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