Little Miss Indie's Top 10 Songs of 2008
Hi, Zwinky friends!
The year's coming to a close. And, while I'm sure you're in the throes of final exams, attending parties, or even getting ready for some holiday traveling, you're going to need a good iPod playlist to get you through the end of December.
With that, here's my roundup of the best songs of 2008. From the lo-fi folksy stuff (Bon Iver, Fleet Foxes) to the up-tempo danceable stuff (Girl Talk, MGMT), here's a smattering of tunes that I'm sure you'll enjoy.
Listen to the playlist below, and read on to find out why these songs made my list.
10. Acid Tongue by Jenny Lewis (stream)
Rilo Kiley front woman Jenny Lewis breaks your heart with her lovely country crooner voice on this song about regret and lost love.
9. Ready for the Floor by Hot Chip (stream)
If you like your electronica on the saccharine side, might I suggest Hot Chip? The whole album Made in the Dark is full of treasures, but the catchy "Ready for the Floor" stands out as the perfect pre-party tune.
8. Crimewave by Crystal Castles (stream)
Here's a song for the edgy music connoisseur in you. Surreal and thumping, this dance track from Crystal Castles is like pop music from outer space.
7. In Step by Girl Talk (stream)
Do you like Nirvana? The Beach Boys? Ludacris? Listen to them all...at the same time! Greg Gillis (a.k.a. Girl Talk) mixes pop's best hooks and lyrics and reimagines them as new songs. Play the album at your next party, and sound like the best DJ around.
6. L.E.S. Artistes by Santogold (stream)
Genre-bending music artist Santogold sounds a lot like M.I.A., but who cares? "L.E.S. Artistes" was, for me, this year's "Umbrella."
5. Lost Coastlines by Okkervil River (stream)
I could have easily recommended any one of the tracks off of Okkervil River's latest, The Stand Ins. A companion album to The Stage Names, front man and songwriter Will Sheff delivers wistfully melodic, nuanced, and highly literate folksy rock.
4. Skinny Love by Bon Iver (stream)
Justin Vernon (a.k.a. Bon Iver) wrote his debut album For Emma, Forever Ago while secluded in a cabin in Wisconsin. Sentimental and dreamy, "Skinny Love" is the perfect track for when you're feeling a little introspective.
3. White Winter Hymnal by Fleet Foxes (stream)
The vocal harmonies on "White Winter Hymnal" remind you of earthy '60s folk rock. Think Neil Young on Valium.
2. Oxford Comma by Vampire Weekend (stream)
Heavily influenced by Paul Simon's Graceland, there's no avoiding this young, tweedy band; their cheeky, upbeat, and literate indie rock is infectious, and their French new wave-inspired video is adorable.