Best selling-best music not always a match

By Melissa Ruggieri

Published: December 28, 2008

Hey, it was the year that Britney made a comeback, so who can complain about the music of 2008?

Seriously, though, while the record industry continues to wheeze on life support, all was not glum on the sales side:

Read on for what I think:

Best Albums of 2008:

1. "Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends," Coldplay

For so many years, Coldplay strived to become the next U2. Now they've proven they can be. Not only is the title track an ambitious, sweeping anthem (see Best Songs of 2008) in the grand tradition of Bono and Co., but the organ that ushers in "Lost!" and the gentle hum and sweet sentiment of "Strawberry Swing" showcases a Coldplay that's finally found what it's been looking for.

2. "Acid Tongue," Jenny Lewis

Whether crooning elegantly on the old-fashioned piano ballad "Godspeed," turning on a country twang for "Carpetbaggers" or rollicking over slide guitar licks on "See Fernando," the Rilo Kiley frontwoman is a beguiling presence.

3. "Volume One," She & Him

Actresses who decide they want to be singers usually don't fare very well (hi, Scarlett Johansson) but Zooey Deschanel is nothing short of wonderful on her collaboration with Him (musician M. Ward). The duo cherry-picked the best elements of'60s pop (light melodies, perky backbeats) and painted it with a sunshiny sound.

4. "That Lucky Old Sun," Brian Wilson

A few seconds of "Morning Beat" is all it takes to be transported back to the heyday of The Beach Boys. Layered harmonies. California-centric lyrics. Wilson's endearing chop of a voice. Brisk 2½-minute songs. Hard to argue with that formula.

5. "Perfect Symmetry," Keane

The British trio's signature glossy piano pop is still the focal point of its third album. But by adding dollops of'80s ingredients -- slamming Bowie-ish drums on "Spiralling," swirling synths on "You Haven't Told Me Anything" -- the band managed to thicken its already lush sound.

6. "We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things," Jason Mraz

This is Mraz's most cohesive album yet, but, interestingly, its robustness comes from his willingness to experiment. He borrows snippets of Earth, Wind & Fire (the brass in "Make It Mine") and the smooth affirmations of John Mayer ("Live High"), while working the blue-eyed soulfulness of Hall & Oates into his melodic structures. Pretty irresistible.

7. "19," Adele

The ubiquitous "Chasing Pavements" is a haunting introduction to the British crooner, but she demonstrates her flexibility by moving into soulful pop territory with the groovin' "Cold Shoulder." She also offers a stunning cover of Bob Dylan's "Make You Feel My Love" that alone makes her worth checking out.

8. "808s & Heartbreak," Kanye West

Yes, his new love affair with Auto Tune becomes irritating by the third song, and no, he really can't sing. But there is something intriguing about hearing a Kanye who isn't a bragging egomaniac, but one who is shockingly frank about his difficult year (the death of his mother and of his engagement). That he does it with some interesting rhythmic arrangements and also "samples" a healthy chunk of Tears for Fears' "Memories Fade" on "Coldest Winter" (about his mom) makes him at least an interesting character.

9. "Pretty. Odd.," Panic at the Disco

It's a bold move to try to emulate The Beatles circa "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band." But from the McCartney-esque bass bounce -- and "Hard Day's Night"-like word twist -- on "Nine in the Afternoon" to the bells and double-tracked chorus on "That Green Gentleman [Things Have Changed]," these barely legal guys use their influences well.

10. "Break Up the Concrete," The Pretenders

Chrissie Hynde is back and she's still the toughest chick in the room.

Best Songs of 2008:

1. "Viva La Vida," Coldplay

OK, so maybe they (allegedly) stole the melody from Joe Satriani. They still deserve the top spot because the rest of the song is so majestic.

2. "If I Were a Boy," Beyoncé

A heartbreaking, plaintive ballad that women love because it speaks for them. For men, it should be required listening.

3. "American Boy," Estelle featuring Kanye West

A pulsing beat, a slinky melody and lyrics about a cosmopolitan globe-trotter. There wasn't a classier song on Top 40 this year.

4. "With You," Chris Brown

This creamy mid-tempo finger-snapper reminded us that Brown is more than the heir to Michael Jackson on the dance floor -- the kid has a sweet voice that has understandably melted many a teenage girl's heart.

5. "Shattered (Turn the Car Around)," O.A.R.

Ah, the year in which the Maryland quintet ditched the rootsy meandering, added some gloss and crafted a soaring pop song with one amazing chorus.

Worst Songs of 2008:

1. "Lollipop," Lil Wayne

Because obvious sexual innuendo and distorted vocals are so clever.

2. "Beat It," Fall Out Boy

Even John Mayer filling the Eddie Van Halen role on the guitar solo couldn't salvage this raging mess of a cover of Michael Jackson's beloved'80s rocker.

3. "Clumsy," Fergie

Which part is most unlistenable -- the piercing keyboard blips or the fuzzy "girl can't help it" nonsense in the background? You decide.

4. "Not My Time," Three Doors Down

So generic. So mundane. So overplayed.

5. "In the Ayer," Flo Rida featuring will.i.am

How disappointing that the same guy who released the truly fun and funky "Low" also churned out this grating wannabe-homage to the Dazz Band. So much for teaching kids how to spell, too.
Contact Melissa Ruggieri at (804) 649-6120 or .