Best Comeback Albums of 2008 (w/ Downloads!)

It was without a doubt a notable year for artists  returning from the beyond to make great albums. And some downloads after the jump to go with them:

1. Metallica – Death Magnetic

Metallica has done the unthinkable. This juggernaut revenant of an album finds them acting as though the last 20 years didn’t happen, and they had set to fulfill the prophecy of And Justice for All..  Destiny works in weird ways. 

Here’s Justice’s mix of ‘Master of Puppets’ on the A Cross the Universe live album:

Justice – Finale (Metallica)

2. Grace Jones – Hurricane

A well-produced album that is just as freaky and unconventional as the diva herself. Tricky and other guests come off inspired. Black magicke has its day.

Grace Jones – Williams Blood (Aeroplane mix)

3. AC/DC – Black Ice

AC/DC, like Metallica, sound like they haven’t gone anywhere or gotten old. They just keep rock n’ rollin with Brian Johnson’s crunchy tenor. If you liked them before, there’s no reason you shouldn’t like them now. And vice versa. (And by the way the following remix was my idea 5 years ago, but I just checked and this version IS better for the most part:)

AC/DC – Thunderstruck (Tittsworth remix)

4. Guns N’ Roses – Chinese Democracy

This album really roars on the songs that are heavier and the ones that show some new technology-electronic leaning. The ballads don’t work for me as they chase another “November Rain’ moment. Worth checking out.

Welcome to the Jungle (Todd Terje edit)

5. Tricky – Knowle West Boy

Our favorite trip-hop sci-fi villain (5th Element anyone?) returns with the focus (or is it unfocus) of his pioneering days. Maxinquaye is still one of my favorite records of all time. While he can’t duplicate that success, this is still a very good record. Drums of Death gives us one of the better remixes of the year here:

Tricky – Council Estate (Drums of Death mix)

Tags: AC/DC, Grace Jones, Guns N' Roses, Metallica, Tricky