Scott Harrison

Albums of the Year

10: Nada Surf - Lucky
This was the album that I'd hoped Death Cab for Cutie's 'Narrow Stairs' was going to be. This was also the album that introduced me to Nada Surf. How I've missed them all these years, I have no idea, but this is pure pop perfection.
Key Track: 'Ice on the Wing'.

9: Los Campesinos! - We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed
This was their second full-length release this year, and a genuine first for me to have two albums by the same artist in the same end of year list. This album has beefier production and even more lyrical bile, bitterness and black humour than their debut, but is ever so slightly inferior for some reason. I can't put my finger on why.
Key Track: 'You'll Need Those Fingers for Crossing'.

8: Constantines - Kensington Heights
Often described as the Canadian Hold Steady - a gross misrepresentation, in my mind. I'd say they sail more through the waters of Mark Lanegan (Screaming Trees era) or Buffalo Tom singing Stillwater. However you try to categorise them, this was one of the undisputed highlights of the year. It took a while to get it, but once it took hold it didn't (and still hasn't) let go.
Key Track: 'I Will Not Sing a Hateful Song'.

7: Frank Turner - Love, Ire & Song
It took a long time for me to see this as anything other than a collection of pretty good songs. Something clicked about two weeks ago and this suddenly makes perfect sense as a complete album. A few lines here don't really do it justice, so give it a spin yourself. You won't regret it.
Key Track: 'To Take You Home'.

6: Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago
What can I say about this that hasn't already been said by hundreds of others already? You must have heard it. If you haven't, I don't know where you've been hiding. So here it is, on the list. There we go.
Key Track: 'Re: Stacks'.

5: The Rural Alberta Advantage - Hometowns
This is my entry for unsigned-band-that-are-really-fucking-good-I-hope-they-make-it-big-but-I-can't-see-it-happening-because-they-don't-really-have-enough-commercial-appeal. Which is a shame. Pitched perfectly between early (and I mean early, not Funeral-era) Arcade Fire, Pavement and Neutral Milk Hotel. The only place to get it (legally) is emusic.com, and I'd recommend to anyone to give it a listen. I'm positive you'll find something that tickles your fancy.
Key Track: 'Four Night Rider'.

4: Los Campesinos! - Hold On Now Youngster
I can't believe how good this album is. Honestly. With lyrics like "Nothing says I miss you quite like poetry carved in your door with a Stanley knife", and song titles like 'This is How You Spell HAHAHA We Destroyed the Hopes and Dreams of a Generation of Faux-Romantics', this album really ought to disappear up it's own arse, but it just works. I don't know how, but it does. I wish I could sell it better than I am because you're missing out on a fuck-load of fun if you let this band pass you by.
Key Track: 'My Year In Lists'.

3: Okkervil River - The Stand Ins
Maybe not quite as good as last year's The Stage Names. Definitely should lose points for being a sequel album, but that's missing the point. If albums were movies, and this was truly a sequel, it would be The Godfather, Part II. Not quite as good as the original, but still worthy of whatever accolades you care to throw at it. Songs as stories, albums as movies. It seems a little strange down by the old Okkervil River, but you can't argue that the soundtrack is phenomenal.
Key Track: 'Pop Lie'.

2: Frightened Rabbit - The Midnight Organ Fight
Midnight Organ Fight = Sex. Theme of the album = I'm no longer getting any. Quite how a 'break-up' album can be this much fun defies logic. A lyrical treat with tunes that will have you humming for weeks after. Anyone that can squeeze in the line "It takes more than fucking someone you don't know to keep warm" deserves all the praise in the world heaped on them.
Key Track: 'Keep Yourself Warm'.

1: The Gaslight Anthem - The '59 Sound
You may remember this band from such lists as 'Top 10's of 2007 - Scott Harrison'. Yes, they're back again. Not much has changed, except they're bigger, bolder, louder and better. Still following the blue-collar rock meets punk ethic that served the debut so well, but hey, if it ain't broke, don't try to fix it. Olly has dismissed this lot as 'Born to Run'-era Springsteen rip-offs. His loss. Here's hoping they don't do a Hold Steady and 'grow up' on us.
Key Track: all of them :-)

Tracks of the Year 2008

10: Death Cab for Cutie - Long Division
9: Jason Mraz - I'm Yours
8: Ladyhawke - My Delerium
7: Glasvegas - Geraldine
6: The Felice Brothers - Frankie's Gun
5: Okkervil River - Bruce Wayne Campbell Interviewed on the Roof of the Chelsea Hotel, 1979
4: Frightened Rabbit - Keep Yourself Warm
3: Los Campesinos! - My Year In Lists
2: Gaslight Anthem - Film Noir
1: Biffy Clyro - Mountains

Emperor's New Clothes 2008

The Last Shadow Puppets -The Age of the Understatement
I don't get it. First single was pretty good, but the rest of the album was almost unlistenably dull. Bring back Arctic Monkeys (less so The Rascals) pleeeaaaaase!

It's Good, But Not That Good 2008

Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes
It's alright. Has a couple of cracking tunes. sounds a bit like Midlake (though without the consistency). I just don't get why they've had so much attention.

Guilty Pleasure 2008

Iglu & Hartly - In This City
The album is pretty poo, but I just can't get enough of this song. Sue me ;-)

Innocent Pain 2008

Elbow - The Seldom Seen Kid
I really should like this album. They were cracking live. It's winning awards left, right and centre. But I just can't get into it though. It'll probably click sometime next year.