So I finally got around to compiling my top 20 albums from 2008. It’s just a little late and probably a little controversial in places. Still most people can probably take a guess at my top 2. That’s for another time though, here are 20-11 in my top 20. I’ve included EPs as albums rather than do separate lists.
20. Vessels – White Fields And Open Devices
Vessels debut album proved to be something quite exciting. It’s an atmospheric post-rock affair, with plenty of interesting qualities. Heavier than most of the rest of the genre it reminds me of a more modern Upcdowncleftrightcabc+start, only with more electronics. That’s relatively high praise given how much I enjoyed that band’s album.
19. Polar Bear – Polar Bear
This album suffers from the fact that I bought it in 2009. It’s a heady jazz fusion affair that is uncompromising in its musical vision. The percussion as ever is outstanding, as is the saxophone. If there is one weak area in the album it is its length, it seems much too long. Despite being varied, it can’t quite sustain itself throughout the running time.
18. Youthmovies – Polyp EP
You get the feeling that this may just be the reheated leftovers from their fantastic debut album, with a few obscure recordings thrown in. For the songs Magic Diamond, Magdalen Bridge / Golden Palace (Hugo Manuel Remix) and Polyp alone this EP deserves to be in the list. It’s just a shame that the other tracks on the EP are a little weak. Magic Diamond in particular deserves high praise, it’s classic Youthmovies with complex melodic instrumentation meeting quickfire wonderfully structured lyrics.
17. Omar Rodriguez-Lopez – Calibration
Calibration is one of three albums Omar Rodriguez-Lopez was involved with on this list. Calibration is a much more laid back affair than most of his output.This is exemplified by Grey [Cancion Para El] which starts out with wistful violin. The album is generally very good, though lacks the punch of Omar’s better work.
16. Foals – Antidotes
Antidotes is an odd beast. It’s all very minimalist, with clean guitars and careful song structures. Math-pop this is not, everything is in a relatively straight forward time signature. However it’s interesting to note that they’ve taken the Battles sound and made it a million times more accessible to the general public. Tron is the standout track here; it pops, buzzes and fizzes in a way the other tracks don’t, all the while maintaining that trademark floaty, yet sharp, guitar sound.
15. Omar Rodriguez-Lopez – Absence Makes The Heart Grow Fungus
More visceral than his other solo album on the list, Absence has the punch lacking from Calibration. It sounds much more closely related to The Mars Volta’s work and probably benefits from being slightly less abstract. It spans the genres and is as ever full of plenty of experimentation. It also retains that latin, jazzy, character that sets Omar apart as one of the best musicians of this generation. It can be a hard listen if you’re not into unusual sounds and song structures, but if you can put up with it you are well rewarded.
14. Rolo Tomassi – Hysterics
A highly atmospheric album, from a band not quite sure of who they are yet. Much more mature than their earlier output, you sense that they are realising when to subvert and when to play it straight laced. They swing between quiet and loud, soft vocals and growls synth led and guitar led. Ones to watch for the future.
13. Los Campesinos! – Hold On Now Youngster…
Los Campesinos! don’t make sense. They manage to be almost painfully happy without being twee and painfully self aware while still being good. The boy / girl vocals work really well as do the frequent inclusions of gang vocals. This their debut album features perfect pop tracks and really clever lyrics. The happy sounds often hide dark lyrics, they’re usually well observed too. Sweet Dreams, Sweet Cheeks is the track to check out here.
12. Adam Gnade – Trailerparks
A tour only CDR, but it counts as a release in my book. Adam Gnade always delivers with his spoken word tracks. It doesn’t matter what instrumentation is behind (and its often varied) Adam delivers the goods. December, January – Ruins and Strange Worship exemplifies this with a military march style tune, ending with a somewhat less than sincere refrain of “god bless the USA”. Gnade is always evocative with his poetry (and that’s what it is) and with a good eye for a tune and varied instrumentation, you can’t go wrong.
11. Johnny Foreigner – Waited Up ‘Til It Was Light
Like Los Campesinos! but on fire after heaving eaten their body weight in sherbet. Boy / girl vocals once more define the band, though this time the music doesn’t even stray near twee. It’s much more aggressive and intensely exciting than Los Campesinos too. They’re at their best when mixing synth with the rest of their music,exemplified by Salt, Pepa and Spinderella (the standout track). A slow synth buildup, harmonising /interjecting vocals, then the best “do, do, do, do, do” section of the year. The track later explodes. Later, Yr All Just Jealous degenerates into a lovely vocal ditty and segues marvelously into the brilliant synth led Absolute Balance. This so easily could have made the top 10.
That rounds up part 1 of my top 20. I think this exemplifies what a great year it’s been. There’s more than a few albums here that could easily have made my top ten in another year.
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