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10 Best Albums of 2008

Infernal visions, playful funk, unflinching examinations top Rolling Stone list

By Paul Stinson,  Newser User

Posted Dec 21, 2008 5:02 AM CST
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(Newser) – Dear Science tops Rolling Stone's year-end best list with an album “that sounded the most like America in 2008." The top 10:

  1. TV on the Radio, Dear Science: "Infernal visions of war and economic desperation," but "amid the fear and loathing" is "defiance."
  2. Bob Dylan, Tell Tale Signs—The Bootleg Series Vol. 8: "One of Dylan's most consistently gripping albums."

  1. Lil Wayne, Tha Carter III: "Most eagerly anticipated hip-hop album of the decade is also the best."
  2. My Morning Jacket, Evil Urges: "Pledges loyalty to only one genre: itself."
  3. John Mellencamp, Life, Death, Love and Freedom: "The darkest, most compelling Mellencamp album in years."
  4. Santogold, Santogold: "The most ear-opening debut of 2008."
  5. Coldplay, Viva la Vida or Death: "Expansive yet intimate enough to incite lighter-waving from London to Tokyo."
  6. Beck, Modern Guilt: "Plenty of electricity and playful funk."
  7. Metallica, Death Magnetic: "An unflinching examination of the big finish."
  8. Vampire Weekend, Vampire Weekend: "Casual as a cardigan, willfully optimistic, ultratuneful and surprisingly danceable."

Metallica members Robert Trujillo, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett and James Hetfield, from left, are seen as they promote their new album Death Magnetic in Berlin earlier this year.
Metallica members Robert Trujillo, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett and James Hetfield, from left, are seen as they promote their new album "Death Magnetic" in Berlin earlier this year.   (AP Photo)
Despite being a collection of outtakes and orphaned songs, Rolling Stone calls Bob Dylan's new album on of his most consistently gripping.
Despite being a collection of outtakes and "orphaned" songs, "Rolling Stone" calls Bob Dylan's new album on of his "most consistently gripping."   (Columbia)
Lil Wayne arrives at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards held at Paramount Pictures Studio Lot earlier this year.
Lil Wayne arrives at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards held at Paramount Pictures Studio Lot earlier this year.   (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, FILE)
Beck's Modern Guilt, shown here, has plenty of electricity and playful funk, writes Rolling Stone, earning the album the eighth spot on the magazine's year-end list.
Beck's "Modern Guilt," shown here, has "plenty of electricity and playful funk," writes "Rolling Stone," earning the album the eighth spot on the magazine's year-end list.   (AP Photo/DGC Records)
The self-titled solo album from Philadelphia's Santi White, who performs as Santogold, is shown. According to Rolling Stone, Santogold specializes in off-kilter street jams.
The self-titled solo album from Philadelphia's Santi White, who performs as Santogold, is shown. According to "Rolling Stone," Santogold "specializes in off-kilter street jams."   (AP Photo/Downtown Records)
Santi White of Santogold performs during the SXSW Music Festival in Austin, Texas, earlier this year.
Santi White of Santogold performs during the SXSW Music Festival in Austin, Texas, earlier this year.   (AP Photo/Jack Plunkett)
TV on the Radio crew.
TV on the Radio crew.   (TV on the Radio official website)
Two of the five members of TV on the Radio are shown in an interview. Their album Dear Science offers swooning ballads, wind-whipped funk and even a Tom Petty bite, writes Rolling Stone.
Two of the five members of TV on the Radio are shown in an interview. Their album "Dear Science" offers "swooning ballads, wind-whipped funk and even a Tom Petty bite," writes "Rolling Stone."   (TV on the Radio)
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COMMENTS
Showing 1 of 1 comment
Guest
May 25, 2009 11:25 PM CDT
Well of course The Carter III was the most anticipated (not to mention the best), was there a doubt?

Of course, other magazines may have a different take on the year's best music
Spin

 
Bob Dylan • John Mellencamp • Rolling Stone • Beck • Metallica • Lil Wayne • Coldplay • My Morning Jacket • TV on the Radio • Santogold • Vampire Weekend • Best of 2008 • Lil Wayne jail • Lil Wayne pleads guilty

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