Today would have been Elvis Aaron Presley’s 74th birthday.  Now, I know some of you kids aren’t that familiar with Elvis’ importance…but, speaking in terms of 20th century pop music…he was the jumpoff.

I guess the first thing that needs to be said about Elvis is that Elvis DID NOT steal black music.  America stole black music.  America stole everything.  Hell, America stole America.  That’s what we do.  We are the ex girlfriends of history: we jack your favorite hoodie and then  rock it as our own, so let’s just accept that and move on.

 sidebar: I know Chuck D said f**k Elvis, and I am a Chuck D disciple, but let’s face it, dude had some hater moments…I would argue that Elvis was instrumental in using music to bring young people together across race lines, but that’s another post.

 So.  What’s important?  What is important is that Elvis was the king.  Before Run DMC made King Of Rock, before MJ was the king of pop, before TI called himself king and Luda made him pump breaks, before Kells was the king of R&B&Pee, before The Game called Biggie Brooklyn’s Jesus, before Bob Marley was the prophet and Elton John got knighted, even before JB was the godfather…Elvis was the King Of Rock N Roll.

Like so many other musicians of his generation, Elvis was a simple po’boy from the south who loved him some gospel and loved his momdukes…period.  All Elvis ever wanted to do was play some Rock N Roll, shake it a little, eat a lot, serve his country, make some of the worst surf movies of all time, and shag each and every last one of his co-stars and as many fans as he could fit into his busy schedule (and not one of them ever got mad, cuz Elvis was not a player, he just crushed a lot).

 True, Elvis did introduce white America to some great music that they otherwise may have never heard of, but he introduced white America (and America in general) to a gang of cool stuff they otherwise may have never heard of…and cool stuff never stays private for long around here.  I’m talkin’ about Hawaii, Harleys, surfing, dancing (with hips, not like white people dance), rock star hedonism and self destruction, killing your TV, the .357 Magnum, bikinis, black leather, pomade (actually new to many white people), rhinestones, slow fade cop shades, oversized diamond pinky rings and Johnny Cash. 

Also, even when fully flossed out, Elvis never forgot gospel or his roots.  He took his OG crew with him everywhere he went(and you know none of them homies ever would’ve been on a jet if Elvis didn’t own one), he invented the fried peanut butter banana and bacon sandwich….and his Mama loved him.  You gotta be doin’ SOMETHING right if your Mama loves you.

 So, that being said, here’s to the king.  Happy, birthday, Elvis.

 Here’s some VIDEOS 

Ok, except for the inclusion of TVOTR.  What?  You expected me not to agree wholeheartedly with what was clear domination on the part of Brooklyn’s finest?  Well you expected wrong.  Anyway, as per usual, don’t expect a snarky indie rock list from me.  Expect a musician/engineer and most importantly, fan opinion of what got me fired up in 2008.  I’m sure I left a lot of albums off this list, but, hey, I have a job, and I spend a lot of time making music and having a life (ok, playing GTA IV), so I can’t listen to everything…and I only have 13 lucky slots.  Also keep in mind that my list last year included JAY-Z and GALLOWS (that’s what you’re getting yourself into).So, without further ado(about nothing), here,  in no particular order, but really kind of in order, are the records I spun a lot last year (and some video links)

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13. My Morning Jacket: Evil Urges

Jim James and co. never fail to wow me.  They put out four albums of solid southern silo reverb rock before Jim became obsessed with hip hop.  Then they brought the funk for a record or so, and now their on some psychadelic other stuff.  Excellent album, great singles AND they brought their brass even bigger live this year and played Radio City.  Cool points.

12. N*E*R*D: Seeing Sounds

Some of the best Neptunes beats in a while, and tracks that translate well to live performance.  It was good to hear some great melodies on this album, a lot of guitar and mad opportunities for Chad Hugo to pick up the keytar.  Even the non singles (Anti-Matter, boom!) are on par with their best work 

11. Kings Of Leon: Only By The Night

Always, always solid.  This record seems to be finally breaking these homies in the US mainstream.  This album may not be their most high energy, but it is a step forward in making a well very rounded, infectioous album that will move them out of the garage rock ’00s and into a looooong, evolving career.

10. REM: Accelerate

Their best album since New Adventures in Hi-Fi.  I think this album was highly overlooked, but really saw REM truly return to being REM; the rock band with a drummer.  I also heard a good deal of their Monster Era sound and fury on this record…which is something that y’all will appreciate in a year or two when DIY and grunge and post punk circle back.  See you then! 

9. Sia: Some People Have Real Problems 

Wow.  I discovered Sia in ‘07 (not a Zero 7 pun)? via an awesome video that was e mailed to me.  Before that, I sort of thought that her solo stuff would be updated Acid Jazz, and it kind of stayed off radar.  This year, however, I realized that all of her videos are awesome, as are all of her songs, and shows.  You learn something every year. 

8. Snoop Dogg: Ego Trippin 

Way before Kanye did whatever he damn well pleased on an album, Snoop did.  People tend to forget that Snoop is ALWAYS first.  Say it with me now: Snoop is always first.  He sang, he went country, he did what he damn well pleased.  This is another case where the non-singles are some of the best Snoop tracks ever (Dre or no). Deez Hollywood Nights, Press Play (banger of the YEAR), Can’t Say Goodbye, Why did you leave me…all in heavy rotation on the west side.  Just sayin…you prolly aint heard. 

7. Witch: Paralyzed 

J Mascis is my greatest influence on guitar, an idol and an innovator. He has never let me down and never will.  Imagine being a punk kid (like younger than 10) in ‘88 and hearing Dino Jr. for the first time.  Exactly.  This record is a brutal guitar assault.  

6. T.I.: Paper Trail 

So much better than the last record.  I’d like to point out that I called this as his pop breakthrough last spring.  I just smelled so many hits.  Even if you don’t like this album…secretly, you damn sure like this album. 

5. Lil Wayne: Tha Carter III 

Enough has been said.  Defined 2008.

4. Ludacris: Theatre of The Mind 

So many of you slept on the best traditional hip hop album of the year….it makes me sick.  Luda is a beast and this album is ill cover to cover.  P.S. “Everybody Hates Chris” is my JAM. 

3. The Black Keys: Attack & Release 

These dudes didn’t change the two-skinny-white-Ohio-boys-playing-dank-blues formula on this record.  That’s because the formula is PERFECT.  Dirty, loud, huge.  Brooding and exploding.  If it ain’t broke, don’t touch it. 

2. Gutter Twins: Saturnalia

Homes, it’s Lanegan and Duly.  How could this not be a wicked record?  I’m sad to hear that these two are gonna pack it up this year, cuz I haven’t seen them live yet.  Screaming Trees are still one of my favorite bands, and Afghan Whigs were entirely underrated…given, these were both overall musician bands (by and for), but they still put out some outstanding records that broke into the main stream.  So, really, I don’t understand why there wasn’t more excitement about Saturnalia.  Every number on this album is brilliant.  And every aspect of the recording is airtight.  Great compositions, engaging structure, great tones AND tone, great arrangements, well placed harmonies, excellent mix.  You should go listen to it. 

1. TV On The Radio: Dear Science

I know a lot of you hate TVOTR as much as I love them.  And I love this record.  And I don’t wanna hear any of you complain about the vocals…you’re the type of people who would’ve complained about Bowie, or Iggy or Dylan’s vocals.  YOU go write a genius album, produce it and pull it off live…haters. 

Oh and P.S. Honorary Mentions to M83 fo sho.  

Seriously.  ”Cuz every other city we go, every other video, seems wherever I go…I seeeee the saaaame chaaaaaain”

  Berg has definitely been the most marked rapper of the year.  A lot of people trash talked him.  Maino slapped him in public.  He seemed to catch shots at every turn…Even Ne-Yo slagged him in an interview, (Ne-Yo?…damn.  Berg got called out by a dude who wears lip gloss).

 And then there was that chain snatching.  Oh man.  I usually think this stuff is funny, but I actually feel bad about this one.  Since Berg got took for his chain, It seems like every rapper, rapper’s cousin, rapper’s daughter, rapper’s one night stand, cab driver, Kebab stand clerk and high school football team in the country posted a video of themselves on the web wearing Berg’s chain and talking trash.  I think i saw my optometrist rockin it out and dancin’ to “The Business” on Youtube.  And now…NOW…Yung Berg’s chain is on tour.  That’s right.  Trick Trickposted a video today in which he explains how he is taking Berg’s chain on tour.

 Yung Berg’s chain is on tour…without Yung Berg.  OK, NOW, it’s funny again.  Here’s the VIDEO.