10 'Must Buy' CDs Of Early 2008

Chris Gerard, DC Scene Contributor

The new year is barely 3 months old, but already we’ve seen a steady stream of excellent new CDs that will contend for “Best Album of 2008” honors at the end of the year. The music industry may be struggling, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t great music being released on a consistent basis.

Here are a few of the best that 2008 has to offer so far. It’s a rich and diverse group of records, a combination of newcomers and veterans releasing music as fresh and important as anything they’ve done. Get to your nearest retailer – either online or “brick and mortar” – and treat yourself to some great tunes.

10. Amplifico, “See Heart See Muscle.” Scottish trio Amplifico’s debut album is a charming mix of acoustic pop in the vein of Feist with the energy of “Tragic Kingdom”-era Gwen Stefani. Vocalist and songwriter Donna Maciocia has a fresh and crisp voice, and shows great promise and diversity as a songwriter. “See Heart See Muscle” feels like a breath of fresh air; it’s well worth checking out.

9. Sia, “Some People Have Real Problems.” Former Zero 7 singer Sia Furler, best known for “Breathe Me”, the track used to riveting effect in the closing scene of the Showtime series “Six Feet Under,” returned this year with an excellent new album. “Some People…” has a more organic feel than her prior work, and is reminiscent of Fiona Apple.

8. Lenny Kravitz, “It Is Time For a Love Revolution.” Lenny Kravitz has been a steady presence since his late-80’s debut, “Let Love Rule.” His albums have varied in quality over the years, but they are usually quite strong – and his latest is perhaps his best since “Are You Gonna Go My Way.”

7. Portishead, “Third”. The long-awaited new Portishead album does not disappoint. It’s a collection of languid and mysterious songs very much in the same vein as their prior work. Beth Gibbons’ voice is as gorgeous as ever. A most welcome return.

6. Nine Inch Nails, “Ghosts I-IV.” Now that Trent Reznor is free of his record company obligations, he’s able to drop surprises like this collection, 36 instrumentals released with no prior warning, for an extremely small price. A combination of quiet, ethereal pieces and ferocious tracks reminiscent of prior NIN work, “Ghosts” is worth exploring.

5. k.d. Lang, “Watershed.” Lang’s voice is as sumptuous as ever on this new collection of original material, her first in several years. She’s an artist who has always defied easy categorization, and her new album is no exception. Not really pop, not really country, she has the freedom and versatility to go wherever the song takes her.

4. Cat Power, “Jukebox.” This isn’t your typical covers collection. Chan Marshall’s claims these songs and turns them all into haunting torch songs. “Jukebox” is music for the late at night, for a smoky bar as the last forlorn patrons shuffle out, or maybe for candlelight, good wine, and a loved one wrapped in your arms.

3. Bauhaus, “Go Away White.” Peter Murphy joins forces with his former mates for one last studio album, and it’s killer. “Go Away White” has the intensity and fury of vintage Bauhaus, but sounds modern as well. Murphy’s low growl is as compelling as ever.

2. R.E.M., “Accelerate”. Michael Stipe and company return to their rock roots on their latest LP. After 3 sleepy acoustic records in a row, this is a welcome change. “I’m Gonna DJ” and “Supernatural Superserious” are high points, but the entire album rocks. It’s short, sweet, and worthy of blasting loud enough to rattle your furniture.

1. Bob Mould, “District Line.” Alt-rock legend Bob Mould returns with one of the finest records of his career. A mix of edgy rock that recalls both Hüsker Dü and Sugar with the more introspective acoustic feel of albums like “Workbook,” “District Line” is a combination of everything there is to love about Mould’s work. “The Silence Between Us” is one of the best things he’s ever recorded.

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10 'Must Buy' CDs Of Early 2008

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