Best Boston Albums of '08

The Fatal Flaw “We Are What We Pretend to Be” (LUNCH)

With an ear for big, Brit-pop-style melodies and the economy of a hard-hitting pop punk band, The Fatal Flaw charged out of the gates with their debut.

Midatlantic “The Longest Silence” (UNDERGROUND SUN)

The brooding post-punk anthems, chiming guitar sheen, and pulsing disco beats make us so sad we just have to dance it out.

Township “Township” (SELF RELEASED)

The ’70s haven’t sounded this groovy since, well, the ’70s. Dirty grooves and power-riffing make this one throwback worth looking forward to.

Barnicle “Friends of B” (SIDEHATCH/BAMPF)

Speaking of retro, it’s the ’90s all over again with this collection of hard-charging, female-fronted power pop from Barnicle. It’s basically the sound of Boston’s recent past packed into three-minute nuggets of furious guitar pop.

Boston Metro