Cheeky - Choke On A Cheeseburger
Despite being released digitally in December of 2007, Cheeky's debut EP makes it on to this list due to it being released on vinyl some time during 2008. Technicalities like that rule. Anyway, vocalist/guitarist Kate Eldridge is pissed about a bunch of things on this little release. So, logically, she and the rest of Cheeky construct insanely catchy, slightly quirky punk rock around her lyrics. The lyrics may be a point of contention for some, due to their simplicity and bluntness, but like the band they cite as a major influence, were the lyrics on the first Replacements releases all that great? While I can't really see Cheeky getting to the mature points the Replacements eventually did, I also don't really care. I'll keep on singing along to this just to use the term "namby pamby" a bunch.
Get Bent - Demo
Get Bent isn't really doing anything new, but they're doing what they do incredibly well. Their five-song demo consists entirely of hits, leaving no time for filler. Vocally, they recall later-day Hot Water Music if Chuck Ragan wasn't drowning in a sea of gruffness. It may not be the OMG musical moment of 2008 that some people make it out to be, but it is still one of the better debuts of the year.
Dead To Me - Little Brother
I personally love how no-frills of a band Dead To Me is. Like their full length, Cuban Ballerina, this EP is jam-packed with singable choruses, simple yet effective instrumental parts, and Jack Dalrymple's still amazing vocals. Chicken really steps up his game on this release as well. Despite having much more personal lyrics on Cuban, his vocal delievery always seemed to be overshadowed by Dalrymple. Thus, it's a little surprising that my favorite track on here is the Chicken-led "Arrhythmic Palpatations," which straight up burns with energy. Aside from the bizzare ska interlude in the title track, this is everything an EP should be.
Iron Chic - Demo
Another free offering from the great people over at ifyoumakeit.com, Iron Chic is another group that spawned from the posi-wreckage of Latterman. What makes Iron Chic appealing, however, is how they manage to acknowledge their past while taking elements from it that may have taken a backseat previously, and brought them to the forefront. Check the fuzz bass on "Timecop," or the odd production on opener "In One Year." Both feel like they could have fit in well on Latterman's swan song, ...We Are Still Alive, without feeling like retreads. Here's hoping their pedigree doesn't overwhelm what's going on here. They aren't Latterman, and that's just fine.
The Ergs - Hindsight Is 20/20, My Friend
Let's make one thing very clear. BIAS BIAS BIAS BIAS BIAS. The Ergs are one of my favorite bands of all time, so it's kind of a shoe-in that they're making an appearance on this list. They just broke up this past November, but not before leaving behind this massive retrospective that compiles just about all of their vinyl/compilation/floppy disc appearances on to one CD. I can't say enough about why The Ergs rule. They represent the best combination of musical aptitude, dork humor, sensitivity, and songwriting that has managed to rear its head this decade, bar none. Happy trails, Ergs.
The Mountain Goats - Satanic Messiah EP
On the cheekily named Satanic Messiah EP, John Darnielle basically takes Heretic Pride and strips it of all of its bells and whistles. This is old-school MGs at work here, just Darnielle, a guitar, and a piano. Not surprisingly, it rules. Listen to the title track over and over until you can't stand it any longer.-Erik
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