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Here is my overrated of 2008 list. I tried to be objective and included artists I like as artists you like can be overrated too.
#5 Vampire Weekend
Why are they so successful?
Early on when they passed around their Blue CD-R (I’ve got a copy), the production values were not of a band that was self-releasing their stuff –as it was a great album from an unknown band. They became blogger darlings for almost a full year while releasing EPs and mercifully releasing their self titled disc with just two new tracks. Pitchfork gave them an 8.8, played on SNL and had their popularity EXPLODE.
What makes them overrated?
They are really just a pop rock band. Granted a pretty good one, they just aren’t going to wow everyone with their brand of pop.
What are their chances of proving their worth?
75%. I think they proved with “Ottoman”, the Fleetwood Mac and Radiohead cover that they can achieve greatness beyond what they showed on their self titled release. I’m really high on Vampire Weekend and they personally haven’t really given any reason to doubt it. However, they do need to bigger and better things to have those naysayers silenced.
Ottoman by Vampire Weekend
#4 Fleet Foxes
Why are they so successful?
The Fleet Foxes had the best year in terms of critics praising their band. They had Pitchfork’s #1 album of the year and that website is huge…
What makes them overrated?
The album is good don’t get me wrong, but best band and album of 2008? It’s arguable but I think there’s just a bit too much hype. They’re all great singers but they didn’t amaze me or change my life like “Midnight Organ Fight” or “Random Spirit Lover”. There are definitely better choices for album of the year.
What are their chance of proving their worth?
I’d say 70%. They have big shoes to fill on whatever they release. There are countless examples of the “one album wonder” and the pedestal that the Foxes have been placed on make it unlikely their next album will come close.
Meadowlark by Fleet Foxes

#3 Lindstrom
Why is he so successful?
Critics love his album Wherever You Go I go Too. I don’t (I tried an experimental review HAH, betcha it wasn’t that good ). It is different and experimental which has critics getting their pants wet. Containing just 3 tracks on an hour long record, one song clocks in at close to a half hour..
What makes him so overrated?
Think about, 3 songs, one song is 30 minutes long the other two are 15 minutes long. I’m all for long songs that are really good and make you feel like it’s just 4 minutes but this 30 minute track made me feel like it’s really 2 and a half hours. I was urged to press the skip button but I realized that it did me no good. The music itself isn’t great, lots of looped sections, duplicates and ultimately it doesn’t end anywhere. I understand it’s different but it still doesn’t make it any good.
What are his chances proving his worth?
Incomplete. He may satisfy critics again but it’ll take some actual innovative music (e.g. not just slapping on a 30 minute track and multiple repeats that has more pretentiousness then most albums (who honestly believes they can pull off a 30 minute track?)
-No mp3 (files are too big)
#2 MGMT
Why are they so successful?
They have had an ability to stay relevant even after lukewarm reviews from critics. Some great marketing, some pretty good remixes and some great singles propelled them to internet Superstardom.
What makes them overrated?
While the psychedelic label is thrown on them quite a bit, they are merely dressed up pop with some simple but effective keyboard arrangements. They are hardly a band to change the landscape of music. While some songs are enjoyable, they really had an half of an album. The first album contained those popular singles, the second half kind of sucked though did show some promise. They haven’t released that much material to stay relevant, they just had other artists remix their work.
What are their chances of proving their worth?
50%. I think it can go either way. The masses ditch the popular as fast as they get into them and MGMT could very well go the way of the Killers and suck from here on out.
Time To Pretend by MGMT
#1 Girl Talk
Why is he so successful?
Good reviews and Feed The Animals took a lot of songs that was brilliantly mixed. It’s also using popular music, creating the perfect party mix for both casual fans and hardcore fans of music (I really like the album).
Why makes him overrated?
Over glorified DJ. Other then mixing, which a DJ can do, he’s really just taking 30 second samples and songs and putting it together (no other DJ likely has actually put this on record since it’s potentially illegal). In the big scale of things, he’s not really doing much. He also likes really shitty music. He mixes the music well but I’d rather drop dead then listen to some of the music he uses.
What are his chances of proving his worth?
10%. Girl Talk can’t do the same exact thing that he’s done in his past two albums. He’s ultimately reached the peak of popularity and will have to create rather then mix. It’s likely that he will have a lot of trouble whatever he does which is why the odds are so stacked against him.
Hands In The Air by Girl Talk

Set It Off by Girl Talk
Hands In The Air by Girl Talk

#19 Portishead – Third
Original Rating: 4.25 out of 5
I probably would’ve left this off my top 20 but the other writers have spoken. I was unsure about this album, I think it was going to an album I would forget and not listen to and that’s exactly what happened. Beth Gibbons has an amazing voice and Machine Gun will be on the best tracks of the year. I still feel like this album is a bit hit or miss, it’s definitely unique and stands on its own so there is merit to having it included in the top albums of the year discussion, I just happen to be one who disagrees that some of the music doesn’t work quite as well.
Machine Gun by Portishead
#18 Cut Copy – In Ghosts Colours
Rating: 4 out of 5
If you looked at previous scores, you’ll realize that 4 out of 5 is on the low side compared to other albums. I’ve got a good explanation. At first I wasn’t as impressed as many of my fellow bloggers and various other critics. I think this album takes time to grow and reach it’s full potential and this was 4 months or so after the initial review. It’s kind of hard to believe an electro album as a grower but In Ghost Colours is exactly that, there’s much to absorb in the initial listens and attention is diverted from the great moments at first. Top to bottom though this is a great album and I’m willing to admit my mistake.
Far Away by Cut Copy
Unforgettable Season by Cut Copy
#17 Pomegranates – Everything Is Alive
Original Rating: 4.5 out of 5
In my original review, I went on a rant on how people are scared of the word “Emo” and are willing to dismiss it off the bat. The Pomegranates aren’t full on emo but emotive indie rock would be a proper term to classify their music. With two lead singers they have arguably one of the better balances in indie, despite not many people hearing as much about them. I’ve seen some of the WORST reviews given to this band (not exactly bad reviews but actually poorly written ones). With a mix of keys and awesome guitar work, this album is definitely deserving of whatever praise its given despite being under the radar. This album is just way too good not to include it on this list.
In The Kitchen by Pomegranates
Appreciations by Pomegranates
With/Whom by Pomegranates
#16 She & Him – Volume One
Original Rating: 4.5 out of 5
At first, I felt like I was overrating this album but perseverance prevailed after writing the initial review and I’ve become a big fan of Zooey Deschanel’s songwriting and singing talent (not that’s she not hot or anything). While pop country/folk isn’t the most immediate genre that I would recall to liking Zooey makes the genre likable with romantic ballads about the various men in her life. It’s almost surprising at first how good this record actually is but it has won over quite a few people and if you’ve seen her live, you’ll see exactly how genuine her talent is. (She’s got a voice that rivals many established female vocalists).
Sentimental Heart by She and Him
Why Don’t You Let Me Stay Here by She and Him
#15 Those Dancing Days – In Our Space Hero Suits
Original Rating: 4.75 out of 5
I always have a spot for pure pop and usually one or two albums sneak into the end of the year lists but this all-girl group out of Sweden has released a solid album top to bottom with great singing from Linnea Jonsson. She really steals the show on tracks like Hitten and Home Sweet Home which features some singing in her foreign language. I’d actually like to hear what she could offer in a non-English song. Some pop albums are just undeniably good though I guess with indie records it’s customary to disregard these types of albums, it seems not as many people are finding out about this album due to this shyness. I do go back and forth on where this album belongs but I absolutely love it.
Hitten by Those Dancing Days
Space Hero Suits by Those Dancing Days
#14 Walkmen – You & Me
Original Rating: 4.75 out of 5
This was my first exposure to the Walkmen, which while difficult to admit, I’m glad I finally gave them a shot. The problem with this album (hardly any) is that I keep forgetting how good it really is. It’s an amazing subtle album that has its emotions wrapped into tiny crevices. I almost forgot to include it in my top 20 and sometimes I find it difficult to go back to which is why they may be lower on the list then you’d list. There are more then a few amazing tracks though but no real stand outs.
Canadian Girl by The Walkmen
In The New Year by The Walkmen

#13 Chad Van Gaalen – Soft Airplane
Original Rating: 4.25 out of 5
I’ll admit that the album score for this album is a little low but the album still has some flaws. However, I would qualify them a good flaws since it had to do with VanGaalen over experimenting in some sections of this album, so there really is no argument that this album isn’t great (I’m looking at you Now Magazine). VanGaalen experiments with a variety methods using some electronic elements in TMNT and his singing and writing is top notch. You probably wouldn’t know it but VanGaalen records this in his basement and he makes it sound like he’s in some expensive recording studio. Maybe he’s just super talented? He also creates the artwork to his own videos in addition to to the artwork on his album, showing us just how inhuman he actually is.
Bare Feet on Wet Grip Tape by Chad VanGaalen
Rabid Bits of Time by Chad VanGaalen

#12 Wolf Parade – At Mt. Zoomer
Original Rating: 4.75 out of 5
The best duo vocalists in indie rock, period. A Wolf Parade record is always a schizophrenic affair with Spencer Krug and Dan Boeckner, they teamed up on super track Kissing The Beehive, however the lead up to grand finale is as good as you’ll find anywhere. I think the main problem with this record is that their first record was out of this world amazing that any album would be hard to top it. I am lamenting the fact that I was still on crutches when they came into town… The album itself is much less accessible then their predecessor but it explores more elements that the band didn’t show off on Apologies to the Queen Marry but bringing more of what they brought on their great side projects (Sunset Rubdow, Handsome Furs etc).
Fine Young Cannibals by Wolf Parade
Call It A Ritual by Wolf Parade
#11 Thao With the Get Down Stay Down – We Brave Bee Stings And All
Original Rating: 5 out of 5
When I first heard Beat (Health, Life and Fire), I instantly fell in love with Thao Nguyen and her backing band the Get Down Stay Down and it’s hard not to. She’s has an instant charm where she sings about kid and being an adult finding herself. I may have been overly too excited at first about this album but it does hold up strongly as Thao becomes one of my favorite singer-song writers. I really can’t say enough about her, she conveys duel emotions strong/weak, assertive/hesistant, strong and confidence and weak and shy all at the same moment. It really gives her an edge over many artists within the same genre.
Beat (Health, Life and Fire) by Thao Nguyen With The Get Down Stay Down
Geography by Thao Nguyen With The Get Down Stay Down

This is CX Kidtronik – if you want to hear his stuff, you can google him – I refuse to provide a direct link. I knew he was going to be a class act as soon as I saw that towel. I never understand why labels/managers/artists allow such shitty openers. Generic electro/hiphop with uninspiring lyrics and boring beats? Great! Can you open for Girl Talk?

I was very unimpressed and downed several coolers to start my journey into unconsciousness. I also made several washroom trips and when I came back after one of them, I discovered that Kid had made a hilarious visual pun on the giant screen that showcases both his intelligent sense of humour and American patriotism.

His debut album is called “Krak Attack”.

Next up was the Death Set. They were actually not too bad so here is a link to their myspace. They were fun, punkish and just electronic enough to fit in.

By the time Girl Talk went on, it was pandemonium. Here’s a view of the crowd from the stage. Yeah, I see why they had to move the show from Club Soda.

I was too intoxicated to regurgitate a set list for you but I can only imagine he did some stuff from Feed the Animals and some stuff from … well, his other albums. Girl Talk the artist and Girl Talk the music are not interchangeable. I think even if you hated Girl Talk’s music, you’d still have a kickin’ time at his show because he has incredible stage presence. It takes talent to be able to infuse energy into a crowd.

The thing with Girl Talk is that even though he has a hipster following, the actual tracks are all composed of accessible, conventional pop. He’s like American Apparel but with music and without Dov Charney trying to give you a reacharound.

I laughed at his saran-wrapped laptop. I wonder how many computers had malfunctioned after being drowned in a pool of sweat prior to this genius innovation.

I was kind of hoping I’d discover that he was using a Mac after all and then I could be famous for being the person to expose him as the Apple-loving bastard he is. But no, it’s not a Mac. Do you ever wonder if Girl Talk is just the personification of a Microsoft advertisement? Would it change your opinion of him? Honestly, if Microsoft was a tenth as much fun as Girl Talk, I’d forgive the whole Vista-being-a-piece-of-shit ordeal.

Oops, I’m getting sidetracked.

Anyway, I took this picture of his butt/back/moles …

And then I turned around and CX Kidtronik was in his place.

It was like something out of a horror movie where your girlfriend turns into a zombie and eats your face in a non-sexy way.

I’m not really sure what happened to this concert review. The point is, Girl Talk is awesome and Girl Talk shows are even better and if you have a chance to see him, do it! Don’t even bother showing up late to avoid CX Kidtronik because he’ll get you in the end somehow anyway.

I’ll end this post with another photo and some tracks from Feed the Animals. Check out the rest of his tour dates.

Set it Off by Girl Talk
No Pause by Girl Talk
Hands in the Air by Girl Talk

November 5

Polysics
Horseshoe/ 19+ / $11.50

The Japanese are famous for a few things: anime, technology, weird porn, and noise. Polysics was formed after a high school student decided to divert his interests from soccer to Devo. I think Polysics is a little more accessible than some of the other Japanoise bands out there. For the price of a movie ticket, you can’t lose – go go go!

November 7

Glass Candy
Wrongbar/ 19+ / $15.00

I’ve got to give a shoutout to shermstixx for introducing me to Glass Candy waaaay before they became as popular as they are now. Glass Candy as the innocence of Freezepop, Ladytron’s ubiquity, and the classiness of Nico. They also remind me of Fan Death (or vice versa). If you’re into electropop/nu rave/dance punk, this is a show you can’t miss.

Glass Candy – Candy Castle

In Flames
Sound Academy/ All Ages / $35.00

My days of thoroughly enjoying death metal are long behind me but for those of you still fightin’ the man (or whatever), I recommend checking this out. A Sense of Purpose received mixed reviews but with In Flames’ everchanging sound, that was to be expected.

In Flames – Eraser
In Flames – Abnegation

November 12

Girl Talk
Kool Haus/ 19+ / $21.50

I was decidedly a Girl Talk hater until Feed the Animals came out. Who but Girl Talk can put the Carpenters and Nine Inch Nails and Janet Jackson and Metallica on one track and make it seem it so natural? I have class that night so please, go to the show so I can live vicariously through you.

Girl Talk – No Pause
Girl Talk – Hands in the Air

November 13

Boris
Lee’s/ 19+ / $15.00

And they’re back! I went to the show in July on a whim and wow, let me tell you, Boris does not fuck around (pardon my French). You are guaranteed a rockin’ good time. But, word to the wise: if you feel like you can’t breathe and start seeing purple spots, go outside for some fresh air and water because you WILL pass out – Lee’s Palace is not that big.

Eagles of Death Metal
Mod Club/ 19+ / $24.00

I think Rolling Stone had it right with this comment: “There are more important rock groups than Eagles of Death Metal, but are any of them this much fun?” The answer is, of course, no. Heart On is a decent album, not as good Death by Sexy but still worth your $12.

Eagles of Death Metal – Cheap Thrills

Iron and Wine
Phoenix/ 19+ / $25.00

Your favourite indie folk star will soon be in town to wow you with his critically acclaimed 2007 album The Shepherd’s Dog. I’m actually not a fan of folk music at all so that’s all I have to say about that.

Iron and Wine – Flightless Bird, American Mouth

Jack’s Mannequin
Opera House/ All Ages / $25.00

Jack’s Mannequin is touring in support of their recently released album The Glass Passenger which I thought successfully dodged the “sophomore slump” threat. Read a full review here.

Jack’s Mannequin – The Resolution

November 20

M83
Opera House/ 19+ / $15.00

In 2005, after electronic French duos became too trendy and mainstream, Nicolas Fromageau decided to leave M83, leaving Anthony Gonzalez as the sole member. No, I’m just kidding, that probably wasn’t the reason. Saturdays=Youth contains some of their (his?) best songs to date so buy your tickets for this show, it will probably sell out.

M83 – Graveyard Girl

November 27, 28

Broken Social Scene
Sound Academy/ All Ages / $25.00

I love BSS because whenever a Montrealer brags about all the awesome bands that are based in Montreal, I can bring up Broken Social Scene to still ultimately lose the argument but it’s still a pretty strong point.