Before you read any of this, look at the title of this post. No no, look at it again; it says KATA’s Best Records of 2008. You think I should have put Vampire Weekend or Frightened Rabbit on the list? Good for you. But to be honest, I just heard of Frightened Rabbit last week and Vampire Weekend just didn’t cut it for me. You got a list? Share it! I’ve been reading a lot of lists this past week and so far I’ve found out about some pretty awesome artists/bands. Here’s one and here’s another one. I also will not stand for the word ‘overrated’ unless you can give me the definition of the word. Are you bitter that all your friends and the blogs love Fleet Foxes and you totally know that Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy put out a way better record this year? Well good for you, but I’m not convinced. Opinions can be shared, but be reasonable. Remember that It’s a scary time for music. I mean Nickelback made a new record and Creed might get back together. So we need to stay strong and walk as one, okay? This was a good year for music and it’s time we enter this new year with something wonderful gracing our ears. So how ’bout we get started?
30. Flying Lotus – Los Angeles: Electronic music’s J Dilla does not disappoint with this one. Even the album’s more disorderly elements are somehow perfectly integrated into the overall sense of groovy calm and funky forward motion.
Flying Lotus – Melt!
29. Why? – Alopecia: There’s this twisted and hypnotic poetry coming from Why?s bizarre yet fantastic album.
28. Hot Chip – Made in the Dark: I guess they’ve done better (The Warning) but Made in the Dark is an enjoyable and wonderful tribute to 80s dance music.
27. Amanda Rogers – Heartwood: Sweet and smooth songwriting has never been so cute. Ms. Rogers takes her sound in a more upbeat direction and the results are superbly heartwarming.
Amanda Rogers – Fate’s Northern Shore
26. M83 – Saturdays = Youth: I felt like listening to old Depeche Mode after first hearing this record. I can’t say I saw this change in style coming from M83, but I can say I’m enjoying it.
M83 – Kim & Jesse
25. Flight of the Conchords – Flight of the Conchords: Most comedy rock go right for the laughs, but this record could be good even without the hilarious lyrics. From censorship to Bowie, this record spares no one and it is uproarious.
24. MGMT – Oracular Spectacular: Eccentric, weird, and super psychedelic; this album is the indie-kid anthem record. Not every song rocks, but tracks like Kids and Time to Pretend are undeniably catchy.
23. Russian Circles – Station: Each song on this record is like the soundtrack to a natural disaster. There was a lot hanging on this atmospheric yet brutal record. But the instru-metal band brought their A-game.
Russian Circles – Xavii
22. Santogold – Santogold: To me, the best types of artists are the ones that are not easily describable. Santogold fits in that category quite comfortably. While I was kind of overwhelmed by her songs on every other commercial on TV, this album still remains as my summer soundtrack.
21. The Mars Volta – Bedlam of Goliath: The chaos and post-punk rampage that I loved about The Mars Volta returned with this album. Still no where near De-Loused, the album still pierces the listener with its freak-funk beats and push-pull rhythms.
10. Caspian – La Cerva from the CASPIAN / CONSTANTS Split 7‘: Caspian has always been a shining star in this recent mess of mediocre instrumental bands. I’ve been waiting for that one song that would launch Caspian’s potential meter through the roof and I think they’ve done it with this ever-so epic track taken from their split with Constants. You can purchase the EP here.
9. The Roots – Rising Up (Featuring Chrisette Michelle & Wale) from Rising Down: The magic of The Roots gloriously return with this gem of a track. If this song doesn’t remind you of the days of Things Fall Apart, you need get yourself educated.
8. Shearwater – Rooks from Rooks: Shearwater never ceases to amaze me with their dark yet fragile songs and this track enforces that. It wasn’t hard to fall in love with this song.
7. The Walkmen – In The New Year from You & Me: Viciously upbeat and begging to be loved, In The New Year is the poster song for The Walkmen’s wonderful album, You & Me. This track will take you places…
6. Man Man -Top Drawer from Rabbit Habits: Man Man is, of course, best experienced live. However this song is the closest you’ll come to the chaos and fun that makes Man Man what they are. Whatever that is.
5. Why? – The Hollows from Alopecia: “To those last 10 years I been howlin’ a paper moon…fuck you.” Yoni Wolf returns with his infectiously catchy song about shit I can’t understand. I just know I love it all.
4. Hot Little Pony (Far) – Pony: To celebrate their 10 year return, Far recorded a ridiculously raunchy cover of Ginuine’s Pony. What makes matters weirder, is that the now almost 40 year old lead singer, Jonah Matranga, sounds like a dirty old man singing to his 18 year old bitches. The song itself has become a radio and a strip bar hit all across the West Coast and isn’t showing signs of slowing down. (Song posted here)
3. Portishead – Machine Gun from Third: Another band that hasn’t played together in 10 years. GOD I love this track! I remember the face i made when I first listened to it in the car on way back from the local Rasputin. It was something like this. Anyway, it’s a wonderfully brutal return from this fantastic band.
2. Black Mountain – Bright Lights from In The Future: This intoxicating brew of metal, stoner rock, and garage-rock elements smoke and ignite at minute four. This 16:41 long track is a onslaught on the senses and battle cry to those skeptical critics.
1. Santogold – “Get It Up” (Radioclit Mix feat. M.I.A. and Gorilla Zoe) from Top Ranking: A Diplo Dub: This song will be my official summer anthem until…forever. It’s just a full out fun track that is definitely better than Santogold’s whole debut record combined…in my humble opinion.
My summer has been pretty busy with the new job and getting used to this strange land called California. So far I’ve met my fair share of cool and weird people. Some are both.
Anyway, here are he songs that I’ve had on repeat while cruising the Northern California shoreline.
Santogold – Get It Up (Radioclit Mix feat. M.I.A. and Gorilla Zoe)
Kata Rokkar is a place where you can download free mp3 from artists and bands that I currently love and listen to. They are only for sampling purposes and to influence you to go out and support these artists by purchasing their records and going to their concerts. If you are a record company or an artist that is displeased with a song being displayed, feel free to contact me and I will remove it ASAP. Thank you and enjoy!
Tobacco – Hairy Candy
