The 11 sickest albums of 2008

After reading at least 10 different 'in-the-know' top ten lists it became very apparent that these music critics like to base their choices are what other 'bloggers' are writing about and not about artists who were actually putting out banging music. So as usual, Whoasick has stepped up to give you a brief synopsis of the albums that need to be in your speakers ASAP. You wont find folky/wimpy/sad/emo/L.A.R.P.ing music on this list, minus the Empire of the Sun album cover, I think it was a scene from a LARPer's wet dream. Instead you will be given the list of the music that most of these lists failed to mention or that they moved far down their lists to attemp to fill their list with bogus junk. Since most music bloggers are too busy growing out their mustaches and buying new vintage clothing to actually suggest music people will like, Whoasick has stepped to the plate. Enjoy.

11 - The Cool Kids - The Bakesale



















After setting the internet on fire it was hard to ignore the minimal bounce and catchy lyrics. Literally these guys were forgotten at the end of the year because they started this hipster shit. Their EP was fire from start to finish and without a single guest appearance they proved that you dont need Ron Browz to make your record turn the club out.

Sickest Cut: 88
10 - Empire of the Sun - Walking On A Dream












After taking first place in the album cover department, Empire of the Sun delivered with their first album. This album pretty much sums up the experience of riding Falcor through a club while taking copious amounts of ecstasy. Do not miss it.

Sickest Cut: Walking On A Dream

9 - Shawn Jackson - First of All



















Wow. Just wow. Excellent album from start to finish and it actually plays like a real album. From the skits to the multitude of sounds ranging from early Eric B & Rakim to the new Detroit knock, no track disappoints. And Charles Hamilton thought he was the only guy making real hiphop.

Sickest Cut: Feelin' Jack

8 - Air France - No Way Down















Air France isn't an original pick for best albums because it has been featured on multiple blogs who claim to have the quintessential taste in music. BUT, the album is so good and creates dreamiest music I've heard since I first listened to Orbital in my fledgling music days. This album makes me want to never wear pants or socks ever again.

Sickest Cut: June Evenings

07 - The Teenagers - The Teenagers


















The Teenagers have been on the remix scene for a minute and have been widely loved as remixers yet their solo album seemed to be completely ignored while writers obsessively wrote about their Britney Spears remix and other various side-projects. Well sleep no more. This album is excellent and extremely funny. Lead singer, Quentin Delafon, does a combination of singing and talking and his broken english and thick french accent make for some hilarious moments. See: 'Not In Love'. I have listened to this album end to end without ever having to staple my eyelids to my forehead as I usually have to do with French pop.

Sickest Cut: Starlett Johannson


6 - G-Side - Starships and Rockets


















This album literally floored me. Whoever thought that you could sample Enya, rap about your "TV screens flippin down" and create a rap classic. The G Side crew from Alabama has done something special here with original samples, swagger that makes Jim Jones look like Mr. Rogers, and lyrics that could be mistaken for either a Talib Kweli quote or Shorty Lo. Diplo took notice with his Huntsvegas mixtape with the crew, but their own release is end to end heat. 'Bama gettin money!

Sickest Cut: The Speed of Sound

5 - Black Milk - Tronic




















Black Milk has continually delivered solid projects and this year he did not disappoint. 'Tronic' absolutely takes a steaming dump on every other 'producer/rapper who has tried to make an album. Ron who? Pharrell who? ALC? Black Milk spits like he has something to prove, and although his rhymes often fall back to typical bragging topics, the guy literally smashes your face in with snares that have been smoking rock all day and horns from another dimension. I produce records and all I can say is...damn. Oh and Dwele plays the Horn on a feature. Need I say more?

Sickest Cut: Long Story Short


04 - LadyHawke - LadyHawke





















As producers go, LadyHawke should be in the top ranks of the pop world. Hailing from Austrailia, she jumped onto the scene this year with her extremely catchy self titled debut. I often tie a head band and watch Flashdance on mute while listening to this. You cant go wrong with another aussie trying to make you dance. Once again, an ignored album by most reviewers because they are racist against aussies. Put another shrimp on the barby!

Sickest Cut: Love Dont Live Here

03 - Cut Copy - In Ghost Colours



















UGH. what can I say. I love the Breakfast Club. The final frame of that film perfectly sums up with album. I didn't want to like Cut Copy because they are the golden children of the gentrification kids, but the album was undeniably excellent. Zima, Members Only Jackets, Radd, and Corey Haim are all excellent things to have around while you listen to this album.

02 - Flying Lotus - Los Angeles





















If Aphex Twin, J Dilla, The Neptunes and Portishead had a mutant child and it was raised by Stanley Kubrick....eh you get the picture. This twisted soundscape is so dense, bouncy and jagged that it is difficult to discern each song. And that's not a bad thing. This mostly instrumental album brought me back to the days in my dorm where I would listen to Richard D James straight through and start it again. Now if he would only start producing for rappers...

Sickest Cut: Camel


01!!!!!!! - Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend


















Obviously my bias towards Paul Simon, Sailboats, Peter Gabriel, loafers, Ivy League Ed, and African drums means that this album could be in no other place than first for my albums of the year. To some this may be a cop-out, but this album was almost perfect and it plays just as great in the club as it does on your ipod in Sheep's Meadow. If you get any album this year make it Vampire Weekend.

Sickest Cut: Walcott







Sickest albums???? WHOASICK!!!