Half-Year Favorites

Well a lot of people like to throw around their "favorites of the half-year" so I guess I will join in.


El Guincho- Alegranza!- Man, do I love this album. There are so many fresh reworkings of global sounds to be found. Dub, polka, highlife, psychedelic wash... its all here in a glistening tropical menagerie of an album.

Drive-By Truckers- Brighter Than Creation's Dark- The boys from Alabama came back with a strong record in 2008. This one leans much more on the idea of getting older and realizing your place in life. The Hood/Cooley combo is at its strongest here, going from shit-kicking rockers like "A Ghost To Most" to life-and-death-pondering folk songs like "Two Daughters And A Beautiful Wife."

Beach House- Devotion- This album sounds amazing. The organ echoes create a slow, delicate atmosphere of long nights and smoked-out rooms. "Heart of Chambers" might be my favorite song of the year so far.

My Morning Jacket- Evil Urges- Great album.

Vampire Weekend- Vampire Weekend- Catchy as hell. There ain't nothing wrong with that.

Of course I have not heard everything that has been released this year. In fact there are a number of things that I have been meaning to get that I have not yet been able to get my hands on. Luckily, good music doesn't disappear.