Albums of the Year
10: Portishead - ThirdA difficult, challenging record to get into, which plunges into even darker territory than the fearsome, self-titled, second album 11 years ago. In some respects, the most ambitious 'Fuck You' record of the year, with absolutely zero concession to the warm coffee table cosiness of their debut. Nevertheless, a little investment of time reveals Third to house four of the band's most satisfying songs, and listened to as a whole, it works like albums used to work.
9: David Holmes - The Holy Pictures
The record Primal Scream wish they could make. With Holmes taking vocal duties for the first time, this hugely cinematic set leads off with the blissed-out 'I Heard Wonders' and never looks back. From a man who's made a living out of making film music, by the time you reach 'The Ballad of Jack and Sarah', you feel like you've been taken on a trip. And it is a trip.
8: Hot Chip - Made In The Dark
Easily the nerdiest band that's ever lived, 'Made in the Dark' is a revelation after the curiously overhyped and overrated debut. Chock full of ridiculously catchy pop songs alongside poignant, darker numbers, it's a deceptive record which merely grows in stature with every listen. Barely a weak link, and the perfect standby record while we await the next LCD Soundsystem effort.
7: Eastern Conference Champions - Ameritown
A lovely, angry noise from the US alternative scene, this startling set of shattered gems sucks up the best of the '90s and carves its own identity with a handful of standout tracks on an already strong album. When you take the best bits of Pixies, Radiohead and Smashing Pumpkins, you're evidently going to be onto a good thing, and so it proves.
6: Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago
Easily the coolest record of the year to namedrop, this exquisite, fragile set of confessional campfire songs is captivating and beautiful, and, again, even better in a live context, where Justin Vernon's voice is the definition of angelic. Moving and involving without cloying sentiment, this post break-up album is THE night-time record of the year.
5: The Raconteurs - Consolers of the Lonely
Whenever people wearily think they've heard enough rock music to last a lifetime, along comes an album that completely blows your head off and restores your faith in what's actually possible. Jack White's generally been a bit over-rated over the years, but since he teamed up with Brendan Benson in 2006, his stature has grown tenfold. It's no exaggeration to say that this is among the finest rock records there has ever been - a staggering number of tunes muscle for attention in this 14-song masterpiece. And it's even better in a live context.
4: MGMT - Oracular Spectacular
If the charts hadn't been hijacked by marketing people 20-odd years ago, this lot would be top of the nation's hit parade. Another effortlessly stunning debut album from what looks like a dodgy synth duo, but is actually a vehicle for some kind of amazing prog-pop renaissance. If their amazing Glastonbury showings were anything to go by, this is what pop records are going to sound like for the next few years.
3: Dr.Dog - Fate
If The Beatles had grown up in California, they'd have probably sounded like this lot. Name-dropped by Wilco, and yet completely unheard of over here, 'Fate' has the lived-in sound of a band destined for cult status if they keep releasing records with the consistent quality on display here.
2: Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes
Few debut albums have ever emerged with a vision so fully-formed and breathtakingly assured. With the richest harmonies possible, and songwriting talent to die for, this is a contender for album of the decade, never mind this year. There are almost too many highlights, and if this leads people back to CSNY, then all the better.
1: The Soundtrack of Our Lives - Communion
A late entrant to this list by virtue of this 24-track double album arriving last knockings via mail order from the band’s own website. Following on from the staggeringly overlooked genius of the band’s previous four albums (particularly 2002’s 'Behind The Music'), the fact that this is crammed with so many highlights should come as no surprise to anyone who’s been following the Swedes over the past ten or so years. The album itself is yet another trawl through the finest moments of classic rock, delivered with the usual effortless prowess of a band at the peak of their powers. Despite the lengthy tracklist, nothing feels indulgent, flabby or pointless, and when their astonishing cover of Nick Drake’s ‘Fly’ leaps out unexpectedly for the first time, it’s like being manhandled by god. Standout tracks include the marauding 'Universal Stalker', the blissed-out 'Everything Beautiful Must Die', the fragile 'Pictures of Youth' and every gamer’s theme tune, 'Second Life Replay' (with it’s wry “I killed myself today” nod) but there are too many to choose from. Even initial throwaways like 'Mensa’s Marauders' grow into the fabric of the album, while the likes of 'Without Warning' and 'Flipside' feel like songs you’ve known all your life. Don’t be fooled by the clinical sleeve, with clean cut, smiling individuals gazing out healthily from beneath their bathrobes. This is dirty rock by dirty old men with a supernatural ear for tunes.
25: Revere - The Escape Artist
24: Ida Maria - I Like You So Much Better When You're Naked
23: The Dears - Dream Job
22: Elbow - The Bones of You
21: Supergrass - Bad Blood
20: Kings of Leon - Sex on Fire
19: The Trash Can Sinatras - Oranges and Apples
18: British Sea Power - No Lucifer
17: Paul Weller - Black River
16: Oasis - Shock of the Lightning
15: R.E.M. - Living Well's The Best Revenge
14: Eastern Conference Champions - Single Sedative
13: The Soundtrack of Our Lives - Fly
12: Hot Chip - One Pure Thought
11: Beck - Chemtrails
10: Polly & The Billet Doux - I Don't Know
9: Portishead - The Rip
8: The Raconteurs - Consoler of the Lonely
7: David Holmes - I Heard Wonders
6: Fleet Foxes - Quiet Houses
5: Bon Iver - Flume
4: Dr. Dog - Hang On
3: The Soundtrack of Our Lives - Pictures of Youth
2: MGMT - Weekend Wars
1: Vampire Weekend - A Punk
The Hold Steady - Stay Positive
Blanket acclaim and huge radio support for a bunch of stodgy Bruce Springsteen wannabes. Stay Positive? I tried, but this made me want to Stay Away, frankly.
Guilty Pleasure 2008
Can’t think of a single thing I’m guilty about liking. Why be guilty? If you like it, you like it. Fuck what other people think. If you want something old which I’ve recently realised I love after all, it’s Devil Woman by Cliff Richard. Corker.
Innocent Pain 2008
It’s always Muse or The Killers with me. I cannot seem to get to grips with either. I don’t want to criticise other people’s tastes too much, I just don’t get them, ok?
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