Sinking with Sylvia's Top 10 of 2008

Sylvia co-hosts Sinking with Sylvia from Noon to 2:00 PM every Friday on Little Radio. This is her top 10 list for 2008:

10. Neon Neon: Stainless Style - Gruff Rhys of Super Furry Animals fame teamed up with Boom Bip and decided to make this amazing concept record based on the life of John Delorean. huh? Still this record has great songs and is amusing all at the same time. You really cannot go wrong with this record and it also features a rad line-up of musicians including Har Mar Superstar, Spank Rock, Yo Majesty and Mr. Josh Klinghoffer to name a few.

9. MGMT: Oracular Spectacular - This is definitely one of my surprise faves of the year. Who knew?

8. Throw Me The Statue: Moonbeams - I have truly enjoyed this record for most of this year. Melodic, at times sweet and just all around pleasant in every sense of the word. A must own of 2008.
MP3: Lolita

7. Wye Oak: If Children - I have heard these Merge darlings compared to some pretty interesting bands and I admit that every time I listen to this record I get different influences like Yo La Tengo or Catpower but the truth is this.I expect bands to get better and change/progress with the times and I stand firmly that if the Breeders were a good band they would have put out an album exactly like this.
MP3: I Don't Feel Young

6. Le Switch: And Now...Le Switch - I know I know, I am good friends with these kids and should probably not be allowed to have these guys here but that is how good they are. The LA music scene has a lot to be proud of this year and Le Switch is a large part of this pride. I like any band that can be influenced by the likes of Jon Brion and Emmitt Rhodes and Le Switch captures (not copies) it so well. If you are outside of LA get this record and keep an eye out for them live, you will not be disappointed.
MP3: Give Me Something

5. Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks: Real Emotional Trash - Malkmus puts out a record and it will always make my list.
MP3: Baltimore

4. The Raconteurs: Consolers of the Lonely - I have really surprised myself this year with some of my listening habits and this one kinda tops the list. I am not a Jack White fan and I find Brendan Benson to be a bit uhm...well Brendan Benson. ha. Put the two together and apparently I am a believer. The first 6 songs on this record are the some of the best songs you will probably hear for the next few years. If they had taken off those last songs, this would have been my number one record of the year. Better luck next time. Still great job!

3. David Vandervelde: Waiting For the Sunrise - In my top 5 two years in a row! The truth is I haven't fully appreciated this record yet, I need another 2 or 3 months of listening to completely absorb this one. He gets many comparisons to T.Rex because of his last record but I am gonna have to stick with Neil Young. Yep, he is that good.
MP3: I Will Be Fine

2. Everest: Ghost Notes - I looked it up and apparently I had Everest on my bands to watch out for in 2008. This is what I said "Dear Everest, If your full length is anywhere near as good as your ep I promise you will be at the top of my 2008 list next year. good luck."Well here we are at the end of 2008 and here is Everest at number 2 of my top 10 which is at the the top. Good job guys, way to deliver. "Ghost Notes" is such a beautiful and sincere record. From the minute it starts until the last note I am in love. I can listen again immediately and I honestly feel that "Into Your Soft Heart" is the best single released all year. You guys helped contribute to the greatness of the LA music scene this year and I have such confidence that you will give me many more records to love in the upcoming years. Until then thank you for Ghost Notes.

1. The Movies: Based On A True Story - LA's music scene gets no love. And quite frankly neither do The Movies. They are at times difficult to love, difficult to understand and a bit streaky. Having said that they are without question the BEST band in Los Angeles.Based On A True Story can be easily confused as a simple pop record with some funny songs. wrong. Tim's lyrics are at times pretty dark and sad. Is this the best break-up record produced in some time? Perhaps Tim is an evil genius. All I can say that this record works in every possible way. I am so excited to have local bands on the top of my list this year. Especially The Movies. Thanks for the awesome record guys.

Honorable Mentions:
Dr. Dog Fate
Henry Clay People For Cheap or For Free
The Radar Bros. Auditorium
The Broken West Now or Heaven?
Secret Machines The Secret Machines

Bands in 2009 you must check out if you haven't already:
Warpaint
Kenan Bell
Les Blanks
Spider Problem
The World Record
Amnion or anything Aaron Embry does.

Happy New Year.