‘Science’ is a fair winner among many

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By George Lang

Published: December 26, 2008

Counting down 10 titles is tragic, since it means that deserving discs by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Raphael Saadiq, Coldplay and Of Montreal bubble just under this list. But again, the bracing diversity of 2008’s best disc is proof that great music of all stripes is out there, just beyond mainstream radio’s desire to embrace it.

1. TV on the Radio "Dear Science” (DGC/Interscope) — After two discs that were easy to admire but difficult to love, the Brooklyn art-rockers finally created a collection that matched their depth and intelligence with sticky grooves and melodies that give listeners a big bear hug — there is no denying the science-fiction funk of "Golden Age” or the stately beauty of 2008’s best rock ballad, "Family Tree.” TV on the Radio’s patron, David Bowie, set the template: "Dear Science” is the band’s bold but accessible "Scary Monsters” after their "Low/Heroes/ "Lodger” period in the lab.

2. Colourmusic "f, monday, orange, february, venus, lunatic, 1 or 13” (Great Society) — Pure joy set to music that’s just begging for Richard Lester to come out of retirement and build a movie around it, Colourmusic made the best Brit-pop album in years. Considering there’s only one Brit in this Stillwater band, "f, monday ...” is an epochal achievement. This is not grading on a "local music” curve; every single song is nearly flawless. If this band stages a global takeover, consider me a faithful servant.

3. Wale "The Mixtape About Nothing” (self-released) — Just as the title suggests, D.C. rapper Wale created a song cycle based on themes culled from "Seinfeld,” but "Mixtape About Nothing” is not a high-concept novelty. No other 2008 hip-hop album had as much to say about the outer world and inner thoughts than this one: "The Kramer” delivers a trenchant statement on race built around Michael Richards’ terrible comedy club meltdown. As a bonus, it’s propelled by Mark Ronson’s furious go-go beats and includes a hilarious and validating cameo by Elaine herself, Julia Louis-Dreyfus. As another bonus, this was a free download.

4. Q-Tip "The Renaissance” (Universal Motown) — After a decade in the music-biz wilderness, A Tribe Called Quest’s tribal leader returns with his lightning-fast jazzy flow and late-night wild style intact and flourishing. And yes, that’s Norah Jones getting her groove on.

5. MGMT "Oracular Spectacular” (Columbia) — The leading lights of the new psychedelia created their revelatory debut with Flaming Lips producer Dave Fridmann, making brain-stew headphone music for the dance floor. "Electric Feel,” which sounds like nothing other than The Bee Gees conspiring with Quincy Jones and the Brothers Johnson on a disco waltz, is one of the best singles of the year.

6. The Knux "Remind Me in 3 Days ...” (Interscope) — Two siblings from New Orleans relocate to Los Angeles and steal rap-rock back from the thugs who destroyed it 10 years ago. "Bang Bang” and "Cappuccino” only get better with each spin.

7. She & Him "Volume 1” (Merge) — "She” is Zooey Deschanel, "Him” is M. Ward, and together they crafted the best countrypolitan disc since Rilo Kiley turned into Fleetwood Mac. Fans had been asking Deschanel to record something since she sang "Baby, It’s Cold Outside” in the shower in "Elf,” and she didn’t disappoint.

8. Vampire Weekend "Vampire Weekend” (XL/Beggars) — This rich-kid quartet doing Township Jive on the Upper West Side transcends all hype thanks to the literate lyrics to go with their worldly beats. Vampire Weekend also proved with "M79” that harpsichords can rock in 2008 without showing up on a Wes Anderson soundtrack.

9. Portishead "Third” (Island) — Largely dispensing with the trip-hop it helped invent, Portishead reconvened after a decade to make cinematic folk filled with existential dread. This is progressive rock to read Edgar Allan Poe by.

10. Fleet Foxes "Fleet Foxes” (Sub Pop) — Coming on like a great lost folk-rock relic, this harmonically rich and deeply melodic debut is guaranteed to make all campfires warmer.

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