Tex Plush's 2008 Odds and Ends

I will post my Top 13 (sorry, i couldn't help it) in just a little bit.

But first......

The Guiltiest of Pleasures:
Fall Out Boy - Folie A Deux
The fact of the matter is, if you can get past the heavy-handed production values, the too-clever lyrics and the taunting from your girlfriend, these songs are undeniably catchy and poptastic. Fall Out Boy is only here to entertain you, and that is exactly what they do if you're a fan of sugary sweet power pop. Pluses: There is literally a hook every 15 seconds; hilariously incongruous guest stars keep popping up, like Elvis Costello, Lil Wayne and Debbie Harry; they engage in genre-hopping that can be genuinely surprising and fun. Recommended for listening to at the gym or whenever you need to impress (or mortify) your 14 year old cousin.

Best Reissue:
Pavement - Brighten The Corners
The most underrated Pavement album gets the deluxe reissue treatment, like all the others before it. Almost didn't go in for it this time, but boy am I glad I did. Fuck the haters. So many great outtakes and rarities here, enough that BTC becomes a triple album with all the weirdness and variety of Wowee Zowee. The biggest revelation for me after not hearing this in years was Type Slowly- a total fucking masterpiece of a song. wow. Though Transport Is Arranged is brilliant too. This reminds me why Pavement is still in my top 5 bands of all time.

Best Songs:
Single Ladies - Beyonce
Hang On - Dr. Dog
Strange Overtones - David Byrne and Brian Eno
Chasing Pavements - Adele
What Never Comes - Crooked Fingers
The Tears and Music of Love - Deerhoof
Whatever You Like - TI
Live Your Life - TI (feat. Rhianna)
Nothing Too Much Just Out Of Sight - The Fireman (Paul McCartney and Youth)
Better - GN'R
Mexico City - Jolie Holland
Ruler - Marnie Stern
Scare Easy - Mudcrutch
Living The Dream - Sloan
In The New Year - The Walkmen

Honorable Mention:
Solange
The Week That Was
Nomo
Menahan Street Band
David Byrne and Brian Eno
Deerhunter
Duffy
Fleet Foxes
Frightened Rabbit
Gaslight Anthem
Jamie Lidell
Tallest Man On Earth
Wye Oak