2008 Part 1: Albums

10 Bon Iver- Bon Iver- For Emma, Forever ago























Late onto this one: A charming ode to a lost love: Utterly engaging. (Buy)

9 Zombie Zombie- A Land for Renegades























Kraut, disco, life, death & zombies: ‘A Land for Renegades’ was one of the more intriguing rides of the year. (Buy)

8 Beach House- Devotion























Came out very early in ’08, beautiful melodies played over delicate organs & drum machines. Delightful. (Buy)

7 Eine Kleine Nacht Musik- S/T






















Many records take their que from Germany’s Kraut era: Riton’s effort sounded like a loss artifact from the time, with added dancefloor Oomph. Very good indeed. (Buy)

6 Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds- Dig Lazarus Dig!!!























After the Grinderman Lp, Nick Cave reconvened the Bad Seeds & produced another fine record. At 50 he has never sounded better. (Buy)

Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds- More News from Nowhere (Download)

5 Elbow- Leaders of the Free World

















Was never really into Elbow’s previous output, that all changed with ‘Leaders of the Free World’. From the Gospel Stomp of ‘Grounds for Divorce’ thru to the delicate ode ‘Friend of Ours’, the Bury quintet’s 4th Long player consistently delivered. (Buy)

Elbow- Friend of Ours (Download)

4 Gang Gang Dance- St Dymphna























Still the most bewildering, (& magical) release of the year: Every listen bears new fruits. Get involved. (Buy)

3 & 2 Deerhunter- Microcastle/Atlas Sound- Let the Blind Lead Those Who Can See but Cannot Feel
















Double whammy from Bradford this year- Atlas Sound came out in Feb & was dripping in delicacy, completely soundtracked the spring. ‘Microcastle’ showcased Cox’s songwriting skills perfectly. Prolific & excellent? A rare commodity these days.. (Buy/Buy)

Deerhunter- Saved by Old Times (Platts Eyott Session) (Download)

1 Portishead- Third

















Did you ever have the feeling that some records were made just for you? Sounds like Portishead spent the last 10 years listening to Can, Black Sabbath & The Silver Apples: Add Beth’s beautiful tones and you get one hell of a brew. Marvelous. (Buy)

Portishead- Deep Water (Download)

Other notables:

2562- Aerial
Benga- Diary of an Afro Warrior
Beck- Modern Guilt
Brael/Tokyo Bloodworm- Living Language
Cheveu- Cheveu
Clinic- Do it!
Deerhoof- Offend Maggie
Dodos- Visiter
Fleet Foxes- S/T
Flying Lotus- LA
Headhunter- Nomad
Hecq- Night Falls
Hercules & Love Affair- S/T
Hush Arbors- Ecstatic Peace
Indian Jewelry- Free Gold!
Ital Tek- Cyclical
Johann Johannsson- Fordlandia
Kelpe- Ex-Aquarium
No Age- Nouns
Padded Cell- Night Must Fall
Poni Hoax- Images of Sigrid
Rebotini- Music Components
Ruby Suns- Sea Lions
Saudade- The Hooded Ones
Sic Alps- U.S Ez
Spiritualized- Songs in A & E
Syclops- I’ve got my eye on you
Teeth Mountain- S/T
The Alps- III
Tussle- Cream Cuts