The -ist List: Best Albums of 2008

Every year, Houstonist staff members get together and discuss our favorite albums. Even though we have many different opinions, we always find a handful of albums that stand above the rest. Here are our favorites for the year -- our top ten, and several honorable mentions. We think you need to check them out, too.

1. Nada Surf - Lucky
Nada Surf barely beat out the Foxes for our favorite album of the year. The NYC-based band has come a long way since their 90's alternative radio hit "Popular." That song gave them a "novelty" and possibly "one-hit wonder" label. Since the beginning of this decade, they've become one of the most consistent indie-pop song-crafters, and Lucky is no exception. With songs like "Whose Authority," "Beautiful Beat," you'll wonder why they aren't all over the radio. Personally, we're glad they're not overexposed.

2. Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes
It's surprising to find a band with music and harmonies so lush to become one of our favorite albums of the year, but it happened. The Seattle band came from nowhere this past year to have one of the most critically acclaimed, yet non-mainstream, musically satisfying albums of the year. Most of the album is very atmospheric, with vocals reminiscent of My Morning Jacket's It Still Moves.

3. The Hold Steady - Stay Positive
Houstonist has been a fan of The Hold Steady for a while now, and this, their fourth album, makes us remember why. The obvious comparisons to 70's Springsteen aren't as noticeable on this release, and it's a little bit more polished then their 2006 release, but with rocking tracks like "Sequestered in Memphis, "Constructive Summer," and the somber "Lord, I'm Discouraged," it's all good.

4. M83 - Saturdays = Youth
This French band, like many current bands, have been influenced by the 80's. It's not surprising, since that's the decade many of the members discovered music. While they take some cues from the likes of New Order, Depeche Mode, and Cocteau Twins, their sound is all their own. Although, with Ken Thomas behind the sound board (responsible for producing albums for Cocteau, Sigur Ros, and The Sugarcubes, we understand how they came to their sonic sound.

5. TV on the Radio - Dear Science
Brooklyn's TV on the Radio continue to defy categories: part funk, part electronic, part soul, part punk, and so on. With songs like "Golden Age," the band received more exposure than they've had in a while, and Dear Science has been placed near the top of many critic's lists this year.

6. The Tontons - Sea and Stars (EP)
We love local music, and for us, one Houston band really stood out this year -- The Tontons. The band put on some great shows this year (and are still looking for their gear that was stolen earlier this month). Asli Omar's smooth vocals blend so well with the overlaying electric guitars.

7. Albert Hammond, Jr. - Como Te Llama
Albert took a break from The Strokes again this year to release this, his second solo album. A little more pop/rock and less garage than The Strokes, but it really showcases the talent he brought to the group -- especially with the instrumental "Spooky Couch."

8. Okkervil River - The Stand Ins
The Stands Ins was supposed to be the second disc to accompany last year's Stage Names. The Austin band decided to split the releases, and to our delight, it wasn't a throw-away album at all. Check out the track "Lost Coastlines" and "John Allyn Smith Sails."

9. Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago
Bon Iver has some similarities with Iron & Wine: The focus of the band is one person (here, it's Justin Vernon) and most of the songs are in the same ethereal, modern folk sound. Justin moved to Wisconsin after the breakup of his band DeYarmond Edison, and wrote this personal album, in which Rough Trade named Album of the Year.

10. Sam Phillips - Don't Do Anything
For the past 25 years, Ms. Phillips has gone from a Contemporary Christian singer in the 80's (she was known as Leslie Phillips then), to an actress (she played a mute terrorist in Die Hard II) and critically acclaimed singer-songwriter in the 90's. Her ex-husband, T-Bone Burnett, produced most of her albums in the 90's, but on this, her first self-produced album, she shows that she can make it on her own.

Honorable Mentions

Travis - Ode to J. Smith
The Verve - Forth
My Morning Jacket - Evil Urges
Weezer - Weezer (Red Album)
Kaiser Chiefs - Off With Their Heads
Ben Folds - Way to Normal
Beach House - Devotion
Kiings of Leon - Only By The Night
Esperenza Spalding - Esperanza
Duffy - Rockferry
Cat Power - Jukebox
MGMT - Oracular Spectacular
Diplo & Santagold - Top Ranking
Stereo MC's - Double Bubble
The Ting Things - We Started Nothing
Drive-By Truckers - Brighter Than Creation's Dark
Old 97's - Blame It On Gravity
Shearwater - Rook
Kathleen Edwards - Asking For Flowers
The Walkmen - You & Me
Portishead - Third
The Rosebuds - Life LIke
Jenny Lewis - Acid Tongue
Atmosphere - When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold
Butch Walker - Sycamore Meadows
Death Cab For Cutie - Narrow Stairs
Hercules & Love Affair - Hercules & Love Affair
Starflyer 69 - Dial M
Wild Sweet Orange - We Have Cause To Be Uneasy
The Clash - Live at Shea Stadium
Kasey Chambers/Shane Nicholson - Rattlin' Bones
Brett Dennen - Hope For The Hopeless