Anyone that listens to more than the radio knows there was a ton of great albums last year, from african-inspired ivy league pop to crazy electronic music from down under. Here are my favorites: 

This was my favorite album of 2008. I had never heard of Cut Copy before their album landed last spring and the opening track had me hooked, with all its adolescent love lyrics and beat straight out of the 1980's Disco scene. These guys pull influences from New Order and even throw in some saxophone every once in a while. It is impressively consistant, not a throwaway track on the album. Hearts on Fire hits you like a brick wall that forces you to groove and Strangers in the Wind shows these guys can write on hell of a ballad (if you can call that a ballad). I'm still listening to them in 2009.

This album came almost out of nowhere. A lot of people had listened, and enjoyed, their 2007 album which carried a lot of weight with a sample of all types of indie rock, folk, country, punk and whatnot. Furr focuses their efforts (on a new label Sub Pop) with an album of Neil Young inspired tunes. An indie rock band going southern is nothing new but these guys throw in some tricks with sounds from Dylan, synths, harmonica and a Capella.  

Dance, dance, dance, an up and coming electronic musician, Andrew Butler teamed up with acclaimed producing duo DFA (one part of LCD Soundsystem) and came out with the best dance album of 2008. Guest vocals from Antony (from Antony & the Johnsons fame) makes tracks like Blind some of the most appealing of the year. You get sucked in with second track, Hercules Theme, and it only gets better as the beats and percussion keep you listening all night long. 

I have a soft spot for teenage punk, especially from the UK. These guys who carry names just like the Ramones (all same last names) have a virtual ensemble of guitars, vocalists (boy and girl harmonies get me every time) and strings. The music? It hits hard and reminds you of the days when you got picked on in high school and the girl you liked didn't know you existed...but at least you had great taste in clothes and music. Tons of pop culture references (year in lists, ATP, etc.) make the lyrics quite charming, but the gradual buildup of bubblegum harmonies overfills the album and makes it a necessity of 2008.  

One of my favorite bands of the decade, The Hold Steady operates under the appearance of middle aged rockers from the Twin Cities, using riffs that your Grandpa liked, but Craig Finn douses any doubts with a lovable array of poetic lyrics. He may throw some lines quoting authors you should have remembered from college, but it's his stories of love and abuse that keep you replaying the record. This album isn't as consistent as Boys and Girls in America, their stellar 2006 album, but there are enough tracks here to keep you spinning this well into 2010.  

Like Nerds? Like nerds in bands? How about if they are from the UK? Hot Chip is still running hot from their second album that captured audiences in 2006. Made in the Dark works off of their strengths, intellectual lyrics tied in with electronic dance beats, glossed over with touches of art pop. If you aren't hooked by the time Read for the Floor picks up, maybe you need to get your ears checked! An album listenable with others or by yourself on a dark ride home, you will find a lot of love with these guys who feel for you after that bad breakup.