RR's Top Ten Albums of 2008

nobody@vox.com(KCRW Music News) — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 15:37:38 -0800

After posting all the Top Ten Lists of the very talented KCRW music staff, I decided to throw my own into the mix. Thanks for reading the blog and all your support for KCRW – we couldn’t do any of it without you. Sincerely, RR

1) Dr. Dog – Fate (I didn't think they could make a record better than their debut, Easy Beat, but they did)

2) Mates of State – Re-Arrange Us (This married duo infuses catchy pop songs with passion)

3) Helio Sequence – Keep your Eyes Ahead (As soon as I heard this album, I knew it would be on this list. I can listen to it over and over again)

4) Fleet Foxes – Fleet Foxes (This album seemed to come out of nowhere with gorgeous harmonies that made my heart melt. It didn't leave my stereo for some time.)

5) Little Jackie – The Stoop (This was the soundtrack to many of my favorite moments this year. Well-produced soulful pop, Brooklyn's answer to Amy Winehouse)

6) Thao (and the Get Down Stay Down) – We Brave Bee Stings and All (While I loved this album, seeing Thao live catapulted her on this list. She's the real deal)

7) Black Keys – Attack and Release (This bluesy, dark and fierce music really stunned me when I first heard it. It only gets better over time)

8) Michael Franti & Spearhead – All Rebel Rockers (This is top of the list for albums to dance to that make me feel good. I heard him sing "Say Hey" at a Bob Dylan tribute show and I knew it would be one of my favorite songs of the year.)

9) Blind Pilot – 3 Rounds and a Sound (Superb folk rock from a band out of Portland, many gems on here.)

10) Santogold – Santogold (This album is simply infectious. I love her voice and her vibe.)

Runners up:

Herman Dune – Next Year in Zion
&
Estelle – Shine
&
Nada Surf – Lucky

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KCRW Music Director Jason Bentley's Top 10 Albums of 2008

nobody@vox.com(KCRW Music News) — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 09:30:12 -0800

Jason Bentley's Top 10 Albums of 2008

1. M83 - Saturday's = Youth (Mute)
2. Santogold - Santogold (Downtown)
3. Jamie Lidell - Jim (Warp Records)
4. Adele - 19 (XL Recordings/Colombia)
5. Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend (XL Recordings)
6. Juana Molina - Un Dia (Domino)
7. Little Dragon - Little Dragon (Peacefrog)
8. The Black Ghosts - The Black Ghosts (IAMSOUND Records)
9. Portishead - Third (Mercury Records)
10. Jazzanova - Of All the Things (Verve)

(Note: Jason Bentley will be the new host of Morning Becomes Eclectic starting December 1)

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RR's Top Ten Albums of 2008

KCRW Music Director Jason Bentley's Top 10 Albums of 2008