Rhapsody Streamnotes: Year 2008 Index

November 14

1. Issa Bagayogo: Mali Koura (2007 [2008], Six Degrees) B+(**)
2. Anthony Braxton/Milford Graves/William Parker: Beyond Quantum (2008, Tzadik) A-
3. Brazilian Girls: New York City (2008, Verve Forcast) B+(***)
4. Kasey Chambers & Shane Nicholson: Rattlin\ (nes) B+(**)
5. Rodney Crowell: Sex & Gasoline (2008, Yep Roc) B+(***)
6. Kimya Dawson and Friends: Alphabutt (2008, K) B
7. Duffy: Rockferry (2008, Island/Mercury) B+(***)
8. Greta Gaines: Whiskey Thoughts (2008, Justice) B+(*)
9. Morgan Geist: Double Night Time (2008, Environ) B+(***)
10. Jenny Lewis: Acid Tongue (2008, Warner Bros.) A-
11. Jamie Lidell: Jim (2008, Warp) B+(**)
12. Bette Midler: Mud Will Be Flung Tonight (1985 [1990], Atlantic) B-
13. Otis Redding: Live in London and Paris (1967 [2008], Stax, 2CD) B+(**)
14. Stereolab: Chemical Chords (2008, 4AD) B+(**)
15. Tricky: Knowle West Boy (2008, Domino) B+(***)
16. Steve Wynn: Crossing Dragon Bridge (2008, Blue Rose) B+(**)

September 23

1. Justin Adams: Soul Science (2007 [2008], World Village) B+(**)
2. Louis Armstrong: Live at the 1958 Monterey Jazz Festival (1958 [2007], MJF) B+(**)
3. Black Kids: Partie Traumatic (2008, Almost Gold/Columbia) B+(***)
4. The Bug: London Zoo (2008, Ninja Tune) B+(*)
5. Glen Campbell: Meet Glen Campbell (2008, Capitol) C
6. Laura Cantrell: Trains and Boats and Planes (1996-2008 [2008], Diesel Only, EP) B+(*)
7. Miley Cyrus: Breakout (2008, Disney) B-
8. Miles Davis: Live at the 1963 Monterey Jazz Festival (1963 [2007], MJF) B+(**)
9. Mike Edison and the Rocket Train Delta Science Arkestra: I Have Fun Everywhere I Go (2008, Interstellar Roadhouse) B+(***)
10. Alejandro Escovedo: Real Animal (2008, Back Porch/Manhattan) B+(***)
11. The Felice Brothers: The Felice Brothers (2008, Team Love) B+(*)
12. Fleet Foxes: Fleet Foxes (2008, Sub Pop) B-
13. Flogging Molly: Float (2008, Side One Dummy) B-
14. Dizzy Gillespie: Live at the 1965 Monterey Jazz Festival (1965 [2007], MJF) B+(*)
15. Buddy Guy: Skin Deep (2008, Silvertone/Zomba) B+(*)
16. Hamell on Trial: Songs for Parents Who Enjoy Drugs (2006, Righteous Babe) B+(***)
17. Rebecca Lynn Howard: No Rules (2008, Saguaro Road) C+
18. Alan Jackson: Good Time (2008, Arista) A-
19. Jonas Brothers: A Little Bit Longer (2008, Hollywood) B+(*)
20. Kasai Allstars: In the 7th Moon, the Chief Turned Into a Swimming Fish and Ate the Head of His Enemy by Magic (2008, Crammed Discs) B+(***)
21. Late of the Pier: Echoclistel Lambietroy (2008, Astralwerks, EP) B-
22. Jeffrey Lewis: 12 Crass Songs (2008, Rough Trade) A-
23. Lil Wayne: Tha Carter III (2008, Cash Money/Universal) A-
24. Del McCoury: Moneyland (2008, McCoury Music) B+(***)
25. Thelonious Monk: Live at the 1964 Monterey Jazz Festival (1964 [2007], MJF) A-
26. Conor Oberst: Conor Oberst (2008, Merge) A-
27. Okkervil River: The Stand Ins (2008, Jagjaguwar) B+(*)
28. Katy Perry: One of the Boys (2008, Capitol) B+(*)
29. Raphael Saadiq: The Way I See It (2008, Columbia) A
30. Patti Smith/Kevin Shields: The Coral Sea (2005-06 [2008], TBC, 2CD) B+(*)
31. George Strait: Troubadour (2008, MCA Nashville) B+(*)
32. Sugarland: Love on the Inside (2008, Mercury Nashville) B
33. Sarah Vaughan: Live at the 1971 Monterey Jazz Festival (1971 [2007], MJF) B
34. Martha Wainwright: I Know You're Married but I've Got Feelings Too (2008, Zoë) B-
35. Leon Ware: Moon Ride (2008, Stax) B+(*)
36. Paul Weller: 22 Dreams (2008, Yep Roc) B
37. Brian Wilson: That Lucky Old Sun (2008, Capitol) B+(**)
38. Nigeria Disco Funk Special: The Sound of the Underground Lagos Dancefloor 1974-79 (1974-79 [2008], Soundway) B+(*)
39. Nigeria Rock Special: Psychedelic Afro-Rock & Fuzz Funk in 1970s Nigeria (1970s [2008], Soundway) B+(**)

August 26

1. Atmosphere: When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Sh*t Gold (2008, Rhymesayers) B+(***)
2. Beck: Modern Guilt (2008, Interscope) B+
3. Blitzen Trapper: Wild Mountain Nation (2007, Sub Pop) B
4. David Bowie: Live Santa Monica \'72 (1972 [2008], Virgin/EMI) A-
5. T Bone Burnett: Tooth of Crime (2008, Nonesuch) B+(**)
6. Cat Power: Jukebox (2008, Matador) B-
7. Coldplay: Viva la Vida (2008, Capitol) B+(***)
8. Ry Cooder: I, Flathead: The Songs of Kash Buk and the Klowns (2008, Nonesuch) B+(***)
9. Elvis Costello and the Imposters: Momofuku (2008, Lost Highway) B
10. Death Cab for Cutie: Narrow Stairs (2008, Atlantic) B+(*)
11. Etran Finatawa: Desert Crossroads (2008, Riverboat) B+(***)
12. Scott Hamilton: Across the Tracks (2008, Concord) B+(**)
13. The Hold Steady: Stay Positive (2008, Vagrant) A-
14. The Kills: Midnight Boom (2008, Domino) A-
15. Seun Kuti + Fela's Egypt 80 (2008, Disorient) A-
16. Lykke Li: Youth Novels (2008, Atlantic) B
17. Amy MacDonald: This Is the Life (2007 [2008], Decca) B+(*)
18. Man Man: Rabbit Habbits (2008, Anti-) B+(**)
19. Menya: The Ol\' Reach-Around (2008, Menya, EP) B+(***)
20. My Morning Jacket: Evil Urges (2008, ATO) B+(*)
21. NERD: Seeing Sounds (2008, Interscope) B+(**)
22. Heidi Newfield: What Am I Waiting For (2008, Curb) B+(**)
23. Randy Newman: Harps and Angels (2008, Nonesuch) A
24. Nigeria 70: Lagos Jump: Original Heavyweight Afrobeat Highlife & Afro-Funk (1968-81 [2008], Strut) A-
25. Ponytail: Ice Cream Spiritual! (2008, We Are Free) B
26. Portishead: Third (2008, Mercury) B-
27. The Rough Guide to West African Gold (1950s-1970s [2006], World Music Network) A-
28. David Sánchez: Cultural Survival (2007 [2008], Concord Picante)) B+(**)
29. Teddy Thompson: A Piece of What You Need (2008, Verve Forecast) B+(**)
30. Loudon Wainwright III: Recovery (2008, Yep Roc) A-
31. Was (Not Was): Boo! (2008, Rykodisc) B+(*)
32. Steve Wynn/Scott McCaughey/Linda Pitmon/Peter Buck: The Baseball Project, Vol. 1: Frozen Ropes and Dying Quails (2008, Yep Roc) B+(***)

July 28

1. Disco Not Disco: Post Punk, Electro & Leftfield Dance Classics 1974-1986 (1974-86 [2008], !K7/Strut) B+(**)
2. Lou Donaldson: Here 'Tis (1961 [2008], Blue Note) B+(*)
3. Bill Frisell: History, Mystery (2002-07 [2008], Nonesuch, 2CD) A-
4. Marvin Gaye: Here, My Dear (1978, Motown) A-
5. Charlie Haden: The Best of Quartet West (1986-96 [2007], Verve) B+(*)
6. Kid Creole: Going Places: The August Darnell Years (1976-83 [2008], Strut) A-
7. Mike Ladd: Nostalgialator (2004 [2008], Definitive Jux) B
8. Nick Lowe: Jesus of Cool (1975-78 [2008], Yep Roc) A
9. Mission of Burma: Signals, Calls and Marches (Definitive Edition) (1980-81 [2008], Matador) B+(*)
10. Mission of Burma: The Horrible Truth About Burma (Definitive Edition) (1983 [2008], Matador) B
11. Nigeria Special: Modern Highlife, Afro-Sounds & Nigerian Blues 1970-6 (1970-76 [2007], Soundway, 2CD) A-

July 14

1. The B-52s: Funplex (2008, Astralwerks) A-
2. Mike Doughty: Golden Delicious (2008, ATO) B+(*)
3. Robert Forster: The Evangelist (2008, Yep Roc) A-
4. Gnarls Barkley: The Odd Couple (2008, Atlantic) B+(**)
5. Al Green: Lay It Down (2008, Blue Note) A-
6. Emmylou Harris: All I Intended to Be (2005-08 [2008], Nonesuch) B+(***)
7. John Hiatt: Same Old Man (2008, New West) B+(**)
8. James McMurtry: Just Us Kids (2008, Lightning Rod) A-
9. No Age: Nouns (2008, Sub Pop) A-
10. Old 97's: Blame It on Gravity (2008, New West) A-
11. Kelley Polar: I Need You to Hold on While the Sky Is Falling (2008, Environ) B+(*)
12. Robyn (2007 [2008], Konichiwa/Cherry Tree/Interscope) B
13. Santogold: Santogold (2008, Downtown) B+(**)
14. Tokyo Police Club: Elephant Shell (2008, Saddle Creek) A-

April 17

1. Akrobatik: Absolute Value (2008, Fat Beats) B+(*)
2. Kevin Ayers: The Unfairground (2007, Gigantic) B+(*)
3. Erykah Badu: New Amerykah, Pt. 1: 4th World War (2008, Universal Motown) B+(***)
4. Be Your Own Pet: Get Awkward (2008, Ecstatic Peace) B
5. Hayes Carll: Trouble in Mind (2008, Lost Highway) A-
6. Carlene Carter: Stronger (2008, Yep Roc) B
7. Clinic: Do It! (2008, Domino) B+(**)
8. Sheryl Crow: Detours (2008, A&M) B+(**)
9. Del Tha Funkee Homosapien: Eleventh Hour (2008, Definitive Jux) B+(**)
10. Dengue Fever: Venus on Earth (2008, M80) B+(**)
11. Raheem DeVaughn: Love Behind the Melody (2008, 128/Jive/Zomba) B
12. DeVotchKa: A Mad and Faithful Telling (2008, Anti-) B+(***)
13. Drive-By Truckers: Brighter Than Creation's Dark (2007 [2008], New West) A-
14. Kathleen Edwards: Asking for Flowers (2008, Zoë) B+(*)
15. The Five Blind Boys of Alabama: Down in New Orleans (2008, Time Life) B+(**)
16. Foals: Antidotes (2008, Sub Pop) B+(*)
17. Hot Chip: Made in the Dark (2008, Astralwerks) B+(***)
18. Les Amazones de Guinée: Wamato (2008, Stern's Africa) A
19. Los Campesinos!: Hold on Now, Youngster . . . (2008, Arts & Crafts) B+(***)
20. Shelby Lynne: Just a Little Lovin' (2008, Lost Highway) B+(*)
21. Lyrics Born: Everywhere at Once (2008, Anti-) B+(**)
22. The Magnetic Fields: Distortion (2008, Nonesuch) B+(**)
23. Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks: Real Emotional Trash (2007 [2008], Matador) B+(***)
24. Moby: Last Night (2008, Mute) B+(**)
25. Morcheeba: Dive Deep (2008, Ultra) B
26. Van Morrison: Keep It Simple (2008, Lost Highway) B+(***)
27. The Mountain Goats: Heretic Pride (2008, 4AD) A-
28. Willie Nelson: Moment of Forever (2008, Lost Highway) B+(*)
29. Dolly Parton: Backwoods Barbie (2008, Dolly) C
30. The Raconteurs: Consolers of the Lonely (2008, Warner Bros.) B
31. The Raveonettes: Lust Lust Lust (2008, Vice) B+(**)
32. The Service Industry: Limited Coverage (2008, Sauspop) B+(**)
33. Ashton Shepherd: Sounds So Good (2008, MCA Nashville) C+
34. The Teenagers: Reality Check (2008, XL) B+(*)
35. Toumast: Ishumar (2007 [2008], Real World) A-
36. Vampire Weekend: Vampire Weekend (2008, XL) B+(***)

April 7

1. Karrin Allyson: Imagina: Songs of Brasil (2007 [2008], Concord Jazz) B-
2. Derek Bailey: Standards (2002 [2007], Tzadik) B+(*)
3. Cyro Baptista: Banquet of the Spirits (2008, Tzadik) B-
4. Taylor Ho Bynum Sextet: The Middle Picture (2005-06 [2007], Firehouse 12) B+(**)
5. Irving Fields Trio: My Yiddishe Mama's Favorites (2007, Tzadik) B+(**)
6. Irving Fields Meets Roberto Rodriguez: Oy Vey!!! . . . Olé!!! (2006, Tzadik) B+(***)
7. Free Fall: The Point in a Line (2006 [2007], Smalltown Superjazz) B+(**)
8. Roberta Gambarini & Hank Jones: You Are There (2005 [2008], Emarcy) B+(***)
9. Mary Halvorson & Jessica Pavone: On and Off (2007, Skirl) B+(*)
10. Brad Mehldau Trio: Live (2006 [2008], Nonesuch, 2CD) B+(***)
11. Marcus Miller: Marcus (2008, Concord Jazz) B
12. Jeremy Pelt & Wired: Shock Value: Live at Smoke (2007, MaxJazz) B-
13. Jacques Schwarz-Bart: Soné Ka-La (2007, Emarcy) B+(**)
14. Tyshawn Sorey: That/Not (2007, Firehouse 12, 2CD) A-
15. The Thing With Ken Vandermark: Immediate Sound (2007, Smalltown Superjazz) B+(*)
16. Third World Love: New Blues (2007 [2008], Anzic) B+(***)
17. Ken Vandermark: Ideas (2005 [2007], Not Two) B+(**)
18. Ken Vandermark & Paal Nilssen-Love: Seven (2005 [2006], Smalltown Supersound) B+(*)
19. John Zorn: The Dreamers (2007 [2008], Tzadik) B+(***)
20. John Zorn: Filmworks XIX: The Rain Horse (2008, Tzadik) B+(**)

February 5

1. Aesop Rock: None Shall Pass (2007, Definitive Jux) B
2. Air: Pocket Symphony (2007, Astralwerks) B+(*)
3. Akron/Family: Love Is Simple (2007, Young God) B
4. The Avett Brothers: Emotionalism (2007, Ramseur) C
5. Black Lips: Good Bad Not Evil (2007, Vice) B+(*)
6. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club: Baby 81 (2007, RCA) B+(**)
7. Blonde Redhead: 23 (2007, 4AD) B+(**)
8. Brother Reade: Rap Music (2007, Record Collection) A-
9. Daft Punk: Alive 2007 (2007, Virgin) A-
10. Dälek: Abandoned Language (2007, Ipecac) B+(*)
11. Dan Deacon: Spiderman of the Rings (2007, Carpark) B
12. Matthew Dear: Asa Breed (2007, Ghostly) B+(*)
13. Deerhoof: Friend Opportunity (2007, Kill Rock Stars) C+
14. Deerhunter: Cryptograms (2007, Kranky) B+(***)
15. James Luther Dickinson: Killers From Space (2007, Memphis International) B+(*)
16. Patty Griffin: Children Running Through (2007, ATO) B-
17. Goin' Home: A Tribute to Fats Domino ([2007], Vanguard, 2CD) B+(**)
18. Grinderman (2007, Anti-) B+(*)
19. Deborah Harry: Necessary Evil (2007, Eleven Seven) B
20. Joe Henry: Civilians (2007, Anti-) B+(**)
21. Holy Fuck: LP (2007, Young Turks) A-
22. Ian Hunter: Shrunken Heads (2007, Yep Roc) B
23. Alicia Keys: As I Am (2007, J) B+(**)
24. Kings of Leon: Because of the Times (2007, RCA) B+(*)
25. LCD Soundsystem: Sound of Silver (2006 [2007], DFA/Capitol) A-
26. Low: Drums and Guns (2007, Sub Pop) B
27. Paul McCartney: Memory Almost Full (2007, Hear Music) C-
28. Chrisette Michele: I Am (2007, Def Jam) B+(*)
29. Joni Mitchell: Shine (2007, Hear Music) B+(*)
30. Thurston Moore: Trees Outside the Academy (2007, Ecstatic Peace) B+(**)
31. No Age: Weirdo Rippers (2007, Fat Cat) B+(***)
32. Yoko Ono: Yes, I'm a Witch (2007, Astralwerks) B
33. The Ponys: Turn the Lights Out (2007, Matador) B
34. Josh Ritter: The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter (2007, RCA Victor) B+(**)
35. Sa-Ra: The Hollywood Recordings (2007, Babygrande) B+(**)
36. Shantel: Disko Partizani (2007, Crammed Disc) B+(*)
37. Taylor Swift (2006 [2007], Big Machine) B+(*)
38. The-Dream: Love/Hate (2007, Def Jam) B+(*)
39. Pam Tillis: Rhinestoned (2007, Stellar Cat) B+(**)
40. The Twilight Sad: Fourteen Autumns & Fifteen Winters (2007, Fat Cat) B+(*)
41. Carrie Underwood: Carnival Ride (2007, Arista Nashville) C
42. Trisha Yearwood: Heaven, Heartache, and the Power of Love (2007, Big Machine) B-
43. Yeasayer: All Hour Cymbals (2007, We Are Free) B+(*)
44. Zu & Nobukazu Takemura: Identification With the Enemy: A Key to the Underworld (2007, Atavistic) B

February 2

1. Ryan Adams: Easy Tiger (2007, Lost Highway) C+
2. John Anderson: Easy Money (2007, Warner Bros.) B+(*)
3. Beirut: The Flying Club Cup (2007, Ba Da Bing!) B
4. Andrew Bird: Armchair Apocrypha (2007, Fat Possum) B+(**)
5. Björk: Volta (2007, Atlantic) B+(**)
6. Bloc Party: A Weekend in the City (2007, Vice/Atlantic) B
7. Bonde do Rolê: With Lasers (2007, Domino) B+(**)
8. Brakes: The Beatific Visions (2007, Rough Trade) B+(***)
9. Caribou: Andorra (2007, Merge) B
10. The Cribs: Men's Needs, Women's Needs, Whatever (2007, Warner Brothers) B+(**)
11. Chuck D & the Slamjamz Artist Revue: Tribb to JB (2007, Slamjamz) B+(**)
12. Devin the Dude: Waitin' to Inhale (2007, Rap-A-Lot) B+(**)
13. Dizzee Rascal: Maths + English (2007, XL) B+(**)
14. DJ Spooky: Creation Rebel (2007, Trojan/Sanctuary) B+(***)
15. Kevin Drew: Spirit If . . . (2005-07 [2007], Arts & Crafts) B+(**)
16. Electrelane: No Shouts No Calls (2006 [2007], Too Pure) B+(*)
17. Peter Evans: The Peter Evans Quartet (2007, Firehouse 12) B+(***)
18. Sage Francis: Human the Death Dance (2007, Epitaph) B+(**)
19. Merle Haggard: The Bluegrass Sessions (2007, McCoury) B+(*)
20. Levon Helm: Dirt Farmer (2007, Vanguard) B+(**)
21. Jason Isbell: Sirens of the Ditch (2007, New West) B+(*)
22. Talib Kweli: Eardrum (2007, Blacksmith/Warner Brothers) B+(***)
23. Mac Lethal: 11:11 (2007, Rhymesayers Entertainment) A-
24. Liars (2007, Mute) B-
25. Lifesavas: Gutterfly (2007, Quannum Projects) B+(*)
26. Antsy McClain and the Trailer Park Troubadours: Trailercana (2007, DPR) B+(*)
27. New Pornographers: Challengers (2007, Matador) B
28. 1990s: Cookies (2007, Rough Trade) B+(***)
29. Nublu Orchestra Conducted by Butch Morris (2006 [2007], Nublu) A-
30. Marnie Stern: In Advance of the Broken Arm (2006 [2007], Kill Rock Stars) B
31. Tegan and Sara: The Con (2007, Vapor) B+(**)
32. 3 Tenors of Soul: All the Way From Philadelphia (2007, Shanachie) B+(***)
33. T-Pain: Epiphany (2007, Jive) B
34. Von Südenfed: Tromatic Reflexxions (2007, Domino) B+(***)
35. Porter Wagoner: Wagonmaster (2007, Anti-) B+(***)
36. Wiley: Playtime Is Over (2007, Big Dada) B+(*)
37. Amy Winehouse: Frank (2003 [2007], Universal) B+(*)

January 15

1. Apparat: Maps (2006 [2007], Shitkatapult Strike) B+(***)
2. Band of Horses: Cease to Begin (2007, Sub Pop) B+(*)
3. Mary J Blige: Growing Pains (2007, Geffen) B+(***)
4. Dee Dee Bridgewater: Red Earth (2006 [2007], Emarcy) B+(*)
5. Busdriver: Road Kill Overcoat (2007, Epitaph) B+(**)
6. The Chalets: Check In (2005 [2007], Setanta) B+(***)
7. Colombiafrica -- The Mythic Orchestra: Voodoo Love Inna Champeta-Land (2007, Riverboat) A-
8. The Fiery Furnaces: Widow City (2007, Thrill Jockey) C+
9. Mary Gauthier: Between Daylight and Dark (2007, Lost Highway) B+(***)
10. The Good, the Bad, & the Queen (2007, Honest Jons/Virgin) B
11. Michael Hurley: Ancestral Swamp (2007, Gnomonsong) B+(**)
12. Iron & Wine: The Shepherd's Dog (2007, Sub Pop) B+(**)
13. Jay-Z: American Gangster (2007, Roc-A-Fella) B+(*)
14. Konono No. 1: Live at Couleur Café (2007, Crammed Discs) A-
15. Jens Lekman: Night Falls Over Kortedala (2007, Secretly Canadian) B
16. Los Campesinos!: Sticking Fingers Into Sockets (2007, Arts & Crafts, EP) B+(**)
17. Lupe Fiasco: The Cool (2007, Atlantic) A-
18. Nellie McKay: Obligatory Villagers (2007, Hungry Mouse) B+(**)
19. Mekons: Natural (2007, Quarterstick) B+(**)
20. Northern State: Can I Keep This Pen? (2007, Ipecac) A-
21. Okkervil River: The Stage Names (2007, Jagjaguwar) B
22. The Oohlas: Best Stop Pop (2006, Stolen Transmission) B+(**)
23. Peter Bjorn and John: Writer's Block (2006 [2007], Almost Gold) B+(*)
24. The Pierces: Thirteen Tales of Love and Revenge (2007, Lizard King) B+(***)
25. The Pipettes: We Are the Pipettes (2006 [2007], Interscope) B
26. Ponytail: Kamehameha (2007, Creative Capitalism) B
27. Prince: Planet Earth (2007, NPG/Columbia) B+(**)
28. Rihanna: Good Girl Gone Bad (2007, Def Jam) B
29. Tabu Ley Rochereau: The Voice of Lightness: Congo Classics 1961-1977 (1961-77 [2007], Stern's Africa, 2CD) A
30. The Sadies: New Seasons (2007, Yep Roc) B+(**)
31. Jill Scott: The Real Thing: Words and Sounds, Vol. 3 (2007, Hidden Beach) B+(***)
32. Britney Spears: Blackout (2007, Jive) B+(***)
33. St. Vincent: Marry Me (2007, Beggars Banquet) B+(*)
34. Linda Thompson: Versatile Heart (2007, Rounder) B+(**)
35. Wax Tailor: Hope & Sorrow (2007, Decon) A-
36. Wilco: Sky Blue Sky (2007, Nonesuch) B+(***)
37. Wu-Tang Clan: 8 Diagrams (2007, SRC/Universal/Motown) A-