Top CDs of 2008
Campus Correspondents weigh in on the year’s top albums

Marion Olea, North Central College
My top CD of 2008 was Atmosphere's When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold. The lyrics of the CD are spectacular, beats amazing and the album is fantastic overall. They are not as popular as many of today's mainstream artists, but they have this raw talent that deserves to be recognized. The album deals with issues that many people
face or can relate to in some manner. It is one of the best albums to come out in 2008.

Trevor Starnes, Samford University
Jack Johnson’s Sleep Through the Static is some of his best stuff to date- not as surfy as the old stuff as it’s more electric, but still is the same old awesome Jack. Bon Iver’s For Emma, Forever Ago is the best up and coming artist, while I have to give props to Birmingham native Matthew Mayfield’s The Fire EP. I believe his solo acoustic stuff is about ready to get big. The Raconteurs’ Consolers of the Lonely is also awesome. Jack White is simply a great innovator and his stuff keeps getting better and better.

Hunter Embry, Indiana University Southeast
Wax Fang’s La La Land is my favorite CD of last year. Through the dark hallways of
singer/guitarist, Scott Carney's mind, a world of delicate melodies, sinful guitar tones are unleashed overtop thundering drums and grooving bass lines in a hardcore David Bowie type way.

Chad Comello, North Central College
My favorite CD of ’08 is You Are My Sunshine by Copeland. I just can't get over Copeland. They followed what became my favorite album (Eat, Sleep, Repeat) with a record with just as much prowess. It's also considerably brighter than their previous work, which just makes it all the more easy to listen to over and over again. Complemented by their live show, Copeland far exceeded my high expectations in 2008.

Kate Seesholtz, Belmont University
My top album of 2008 surprisingly goes to the debut by The Ting Tings, We Started Nothing. The songs are catchy and stick with you, not to mention they are becoming staples of any good dance party. 

Jim Simmons, Arizona State University
My top CD was Coldplay’s Viva La Vida. Many critics say that Coldplay doesn't change things up enough from disc to disc. In the case of X&Y  Coldplay took few risks. Viva la Vida does well to add to their mix without recreating the band's identity. Aside from ripping off a melody from Joe Satriani on the title track, the other songs on the disc are solid. Start to finish this album really impressed me.

Alyssa Vincent, North Central College
This is a tough call, but I'm going to have to go with Dear Science from TV on the Radio. It's the most layered, impressive album they've put out to date and every single track has a unique flavor, yet still stays true to the band's sound. It's an amazing accomplishment and will probably be topping many more "Best Of" lists this year.

Brock Starnes, Union University