We have fought and bickered like kids arguing over a new toy, but with less than 24 hours to go before the new year parades on in and takes over our lives we have finally managed to put together the Silent Sound Waves Top 20 Albums of 2008 list. Read on to see if your favourites made the list and which spots they occupy!

# 20: Counting Crows - Saturday Nights and Sunday Mornings

Counting Crows’ long-awaited follow-up to 2002’s Hardy Candy finally arrived this year in the form of a two-part record known as Saturday Nights & Sunday Mornings. The first half of the album, Saturday Nights, consists of heavy, dark, and poetically angry rock tunes, similar to those released on their sophomore release, Recovering the Satellites. Songs like “1492,” “Insignificant,” and “Cowboys” all broadcast the true, gritty rock side of the Crows, while others like “Sundays” and “Los Angeles” exhibit a slightly more mid-tempo rock style. The second half, Sunday Mornings, settles down into stunning acoustic arrangements (”Washington Square,” “On Almost Any Sunday Morning,” “Le Ballet d’Or”) and mellow piano monologues (”On a Tuesday in Amsterdam Long Ago”). Together, the two sides create an artistic euphoria of meaningful but still truly engaging music, appealing to fans and casual listeners alike. — Matt Sanderlin

# 19: The Kooks - Konk

The Kooks conquered the world with their 2006 debut album Inside In/Inside Out, and they quickly became rulers of every single venue and festival they played as they embarked on a world tour to share their music with as many as possible. For some reason Konk has not been given the same amount of attention, which is a pity, because it is every bit as good as its predecessor. From the radio friendly See The Sun via the naughty Do You Wanna to the aching One Last Time, this is everything one could expect from the brit-pop band, and that is more than enough if it is your cup of tea. If you haven’t already, be sure to pick up the double disc version calledRAK for the definite highlight of the release, Watching The Ships Roll In. — Lars-Christian Simonsen

# 18: Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes

Much has been said about Fleet Foxes, the self titled full-lenght debut from this Seattle based quintet, as it is one of the most critically aclaimmed records of the year 2008, and not  without reason. From start to end this album flows magically, and its many sources of inspirations are turned into one of the most pleasing soft rock albums we have been graced in quite some time. — Lars-Christian Simonsen

# 17: Jars of Clay - Closer EP

Although still relatively unknown, indie-alt-rock band Jars of Clay has been cooking up quality music since 1992. Their flawless reinvention from studio album to studio album has been incredible and shockingly underrated. Even their self-titled debut album boasted unique musical twists and surprisingly creative arrangements. In 2007, Jars of Clay completed their contract with Essential Records and ventured into indie territory. Their second release as an independent group, an EP entitled “Closer,” was released this past summer and garnered substantial critic approval and listener attention. Opening with a mid-tempo, pad-driven title track, Closer EP sets out to conquer a Radiohead-dominated territory; Experimental alterna-pop. Other audibly stimulating tracks like “Safe to Land” and “Prisoner of Hope” solidify the genius presented through Dan Haseltine’s impassioned songwriting and influential vocal abilities. As a twenty-one minute block of consistent brilliance and enlightening bliss, Closer EP is certainly a major accomplishment for Jars of Clay, as well as an unmistakable renewal point for the band’s prolific career.  The band plans to release a full-length follow-up in the same style of Closer EP next year, and we can only imagine the kind of brilliance will be revealed then. — Matt Sanderlin

# 16: Pompeii - Nothing Happens For A Reason

Being labelled the next Death Cab for Cutie is not an honor that a lot of bands are bestowed, but in the case of Pompeii it’s not hard to see why as the similarities in the sound of the bands are striking. With their second album, Nothing Happens For A Reason, this Texas band handles it surprisingly well. The album features a slew of beautiful and thought-provoking songs and lyrics that would make even Ben Gibbard himself proud. The Death Cab parallel is certainly justified, but with this album Pompeii have shown that they are mature enough and more than ready to step out of the shadows of other bands, and truly start making a name for themselves. — Lars-Christian Simonsen

# 15: TV On The Radio - Dear Science

Experimental rock is a diffuse and unclear genre definition, but TV On The Radio are living proof that it is still needed as their music is near possible to describe in a clear and concise manner. With Dear Science, TV On The Radio touches in on everything from hard riffs to soft, clapping hands and all that is between. Rap and gentle, poppy choruses are meshed into the same songs, and it is the amazing diversity that makes this one of the most groundbreaking rock records of 2008. If you haven’t listened to already, go do so immediately, and if it doesn’t stick the first time, listen to it again and soon enough you will find yourself unable to turn it off. — Lars-Christian Simonsen

# 14: Augustana - Can’t Love, Can’t Hurt

” We’ll kill ourselves to find freedom / you’ll kill yourself to find anything at all ” - This line from the chorus of the first song, Hey Now, on Augustana’s third full-length studio album sets a perfect tone for what to expect from the rest of the album. Bordeline cheesy, but yet profound. Sugary sweet, but not nauseatingly so. Depressing, but not without an underlying sense of optimism. All of these traits combined with the silky-smooth voice of frontman Dan Layus, and the fact that this is exactly what it sets out to be: pure, lovable pop through and through, make this one of the most underestimated releases of the year. — Lars-Christian Simonsen

# 13: Conor Oberst - Conor Oberst

There’s an undying appeal in the tormented confessions of a lonely and troubled musician. It could possibly be attributed to the fact that most of us take comfort in knowing that there are other people out there who aren’t feeling all that great, or maybe that we take solace in letting others find the words to best describe our own miseries. Whatever the reason might be, Conor Oberst has the role pinned down to perfection, and he proves that and more with his self-titled effort with the Mystic Valley Band. The album shines brightest during its quiet moments with songs such as Lenders In The Temple and Milk Thistle, but the more playful and up-beat tunes such as NYC- Gone, Gone and Souled Out!!! are impressive as well and contribute to making this an overall strong and impressive solo-effort by the Bright Eyes frontman. — Lars-Christian Simonsen

# 12: Copeland - You Are My Sunshine

Lakeland, Florida’s alternative-pop sons, Copeland, put their best foot forward this year with their fifth release, You Are My Sunshine. The album received overwhelmingly positive reviews, and for good reason. Phenomenal songcrafting, breathtaking arrangements, and grade-A production all contribute to the success of You Are My Sunshine. Powerful tracks like “The Grey Man,” “Should You Return,” “On the Safest Ledge,” and “Not Allowed” burst from your speakers with dramatic color and swirling tones, all seamlessly painting an unearthly musical experience. If you haven’t heard any Copeland, this wouldn’t be a bad place to start. — Matt Sanderlin

# 11: Coldplay - Viva La Vida or Death And All of His Friends

Since Coldplay first appeared on the scene with their influential inception record, Parachutes, Coldplay has quickly become a far-reaching phenomenon. Coldplay’s release, X&Y, debuted at #1 on the US Billboard 2000 back in 2005. The band didn’t let the success go to their head; they instead channeled it into creativity and determination to put towards their next album. Visitors to Coldplay’s official website got to see the creation of the band’s fourth studio release, Viva la Vida, through lead singer Chris Martin’s personal blogs and video clips. Whether it was the personal touch or the new found inspiration, Coldplay managed to actualize their sizable aspirations concerning their latest endeavor. From voluminously-arranged anthems (”Life In Technicolor,” “Viva la Vida”) to vibrant, string-driven masterpieces (”Lovers in Japan / Reign of Love,” “Yes,” “Death and All His Friends”), Viva la Vida is a alt-pop joyride of epic proportions that won’t be soon forgotten. — Matt Sanderlin

# 10: The Gaslight Anthem - The ‘59 Sound

Great Expectations is the opening track of this album by The Gaslight Anthem, and one have to wonder if Brian Fallon and the rest of the group knew exactly what sort of standard they would set for themselves with the release of The ‘59 Sound, because right now all of us have really great expectations about what’s to come from these guys. From its first cord it hits the listener as a refreshing wind of genuine punk rock, and the nostalgia in the lyrics present Fallon as something of a sad and broken hearted man, completely misplaced in the wrong era among computers and technology, longing for a simpler time when Miles Davis and Elvis Presley where all the rage. There’s not much we can do to take you back Brian, but if it is any consolation, you certainly did your part in raising the standard of the music to match that of the days gone by. — Lars-Christian Simonsen

# 9: Jack’s Mannequin - The Glass Passenger

When Andrew McMahon was the lead singer and songwriter in Something Corporate he built himself a quite impressive fan base, most of which continued to throw heaps of praise and love on him when he released Everything In Transit, the first album of his solo-venture Jack’s Mannequin. While this is impressive enough, when you take into account his unfortunate leukemia diagnosis and the three and a half year wait for his second album under the JM name, The Glass Passenger, and notice the reception it got from his fans, you know you are dealing with an amazing artist. Most of the fan base he amassed before this record had grown, both in height and age, but more importantly in music taste. But as it turns out, Andrew McMahon had grown as an artist as well and this diverse and amazing collection of songs is a testament to that fact. — Lars-Christian Simonsen

# 8: MGMT - Oracular Spectacular

Whatever you might hear, don’t be fooled, MGMT is a pop duo, and they make pop music, and they are exceptionally good at it too. With Oracular Spectacular they have even managed to create something as rare as an album that was embraced by fans, the average list-pop listener as well as pretentious music critics, and that is no small feat. Their unique, catchy and even occasionally disturbing sound and hippie-esque messages of peace and love seem to be just what everyone was longing for this year, and it’s hard to disagree with everyone without being wrong. For a long time I had a hard time that any album could top this one, but the fact that the second half isn’t quite as strong as the first sends it a few spots down the list, but if the quality of the first five songs are any indication of what to expect in the future from this dynamic duo, don’t be surprised if you see them topping a year-end list within the next 24 months. — Lars-Christian Simonsen

# 7: Death Cab for Cutie - Narrow Stairs

Death Cab For Cutie’s Narrow Stairs album is another impressive alternative rock release from 2008. Straying slightly from their old sound, Death Cab sets their reinvention into motion with big jam tracks (”I Will Possess Your Heart”), aggressively perceptive, soundscape-based songs (”Long Division, “No Sunlight”), and smooth, airy creations (”Cath…,” “Your New Twin Sized Bed”). For all of the hype, Narrow Stairs centers the target. — Matt Sanderlin

# 5: Okkervil River - The Stand Ins

If you have ever needed evidence for the claim that music is, or at the very least can be a universally understable language, The Stand Ins is it. It seems like everyone I play this record for instantly finds something that grabs them, be it my musically  challenged club-music-loving friends who adore the catchy melodies, my father who appreciates the skillful traction of the instruments or my other posterboy-indie friends who deem the lyrics and the band’s overall appearance acceptable and then some. The universal appeal and the somewhat surprising staying power of The Stand Ins make sure that it captures the first spot in our top 5. — Lars-Christian Simonsen

# 5: Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend

These days, the alt-rock scene seems to be dominated by two types of bands: U2/Coldplay-imitators and dance-rockers. Vampire Weekend is one band that breaks this unfortunate mold. Amalgamating mellifluous orchestral harmonies and sweet, addictive pop melodies, the band organizes their first set of original songs with perfect consistency. Popular singles from the self-titled album include the energetic “A-Punk,” the sarcastic “Oxford Comma,” and the quirky composition, “Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa.” Overall, Vampire Weekend is an innovative musical effort and certainly something to be celebrated. — Matt Sanderlin

# 4: Mudcrutch - Mudcrutch

# 3: House of Heroes - The End Is Not The End

The rock quartet from Columbus, Ohio took many by surprise with the release of The End Is Not The End. It’s a long album, 16 tracks and 60 minutes in total, but there isn’t a single boring moment on the record, and it’s chock full of delightfully vital pop-rock as illustrated by some of the stand out tracks such as In The Valley Of The Dying Sun and Field Of Daggers. The album also has the mandatory rock-band ballad, and By Your Side, which is a beautiful tale of friendship and war. If you have been trying to get a hold of a hardcopy of this album you have probably been out of luck, because it won’t be released in stores until sometime into 2009. If the general audience has any taste at all, House of Heroes will certainly get a fair share of attention in the year to come! — Lars-Christian Simonsen

# 2: Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago

Dearest Emma, whoever and wherever you might be, on behalf of every person in this world who has fallen in love with Justin Vernon aka. Bon Iver’s For Emma, Forever Ago, I would like to thank you for inpiring him to isolate himself in that cabin and create this record. All the way from the the opening notes of Flume and all the way through Re: Stacks, which is the closing track, this album is filled with devastating stories, heartbreaking realizations and at the same time equally uplifting melodies and vocals. Emma, we all love you. — Lars-Christian Simonsen

# 1: Radiohead - In Rainbows

Where to begin? Some claim reinvention of music, some claim the solidification of the digital age, others simply proclaim its equality with OK Computer. Whatever it is, it’s a force to reckoned with. In Rainbows, Radiohead’s seventh LP, embarks on a mission to overhaul the definition of “music.” To quote of the band’s guitarists, Ed O’Brien, the lyrics are designed to illustrate “being human.” The sounds of the album send you out of this world or deep into the vastnesses of your soul. Intricate production, engineering ingenuity, and unadulterated artistry throughout the record are unmatched in almost every way in every genre. If you don’t already have this, I’m not sure what you’re waiting for. Definitely the best this year, possibly even the best of years to come. — Matt Sanderlin

Love our list? Hate our list? Feel we missed out on some important records this year that definitely should have made our list? No matter what might be on your mind, you are more than welcome to share your thoughts by posting a comment below.

/ Posted: Dec 31, 2008
/ Written by: Lars-Christian
/ Category: Feature Articles
/ Artist(s): Augustana, Bon Iver, Coldplay, Conor Oberst, Copeland, Counting Crows, Death Cab for Cutie, Fleet Foxes, Gaslight Anthem, House of Heroes, Jack's Mannequin, Jars of Clay, Kooks, MGMT, Mudcrutch, Okkervil River, Pompeii, Radiohead, TV On The Radio, Vampire Weekend