Blog

20. Colour Haze - All
Taking much of their inspiration from Sabbath, Hendrix and krautrock, German power trio Colour Haze have been blazing a trail of stoner rock for nearly 15 years. Elephantine riffs and rolling rhythms mutating over long stretches of time, All is at times cliched but nevertheless a fuzzed-out, swirling ride of meditative jams and psychedelic bliss.
If



19. The Wave Pictures - Instant Coffee Baby
Wonderful, sincere lyrics perfectly capturing everyday events and emotions and a quirky, unforgettable voice falling somewhere between Davy Henderson and Finn Andrews, Instant Coffee Baby is a unique English gem presented in an unshowy C86 setting.



18. Blue Sky Black Death - Slow Burning Lights
Recorded in 2007, singer Yes Alexander provides vocals for the normally hip-hop Blue Sky Black Death's sixth release and third of 2008. (They actually had five in '08 if you include their production of Gutta's - Heads Will Roll and the instrumental release of their 2006 album The Holocaust). The alluring, ethereal voiced Alexander, also of the band The Casual Lust, shifts this album into breezy, dream pop territory.



17. The Tom Fun Orchestra - You Will Land With A Thud
An indie band with the word orchestra in it's title normally has it there for irony's sake. It's more often a lone guy with a half dozen Casios or a trio of ragged and sloppy folk rockers. With nine members, the term nearly makes sense for the sweeping, raucous Nova Scotian Tom Fun Orchestra. Included are: a trio of guitars, violin, upright bass, accordion, banjo, drums, mandolin, clarinet and trumpet. The gruff, Tom Waits-ian voiced lead singer proves to be a wonderful anchor to an energetic, chaotic, but always melodic group.



16. LITE - Phantasia
It seems that many of the inanely labeled ‘math rock’ bands fall into a trap of mechanical rhythms and syncopated guitar that often lack much excitement Technical, virtuous but also very hard-hitting and at times even contemplative, Phantasia is able to breathe some life into this supposed genre.




15. School of Seven Bells - Alpinisms
Twins Alejandra and Claudia Deheza have incredibly alluring voices and their passionate, perfectly harmonized vocals define this dream pop wonder.
Chain



14. Sennen - Where The Light Gets In
Tagged as both shoegaze and post rock but not quite either, Sennen's long-overdue full length debut proves they have without a doubt mastered opposite ends of the dynamic spectrum, from the noisiest rock to the softest ballads. Vocals are either absent or arranged into soft, sweetly sung harmonies. Sennen might have been formed according to specific formulas, but the way in which they mix them up makes this album a much richer, multi-layered experience.
Blackout



13. Peter Broderick - Float
Brodericks' second release of the year, Home, seemed to have gotten the bulk of the press. Odd, as Float is clearly the better release. Perhaps the folk based Home is more accessible than the classical sounding Float? Regardless, Float is a sparse, cinematic and atmospheric album containing not just piano but also violins, cello, drums, banjo and guitar. The youthful Broderick (also a member of the band Efterklang) may be ushering in a new beginning of modern classical music.



12. Moscow Olympics - Cut The World
Formed in the summer of 2006, the members of Philippine band Moscow Olympics must have been creating music for much longer than the two years the band has been active. Moscow Olympics’ smooth blend of post punk and shoegaze proves to be nothing short of brilliant. Cut the World certainly leaves you wanting more and it's brevity may be it's only flaw. Their music nearly seems like a resounding roar directed at anyone who deems post punk and shoegaze as genres that are dead or irrelevant.



11. The Night Marchers - See You In Magic
The Night Marchers (led by John Reis, former member of Drive Like Jehu, Rocket from the Crypt and Hot Snakes) are just here to have fun. Garagey, punky and noisy with the faint aroma of the Flamin' Groovies and The Nerves, the San Diego band's debut is pure, unapologetic rock 'n' roll.
Open Your Legs



10. Murder by Death - Red of Tooth and Claw
Like 16 Horsepower, Murder by Death explore a darker side of country-rock with lead singer Adam Turla owing much of his sound to Johnny Cash and Nick Cave. His low baritone meshes nicely with each of the songs, infusing them with aggression and a certain weariness as well.
Fuego!



9. The Weepies - Hideaway
Husband and wife duo Deb Talan and Steve Tannen follow up their 2006 release, Say I Am You, with another indie-folk gem. The album plays to their strengths: tight songwriting, beautifully layered harmonies, and the kind of sweet, introspective lyrics that tug at your heart.
How You Survived the War



8. Firewater - Golden Hour
Tod A's authentic and righteous lyrics, covering his divorce and George Bush among other topics, unexpectedly merge well with the eastern influenced music. Golden Hour is a travelogue of the three years he spent in India, Turkey, Pakistan, and Indonesia, where he used local musicians to highlight these angry yet poignant songs.
This Is My Life



7. Frightened Rabbit - The Midnight Organ Fight
Wonderful melodies and catchy choruses make this album highly accessible and belie the sometimes dark, sad lyrics. It's impossible not to be drawn into the warm, quivering vocals driving this Scottish band's sophomore effort.
Old Old Fashioned



6. Drive-By Truckers - Brighter Than Creation's Dark
In perhaps what is their least 'rock' album, the Truckers have released a group of diverse, exciting, slightly twisted tales of the American South. At 19 songs, perhaps it is a bit too long, but there are too many great tracks here for that to be much of an issue.
Daddy Needs A Drink



5. Boston Spaceships - Brown Submarine
Robert Pollard (of Guided by Voices fame) releases yet another classic. Brown Submarine is a pop punk album, made by and for kids who've worn out the grooves on their Cheap Trick and dB's records. Even at 50 years of age, Pollard can still write pop songs better than most: catchy, infectious, fabulous pop songs no longer fashionable, actually they never were fashionable.
You Satisfy Me



4. The Abbasi Brothers - Something Like Nostalgia
Defying easy genre classifications, Yousuf and Amman Abbasi create intricate, dreamy soundscapes using digital instruments, electronics, guitar, piano and found sounds. It's hard to be believe this is their debut, as mature and polished as it sounds.
Stacey's Day Parade



3. Blue Sky Black Death - Late Night Cinema
DJ's Kingston and Young God created a bold, diverse set of songs for their fourth release. Backing their dense production, guitar, keyboard and drum work are further contributions from violinists, organists, trumpeters, synth players and vocalists. On their first release of 2008, the duo showcase amazing versatility, with influences from lounge to electro.




2. Robert Forster - The Evangelist
Former writing partner to Grant McLennan (who co-wrote three of these songs before his untimely death) in The Go-Betweens, Forester has crafted a very moving and unsurprisingly melancholy tribute to his long time friend. Haunting and wistful, yet never sentimental, it's some of his best work in or out of the Go-Betweens.




1. The Drift - Memory Drawings
San Francisco’s The Drift specialize in chilled out post rock influenced by jazz and dub. While more guitar based post-rock bands (Mogwai, Explosions in the Sky) focus on tension and release in their slow building epics, The Drift occupy a more relaxed zone. Their sophomore effort contains some wonderful trumpet work, with the drums and upright bass perfect compliments.



Other artists who released great albums in 2008:

The Gaslight Anthem, Blood on the Wall, Okkervil River, Titus Andronicus,Evangelicals, Bowery Boy Blue, Neil on Impression, Upcdowncleftcrightcabc+start, Shugo Tokumaru, Sun Kil Moon, The Daysleepers, Randy Newman, Matthew Robert Cooper, God Is an Astronaut, Calder, The Hold Steady,Anathallo, Abigail Washburn, The Black Keys, Parts & Labor, John McKenna, Tearwave, No Age, Cruyff in the Bedroom, Followed by Ghosts, Mr. Bear, State Bird, Throw Me the Statue, The Postmarks, Helms Alee and Why? among others.

For those following links from: Portishead, Fleet Foxes, Santogold, Coldplay, Katy Perry, Jack Johnson, The Kooks and Nine Inch Nails i genuinely hope i've educated you.