Really, who cares what my favorite video games of 2008 were/are?  It’s not like you’re not all assuming it’s Rock Band 2.  That is, of course, assuming that you are even making any assumptions about my thoughts for the year, which is assuming in itself (if that’s possible).

Instead, I’ve decided to make a best of list of my favorite albums in 2008 that I haven’t listened to yet.  I know what you’re saying… I take that back.  I couldn’t possibly know what you’re saying.  I’ll just tell you what I’m thinking:  ‘How the heck am I supposed to rate something I’ve not even experienced, much less put them in any ranking order?’  Well, that’s the beauty of this list, so leave me alone and go to the next post if you’re going to be a jerk about it.

TOP TEN ALBUMS, THAT I OBTAINED IN 2008, THAT I HAVEN’T LISTENED TO YET BUT PLAN TO PROBABLY SOMETIME IN 2009

10. Bone Thugs-N-Harmony – E 1999 Eternal
This is an album I downloaded because I hadn’t heard it since, probably E 1999. I was a fan of all hip hop music at the time and I’m ashamed to say that I probably listened to this non-stop. I can’t remember much on it except 1st of tha Month and Tha Crossroads. Who can forget Tha Crossroads? I think we all miss Wi$h Bone’s Uncle Charles just a little. My favorite thing about this album, without listening to it, is the uncomfortable mash-up of E. 99th St. and the year 1999. It’s a little bit of a stretch but what can you expect from four guys who wrote the lyrics:

If I could teach the world (whole wide world)
to be a thug-n-harmony (harmony)
Then I would teach the world (whole wide world)
to be a thugsta just like me (like me)

9. Brian Green – One Stop Carnival
Shut up. Don’t you dare doubt me on this one. Brian (Austin) Green put a rap album out back in 1996 and it was as relevant as anything else from that era. He raps a bit like Ahmad (who did Back in the Days) and his beats all sound like Black Eyed Peas first album. There’s a reason for that, of course. The Black Eyed Peas (pre-Fergie) helped out on this album by doing some production as well as a chorus or two (they may have even rapped, I haven’t listened yet). Slim Kid 3 from Pharcyde also did some production. If that sort of company doesn’t thrill you, then you’re not thinking straight.

8. Calloway – All the Way
You may not know who this is, but you certainly remember their hit, I Wanna Be Rich. I have such a soft spot for soft-spotted R&B/pop from the 80s. That song is so awesome in my book (coincidentally, my book entitled Soft-Spotted R&B/Pop from the 80s will be in stores – and on best-of 2013 lists – next year). Back then, when I was a child longing for acceptance and Jawbreakers, I never really bought records. Sure, I got the occasional Storm Front for my birthday but I never really went to record stores and chose things. In the last year or so, I’ve made a goal for myself to rectify this and get all the albums I missed and here’s one of them. Here’s to 2009, when I’ll finally get to enjoy this wonderful jem.

7. Clannad – Macalla
Okay, for some reason this year, I got onto this huge Robin Hood kick and I was just looking for anything Robin Hood related to consume. Of course, I ignored all the literature on the legend and instead went to Wikipedia and popular media. I didn’t find much in the way of American TV or film (at least nothing that I hadn’t already seen) and so I navigated the Google waves and found a ton of British TV (new and old) to satisfy me. One of the series I found was this one called Robin of Sherwood and the opening theme song hooked me right away. It was performed by this band called Clannad. They are a Gaelic band and I think this was one of the first times they sang in English. The album is total medieval synth-goth pop (totally). I picked up the album they released right after this one to see if they continued the same sound because that Robin Hood album was a hit. I don’t know if this one is good (naturally) but Bono sings on a song so something happened in the time between ‘84 and ‘85.

6. Dan Hartman – I Can Dream About You
All you Fletch fans will recognize this guy… Well, all you Fletch soundtrack fans will. Dan Hartman did the song Fletch, Get Outta Town, which THANKFULLY includes the title of the song in the lyrics. For the rest of you, the title of the album will definitely ring a bell. And for even more of you Dan Hartman’s name, alone, will ring a bell just because you are older and/or you have a good memory for one-hit wonder artist names (or in this case, two-hit wonder).

5. Huey Lewis & the News – Picture This
Something snapped in my head recently, and I decided I needed the entire Huey Lewis & the News catalog. I already have Sports and Fore! but I have a compulsive disorder that requires me to own discographies. Todd Barry jokes about buying box sets saying, “I don’t own one CD by the Oakridge Boys. I think it’s time I owned every CD by the Oakridge Boys.” I’m that guy. I already own Picture This on vinyl but come on. You can’t expect me to actually get out my record player and listen to the vinyl I buy. It’s solely a fashion statement.

4. Jellybean – Wotupski !?!
Jellybean Benitez dated Madonna for two years and remixed her debut album, along with producing Holiday. Can you fault me for wanting to hear his solo stuff?

3. Kanye West – 808s and Heartbreak
Kanye West has the biggest balls in the world to record an album like this. This list admits that I haven’t listened to it yet but I’ve read enough reviews to know that he sings instead of raps on the entire record. Firstly, the guy has been making rap records his whole life and all of the sudden, when he wants to start getting introspective and emotional (even more so than the crybaby tour I got the privilege of seeing) he starts crooning. I’m all for artist experimentation, but this is like something Ben Folds would sing about in Sports and Wine. Second, not only does he completely change what he’s been doing, he does it in such a way that proves to us why he started rapping in the first place. You don’t bust out the Auto-Tuner if you are a good singer – at least not in EVERY SONG. That’s like me telling all my friends I’ve taken up guitar and to come see me do my first performance. Then, when they get there, they see me playing Guitar Hero.

2. Martin – Show the World
Someone told my brother that he didn’t like Martin because he was trying too hard to sound like Michael Jackson. My brother said, “Michael’s not making music like this anymore. Why not let someone else?” I’ve cheated with this album because I couldn’t help myself and during the making of this list I’ve started listening to this album. It’s so good – particularly the first two songs. Show the World could fit easily on Bad and When I’m With You sounds like something Stevie would’ve played on a In Square Circle tour. If this album is too current day poppy for you (there’s certainly a current day hook to the songs) then pick up Private’s My Secret Lover from last year. The main guy from Private produced the first track from Show the World

1. The Monkees – Pool It!
I’m a sucker for 80s reunions of old bands. Well, I should say that I’m a fan of old bands who had to make it through the 80s and, in doing so, picked up a couple of synthesizers and popped up their sound for a record or two. I love it. The Moody Blues are a great example of this (Your Wildest Dreams may be one of my favorite 80s songs). I remember when this reunion happened because I was watching all the reruns of The Monkees on MTV but I just don’t really remember any of the singles. I can’t wait to jump in to this pool!

Filed under: list, music

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