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MTV News Staff Favorites Of 2008: Christopher Smith's Top 20 Albums From The Punk-Rock Underground

Posted 12/30/08 6:03 pm EST by in MTV News Staff Favorites '08

We here at MTV News are a pretty diverse bunch, so the views expressed by some in our more official-type year-end lists (like James Montgomery’s Top 25 Albums and Best Songs, and the Mixtape Monday Awards) are not necessarily shared by the rest of the newsroom. So, this week we gave everyone else a chance to chime in with their own lists and explain (or defend) their choices. You’ll find the staff faves of 2008 all together here.

By Christopher "CJ" Smith

2008 Year in Music: Were you listening to the punk-rock underground?

2008 was a year where lo-fi, sh--gaze and weirdo-punk reigned supreme in this formerly straight and narrow-minded indie fan's life. Fleet Foxes? F--- that pretty-boy sh--. TV on the Radio? Been there, done that. Vampire Weekend? LOL.

Every record in 2008 seemingly was an exercise in how not to make interesting and/or exciting music. It was in the bedrooms, basements and garages, however, that musicians WERE taking chances and creating fun new pop landscapes smothered in noise, tapping into their punk lineages, crafting terrific garage rock and, above all, writing hooks that wouldn't leave your head for days.

These 20 records are a good starting point for a year that was rife with melodies, glorious fuzzy noise and static. They've all got MySpace pages, so take a listen to what they're doing and hear what you may have missed.

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MTV News Staff Favorites Of 2008: Rya Backer's Top 10 Albums And Singles

Posted 12/30/08 2:31 pm EST by in Best Of, MTV News Staff Favorites '08

We here at MTV News are a pretty diverse bunch, so the views expressed by some in our more official-type year-end lists (like James Montgomery’s Top 25 Albums and Best Songs, and the Mixtape Monday Awards) are not necessarily shared by the rest of the newsroom. So we’re giving everyone else a chance to chime in with their own lists and explain (or defend) their choices. You’ll find the staff faves of 2008 all together here.

By Rya Backer, Production Assistant

I'm actually on vacation right now, and am typing this on a computer that might as well be operated by foot pedal, so no fun webcam plea from me. I don't think I could pick a definitive favorite song from 2008 anyway, not because I didn't especially like anything, but because I liked too many songs! Anyway, here are my favorite albums of 2008:

10. Passion Pit, Chunk of Change EP — These guys have, like, seven songs to their name thus far. Very excited to hear what's next.

9. Neil Young, Sugar Mountain - Live at Canterbury House 1968 — I don't think this counts as a "new" album, per se, but half the bands I've listed would be nothing if it weren't for him. "Birds" and his between-song banter are heartbreaking and heartwarming, respectively.

8. The Streets, Everything Is Borrowed — Hooray! It's more A Grand Don't Come for Free than The Hardest Way to Make an Easy Living!

7. Dodos, Visiter — At first, I listened to "Jodi" on repeat, then I realized there were a lot more songs on the album that were just as good.

6. Marnie Stern, This Is It and I Am It and You Are It and So Is That and He Is It and She Is It and It Is It and That Is That — Between Marnie Stern's fingerpicking and Zach Hill of my beloved Hella on drums, this album makes me feel untalented and boring; luckily, I need that kind of motivation. Read More...

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MTV News Staff Favorites Of 2008: Field Producer Nick Neofitidis' Top 10 Albums

Posted 12/29/08 10:27 am EST by in MTV News, MTV News Staff Favorites '08

We here at MTV News are a pretty diverse bunch, so the views expressed by some in our more official-type year-end lists (like James Montgomery's Top 25 Albums and Best Songs, and the Mixtape Monday Awards) are not necessarily shared by the rest of the newsroom. So we're giving everyone else a chance to chime in with their own lists and explain (or defend) their choices. You’ll find the staff faves of 2008 all together here.

By Nick Neofitidis, Field Producer

It's that time of the year, when you, our audience, get to butcher us over our top-10 lists on everything from movies to albums — so I lay myself at the mercy of the kids. Please be gentle.

10. Michael Jackson, Thriller 25 — OK, I may be cheating here just a bit, but there is no way a human being in this world with functioning ears doesn't hear some old-school Mike and just want to start busting a move. (I just moon-walked thinking about it.)

9. Radiohead, In Rainbows — Can't say that I am a huge Radiohead fan, but what these guys did to shake up the industry by offering up the album for download at whatever price you wanted is pretty damn genius.

8. Kanye West, 808's & Heartbreak — Rappers singing? Wait a gosh darn minute! Oh, wow — this isn't half bad! Love those glasses. Man, why Kanye always got such an ego? Did he just break that dude's camera? Still need a month to get used to this. Kanye makes me tired.

More of Nick's list, and he defends his number one album choice... after the jump!
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MTV News Staff Favorites Of 2008: Rachel Josue's Top 10 Most Entertaining Films

Posted 12/24/08 3:13 pm EST by in Best Of, Lists, Movies, MTV News Staff Favorites '08

We here at MTV News are a pretty diverse bunch, so the views expressed by some in our more official-type year-end lists (like James Montgomery's Top 25 Albums and Best Songs, and the Mixtape Monday Awards) are not necessarily shared by the rest of the newsroom. So, this week we gave everyone else a chance to chime in with their own lists and explain (or defend) their choices. You'll find all of the staff faves of 2008 here.

By Rachel Josue, Digital Producer

I would like to preface this list with the following disclaimer: I did not see "Twilight" yet. OK, with that out of the way, like last year, I was really into this year's blockbusters. I go to the movies for the entertainment value, not so much the deep story of this and that, so fun is my #1 priority. Here are my picks for the most entertaining films of the year.

10. "Penelope": I saw this film two years ago, actually, and loved it then. It didn't get the attention it deserved.

9. "Vicky Christina Barcelona": What I appreciated most about this film was that I had seen so many blockbusters and superhero movies during the summer, this film became a breath of fresh air.

8. "Sex and the City: The Movie": The girls will always have a place in my heart.

7. "Hancock": I loved what they did with Charlize Theron's character. I would love to see a sequel for this one.

(Which movie did Rachel pick as her #1 most entertaining film for 2008? Find out after the jump!)
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MTV News Staff Favorites Of 2008: Sabrina Rojas Weiss' Top 10 Albums That Make Me Happy

Posted 12/24/08 2:01 pm EST by in Bands We Like, Best Of, MTV News Staff Favorites '08

We here at MTV News are a pretty diverse bunch, so the views expressed by some in our more official-type year-end lists (like James Montgomery's Top 25 Albums and Best Songs, and the Mixtape Monday Awards) are not necessarily shared by the rest of the newsroom. So, this week we gave everyone else a chance to chime in with their own lists and explain (or defend) their choices. You'll find all of the staff faves of 2008 here.

By Sabrina Rojas Weiss, Senior Copy Editor

10. The Ting Tings, We Started Nothing: I love singer Katie's shouty power and the way their beat makes me jump around like a little kid. "That's not my name!"

9. Chromeo, Fancy/ Fancier Footwork: With this playing on my headphones, I am instantly in an '80s movie montage. (The original came out last year, but I bought this year's "deluxe" set.)

8. Coldplay, Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends: I avoided buying this for months because the hype bored me. But that soaring wall of sound in the title track finally got under my skin.

(What was Sabrina's #1 album from 2008? Find out after the jump!)
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MTV News Staff Favorites Of 2008: Daniela Capistrano's Top 10 Horror/Gore/Thriller Movies

Posted 12/23/08 5:42 pm EST by in Best Of, MTV News Staff Favorites '08

Daniela Capistrano

We here at MTV News are a pretty diverse bunch, so the views expressed by some in our more official-type year-end lists (like James Montgomery’s Top 25 Albums and Best Songs, and the Mixtape Monday Awards) are not necessarily shared by the rest of the newsroom. So, this week we gave everyone else a chance to chime in with their own lists and explain (or defend) their choices. You’ll find the staff faves of 2008 all together here.

By Daniela Capistrano, Digital Producer

I am addicted to movies, particularly the kind that make me jump, cry and think — and the best make me do all of those things in that order.

"Let the Right One In," a Swedish horror film directed by Tomas Alfredson, was a rare gem that slipped by many this year (particularly those already distracted by another teen vampire movie) — but not me. It was my favorite film of 2008.

Like "Twilight," "Let the Right One In" took a different angle on the vampire genre. Both films were based on a book. Both starred young, and (at the time) fairly unknown actors. Both films dealt with topics such as social isolation and your not-so-typical young romance, but, for me, "Let the Right One In" is the superior film. Why?

(Find out why Daniela prefers "Let the Right One In" over "Twilight" and check out her top 10 horror/gore/thriller movies list, after the jump!)
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MTV News Staff Favorites Of 2008: Christina Garibaldi's Top 10 Best Artists

Posted 12/23/08 5:33 pm EST by in Bands We Like, Best Of, MTV News Staff Favorites '08, Rihanna

Christina Garibaldi

We here at MTV News are a pretty diverse bunch, so the views expressed by some in our more official-type year-end lists (like James Montgomery's Top 25 Albums and Best Songs, and the Mixtape Monday Awards) are not necessarily shared by the rest of the newsroom. So, this week we gave everyone else a chance to chime in with their own lists and explain (or defend) their choices. You'll find all of the staff faves of 2008 here.

By Christina Garibaldi, Daily News Coordinator

Pop music seemed to rule the airwaves this year, from the Jonas Brothers to Miley Cyrus to Taylor Swift, so here's a look at the biggest pop stars of 2008.

10. Pink: Turning her heartbreak into a smash single with "So What," Pink made a huge comeback in 2008.

9. Leona Lewis: I believe there was a period of two months this year when you could not go anywhere without hearing "Bleeding Love."

8. Demi Lovato: She's adorable and talented, and she and best friend Selena Gomez had a YouTube fight with Miley Cyrus. What more can you ask for?

(Find out what who Christina picked as the top pop start for 2008, after the jump!)
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MTV News Staff Favorites Of 2008: Joe DeShano's Top 10 Movies

Posted 12/22/08 3:45 pm EST by in Best Of, Movies, MTV News Staff Favorites '08

Joe DeShano

We here at MTV News are a pretty diverse bunch, so the views expressed by some in our more official-type year-end lists (like James Montgomery's Top 25 Albums and Best Songs, and the Mixtape Monday Awards) are not necessarily shared by the rest of the newsroom. So, this week we gave everyone else a chance to chime in with their own lists and explain (or defend) their choices. You'll find the staff faves of 2008 all together here.

By Joe DeShano, Video Editor

10. "Bolt": Rhino!!!

9. "Doubt": The verbal sparring between Philip Seymour Hoffman and Meryl Streep is worth the price of admission alone.

8. "Milk": The movie, brilliantly acted, drove home a story of struggle not often seen in film. It's interesting to see how a movie made about the late '70s is still so relevant and poignant today.

7. "Mama Mia": The most audacious camp I've seen in a long time. The "Rocky Horror" for this generation.

(Check out Joe's complete list, after the jump!)
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MTV News Staff Favorites Of 2008: Jocelyn Vena's Top 10 Pop Albums

Posted 12/22/08 1:56 pm EST by in Beyonce, Britney Spears, Demi Lovato, Jonas Brothers, Katy Perry, Miley Cyrus, MTV News Staff Favorites '08, NKOTB, Taylor Swift

Jocelyn VenaWe here at MTV News are a pretty diverse bunch, so the views expressed by some in our more official-type year-end lists (like James Montgomery's Top 25 Albums and Best Songs, and the Mixtape Monday Awards) are not necessarily shared by the rest of the newsroom. So, this week we gave everyone else a chance to chime in with their own lists and explain (or defend) their choices. You'll find the staff faves of 2008 all together here.

By Jocelyn Vena, Writer

Let's face it, 2008 was the year of the pop artist. And, since I am the resident pop expert around these parts, I decided to make my top 10 list all about the greatest pop albums to hit the charts in the last 12 months.

10. Pink, Funhouse: Her tough-girl attitude paid off with this album. She performed her single, "So What," at the VMAs and soon after, it was everywhere. Read More...

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MTV News Staff Favorites Of 2008: Kristin Grimmett's Top 10 Songs

Posted 12/22/08 12:56 pm EST by in MTV News Staff Favorites '08

Kristin GrimmettWe here at MTV News are a pretty diverse bunch, so the views expressed by some in our more official-type year-end lists (like James Montgomery's Top 25 Albums and Best Songs, and the Mixtape Monday Awards) are not necessarily shared by the rest of the newsroom. So, this week we gave everyone else a chance to chime in with their own lists and explain (or defend) their choices. You'll find the staff faves of 2008 all together here.

By Kristin Grimmett, Associate Producer

10. "Yes We Can," Will.I.Am: Because, uh, yes we did.

9. "Rehab," Rihanna: I first heard this song in '07, but when she released the video in '08, adding Justin Timberlake to the track, this became my jam! Read More...

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