The list continues... If you missed the first 20 or you want to see where our list headed, hit up the links below.
Part 1: MUF's Top 100 Songs of 2008 (81-100)
Part 3: MUF's Top 100 Songs of 2008 (41-60)
Part 4: MUF's Top 100 Songs of 2008 (21-40)
Part 5: MUF's Top 100 Songs of 2008 (1-20)
80. Delorentos - All This Time (buy)
Why: Delorentos have a pop-appeal as well as an indie rock appeal, which makes them versatile to blend into multiple crowds. Keep an eye out for more from them in 2009.
79. This Will Destroy You - Threads (buy)
Why: It was hard to find any instrumental rock album better than this one. "Threads" set this ambient poetry in motion and it truly is something you can't find anywhere else. You won't be disappointed in the rest of the album either!
78. The Helio Sequence - Shed Your Love (buy)
Why: Although most wouldn't put up this song on any 'best of' list, I found this mellow tune quite appealing and one of my favorite songs off of Keep Your Eyes Ahead. Its subtleties such as the quiet wind noises in the background throughout the song make this for one of the most relaxing songs of the year.
77. School of Seven Bells - Connjur (buy)
Why: Something SOSBs does so well is bring their harmony to a bubbling point. The building and breakdowns on this song in particular was tops for Alpinisms.
76 Hot Chip - Ready For The Floor (buy)
Why: This song grew and grew. Perhaps it was the tons of remixes done for this or maybe it was the odd unity Hot Chip carries that makes their best song off of Made In The Dark stick so well. This was was stuck in my head for quite a few weeks and continues to be a fun, upbeat song.
75. Tigers Can Bite You - Opener (buy)
Why: Although I cannot fully acknowledge the rest of the album for being the same caliber, there were two songs these Tigers created that I listened to for months on end. "Opener" was a perfect beginning to this album. Its a shame the rest of their songs could not follow the same gusto, yet still, I'm now carefully watching how this band grows and learns from their strengths and weaknesses.
74. Cartridge - The Reverend And The Scientist (buy)
Why: The Danish flair busts loose with a top-to-bottom gliding bass and pleasantly sporadic electric guitar. It's no surprise Cartridge found a song in the top 100, as their album Fractures reached #19 in our top albums of 2008. Nyde!
73. Low Vs Diamond - Don't Forget Sister (buy)
Why: Lucas Field and co. can really piece together some great songwriting to equally fitting music to back it up. Just as many of their songs off of their self-titled debut, "Don't Forget Sister" marked one of my many favorite songs from this album, but rose above most due to its guitar breakdowns and rhythm that just gets me every time.
72. Dr. Dog - The Old Days (buy)
Why: Different music is always inspiring and refreshing to hear, especially when everyone seems to be following each other's paths. "The Old Days" doesn't only have that charismatic presence like it was created in the olden days, but rocked the indie world this year with their unique approach.
71. Cut Copy - Nobody Lost, Nobody Found (buy)
Why: In short, this album was out-of-this-world and this song was one of many that justified the album as so.
70. Plants and Animals - Faerie Dance (buy)
Why: Two phenomenal songs wound into one 7:06 journey. If Plants and Animals didn't hit a nerve with you here, make sure to check out the rest of their Parc Avenue album.
69. Tokyo Police Club - Sixties Remake (buy)
Why: Quick drums, some clever lyrics and a catchy song title to work into one of Tokyo Police Club's many perky songs made this song one of the best on the album.
68. Santogold - L.E.S. Artistes (buy)
Why: While many were caught gawking at Santi telling the public she in no way affiliated with the rap/rock combo, others were licking their chops over this versatile song. Remixed in more ways than one, "L.E.S. Artistes" was the best song off of her nationally attention-grabbing debut album.
67. French Kicks - Over The World (buy)
Why: There's no reason this song shouldn't be on your next playlist. Make it start with something depressing, then a mellow happy song, and mix in "Over The World" by French Kicks. There are more reasons than one that I can't listen to this song enough, and really, this song was ranked down so much because we had to share the limelight with so many other groups.
66. The Black Ghosts - Full Moon (buy)
Why: Although Twilight attacted movie goers, The Black Ghosts were there the whole year in the background coming out with great remixes and perfecting songs such as this one featured on this particular film's soundtrack. We're always on the look-out for more from The Black Ghosts.
65. +/- {PlusMinus} - Snowblind (buy)
Why: Build-up is important to certain songs. It can be dulling if not done right. "Snowblind" made itself quite a phenomenon as far as free downloads when it came to the blogosphere. The band did it right and this song's shimmering melodies were near perfect in this song.
64. Fleet Foxes - Your Protector (buy)
Why: Fleet Foxes are great at harmonizing and sending the subconscious far, far away. We could have put many songs from their album here, but this one deserved a place due to a tempered progression alive with FF's folk ensemble.
63. Bell X1 - Rocky Took A Lover (acoustic) (buy)
Why: Although their last album Flock came out in Ireland in 2005, it was re-released in the US in 2008. Since we couldn't necessarily put one of their original songs on our list, we were stunned when Bell X1 visited Philly and played an acoustic set featuring everyone's favorite song by the band, "Rocky Took A Lover".
62. The Stills - Being Here (buy)
Why: As far as alt-rock songs go, "Being Here" could be considered one of this year's best in terms of consistent efforts laid down on any album in 2008. Although this is our only song from The Stills on this list, we highly recommend listening to the rest of their Oceans Will Rise album.
61. Delta Spirit - Streetwalker (buy)
Why: We're getting down to some great songs now... Delta Spirit was composed of 4/5ths percussionists and "Streetwalker" is one of a few examples that demonstrates this. Such a classic sound and easy use for any group to listen to, it was tough not to mark this one up even higher had we not heard so many great songs come from this album.
Rating: 8.1/10
School of Seven Bells' debut album, Alpinisms marks yet another great band riding the growing popularity of electronic dream-pop. With swarms of synthesizers mixed with shoegaze guitarwork and a tech-beat foundation, their blend of sounds is truly ear candy. Given their apparent influences of their counterparts, M83, it came to no surprise that they've been touring along side Anthony Gonzales and Co.. Given their love for synths and an undeniable rhythm staggering those who watech them perform, it would be easy to categorize the trio as one in the same with M83, but their dual vocals and smooth transitions make for an enjoyable listen.
Not only do the Brooklyn-based band's female vocals have such a big impact on the album, but the rhythms and flow of the entire album is seamlessly pieced together. Although the group insists the vocals may be their only vice on the album with its seemingly layered upon layered tracks, the twin sisters, Alejandra and Claudia Deheza, are entrancing as are the talents that lie with the defunct Secret Machines mastermind, Benjamin Curtis. In tracks such as "Connjur" or "My Cabal", the words are chanted as if the due are in a trance, spinning deeper into the synth web they've carefully crafted.
Perhaps the album's timeliness of the album as the seasons turn that made this album much more attractive. Its true that this is no summer album, one that is uplifting in the jovial sense, but compliments the falling leaves and the swirling winds as Winter will soon be upon us. Curtis, who pieced together the three-member band may have slipped these ambient soundscapes right into my conciousness given this seasonal atmosphere. With The Radio Dept fresh on my mind, School of Seven Bells follows a similar path, preying on their strengths, using the vocals as the stronghold. The dillusionary themes about dreams and hallucinations throughout their album push their sound deeper down a winding dark hole, pushing harmonizing levels off the charts.
Now with Winter on its way, the dreary, dreamlike days seem to pass by as the year-end approach and this album couldn't be any more fitting. This album is beautiful from start to finish, and may be one of this years greatest albums to fly under the radar. We highly recommend you pick this one up or buy it on iTunes.
MP3: School of Seven Bells - Connjur (buy)
MP3: School of Seven Bells - Half Asleep (buy)
Official - www.schoolofsevenbells.com/
MySpace - www.myspace.com/schoolofsevenbells
Remaining Your Dates:
Nov 18 2008 10:00P - Middle East Downstairs w/ M83 Boston, Massachusetts
Nov 19 2008 8:00P - Studio Juste Pour Rire w/ M83 Montreal, Quebec
Nov 20 2008 8:00P - Opera House w/ M83 Toronto, Ontario
Nov 21 2008 8:00P - Bottom Lounge w/ M83 Chicago, Illinois
Nov 22 2008 10:00P - Triple Rock Social Club w/ M83 Minneapolis, Minnesota
Nov 25 2008 8:00P - Neumos w/ M83 Seattle, Washington
Nov 26 2008 7:30P - Richard’s on Richards w/ M83 Vancouver, British Columbia
Nov 27 2008 9:00P - Doug Fir Lounge w/ M83 Portland, Oregon
Nov 28 2008 8:00P - The Fillmore w/ M83 San Francisco, California
Nov 29 2008 10:00P - Henry Fonda Theater w/ M83 Los Angeles, California
Dec 15 2008 8:00P - Mercury Lounge New York, New York
