PopMatters' Best Albums of 2008



LIST SUMMARY

List Rating: 79
Based on 361 album ratings

Genre Breakdown:
Indie Rock (9), Hip Hop (6), Electronic (6), Alternative Rock (5), Soul (4), Electropop (3), Indie Pop (3), Singer-Songwriter (2), Indie Folk (2), Rock (2), Alt-Country (2), Psychedelic (1), Funk (1), Southern Rock (1), Mashup (1), Folk (1), Trip Hop (1), Post-Rock (1), Experimental (1), Folk Rock (1), Experimental Rock (1), World (1), Hardcore Punk (1), Sludge Metal (1), Jazz (1), Dubstep (1)

1. Portishead - Third

Portishead - Third
Released: Apr 28th, 2008
Genre: Trip Hop
CRITIC SCORE
88
Based on
10 reviews
USER SCORE
89
Based on
18 ratings



2. Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes

Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes
MUST HEAR
Released: Jun 3rd, 2008
Genre: Indie Folk
CRITIC SCORE
84
Based on
12 reviews
USER SCORE
87
Based on
35 ratings



3. TV on the Radio - Dear Science,

TV on the Radio - Dear Science,
Released: Sep 22nd, 2008
Genre: Experimental Rock
CRITIC SCORE
87
Based on
14 reviews
USER SCORE
84
Based on
18 ratings



4. Erykah Badu - New Amerykah Part One (4th World War)

Erykah Badu - New Amerykah Part One (4th World War)
Released: Feb 26th, 2008
Genre: Soul
CRITIC SCORE
82
Based on
5 reviews
USER SCORE
82
Based on
1 rating



5. The Bug - London Zoo

The Bug - London Zoo
Released: Jul 7th, 2008
Genre: Dubstep
CRITIC SCORE
87
Based on
5 reviews
USER SCORE
70
Based on
1 rating



6. Cut Copy - In Ghost Colours

Cut Copy - In Ghost Colours
MUST HEAR
Released: Apr 8th, 2008
Genre: Electropop
CRITIC SCORE
85
Based on
8 reviews
USER SCORE
88
Based on
11 ratings



7. Deerhunter - Microcastle

Deerhunter - Microcastle
MUST HEAR
Released: Oct 28th, 2008
Genre: Indie Rock
CRITIC SCORE
87
Based on
13 reviews
USER SCORE
90
Based on
24 ratings



8. Lil Wayne - Tha Carter III

Lil Wayne - Tha Carter III
Released: Jun 10th, 2008
Genre: Hip Hop
CRITIC SCORE
80
Based on
9 reviews
USER SCORE
49
Based on
4 ratings



9. Elbow - The Seldom Seen Kid

Elbow - The Seldom Seen Kid
Released: Mar 17th, 2008
Genre: Alternative Rock
CRITIC SCORE
83
Based on
8 reviews
USER SCORE
94
Based on
4 ratings



10. Los Campesinos! - Hold On Now, Youngster...

Los Campesinos! - Hold On Now, Youngster...
Released: Feb 22nd, 2008
Genre: Indie Pop
CRITIC SCORE
86
Based on
8 reviews
USER SCORE
78
Based on
4 ratings



11. The Hold Steady - Stay Positive

The Hold Steady - Stay Positive
Released: Jul 14th, 2008
Genre: Rock
CRITIC SCORE
81
Based on
11 reviews
USER SCORE
73
Based on
4 ratings



12. Blitzen Trapper - Furr

Blitzen Trapper - Furr
Released: Sep 23rd, 2008
Genre: Folk Rock
CRITIC SCORE
80
Based on
5 reviews
USER SCORE
68
Based on
1 rating



13. Buena Vista Social Club - At Carnegie Hall

Buena Vista Social Club - At Carnegie Hall
Released: Oct 14th, 2008
CRITIC SCORE
100
Based on
3 reviews
USER SCORE
NR



14. Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend

Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend
Released: Jan 29th, 2008
Genre: Indie Rock
CRITIC SCORE
83
Based on
12 reviews
USER SCORE
83
Based on
28 ratings



15. Gnarls Barkley - The Odd Couple

Gnarls Barkley - The Odd Couple
Released: Mar 18th, 2008
Genre: Funk
CRITIC SCORE
74
Based on
6 reviews
USER SCORE
74
Based on
3 ratings



16. Fucked Up - The Chemistry of Common Life

Fucked Up - The Chemistry of Common Life
Released: Oct 7th, 2008
Genre: Hardcore Punk
CRITIC SCORE
86
Based on
11 reviews
USER SCORE
86
Based on
4 ratings



17. Crystal Castles - Crystal Castles

Crystal Castles - Crystal Castles
Released: Mar 18th, 2008
Genre: Electronic
CRITIC SCORE
79
Based on
8 reviews
USER SCORE
86
Based on
13 ratings



18. R.E.M. - Accelerate

R.E.M. - Accelerate
Released: Mar 31st, 2008
Genre: Alternative Rock
CRITIC SCORE
77
Based on
11 reviews
USER SCORE
82
Based on
5 ratings



19. Why? - Alopecia

Why? - Alopecia
Released: Mar 11th, 2008
Genre: Hip Hop
CRITIC SCORE
83
Based on
6 reviews
USER SCORE
87
Based on
6 ratings



20. MGMT - Oracular Spectacular

MGMT - Oracular Spectacular
Released: Jan 22nd, 2008
Genre: Electronic
CRITIC SCORE
70
Based on
7 reviews
USER SCORE
78
Based on
18 ratings



21. Flying Lotus - Los Angeles

Flying Lotus - Los Angeles
Released: Jun 10th, 2008
Genre: Electronic
CRITIC SCORE
81
Based on
7 reviews
USER SCORE
83
Based on
8 ratings



22. The Walkmen - You & Me

The Walkmen - You & Me
Released: Aug 19th, 2008
Genre: Indie Rock
CRITIC SCORE
85
Based on
9 reviews
USER SCORE
80
Based on
4 ratings



23. Beck - Modern Guilt

Beck - Modern Guilt
Released: Jul 8th, 2008
Genre: Alternative Rock
CRITIC SCORE
71
Based on
6 reviews
USER SCORE
78
Based on
7 ratings



24. No Age - Nouns

No Age - Nouns
MUST HEAR
Released: May 8th, 2008
Genre: Indie Rock
CRITIC SCORE
82
Based on
9 reviews
USER SCORE
82
Based on
8 ratings



25. El Guincho - Alegranza

El Guincho - Alegranza
Released: Mar 1st, 2008
Genre: Experimental
CRITIC SCORE
80
Based on
5 reviews
USER SCORE
60
Based on
1 rating



26. Neon Neon - Stainless Style

Neon Neon - Stainless Style
Released: Mar 18th, 2008
Genre: Electropop
CRITIC SCORE
76
Based on
5 reviews
USER SCORE
81
Based on
2 ratings



27. Wale - The Mixtape About Nothing

Wale - The Mixtape About Nothing
Released: May 30th, 2008
Genre: Hip Hop
CRITIC SCORE
84
Based on
1 review
USER SCORE
93
Based on
2 ratings



28. Camille - Music Hole

Camille - Music Hole
Released: Apr 8th, 2008
Genre: Singer-Songwriter
CRITIC SCORE
85
Based on
2 reviews
USER SCORE
76
Based on
1 rating



29. Q-Tip - The Renaissance

Q-Tip - The Renaissance
Released: Nov 4th, 2008
Genre: Hip Hop
CRITIC SCORE
82
Based on
5 reviews
USER SCORE
87
Based on
1 rating



30. Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago

Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago
MUST HEAR
Released: Feb 19th, 2008
Genre: Indie Folk
CRITIC SCORE
85
Based on
9 reviews
USER SCORE
90
Based on
32 ratings



31. Jamie Lidell - Jim

Jamie Lidell - Jim
Released: Apr 29th, 2008
Genre: Soul
CRITIC SCORE
78
Based on
6 reviews
USER SCORE
NR



32. My Morning Jacket - Evil Urges

My Morning Jacket - Evil Urges
Released: Jun 10th, 2008
Genre: Indie Rock
CRITIC SCORE
69
Based on
10 reviews
USER SCORE
74
Based on
5 ratings



33. The Mountain Goats - Heretic Pride

The Mountain Goats - Heretic Pride
Released: Feb 19th, 2008
Genre: Indie Rock
CRITIC SCORE
78
Based on
10 reviews
USER SCORE
83
Based on
1 rating



34. Lucinda Williams - Little Honey

Lucinda Williams - Little Honey
Released: Oct 14th, 2008
Genre: Alt-Country
CRITIC SCORE
62
Based on
4 reviews
USER SCORE
72
Based on
1 rating



35. Shearwater - Rook

Shearwater - Rook
Released: Jun 3rd, 2008
Genre: Folk
CRITIC SCORE
75
Based on
5 reviews
USER SCORE
85
Based on
4 ratings



36. Al Green - Lay It Down

Al Green - Lay It Down
Released: May 27th, 2008
Genre: Soul
CRITIC SCORE
75
Based on
3 reviews
USER SCORE
71
Based on
1 rating



37. M83 - Saturdays = Youth

M83 - Saturdays = Youth
MUST HEAR
Released: Apr 15th, 2008
Genre: Electronic
CRITIC SCORE
76
Based on
10 reviews
USER SCORE
85
Based on
15 ratings



38. Drive-By Truckers - Brighter Than Creation's Dark

Drive-By Truckers - Brighter Than Creation's Dark
Released: Jan 22nd, 2008
Genre: Southern Rock
CRITIC SCORE
80
Based on
3 reviews
USER SCORE
80
Based on
2 ratings



39. Girl Talk - Feed The Animals

Girl Talk - Feed The Animals
Released: Nov 11th, 2008
Genre: Mashup
CRITIC SCORE
81
Based on
5 reviews
USER SCORE
78
Based on
2 ratings



40. Lykke Li - Youth Novels

Lykke Li - Youth Novels
Released: Aug 19th, 2008
Genre: Indie Pop
CRITIC SCORE
75
Based on
5 reviews
USER SCORE
80
Based on
5 ratings



41. Shugo Tokumaru - Exit

Shugo Tokumaru - Exit
Released: Sep 2nd, 2008
Genre: Indie Pop
CRITIC SCORE
NR
USER SCORE
82
Based on
1 rating



42. Santigold - Santigold

Santigold - Santigold
Released: Apr 29th, 2008
Genre: Electropop
CRITIC SCORE
79
Based on
7 reviews
USER SCORE
87
Based on
8 ratings



43. The Roots - Rising Down

The Roots - Rising Down
Released: Apr 29th, 2008
Genre: Hip Hop
CRITIC SCORE
81
Based on
8 reviews
USER SCORE
77
Based on
3 ratings



44. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Dig!!! Lazarus Dig!!!

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Dig!!! Lazarus Dig!!!
Released: Apr 8th, 2008
Genre: Alternative Rock
CRITIC SCORE
83
Based on
2 reviews
USER SCORE
85
Based on
10 ratings



45. Lizz Wright - The Orchard

Lizz Wright - The Orchard
Released: Feb 26th, 2008
Genre: Jazz
CRITIC SCORE
80
Based on
1 review
USER SCORE
NR



46. The Raconteurs - Consolers of the Lonely

The Raconteurs - Consolers of the Lonely
Released: Mar 25th, 2008
Genre: Alternative Rock
CRITIC SCORE
69
Based on
4 reviews
USER SCORE
83
Based on
5 ratings



47. Sigur Rós - Med sud i eyrum vid spilum endalaust

Sigur Rós - Med sud i eyrum vid spilum endalaust
Released: Jun 24th, 2008
Genre: Post-Rock
CRITIC SCORE
73
Based on
9 reviews
USER SCORE
79
Based on
4 ratings



48. Okkervil River - The Stand Ins

Okkervil River - The Stand Ins
Released: Sep 9th, 2008
Genre: Indie Rock
CRITIC SCORE
81
Based on
5 reviews
USER SCORE
80
Based on
4 ratings



49. Nas - Untitled

Nas - Untitled
Released: Jul 1st, 2008
Genre: Hip Hop
CRITIC SCORE
63
Based on
4 reviews
USER SCORE
64
Based on
1 rating



50. Hercules And Love Affair - Hercules And Love Affair

Hercules And Love Affair - Hercules And Love Affair
Released: Jun 24th, 2008
Genre: Electronic
CRITIC SCORE
86
Based on
10 reviews
USER SCORE
89
Based on
7 ratings



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