Yesterday, the staff at Radio Exile and I unveiled the first two parts of what we felt were the Top Albums of 2008 [15 Through 11 | 10 Through 6] It takes an awful lot of deliberation to determine the top picks and favorites of our staff during this calendar year. At the end of this very piece, you’ll see the personal lists of Radio Exile’s staff and you’ll be able to see for yourself the broad spectrum of favorites. That’s cool. We’re here to speak to all types from around the musical spectrum and we hope you like what we’ve come up with.

The staff here is the best, we have an awful lot of fun, so it brings me much pleasure to bring to you Radio Exile’s Top Albums of 2008: The Top Five:

Click to see The Top Five “after the jump”

5) TV on the Radio – Dear Science

“Remember that song “Wolf Like Me” that gained mainstream popularity and aired that creepy werewolf video on MTV? Think that, but better. Edgier.” – Holly Perry

“TV on the Radio get far too much respect from writers and critics, not a single staff member had anything to say about this album in 2008 and yet, here it is in our top five. No one was compelled to put something out there, to make a statement about their music or their evolution since 2006′s Return to Cookie Mountain. They can add more afro-centric vibes and take more chances and people reward them for it. Dear Science was included here because people are comfortable that the style of this record fits within the parameters of the best records of 2008.” – Shawn M. Smith

“With Dear Science, this experimental rock outfit finally broke through to more mainstream audiences. Most people loved them before 2006′s Return to Cookie Mountain, and this is a safe choice among the better albums this year.” – Elie Perler

4) Frightened Rabbit – Midnight Organ Fight [Review]

“Who knew Scots could channel this much raw emotion into something so catchy?” - Holly Perry

“‘The Modern Leper’ kicks off like a world beater and somewhere along the way gets just world weary enough to make the payoff like “you should be less rude” feel like an anthem of the not quite oppressed. This album is the ultimate coin flipper. Half of the listens will leave you empty and half will leave you inspired. Those are pretty good odds, if somewhere less than “album of the year.”" – Greg Wind

“Like any good narrator, Frightened Rabbit front man Scott Hutchison is identifiable and likable from the get go. Both of which are strong assets considering the personal nature of the songs. The Midnight Organ Fight is a record of his hurt feelings, broken relationships, desperation and trying to not only get better but to be better. At no point during the nearly 50 minute running time do the songs come off as self absorbed. In fact, it is quite the opposite. His plight becomes one with the listeners.” – Dan Berkman

3) Vampire Weekend – Vampire Weekend

“Overexposed blog-buzzed bands usually don’t live up to the hype. Vampire Weekend is a prime exception.” - Elie Perler

“What surprised me about this album was its value in repeated listening and continued legitimacy after making such a huge splash outside of the indie scene. Its inventiveness in re-envisioning established genres was refreshing.” – Mark Hurley

“Vampire Weekend‘s debut is unique to 2008 albums, thanks the afro-pop blend created by Ezra Koenig‘s guitar (Epiphone Sheraton II), echoey drums, and a variety of keyboard instruments (violins, cello, harpsichord). It scutters up and down scales, resulting in an instant catchiness. It’s lyrically clever, delivering mostly accurate depictions of Cape Cod (“bottleneck is a shit show”), scoffing at grammar (“Who gives a fuck about an Oxford comma”) and mocking upper class fashions (“can you stay up to see the dawn / in the colors of Benetton?”) It’s fresh. It’s chill. It’s charming. It’s in a class of it’s own. It’s practically a Kennedy. .” – Holly Perry

“Try as many might, it’s desperately hard to work up a significant amount of bile towards Vampire Weekend. They didn’t come to save anything. They just groove on music that fell ever so slightly out of fashion — enough so that the resurgence of the sound (also mixed into Fleet Foxes’ work) is ever so slightly refreshing. Add in catchy hooks that make you chuckle at yourself for mumbling “Blake’s got a new face” and you have something worth sinking several thousand head bobs into. Why fight guiltless happiness?” – Greg Wind

2) Fleet Foxes – Fleet Foxes

“The most interesting thing about Fleet Foxes is how much they bridged a gap from indie to everywhere. Without sounding especially accessible, they built an audience around a sound that is comfortable if familiar to indie enthusiasts that far exceeds what one might expect. In another era you might suspect an especially attractive line up or payola. Today, you can chalk it up to timing and a vocal fan base of young women. Also, it doesn’t suck.” – Greg Wind

“There is a lot of hype around Fleet Foxes and their self titled debut album. Normally, I wouldn’t go in with people calling it “the finest record in a decade” or dubbing it “one of the new heights in American music” but after several trips through it, I am here to report that every word is absolutely true. Every little piece of music I have heard from the band simply crackles with life. It is so easy to get whisked away on the soaring four-part harmony and lovingly picked guitar and find yourself in the forest. Watching leaves the fall from the trees and the sunset drop behind the “Blue Ridge Mountains”. To put it simply, this isn’t music you just listen to, this is music you experience.” – Dan Berkman

“Not quite a retread of last year’s Iron & Wine record, Fleet Foxes delve deeper into the Crosby Stills & Nash catalogue that informs these kinds of bands, and add that new pastoral aesthetic so popular nowadays with bands like Bowerbirds, who, by the way, did not make the list. The eponymous album is startling evidence of what it means to do it right.” – Mark Hurley

And, finally, our top album of 2008:

1) Bon Iver – For Emma, Forever Ago [Review]

“This is a great choice. It’s the new Pink Moon. It’s better than Pink Moon. Out of all the albums on this list, this is the one your grandkids will still be listening to. A classic in every meaning of the word.” – Tom Williams

“This is the album J.D. Salinger would have dropped, if he had musical talent. And a beard.” – Holly Perry

“Everything about this album sounds like a warm fire in a remote cabin. There are times we all need to shed distractions and feel as though survival is our only responsibility so we can nurse the wounds that don’t go away on their own. Keep the fire alive until spring and everything will be OK. A year after voting this the number seven album of 2007, I am soundly behind it as a number one of 2008 and I’m fine with whatever contradictions that implies.” – Greg Wind

“In short, Emma is a somber mood record with a specific time and place. And definitely not an easy listen. However, this shouldn’t be construed as a knock on quality. To truly understand the intended message requires multiple spins, with vivid imagery becoming clearer each time. In time, (Justin) Vernon’s melodies will ring in your head; no doubt a warm sonic companion for those cold lonely nights. So grab a cup of tea and a blanket, and snuggle up to the hi-fi. ” - Elie Perler

“Easily the best album of the year. When My Old Kentucky Blog first talked about this guy in June of 2007, I knew that he was going to do some big stuff. Yes, Dodge reviewed the self-release of the record at that point, but it wasn’t until Vernon was signed to Secretly Canadian/Jagjaguwar that his album finally took shape and got a major release, selling over 85,000 copies this year, half of them digitally. Ironically, we got an email the other day about a Wall Street Journal piece on Bon Iver the day before we began posting our list. Totally amazing 2008 for Justin and once again, this result proves why Secretly Canadian/Jagjaguwar are consistently the best indie label around. That’s a bold statement but I like making it. We love everything they put out and some of these records, including this one, will be played by our kids and our grandchildren. Kick ass record.” – Shawn M. Smith

And, now it’s time for another big reveal, the Individual Staff Lists – Top Albums of 2008:

Tom Williams
1. Frightened Rabbit – Midnight Organ Fight
2. Fleet Foxes – Fleet Foxes
3. No Age – Nouns
4. Airborne Toxic Event – Airborne Toxic Event
5. Bon Iver – For Emma, Forever Ago
6. Creaky Boards – Brooklyn Is Love
7. Liam Finn – I’ll Be Lightning
8. Vampire Weekend – Vampire Weekend
9. Ra Ra Riot – The Rhumb Line
10. Tokyo Police Club – Tokyo Police Club

Holly Perry
1. Vampire Weekend – Vampire Weekend
2. Weezer – Weezer (The Red Album)
3. The Subways – All or Nothing
4. Albert Hammond Jr. - Como Te Llama?
5. Noah and the Whale – Peaceful, The World Lays Me Down
6. Sigur Ros – Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaus
7. Tv on the Radio – Dear Science
8. The Lucksmiths – First Frost
9. Ra Ra Riot – The Rhumb Line
10. The Smittens – The Coolest Thing About Love

Toby Bonagura
1. TV On the Radio – Dear Science
2. Fleet Foxes – Fleet Foxes

3. David Byrne & Brian Eno – Everything That Happens
4. Deerhunter – Microcastles
5. Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend
6. Randy Newman – Harps and Angels
7. Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks – Real Emotional Trash
8. Elvis Costello – Momofuku
9. The Hold Steady – Stay Positive
10. Coldplay – Viva La Vida

Mark Hurley
1. Mother Mother – O My Heart
2. Black Kids - Partie Traumatic
3. The Hold Steady – Stay Positive
4. Steven Malkmus and the Jicks – Real Emotional Trash
5. Throw Me the Statue – Moonbeams
6. The Explorer’s Club – Freedom Wind
7. Q-Tip – The Renaissance
8. Ben Folds – Way to Normal
9. Fleet Foxes – Fleet Foxes
10. Los Campesinos! – Hold On Now Youngsters

Elie Perler
1. Bon Iver – For Emma, Forever Ago
2. Vampire Weekend – Vampire Weekend
3. Gnarls Barkley – The Odd Couple
4. Raconteurs – Consolers of the Lonely
5. Black Keys - Attack & Release
6. Delta Spirit - Ode to Sunshine
7. MGMT – Oracular Spectacular
8. Beck – Modern Guilt
9. The Explorer’s Club – Freedom Wind
10. Parts & Labor – Receivers

James Mitchell
1. Dear and the Headlights - Drunk Like Bible Times
2. Nada Surf – Lucky
3. Coldplay – Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends
4. Delta Spirit – Ode to Sunshine
5. Raconteurs – Consolers of the Lonely
6. Muse – HAARP *live
7. Beck – Modern Guilt
8. The Black Keys - Attack and Release
9. Death Cab for Cutie – Narrow Stairs
10. Oasis – Dig Out Your Soul

Dan Berkman
1. Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes
2. Spiritualized – Songs in A and E
3. Portishead – Third
4. Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago
5. Frightened Rabbit – The Midnight Organ Flight
6. Sigur Ros – Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust
7. Los Campesinos – We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed
8. Titus Andronicus – The Airing of Grievances
9. Sons and Daughters - This Gift
10. The Colour Revolt - Plunder, Beg, Curse

Shawn M. Smith
1. Lukestar – Lake Toba
2. O’Death – Broken Hymns, Limbs and Skin
3. Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago
4. Murder by Death – Red of Tooth and Claw
5. The Explorer’s Club – Freedom Wind
6. Does It Offend You, Yeah – You Have No Idea What You’re Getting Yourself Into
7. Department of Eagles – In Ear Park
8. Lykke Li – Youth Novels
9. The Last Shadow Puppets – The Age of the Understatement
10. M83 – Saturdays = Youth

And that’s the story of 2008. Thanks for checking us out and thank you again for all the support this year. We really do appreciate it.

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