Stop Five Records

I know, I know... You've all been eagerly awaiting my Top 5 for 2008. It was a super tough year to narrow it down to 5. 2008 was a year of great releases, but few of those releases stand the test of time.

Here they are:

5. This Will Destroy You - self titled: A super solid post rock album. Also probably the best cover of all time.

4. The Walkmen - You and Me: At first, I hated this album, but upon further listen, there is something reassuring about it.

3. Fleet Foxes - self titled, and Sun Giant: There is a lot of buzz about these albums. They are fantastic albums, but since I heard them really, really early on, they seem to have lost some of their luster. Even so, most of you will love this album and rave about it to all your friends.

2. Department of Eagles - In Ear Park: If you love Grizzly Bear, like I do, you will love Department of Eagles.

1. Bon Iver - For Emma Forever Ago: Best thing I have heard in a very long time. He's only officially released 10 songs in album form; but if you're a Bon Iver geek like I am, you will know that he has done session after session and keeps releasing different renditions of the same songs. Everything Justin Vernon does is "solid as a rock!"

Honorable Mentions (in no particular order):

TV on the Radio - Dear Science
Beach House - Devotion
M83 - Saturdays=Youth
Air France - No Way Down
Bonnie "Prince" Billy - Lie Down In The Light
Sigur Ros - Med Sud I Eyrum Vid Spilum Endalaust
Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend
The Tallest Man On Earth - Shallow Graves

The second official Stopfiveathon will be on January 2nd at 7:30 pm. I was hoping to do the 27th, but between the crazy snow we got here and people's Christmas schedules, things didn't quite work out. So I hope to see you all there on the second. Bring your A game, and we'll stuff this site's stockings with so many top 5 lists it will be giddy with excitement. In the meantime feel free to continue your excellent top 5 work friends.

And comment if you're able to make it.

1 We have only had one stopfive-athon in Stop Five's history, and it was a raging success.
2. As the Stopfive historian, I have once again been perusing the archives, and I've noticed a slight decline in the frequency of posts over the last 6 months or so. This can easily be rectified by an hour long Stopfive-athon.
3. What better way to celebrate everything great about Christmas than by giving the world lists of our thoughts organized in to five.
4. If Bryan gets the archives to me, it would be a great way to celebrate the beginning of my "Stopfive Archival Restoration Project."
5. It may convince Andwer Vlackvood to come out of hiding.

Let me know what you think Stopfivers. I'm thinking we should do one either just before Christmas (like the 23rd), or just after Christmas (maybe the 27th) sometime in the afternoon.

For curiosity's sake, here is Bryan's announcement for the first Stopfive-athon (circa August 2006):

The First Stop-Five-A-Thon
The first Stop-Five-a-thon will take place on Sunday, August 13th between the hours of 5pm and 6pm Eastern Standard Time (2pm and 3pm western standard time).
All current Stop Fivers are welcome. The name of the game will be to post as many Top Fives as possible in an hour. So... Everyone, be prepared. Bring your A-Game. Lets get it on.
This could be the thing of legend. See you tommorow. Comment if you can make it.

5. 3 Soccer Balls ("Make a dream come true for many children with 3 brand new soccer balls.")
Price: $30

4. Piglet ("Pigs are superb sources of protein, fertilizer and more for a family in need.")
Price: $40

3. Antibiotics for 10 Children ("Provide antibiotics to fight infections, bringing health to 10 children in need.")
Price: $30

2. Feed Hungry Children and Families for 30 Days ("This gift provides children with emergency food supplies for health and hope.")
Price: $45

1. Agricultural Packs for 3 Families ("An Agricultural Pack includes seeds, tools and training to feed hungry families.")
Price: $35

Seriously, I think it would be awesome if everyone on Stop Five did this. It'd be our Stop Five Christmas Conspiracy!

(Just a thought -- no pressure/guilt intended. Unless you needed it, in which case, yes, it was intended.)

1. The inviting of good spirits.
2. The aiding of young men in meeting young ladies at the park.
3. The safe disposal of rotten meat.
4. The burial service - providing the ground is soft enough and the puppy has been convinced there is a bone down there somewhere.
5. The ability to bring terrorists to their knees through the awesome power of scent (and cuteness).

Also Kyle, I would argue that in your previous post, the word "kittens" might be better served being replaced by the word "babies."

5. The warding off of evil spirits.
4. The enticing of young ladies into the homes of young men.
3. The safe disposal of expired milk.
2. The saving of burial costs (provided your lifeless body be kept alone with them for an extended period of time).
1. The ability to bring terrorists to their knees through the awesome and terrible power of cuteness.

1. Genius
2. Brilliant
3. Epic
4. Phenomenal
5. Annoyingly