#5 Kanye West: 808s and Heartbreak
On this record he turned away from rapping and sang everything through the auto-tune. So what if he can't sing in real life?
Listen: Robocop
#4 Cat Power: Jukebox
Silky, smooth, and sexy. She makes everyone else's songs her own like nobody else can. A great listen all the way through.
Listen: Theme from "New York, New York"
#3 Black Kids: Partie Traumatic
A great party record by an energetic band that brings it to every track. The most fun record of the year.
Listen: Hurricane Jane
#2 Vampire Weekend: Vampire Weekend
Easily the most unique record of 2008. Compared to every other record on the list, it seems quiet. It's not danceable, it doesn't rock hard, it's nerdy, and it followed no trends. It sounds too good for a debut album.
Listen: Oxford Comma
#1 Cut Copy: In Ghost Colours
It was a tough decision between #s 1, 2, and 3. In the end, this album has it all -- amazing singles, balance, and manages to be a great soundtrack for driving, walking around, getting ready to go out, or sitting on your ass. It's a dance record by a rock band who knows the proper way to work a synthesizer without sounding derivative. Other bands need to take notes.
Listen: Unforgettable Season
