Albums of the Year
10: Kaiser Chiefs - Off With Their Heads
Britpop is back. Hurrah. It’s obvious what you’re going to get from this their third album, right? Wrong. They’re out of their comfort zone and what you get is the unexpected – Kaiser Chiefs in musical adventure shock. Would you have expected a duet with grime rapper Sway? Seeing them live you realise this album avoids the formula, experimenting and it works. Much, much better than anything they’ve released before.
"What do you want for tea? I want crisps."
9: Santogold - Santogold
She’s been described as the female breakthrough act of 2008. It’s a fine record with the single 'L.E.S Artistes' summing up this great cross-over album. Rock & hip-hop in perfect harmony.
8: Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes
'He Doesn't Know Why' and 'White Winter Hymnal' – on the basis of these tracks, it’s hard to believe that up until this debut the most famous musical export from Seattle was grunge. It’s also hard to write anything about this album without mentioning the Beach Boys. Bugger, I just have.
7: Hot Chip – Made in the Dark
"Half nelson, full nelson, Willie Nelson." Hot Chip have concocted a great accompaniment for any journey – either running or driving. I can close my eyes as I type and visualise me driving the Merc – engine purring, windows down and ridiculously large, old-skool glasses firmly in place.
6: Glasvegas - Glasvegas
I needed some translation advice on this album from my colleague who works for The Daily Record. Problem is, he’s not from Scotland. This is very black Scottish indie with a surprisingly large number of memorable quality tunes that are worthy of any boozy sing-along. Gritty. Poetic.
5: Foals - Antidote
Serious haircuts. You either love his voice or hate the music. Or both.
'Red Sox Pugie', 'Balloons' and, of course, 'Cassius' are all stand out tracks that will undoubtedly stand up to critical scrutiny for long time to come. Also, they played one of the best gigs of the year.
4: MGMT - Oracular Spectacular
'Time to Pretend' – easily a contender for single of the year. I don’t think this has any real long-term prospects of being hailed as a seminal record. It probably won’t be remembered as one of the great albums, but, in 2008, this hits all the right spots. Fresh, new electro with a big dollop of fashionable pomp.
3: Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend
I thought these guys were from Oxford. They keep going on about the place…. This Yankee foursome are part of the “new crop of afrobeat bands”. My problem is where’s the afrobeat? In fact, what exactly is afrobeat? I’m not really bothered, I’ve missed the afrobeat – I’m just happy to drink their brand of intoxicating indie pop.
2: Los Campesinos! – Hold On Now, Youngster
'Death to Los Campesinos' - Great lyrics and harmonies. Nice ditties. Pity they’re Welsh. Been criticised for not being an album but more a collection of singles. I disagree. I get quite giddy and stupid listening to this. And sometimes even dance. Heavy, heavy ipod rotation.
1. Does It Offend You Yeah? - You Have No Idea What You're Getting Yourself Into
Based on my iTunes plays count this is my most listened to album of the year and on that basis my top album of 2008. Not given the critically acclaim it deserved but hits all the right electronic dots and dashes. The tracks 'Epic Last Song', 'We Are Rockstars, Let’s Make Out' – fine, fine records. MIDI-tastic
10: Scarlett Johansson - Falling Down
9: The Streets - The Escapist
8: Death Cab for Cutie - I Will Possess Your Heart
7: Black Kids - I’m Not Going To Teach Your Boyfriend
6: Neon Neon - I Lust You
5: Love is All - Ageing Had Never Been His Friend
4: The Kills - Last Day Of Magic
3: We Are Scientists - After Hours
2: Noah And Whale - 5 Years Time
1. Ida Maria - I Like You So Much Better When You're Naked
The Last Shadow Puppets – The Age of the Understatement
Super group – my arse. Two words - The Coral.
Album: Keane - Perfect Symmetry
A very close run thing between this and Cut Copy, In Ghost Colours. Cut Copy brought back the '80s New Order/Thompson Twins synth and Keane brought back the handclap. I prefer the handclap (copyright - Pretend That You’re Alone).
I must confess that Bernard Butler goes to my gym. I wanted to like this record. Jools Holland implored me to love it. I can’t. It’s her. She annoys me - particularly her voice and that matters. Why? Cos that’s what’s supposed to be great about this record. Bernard, you’re not Phil Spector I’m afraid.
Close run with The Ting Tings.
10: Kaiser Chiefs - Off With Their Heads
Britpop is back. Hurrah. It’s obvious what you’re going to get from this their third album, right? Wrong. They’re out of their comfort zone and what you get is the unexpected – Kaiser Chiefs in musical adventure shock. Would you have expected a duet with grime rapper Sway? Seeing them live you realise this album avoids the formula, experimenting and it works. Much, much better than anything they’ve released before.
"What do you want for tea? I want crisps."
9: Santogold - Santogold
She’s been described as the female breakthrough act of 2008. It’s a fine record with the single 'L.E.S Artistes' summing up this great cross-over album. Rock & hip-hop in perfect harmony.
8: Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes
'He Doesn't Know Why' and 'White Winter Hymnal' – on the basis of these tracks, it’s hard to believe that up until this debut the most famous musical export from Seattle was grunge. It’s also hard to write anything about this album without mentioning the Beach Boys. Bugger, I just have.
7: Hot Chip – Made in the Dark
"Half nelson, full nelson, Willie Nelson." Hot Chip have concocted a great accompaniment for any journey – either running or driving. I can close my eyes as I type and visualise me driving the Merc – engine purring, windows down and ridiculously large, old-skool glasses firmly in place.
6: Glasvegas - Glasvegas
I needed some translation advice on this album from my colleague who works for The Daily Record. Problem is, he’s not from Scotland. This is very black Scottish indie with a surprisingly large number of memorable quality tunes that are worthy of any boozy sing-along. Gritty. Poetic.
5: Foals - Antidote
Serious haircuts. You either love his voice or hate the music. Or both.
'Red Sox Pugie', 'Balloons' and, of course, 'Cassius' are all stand out tracks that will undoubtedly stand up to critical scrutiny for long time to come. Also, they played one of the best gigs of the year.
4: MGMT - Oracular Spectacular
'Time to Pretend' – easily a contender for single of the year. I don’t think this has any real long-term prospects of being hailed as a seminal record. It probably won’t be remembered as one of the great albums, but, in 2008, this hits all the right spots. Fresh, new electro with a big dollop of fashionable pomp.
3: Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend
I thought these guys were from Oxford. They keep going on about the place…. This Yankee foursome are part of the “new crop of afrobeat bands”. My problem is where’s the afrobeat? In fact, what exactly is afrobeat? I’m not really bothered, I’ve missed the afrobeat – I’m just happy to drink their brand of intoxicating indie pop.
2: Los Campesinos! – Hold On Now, Youngster
'Death to Los Campesinos' - Great lyrics and harmonies. Nice ditties. Pity they’re Welsh. Been criticised for not being an album but more a collection of singles. I disagree. I get quite giddy and stupid listening to this. And sometimes even dance. Heavy, heavy ipod rotation.
1. Does It Offend You Yeah? - You Have No Idea What You're Getting Yourself Into
Based on my iTunes plays count this is my most listened to album of the year and on that basis my top album of 2008. Not given the critically acclaim it deserved but hits all the right electronic dots and dashes. The tracks 'Epic Last Song', 'We Are Rockstars, Let’s Make Out' – fine, fine records. MIDI-tastic
Tracks of the Year
10: Scarlett Johansson - Falling Down
9: The Streets - The Escapist
8: Death Cab for Cutie - I Will Possess Your Heart
7: Black Kids - I’m Not Going To Teach Your Boyfriend
6: Neon Neon - I Lust You
5: Love is All - Ageing Had Never Been His Friend
4: The Kills - Last Day Of Magic
3: We Are Scientists - After Hours
2: Noah And Whale - 5 Years Time
1. Ida Maria - I Like You So Much Better When You're Naked
Emperor's New Clothes 2008
The Last Shadow Puppets – The Age of the Understatement
Guilty Pleasure 2008
Single: Mystery Jets - 2 Doors Down
Colleague at work thought this was The Cure. Enough said. Anything that's good enough to grace the charts in 1983 can get in my 2008 list 25 years later.Single: Mystery Jets - 2 Doors Down
Album: Keane - Perfect Symmetry
A very close run thing between this and Cut Copy, In Ghost Colours. Cut Copy brought back the '80s New Order/Thompson Twins synth and Keane brought back the handclap. I prefer the handclap (copyright - Pretend That You’re Alone).
Innocent Pain 2008
Duffy – RockferryI must confess that Bernard Butler goes to my gym. I wanted to like this record. Jools Holland implored me to love it. I can’t. It’s her. She annoys me - particularly her voice and that matters. Why? Cos that’s what’s supposed to be great about this record. Bernard, you’re not Phil Spector I’m afraid.
Close run with The Ting Tings.
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