After treading through twelve glorious months of music, the swift change in temperature has left as all aware that it is time to finally put our thinking caps on and try to put together a definitive list that captures to essence of 2008 in music. After weeks of deep thought and bitter arguments, the staff here at JustPressPlay did in fact manage to piece together a top 10 list of albums that have stunned and awed us this year.
The list, which spreads across a number of genres, was our attempt to list the 10 best albums of the year in our most humble of opinions. Some of the albums came out of nowhere to leave us breathless, while others were much anticipated and didn't disappoint. Though I'm sure one or more of your favorite albums were left off this list, remember that's what the comment section is for, we'd love to hear your opinions. So without further ado, the top 10 albums of 2008.
10. Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds - Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!!
Released - March 3rd
"Nick Cave can be added to that list of musicians that seem to get cooler as they age (like Tom Waits, Leonard Cohen, Elvis Costello and many others). It had been some time since the world got a truly terrific Bad Seeds record, but on Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!! Cave and his mates sound edgier and more inspired than they've been since Tender Prey (if not more so than ever before). Lazarus is a deliciously dark and sardonic take on American myth, equal parts disarming and disturbing. As a rip-roaring rock album, it's just a lot of brazen fun; as a mouthpiece for one of the genre's quirky and ultra-confident geniuses, it's essential."
9. Ponytail - Ice Cream Spiritual
Released - June 17th
"Ice Cream Spiritual's three-piece musical agitation is all seemingly chaotic ecstasy for “singer” Molly Siegel to chirp, wail, grunt and shriek against. If Siegel says more than five intelligible words during the course of these eight songs, I missed them. But trying to make a logical statement against the barrage of traditional instruments played nontraditionally would either be an outright failure or a bundle of useless rapturous declarations." Read More...
8. Made Out of Babies - The Ruiner
Released - June 24th
"Made Out of Babies earlier records were sometimes spectacular, but too uneven both in quality and overall sound. But The Ruiner solidifies all early potential and delivers a focused and brazen punch to the gut. Those who find metal music mostly uninspired and shapeless these days may realize that when it’s done right, its power is downright unearthly." Read More...
7. Gojira - The Way of All Flesh
Released - October 14th
"Gojira simply puts up quality music to back up their terrific ability. This is a must get album for all metal heads, and is definitely on my to buy list. It is a diamond in the rough and will be a treasured commodity to metal and rock lovers through and through. In general, The Way Of All Flesh is just a bad-ass album." Read More...
6. School of Seven Bells - Alpinisms
Released - October 28th
"It’s rare to hear an album that can cover so much ground but sound so specifically focused. Even if you’re bored with neo-shoegaze or have had your fill of aerobic rhythm exercises, there’s something for anyone to like on Alpinisms, and the alluring beauty of the golden-throated singing will draw you all the way through, whether you like it or not. Secret Machines fans may be thrown for a loop to hear what Ben Curtis is up to nowadays, but even if they prefer things heavier, they’ll also become a slave to this record. Indeed, anyone who doesn’t bail after just one or two songs will find it nearly impossible to dodge the rest." Read More...
5. Portishead - Third
Released - April 29th
"It truly doesn't matter whether or not you caught on to Portishead's delicious sound in the '90s, the fact is Third is as good a place as any to start obsessing over this experimental trio. Though the album finds itself in a harsher, darker place than long time fans may be comfortable with, Beth Gibbons ethereal and riveting voice is the sturdy bridge that connects the old to the new. The album is experimental in every since of the word, original right down to the core and definitley one of the most rewarding listens you'll have the previlidge of hearing this year."
4. M83 - Saturdays = Youth
Released - April 14th
"M83 uses beautiful textures and smooth beats with some well crafted lyrics to top it off. Songs like “Graveyard Girl”, “Couleurs” and “We Own The Sky” display the great tones and wonderful abilities that M83 uses - and uses very, very well. M83 shows off their stuff in this new well-produced album that will be loved by the fans that M83 already has." Read More...
3. TV on the Radio - Dear Science
Released - September 23rd
"Critically, the ass-kicking comes from the way TV on the Radio can hypnotically build any simple or familiar pace by layering subtle textures and working each note to a fever pitch at all the right moments. Most songs are like “Halfway Home”—it wins over the listener gradually instead of revealing every trick right off the bat with a generic rhythm." Read More...
2. What Laura Says - 
Think and Feels
Released - August 19th
"The best way to describe the blissful sound of What Laura Says is one three letter word, fun. The band’s debut album tinkers with numerous genres, all of which you’ve probably heard before in their original context, but somehow the band manages to find a way to completely make these sounds their own. From ‘60s pop melodies to bluesy rhythms, Laura conjures up nostalgic sounds, modernizes them, and then implements them into their own remarkable pop confection." Read More...
1. Deerhunter - 
Microcastle
Released - October 30th
"Microcastle is one of the most essential releases you’ll find this year. Deerhunter always seemed the sort of act that may very well be a religious experience, but still the kind you’d skip most Sundays because football is less brutal. But now they’re a huggable one; no less effusive and eccentric, mind you, but even at their roughest, this is penetrating and gorgeous stuff. With Microcastle, they’ve figured out how to keep things briefer and tenser while remaining loose and adventurous. Deerhunter is no longer a promising act to watch for; they’ve fulfilled what I hoped from them. Now they’re just a great band." Read More...
