Here is my list of what I consider to the be the “best” releases I’ve heard this year, full albums and EP’s, local and not, self-released or with a label. Regular readers probably won’t find too much surprising but there are a few that we may have not featured very much, probably because I just didn’t have too much to add to the already existing narrative. Most notable among that list is my number one choice From Emma, Forever Ago, by Bon Iver, AKA Justin Vernon. Each listen of this debut LP proffers a new detail to my ear and generates a renewed catharsis within my soul.

Before I start opining any further and get out of control (we’re saving that for next week’s official Northwest-themed lists), here are my favorites from the past year…

Josh’s Top 25 Releases of 2008

1. Bon Iver - From Emma, Forever Ago |myspace|
2. Dead Confederate - Wrecking Ball |myspace|
3. The Moondoggies - Don’t Be A Stranger |myspace|
4. J Tillman - Vacilando Territory Blues (Digital Release Only) |myspace|
5. The Whigs - Mission Control |myspace|
6. The Dutchess and the Duke - She’s the Dutchess, He’s the Duke |myspace|
7. Wild Orchid Children - S/T EP |myspace|
8. Kay Kay And His Weathered Underground - S/T LP |myspace|
9. Starfucker - S/T LP |myspace|
10. Cut Copy - In Ghost Colours |myspace|
11. The Notwist - Devil, You + Me |myspace|
12. Noah and the Whale - Peaceful, The World Lays Me Down |myspace|
13. Land of Talk - Some Are Lakes |myspace|
14. Fleet Foxes - S/T LP |myspace|
15. The Dodos - Visiter |myspace|
16 See Me River - Time Machine |myspace|
17. Jake One - White Van Music |myspace|
18. Whore Moans - Hello From the Radio Wasteland |myspace|
19. The Pica Beats - Bring Back the Claws … |myspace|
20. Thee Emergency - SOLID |myspace|
21. Lightspeed Champion - Falling Off the Lavender Bridge |myspace|
22. The Saturday Knights - Mingle |myspace|
23. Army Navy - S/T LP |myspace|
24. Horse Feathers - House with No Home |myspace|
25. Crystal Stilts - Alight of Night |myspace |

The album I listened to the most that was actually from last year but didn’t discover until this year…

The Avett Brothers - Emotionalism |myspace|

You’ll notice TV on the Radio, Of Montreal, Portishead, and Deerhunter aren’t in there. Nor Lil Wayne. I’m sorry (but not that sorry) to say I’ve listened to all of these records and they just didn’t do it for me. Dear, Science is certainly an innovative record, but I didn’t connect enough to warrant the repeated listens of those listed above. Vampire Weekend’s record is another that fits that profile, a well realized album that unfortunately for me is without any lasting impact. And I’ve diligently searched for the quality in the Deerhunter album that has everyone shouting, but I’m just completely missing it.

Today you can buy the MP3 album of Bon Iver’s For Emma, Forever Ago from Amazon for 5 bucks. After my ringing endorsement, and at that price, you have no good reason not to go get it.

Lightspeed Champion at Chop Suey ::: Photo by Josh

As you can see, when Devonte Hynes (AKA Lightspeed Champion) rolled through Seattle last June, it was as if he was anticipating the pending snowmaggedon that was to come exactly 6 months later. He himself wore a furry hat that never left his head through the entire set. The lights were really dark and frosty. And the crowd was, let’s just say sparse, as if it was a snow day (it was a Monday). That he was missed by so many was a shame, since he did such a great job entertaining those of us who were there.

Lightspeed Champion ::: Photo by Josh

“I know this might sound offensive, but this is where the first Starbucks is from right?” Devonte Hynes, AKA Lightspeed Champion, says with a smile and a heavy dose of humor. “Where’s it at?” Pike Place Market an audience member educates. “When you go, do you see people worshiping in the streets outside?” He mimes a kowtow. “If I have time, I might have to go down there tomorrow morning myself. Seriously.” Nervous laughs reveal the audience don’t know how joking or serious he is trying to be. He does seems genuinely interested in making a pilgrimage to the first Starbucks.

Clearly being an NME cover boy just a few months prior doesn’t count for much here in the States, as the Chop Suey crowd was modest in size (if not in enthusiasm). Omaha residents and Oberst label buddy’s Flowers Forever opened, accompanied by smoke machines and spooky visages glowing ominously in the blacklighted background. The creepiness was only visualthough, as they were mostly reminiscent in sound of some original Saddle Creek acts.

I’ll admit that I went into the Ligthspeed Champion set expecting to be let down. The internet can be unkind sometimes, with the very people who lauded you and brought you notoriety one month dissing you the next, and Hynes has had his fair share of mixed reviews lately. Thankfully I saw none of that as Hynes only endeared me more to his material and slightly nerdy personality, playing all the songs I wanted to hear from his debut LP (and a few new ones) with vim and vigor. The Star Wars theme made an appearance as an intro to the final song, cementing his geek credentials (at least in my mind) and added a cherry-on-top for those who did come out to the show.

No matter what the haters might say, I’m sticking with Nilina on this one: Lightspeed Champion is definitely an act to keep paying attention to.

Lightspeed Champion ::: Photo by Josh

Flickr: Lightspeed Champion, Flowers Forever at Chop Suey, June 17, 2008

Lightspeed Champion is one Devonte Hynes. Hynes formerly of Test Icicles is currently the hottest thing right now in the UK according to NME, who made him their cover boy this recently. His easy going acoustic pop stylings aren’t exactly “indie revolutionary” (no matter what NME might have you believe), but he does craft some catchy and fun songs.

I’ve become familar with Lightspeed Champion through Nilina’s insightful yet fun tour blog over at Not on the Guest List, and now we finally have Spinner to thank for a full album stream of his new record which was released in the UK last month, but isn’t due out in the States until February 19 on Saddle Creek Records:

Stream: Lightspeed Champion - Falling Off the Lavender Bridge (courtesy of AOL’s Spinner)

Since he doesn’t have plans on hitting Seattle anytime soon, it is my goal (and probably alot of other people’s goal as well) to catch one of his sets at SXSW this year.

A few months ago he wrote and recorded an album in 5 hours, told Vice magazine all about it, and then gave everyone a free download link for the album. The album is appropriately titled “i wrote and recorded this album in less than five hours” and you can download it here. The link is still live, but only download it knowing he “wrote and recorded it in less than five hours, and [his] actual album sounds nothing like this.” I warned you.