The week of “Bests” continues with “Thanks Captain Obvious” and his top 13 EPs of the year (of our lord two thousand and eight). From his iPod to your ears, drink in the goodness below!
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13. Vetiver – More Of The Past
Freak-folk. New-folk. I have no idea what any of it means, but this nostalgic collection of covers (of obscure shit I’ve never heard of) is a real treat.
~Listen – Vetiver – See You Tonight
12. The Mountain Goats – Satanic Messiah
John Darnielle writes great songs in his sleep. True story.
~Listen – The Mountain Goats – Satanic Messiah
11. Rob St John – Like Alchemy
Every now and then I get something in my inbox worth hearing. Think Bill Callahan, but prettier and with more melodic vocals.
~Listen – Rob St. John – Paper Ships
10. Adam Arcuragi – Soldiers For Feet
Miley Cyrus makes a billion dollars a year. Adam Arcuragi doesn’t. There is no justice in the world.
~Listen – Adam Arcuragi – The Old Sears & Roebuck Catalogue
All-star cast of Portland musicians create a tasty alt. country EP that sounds 35 years old. “Target Heart” sounds like a lost Neil Young song. An awesome Neil Young song.
~Listen – Blue Giant – Target Heart
8. Final Fantasy – Spectrum, 14th Century
Owen Pallett, buddy… you violin virtuoso you… if I were into guys you and Gael Garcia Bernal would be on my shortlist… wait, what?
~Listen – Final Fantasy – Cockatrice
7. Chris Bathgate – Wait, Skeleton
Criminally overlooked Michigan songwriter follows up the incredible “A Cork Tale Wake” with a delicious handful of tunes.
~Listen – Chris Bathgate – Casual Way
6. Samantha Crain – The Confiscation
Wise-beyond-her-years singer/songwriter with a knack for storytelling and melody. Big things to come.
~Listen – Samantha Crain – The River
Sparse, moody, intoxicating collection of songs from the Holy Fuck keyboardist. And yes, I just wanted to type “Holy Fuck”.
~Listen – Brian Borcherdt – While I Was Asleep
4. The Twilight Sad – Here, It Never Snowed, Afterwards It Did
Imaginitive Re-Interpretations of their own songs along with a killer Daniel Johnston cover = Badass.
~Listen – The Twighlight Sad – Cold Days From The Birdhouse
This gem of an EP is quieter, more subdued, and far superior to their 2008 full-length “Such Fun”.
~Listen – Annuals – Sore
2. The Avett Brothers – The Gleam II
Perhaps not quite as good as the first Gleam EP but damn close. A Rick Rubin-produced full length is on its way. *Wets Pants*
~Listen – The Avett Brothers – Bella Donna
Truly Dylanesque and one of the most impressive debuts ever. And I’m not just saying that because it’s in the music-blogger handbook under the “Obligatory Comparisons” Chapter.
~Definitely Listen – Joe Pug – Nation Of Heat
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There you have it, the top 13 EPs by the Captain – make sure you drop by “Thanks Captain Obvious” and let him know you care! You might also find his top 50 albums of 2008 that is worth memorizing as well, so get going!
Stick around these parts, two more days of “Bests” on their way!
~Smansmith
Comments
4 responses to “The Top 13 EPs of 2008 as bequeathed by the Captain!”
Hey Sandy, thanks for letting me be a part of this! It was fun.
great list, cap, here’s mine:
1.) fleet foxes – sun giant
2.) the lil’ hospital – universe sucks
3.) laura veirs – two beers veirs
4.) breathe owl breathe – ghost glacier
5.) vetiver – more of the past
6.) chris bathgate – wait, skeleton
7.) laura gibson – six white horses
8.) northern portrait – the fall aristocracy
9.) laura barrett – earth sciences
10.) stephanie hladowski – the high, high nest
no prob, cap, glad to have ya.
Nice list as well on your EP’s as well “E”.
S.
doh!
I totally forgot about that fleet foxes EP. I actually liked some of those songs better than the ones on their full-length.