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Best of 2008

January 6th, 2009 · 2 Comments

Last year wasn’t much to write home about, a few notable highlights – but much that begs to be forgotten about. Thankfully, there was some good music to brighten the days.

Once again – impossible to pick a favourite of the year – my last.fm stats tell me that I played Yoav – Charmed and Strange - the most during the year, but that could be because I listened to Where is My Mind quite a lot.

So, in no particular order – my top ten albums of 2008. All download links are to Amazon (MP3 store where possible)

bon iver

Bon Iver – For Emma, Forever Ago (Download)

Apparently written in a cabin in Vermont – and you can truly feel the loneliness and isolation – falsetto vocals, plaintiff guitar and amazing writing. Stand out Track : Skinny Love

elbow Elbow – The Seldom Seen Kid (Download)

Awesome 4th album for the Bury boys – tracking this album from early concerts to the Mercury prize has not diminished how amazing this work is. Stand out track : Mirrorball

johann johannson Johann Johansson – Fordlandia (Download)

Strange concept – an album about a tract of land in Brazil which Henry Ford made to grow rubber for tyres. Modern classical at is absolute peak – majestic. Stand out track : Fordlandia

yoav Yoav – Charmed and Strange (Download)

Israeli/South African sing songwriter with an album entirely constructed around his guitar and vocals. First seen on Jools Holland. Extraordinary. Stand out track : Club Thing

laura marling Laura Marling – Alas, I cannot swim (Download)

Luckily though, she can write songs. Hailing from Reading, but sound like she spent a lot of time on the beach somewhere. Perfect modern British folk Music. Stand out track: Night Terror

british sea power British Sea Power – Do you like rock music? (Download)

Ever so slightly mental – but stunningly written and performed. Brightons finest export produce an album of epic, pompous, flag waving genius. Stand out track : No Lucifer

kings of leon Kings of Leon – Only by the Night (Download)

Almost ubiquitous by the end of the year, but still irresistibly good. The Followill boys of Nashville do their family name proud with a fantastic stompy album. Stand out track : Revelry

sun kil moon Sun Kil Moon – April (Buy @ Amazon)

Spartan, atmospheric music that refuses any of the usual genres. Mark Kozelek produces a superb sound, allied with sublim songwriting skills. Essential. Stand out track : Moorestown

sigur ros Sigur Ros - Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust (Buy at Amazon)

Absolutely everywhere – but none the less for it, Icelandic cool, but with a more playful excitable element thrown in. One reviewer says practically perfect – who am I to disagree? Stand out track : Ara Batur (Rowing Boat)

shearwater Shearwater – Rooks (Download)

Not withstanding the bird spotting references, quieter than their other band (okkervil River) this album of contemplative, indie-folk is a fine example of the genre: Stand Out Track : Snow Leopard

Tags: music

2 responses so far ↓

  • 1 John (Bostoncrime) // Jan 7, 2009 at 01:56

    nice list … and pleased to see Fleet Foxes are not on it … am still struggling to see why they are in everyone else’s top 10 … Elbow are personal faves … every album tops the last

    My list would include: Darker My Love, The Rosebuds, Derby, My Morning Jacket, Mark Morriss (lead singer of The Bluetones) and Friendly Fires.

    If interested, drop me a line and I’ll upload a sampler for you

    Regards

    john

  • 2 Nigel Leggatt // Jan 30, 2009 at 15:39

    Quality all the way as usual Matt. Bought “Rook” on the strength of this. Ta

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