A year of interesting albums - pt. 1: 2008

As radio host for faroese radio rock show "Rokkstovan" I have spent a lot of time listening to records. And if there was no radiohost gig (which there actually isn't at the moment since the show has been put on hold due to economical issues at the station), I probably would have listened to them anyway.

In a sudden attack of listmania I decided to pick my favourite albums, or at least the albums that caught my interest the most, and make a list for each year. I’m going to slowly work my way backwards in time. From here on I will start posting album lists for each year. Each blog will contain a list of about 10 to 15 albums that range from “awe-inspiringly excellent” to “interesting”. The selection will of course be extremely subjective and open to much debate. Leave comments if you want ☺

Am in no way saying that this is a definite list. Let's wait and see whether the albums represented here will stand the test of time. There might be changes made to the list in the future. If I come across a great album from 2008 that I haven't heard yet, that album might replace one of the listed albums. But this is it for now.

Please note that electronic music is likely to be underrepresented, since a lot of electronic artists release great singles while not doing much in the "cohesive album as a whole"-department. With a few notable exceptions. And those will be included. So here goes "A year of interesting albums - pt. 1: 2008". In no particular order except a sort of chronological one.

EDIT: Lindström's long-player Where You Go I Go Too has been added to the list.

Black Mountain: In The Future









2nd album from psychedelic Canadians who mix up 70's rock & stoner rock. What a brilliant blend.

Vampire Weekend: Vampire Weekend









Arty kids from New York make playful indie with a touch of afro pop (as if I know what that is).

Atlas Sound: Let The Blind Lead Those Who Can See But Cannot Feel









Brandon Cox is the singer in Deerhunter but this is his first widely available solo effort. Ambient laptop shoegaze pop. Good stuff.

The Mae Shi: HLLLYH









Experimental nintendo punk from California. Excellent band, excellent album. "Run to your grave" just might be the best song of 2008.

Bon Iver: For Emma, Forever Ago









Beautiful, haunting singer/songwriter stuff written in a cabin somewhere. This guy can sing!

Teitur: The Singer









This one too! Faroese songsmith raises the bar with a bunch of interestingly arranged tunes.

Portishead: Third









First album in 11 years & what a return! Without a doubt the album that I listened to the most last year.

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds: Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!!









Middle age seems to be a whole lot of fun if your name is Nick Cave (see Grinderman for further proof). A cool rock album.

Fleet Foxes: Fleet Foxes









Beautiful rural folksy indie from the label that gave us Nirvana, Band of Horses & The Shins (Sub Pop).

The Black Angels: Directions To See A Ghost









Psychedelic rock that invokes the weirdness of the 60's. And it's not only because the band name refers to a Velvet Underground song. This is the real deal. Not sure I want to do the drugs but the music is breathtaking!

Boys In A Band: Black Diamond Train









Kick ass cowboy rock from the Faroes. The title track is also a contender for "song of the year".

Lulu Rouge: Bless You









Great danish dub/electronica outfit. Atmospheric stuff. Sounds a bit like dark (& hot) chocolate. Also go see them live while eating ice cream covered in dark chocolate. It's worth it.

David Byrne & Brian Eno: Everything That Happens Will Happen Today









Two geniuses at work. They seem to make a big deal out of this being "electronic gospel". Actually it's quite laidback songwriter stuff with electronic flourishes. Byrne is an amazing singer.

Bob Dylan: Tell Tale Signs: The Bootleg Series Vol. 8








Speaking of geniuses...a goodie bag from the Bob.

Starflyer 59: Dial M









Jason Martin is a hero, from California & a really, really good songwriter.

HOGNI: hare! hare!








Singer/songwriter Hogni takes a left turn & goes roots pop on his new album! A collection of short concise no-nonsense songs.

Kollslíð & Sverrisson: Dreymaspøl








Folk music with thoughtful, poetic lyrics in faroese. Kári Sverrisson & Hans Jákup Kollslíð have been working on/off on this album since the early 90's. It's out now and it was worth the wait.

Lindström: Where You Go I Go Too











Norwegian nu-disco producer Lindström's absolutely brilliant long-player Where You Go I Go Too. It baffles me that I decided not to let this album make the list in the first place. The title track is almost 30 minutes long and it is an epic & cosmic space disco journey. The other two tracks (15 and 10 minutes long) are also great. A lot of the music sounds Tangerine Dream inspired but with disco rhythms at it's base. So good. Since this was left out the first time around I'll let the album cover be slightly larger than the others in this post (the unofficial explanation: I can't figure out how to make it any smaller than this). That's Lindström's friendly grin on the cover. I'd be smiling like that too if I made albums like this. Earlier this year he released his collaboration with singer Christabelle, the likewise brilliant Real Life Is No Cool (2010).

Comments

  1. Takk fyri tippið um Lulu Rouge. Fantastiskur tónleikur til at lesa týska teologi til! :)

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