8. A-Punk – Vampire Weekend

Vampire Weekend hit the scene hard this year. The blogosphere was all over them early this year, then the rest of the world caught on as their became Rolling Stone’s newest sweethearts. Even I listed their catch tune, Campus, as one of my Top 10 Tracks ever. The blending of Western and African influences gives Vampire Weekend a unique style that is hard to ignore.  Their self-titled debut album has so many great tracks that it’s difficult to choose one as the best.  A-Punk is an upbeat and fun, with lyrics worthy of analysis. Move over Peter Gabriel and Paul Simon, the new breed African fusion has arrived!

7. Dreamer – Jenn Grant

I have given Jenn Grant quite a lot of attention here on the Road 2 Nowhere this year. While I love her entire album Orchestra for the Moon from start to finish, Dreamer remains my favourtie track on the record. Its  stunningly beautiful instrumentations and Jenn’s flawless vocals, singing such scrumptious lyrics as:

On a date by a chocolate lake
Down by the rotary
Past town at the edge
Looking down at butterflies

Makes Dreamer one of my Top 10 Tracks of 2008.

6. Great DJ – The Ting Tings

The Ting Tings got a mention on the Road 2 Nowhere with reference to their catchy pop tune Shut Up and Let Me Go being featured on an iPod commercial. After releasing several singles, the band finally released their first full length album, We Started Nothing, in May 2008. Great DJ holds the spot as my favourtive track on the record. It has everything that a great pop tune should have, while maintaining the requisite level of hipness, making it one of the most catchy and lovable tunes of 2008.