After what was a great year for music last year, i expected this year to be a letdown and it certainly was. There wasn’t really even one album i would say was excellent from start to finish. I only actually bought one record, and that was because i’m just a huge sigur ros fan. for the most part the following albums had 2-3 great songs, 2-3 above avg songs, and the rest was just ok. I’m extremely picky in my tastes i guess (generally indie pop with strong rhythm and catchy guitars).
In NO PARTICULAR ORDER, here are what I thought were the best albums of 2008.
Sigur Ros-Med Sud I Eyrum Vid Spilum Endalaust 
Like I mentioned above, this is the only record i bought because I loved their previous 3 records and figured they were gonna make something worth buying even without d/l it first (I almost always d/l albums before buying now-a-days). This album is solid through the first 7 tracks, then the last 4 are just boring and pointless. If I were ranking Sigur Ros albums I’d put this 4th out of 4 but still, the worst sigur ros album is far better than most anyway. I recommend this if you like Sigur Ros, it generally doesn’t disapoint. songs are a little shorter and more poppy but still is all sigur ros.
Spiritualized-Songs in A&E 
Easily Spiritualized’ best record since 2001’s Let It Come Down. In fact, its generally a pretty similar record to Let It Come Down. There’s 3-4 really great tracks and the rest is decent enough. I guess I didn’t buy it cause I felt maybe it was too much like Let It Come Down, but either way its good enough to make this list.
Broken Social Scene Presents Brendan Canning-Something For All of Us 
Odd Kevin’s Drew’s (superior) album last year coun’t crack my top 5 but this year Brendan Canning’s effort does just based solely on 2008 being so mediocre. anyway more solid pop indie rock from broken social scene, not sure why they make it a “presents” album. i heard the whole band play a lot of these songs on their recent tour so its pretty much a BSS record if you like their stuff. 4 or 5 great songs here, definitely worth a listen.
The Walkmen-You & Me 
I applaud the Walkmen for this album, its really excellent and is a good change of sound while still being the Walkmen. I haven’t liked what they had done after 2004’s Bows + Arrows but this makes up for it. 2 or 3 amazing songs on here and the rest is pretty good. I mean I really liked the speed and aggression on Bows + Arrows so this album isn’t necessarily exactly what I like to listen to so i didn’t buy it but its definitely one of the year’s best and worth your time.
Honorable Mention: Cut Copy-In Ghost Colours
