Brad Matthew

I had the pleasure of catching Wisconsinite Bon Iver’s sold out show at The Vic last Thursday in Chicago. His album For Emma, Forever Ago made my top album list for the year, as well as many others and has garnered Mr. Vernon some well deserved press.  His backing band was more than stellar, adding some deep dynamics and cherry harmonies to his tunes.  As a musician I always hate when people like a cover more than your original music, but in the case of Bon Iver covering The Outfield’s “Your Love”, it only amplified an already amazing show (it ranks with my best of the year).  The clip below is from his Wilbur Theatre show in Boston earlier this month.  A hilarious cover turned beautiful.

Here are my top albums of 2008.  Fleet Foxes ran away with the album of year.  Their self-titled debut is a beautiful mix of Beach Boy harmonies and roots folk in the vein of My Morning Jacket.  Give this album a listen, it is truly a spiritual experience.

1. Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes
2. Sigur Rós - Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust
3. MGMT - Oracular Spectacular
4. Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago
5. Beck - Modern Guilt
6. The Whigs - Mission Control
7. Ryan Adams & The Cardinals - Cardinology
8. Lykke Li - Youth Novels
9. Raphael Saadiq - The Way I See It
10. Death Cab for Cutie - Narrow Stairs
11. Liam Finn - I’ll Be Lightning
12. The Raconteurs - Consolers Of The Lonely
13. Okkervil River - The Stand Ins
    
14. Kings of Leon - Only By The Night
15. My Morning Jacket - Evil Urges

What are your top albums of 2008?

Both Lykke Li and Bon Iver have graced my “Current Listenings” list over the past year and recently collaborated for an impromptu version of Lykee Li’s tune “Dance Dance Dance”.  Li has some pretty awesome dance moves and the harmonies are sweet as sugar.  Ms. Li will be making a stop through Chicago October 25 at the Empty Bottle.