best of 2008 |
|
a selection of great albums from 2008 |
Stop right there - I'll deal with this before we
start. There is no reason to lament the exclusion of certain titles on this
edition of the best-of-year festivities. I can make no claims
regarding the sweeping comprehensiveness of this
list; such efforts are reserved for much larger committees of critics who
get paid much more than I do. Instead, what you see here is an
unconventional assembly of the finest records that eked their way towards my
ears this past year. This includes several titles you're likely not to have
even heard about, but that's all for the better,
as it is my hope that music fans will consider this list more about
discovery than the confirmation of expectations. After all, how much can one
gain from endlessly hearing about the
"melodic depth" of the
Fleet Foxes' debut?
So keep your mind and ears open, and welcome to
Indieville's Best of 2008! |
Loudspeaker Speaker Meets Clearly Human
Like Ten Feet Tall (Broken
Twilight)
I hardly consider myself a dub aficionado, but this is by far the best dub
record I've heard in a long
time. Despite the genre's relatively
strict formula, Like Ten Feet Tall manages to be a varied
and consistently engaging record destined to be enjoyed by dub newcomers and
veterans alike. |
|
Rogue Motel Daylight Breaking (self-released)
Among the most brazenly catchy releases of the year, this glorious
country-pop opus will edge its way into your head via its infectious
Crowded House influence. The vocalist has a unique croon, but once
you've adjusted to it you'll fall in love. Perhaps the best self-released
record of the year. |
|
Pumice Quo (Soft
Abuse)
Homemade weirdo pop from this New Zealander populates the impeccably
strange Quo. I've heard this guy compared to a modern-day Hasil
Adkins, and the comparison could not be more appropriate. Whether its
a noisy rock shred or a gentle instrumental, Quo is consistently
baffling yet unmistakably irresistible. |
|
Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin
Pershing (Polyvinyl)
Pershing got a lot of knocks for not
living up to its (admittedly obnoxious) hype, but as far as
summer pop albums go, this
hit the spot like a shot to the groin. Every song stuck
like glue, while the band's carefree demeanor
made those sweaty summer nights seem just a little bit sweeter. |
|
Kangding Ray
Automne Fold (Raster-Noton) One of
the most accessible releases to drip out of glitch mega-conglomerate
Raster-Noton, Automne Fold is a mesmerizing electronic
epic. Save this one for good headphones -
Kangding Ray works best when he's able to submerge you in his
mechanical world.
|
|
Pia Fraus After
Summer (Clairecords / Seksound)
Some will bemoan the relatively stagnant state of shoegazer these days,
but one whiff of After Summer should have you convinced otherwise.
This Estonian group has created a memorable album that is almost
frustratingly beautiful. Long live dream pop! |
|
Don Caballero
Punkgasm (Relapse) Say what you will
about Don Cab's recent incarnations, but Punkgasm is a
startling return to form for the heavily abridged band. Damon Che's
obscene drums are still front-and-centre, but they are complemented by solid
guitar and bass, and even
some singing. Three cheers for
nineties indie rock! |
|
Tim Lee 3 Good2b3 (Paisley
Pop) Make no mistake, this is nothing more than a straightforward
rock/pop album. But it is the infectious, anthemic nature of these
songs that makes Good2b3 such a divine treat. Tim Lee's eighth
album will leave you wondering why you' never heard about
the other seven.
|
|
Laura Barrett Victory
Garden (Paper Bag) This whimsical
beauty of an album will have you
designing movie scenes in your head. Laura
Barrett's irresistible voice is empyreal in its sweeping vastness, while
her unconventional compositions have a glorious romanticism to them.
|
|
Shearwater Rook (Matador)
From side project to main attraction, Shearwater's records have always been
consistently impeccable, and Rook is no exception. The Talk Talk references
are valid, but these folks are so much more. Years from now, Shearwater will
be considered one of our generation's most original and wonderful bands -
and Rook will be among their best. |
|
Secret Dakota Ring
Cantarell (Serious Business)
The side project of OK Go's Andy Ross yields a satisfying
and personal pop record that you'll be singing along to in no time. If you
liked Teenage Fanclub's more pop-based material, you'll love
Cantarell. |
|
Elbow The Seldom Seen
Kid (Fiction / Geffen) Sterling,
mature pop characterizes this Mercury Prize winning album, Elbow's
fourth full-length since their debut in 2001. Unjustly overlooked by most
North American audiences, these folks have been favourites in the UK for a
long time now. The Seldom Seen Kid, an impeccably beautiful offering,
is a prime taste of what you've been missing. |
|
Au Verbs (Aagoo)
A whimsical yet melodic trip, Verbs has the ability to get you
dancing around your bedroom and crying in the corner all in one album.
This one is impossible to describe in 5000 words
- let alone 50; as it is, you'd
be best off discovering Verbs on your own. |
|
Guillaume Gargaud Le
Lieu
(Dirty Demos) Indieville's lone 90% this past
year, Le Lieu is a tremendous accomplishment in drone music.
Gargaud's epic is a meditative wonder, absolutely absorbing yet
certainly not intended for the impatient listener. Released by Dirty Demos
in an issue of only 150 copies, those lucky few who
managed to snag one ought to feel pretty good
about themselves. |
|
Joan of Arc Boo!
Human (Polyvinyl) Listeners may be
surprised to learn that Boo! Human is long-standing Chicagoan act
Joan of Arc's eleventh full-length album since their 1995 inception
following the dissolution of Cap'n Jazz. And while its generic
spasticity can make it a bit difficult to wrap your head around, there is no
denying this album's unconventionally wonderful nature. |
|
Grampall Jookabox
Ropechain (Asthmatic Kitty / Joyful Noise)
Cassette tape choruses and campfire chants adorned their first record,
but Ropechain is much more anthemic and better produced. Not a soul
release, but all soul nonetheless, this glistening beauty of an album is
bizarre and mesmerizing, the sort of thing you won't leave the house
without for weeks. |
|
compiled by michael tau |