2008 was a weird year for music people say. I say it was a weird year for the music BIZ not actual music...there were alot of dope albums this year. Im upset I cant put em all up.
10. T.I. - Paper Trail
T.I. came back admist all the legal troubles and a subpar "T.I. vs. T.I.P" album. He pretty much semented his place amongst the tops in hip hop. "Swagger Like Us" was the BEST rap track this year. I dont wanna hear the word "swagger" in 2009....at all!!!! LOL T.I. also had two of the highest charting singles this year with "Living Ya Life" feat. Rihanna and "Whatever You Like".
Other Notable Tracks: "Swing Ya Rag" feat. Swizz Beatz, "What's Up, What's Happening"
9. Santogold- Santogold
When I first heard of her it was in some Diplo mix and i was hooked. Check out the EP, I was hooked. Waited for the self titled debut album, again.....I was hooked. Santogold's music was no genre, its a term that I like to call "alternative heat"!!
Notable Tracks- L.E.S. Artistes, You'll Find A Way, Shove It
8. Vampire Weekend- Vampire Weekend
"Kids Don't Stand A Chance" is my shit!!!!!!!! This is such a fun album. I KNOW everyone has heard "A-Punk" and you probably didnt even know it. Listen to the album.....now! 'Nuff said!
Other notable tracks- Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa (Illest song title for 2008), Walcott
7. Raphael Saadiq- The Way I See It
I was ready to get my hair conked to the side, throw on a double breasted pinned stripped suit and head to the Cotton Club when i heard this album! Raphael Saadiq channels his inner 50's lounge singer on his latest effort. This is genuine Motown-esque music. Sam Cooke must be smiling right now. Oh, peep Hov on "Oh Girl" (Remix) too!
Other notable tracks- Sure Hope You Mean It, 100 Yard Dash
6. The-Dream- Love/Hate
The-Dream is a hell of a songwriter. He has a nack for writing a hit song, he has many, MANY hit records that he penned for other artist. Now, we have a album full of his own. The structure of the album is dope also, almost ever track continues seemlessly from the last, making for smooth listening. And I checked my iTunes, I listened to The-Dream's album 46 times!!
Notable Tracks- Fast Car, She Needs My Love, Purple Kisses, Falsetto
5. N.E.R.D- Seeing Sounds
Pete and I agree. This is N.E.R.D.'s best album. Hands down. The sounds and structure of the songs made this one of my favorite albums. There live show is mean!!! Why this album was overlooked....I have no clue. But take my word...its CRAZY!!!! And the video for my favorite song "Sooner Or Later" is my favorite video of 2008.
Other Notable Tracks- "Anti-Matter", "Love Bomb", "Spaz"
4. Q-Tip- The Renaissance
THE....BEST....HIP-HOP....ALBUM...THIS YEAR....PERIOD!!!!! The Abstract returned with this scorther that he produced entirely except for 2 tracks. Tip is the fucking man! "Getting Up" was on the most played song this year for me. I couldnt get enough it the song, or this album.
Notable Tracks- "Move", "We Fight/Love" feat. Raphael Saadiq", "Official"
3. Kanye West- 808's and Heartbreak
This is the one album upon hearing it....i hated it! I was disappointed. I mean...Autotune? 'Ye singing? I was intregired yet turned off at the same time. One day, I dont know what I was doing, what I was going through but I was listening to it and it all made sense. The songs, though lyrically simple, had an impact as you can hear the pain, the stress Mr. West was going through. He made an album that strikes human emotion and suddenly the megastar Kanye seemed human. "Heartless" is my shit!
Notable Tracks- "Say You Will", "Welcome To Heartbreak" feat. Kid Cudi, "Paranoid"
2. Coldplay- Viva La Vida
".....since Parachutes been a fan of Coldplay."....oh where was I? Yes, I remember hearing Viva La Vida for the first time and thinking, yo somebody need to RAP over some of these tracks!! You can definetly hear the hip hop influence in this album. Chris Martin never fails to impress me as a songwriter. It is in my mind there most complete and interesting album to date. The album artwork is also my favorite this year.
Notable Tracks- "Lovers In Japan", "Violent Hill", "Lost!"
Mercy's Number 1 Album of 2008 is........
Radiohead- In Rainbows
Sonically....this album is perfect. Lyrically...this album is perfect. Lead man Thom Yorke and the gang put this album out for free download only to later sell it as a regular release. Clicque or not...this album left me speechless. My words wouldnt do the album review any justice, you MUST listen to it for yourself. It is an event!
Notable Tracks- "Nude", "Weird Fishes/Arpeggi", "Jigsaw Falling Into Place", "House Of Cards"
Hope you enjoyed The FreshMen's music choices for 2008. Peace...and have a Happy New Year!!!!
-Mercy
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