die, just admit you suck and go into hiding. Thank you.

Amy Winehouse you have been replaced by Duffy and Adele. England did something right.

2008 brought on the gag reflex consistently with emo/ indie kids adopting bright colored 80's nostalgia fashion. Whether it was All Time Low, Fall Out Boy, Cartel, Academy is...and all the knock-offs and copy cats. It isn't cool. It is lame and should stay in Back to the Future II with Michael J. Fox and his hoverboard. (I don't mind colors and or pop of color, I hate that it has become a uniform)

Kanye West made his Pinkerton and I love it. I don't care, say what you want. No other artist in hip-hop has ever gone out on a limb like he has and we should welcome it, not push it away. Oh, and all this hype about Lil' Wayne being the savior of hip-hop, if that is the case. Hip Hop is dead and we should mourn the loss of emcees. If I hear another bragadocious, cherry-poppin', money-laden album considered genius by critics, I think I will go Hulk on the rap industry. Please Biggie come back, please.

Britney toward the end of this year has made a comeback and I couldnt' be happier.

Some bands this year received hype and lauding and I am not sure why. But after seeing this band live and reading so many articles I am stating this...Anthony Green of Circa Survive is not a great frontman. He has talent don't get me wrong, but when I think of frontmen, I think Henry Rollins, Axel Rose and Freddy Mercury. Anthony Green, I have SEEN him, not even close just tiny and awkward.

What happened to the 50's microphone? Scott Weiland rocked it, even Brian Setzer even if it was literal. J.T. I demand you Rock That Shit.

I was never a fan of Madonna. That being said and maybe I am beating a dead horse.....ISN'T she already dead?! A walking corpse is a walking corpse. I can't name a song she has released in the past five years that was any good or people listened to regularly. This woman, if she can be called that, needs to retire. How much more money does she need? How many babies does she want to adopt? How many British husbands can she blame for her psychosis? Madonna must go.

Ben Folds still writes hilariously catchy, insightful tunes. More and more bands are indie and not emo and it is quite a relief. Coolest lead singer Killswitch Engage? I miss Fairweather.

MTV is cutting back on the music in their Music Television, proof yet again that they should CHANGE THEIR NAME!

Singles that I fell in love with (some not 2008): Brand New- Fork and Knife, Kanye West- Love Lockdown, Coldplay- Lost, Does it Offend You Yeah- Dawn of the Dead, Good Old War- Looking for Shelter, Say Anything- Girlfriend, Jack's Mannequin- What Gets You Off, Josh Ritter- Girl in the War, Kings of Leon- Sex is on Fire, She & Him- Sweet Darlin', TI- Live Your Life, Phantom Planet- Leader, Anthony Green- Dear Child, Explosions in the Sky- The Birth and The Death of The Day, MIA- Paper Airplanes, the Dear Hunter- Red Hands, Thrice- Firebreather, the Cool Kids- Mikey Rocks, Ratatat- Mirando, Lydia- This is Twice Now and Katy Perry- I Kissed a Girl.

Bands to Look out for in 2009- Manchester Orchestra, Two Tongues, the Dear Hunter, Ratatat, and Head Automatica.

Wrap it up Already!:

2008 is almost over so I conclude these bands are still my favorite at what they do:

Darkest Hour- metal, noodling and more metal with a brutal frontman.
Every Time I Die- Keith Buckley is the man and this is the hardcore band. No one does it better.
the Dear Hunter- genius, still on my Ipod, still sing it in the shower, still fresh in my head.
Kanye West- ego aside, the man is great.
Owen- he never fails me.
Mates of State- STOP BEING SO CUTE!
Brand New- If you haven't heard their songs Jesus Christ or Limousine, listen.
Tribe Called Quest- Q-Tip has still got it and they still gots me Buggin Out.
Britney Spears!!!!!!!

That's it...for now!