Best 40 albums of 2008
Posted by: Niels Guénec on: December 28, 2008
The year is over, the four seasons has passed. Here’s a look back upon the music that brought us through; onto the other side.
The ones we love, the ones we forgot about, the ones we shared together over a drink and the ones we haven’t really understood yet. It was hard to choose, but here they are: The 40 best records of 2008. Don’t mind the particular placement of the albums. Some are incomparable – this strict order doesn’t really make sense.
01. Fleet Foxes ‘Fleet Foxes’
02. Foals ‘Antidotes’
03. Cut Copy ‘In Ghost Colors’
04. The Walkmen ‘You & Me’
05. Deerhunter ‘Microcastle’
06. Late of the Pier ‘Fantasy Black Channel’
07. Born Ruffians ‘Red, Yellow & Blue’
08. The Kills ‘Midnight Boom’
09. Chad Vangaalen ‘Soft Airplane’
10. Friendly Fires ‘Friendly Fires’
11. Tokyo Police Club ‘Elephant Shell’
12. Shearwater ‘Rook’
13. Hot Chip ‘Made in the Dark’
14. Vampire Weekend ‘Vampire Weekend’
15. Crystal Castles ‘Crystal Castles’
16. Kings of Leon ‘Only By the Night’
17. Portishead ‘Third’
18. MGMT ‘Oracular Spectacular’
19. Bon Iver ‘For Emma, Forever Ago’
20. Frightened Rabbit ‘Midnight Organ Fight’
21. Bloc Party ‘Intimacy’
22. Veto ‘Crushing Digits’
23. Glasvegas ‘Glasvegas’
24. Wild Beasts ‘Limbo Panto’
25. Wolf Parade ‘At Mount Zoomer’
26. The Young Knives ‘Superabundance’
27. Sigur Ròs ‘Med Sud I Eyrum Vid Spilum Endalaust’
28. Tapes n’ Tapes ‘Walk It Off’
29. Little Joy ‘Little Joy’
30. Headlights ‘Some Racing, Some Stopping’
31. Los Campesinos! ‘We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed’
32. Dungen ‘4′
33. Lambchop ‘(OH) ohio’
34. Land of Talk ‘Some Are Lakes’
35. Eagles of Death Metal ‘Heart On’
36. Fuck Buttons ‘Street Horrrsing’
37. The Mae Shi ‘HLLLYH’
38. The Last Shadow Puppets ‘The Age of the Understatement’
39. Department of Eagles ‘In Ear Park’
40. The Futureheads ‘This Is Not the World’
Deerhunter
Posted by: Niels Guénec on: November 14, 2008
Microcastle, 2008
Deerhunter - Microcastle
It never stops. The fascination of this band. They comitted their best album so far by adding Microcastle to their repertoire.
Bradford Cox is now back from his solo project Atlas Sound and concentrating on his role as frontman in the Atlanta based group Deerhunter. They succesfully put their name into North American music agenda and in Europe as well with their debut album Cryptograms. This breakthrough album was mentioned in every self-respected music magazine and was generally very well received. However, this album was not a masterpiece or of any revolutionairy music materiel but Deerhunter proofed themselves as a potential band.
The band fortunately still belongs to underground bacause the band master the anti-mainstream genre and avoided too much harmful hype. Deerhunter delivers an unified song package – not with inseparable songs but still an album that should not be fragmented but instead give an overall impression. To capture the right Deerhunter-spirit, I think you should listen to the album from start to end, however, the fantastic first single “Nothing Ever Happened” can ’stand alone’ though without the stereotypical structure of a hit.
The album starts with ‘Intro’ and slightly fades into the insinuating “Agoraphobia”. To follow comes a parade songs which brilliance can’t be described. The catchy “Never Stops”, the psychedelic “Little Kids” and the titel track “Microcastle”. After getting dreamily dizzy after a calm and beautiful passage with piano and harp you reach and !wake up! by the bass-pumping “Nothing Ever Happened” that ends after an amazing rock hotchpotch (but strictly strucktured) where Deerhunter proofs their sublime ability of ensemble playing. Continiously the band dishes up with great songs like “Saved By Old Times”, “These Hands” and finally rolling the ending credits with the quiet-noisy “Twilight At Carbon Lake”.
Lazy drums, sonorous guitars and various synths and percussion are all creating the psychedelic, timeless, noisy and amazing Deerhunter universe which brings up fantastic assosiations in your mind. Deerhunter is the sound of a caleidoscope with beautiful color schemes.
Please note that: So far I’ve seen three different Microcastle covers. This one is the cover for the album and the “Weird Era Cont.” bonus disc. Don’t get confused – obtain the album in whatever color or shape you can – it won’t change the brilliant content.
Story from the record: When “Saved By Old Times” had been recorded there was a gap, a ‘middle section’, Bradford Cox didn’t like. A passage where the instruments are kind of idling, a tick-over. It bothered him and he got this idea that could fill up the empty space. Why not put talking from a videochat onto a record? The band called up the friend of the band, and frontman in Black Lips, Cole Alexander from the studio and recorded a live, intercontinental iChat transmission. This was added to the track.
Source: Pitchforkmedia.com / see the video from the studio and a dick rising in the snow at Pitchfork TV : Deerhunter, in the studio, part 2 of 2
Tomorrows top 10 songs
Posted by: Niels Guénec on: November 13, 2008
In heavy rotation atm.
Here we go again, boys & girls. Get ready for another set.
1. Friendly Fires – Skeleton Boy
2. Deerhunter – Little Kids
3. Modest Mouse – 3rd Planet
4. Cut Copy – Going Nowhere
5. Plusminus – Snowblind
6. Simian Mobile Disco – Sleep Deprivation
7. Jay Reatard – Another Person
8. Bloc Party – Signs
9. Liam Finn – Second Chance
10. Port O’Brien – I Woke Up Today
Yesterdays top 10 songs
Posted by: Niels Guénec on: November 12, 2008
Tracks in heavy rotation atm.
Following tracks are all taken from brilliant albums which are absolutely recommendable, however, I chose ten specific tracks that deserves some extra attention. Appetizer for the entire album.
1. Deerhunter – Nothing Ever Happened
2. Panda Bear -Good Girl/Carrots
3. Lambchop – Sharing A Gibson With Martin Luther King Jr.
4. Shearwater – Leviathan Bound
5. Spoon – My Little Japanese Cigarette Case
6. Glasvegas – Geraldine
7. Cut Copy – Strangers In The Wind
8. Blonde Redhead - Spring And By Summer
9. Portishead - The Rip
10. Bon Iver – Re: Stacks
Chad VanGaalen
Posted by: Niels Guénec on: November 12, 2008
Soft Airplane, 2008
Chad VanGaalen - Soft Airplane
I really like this one. Maybe because he seems as odd as myself. However, this craziness of his flows into a unique creativity. This weirdo is a wonder. His name is Chad VaaGaalen and he’s from wonderful Canada. No wonder that he’s from CA ’cause that’s were all the wonders are from these days.
On ‘Soft Airplane’ mixtures of genres, odd percussion and the use of many different instruments creates an unseen versatility and originality. He keeps his songs as pop compositions full of melody and ‘catchyness’ – every singer-songwriter with respect for themselves would be able to compose so. The singer-songwriter label is not sufficient in VanGaalen’s case. He is enable to take the singer-songwriter genre even futher. His work is maybe pop but there is much more to it.
“Bare Feet On Wet Griptape” is a happy, up-tempo poprock song where VanGaalen folds out his most lively, frisky side. “Cries of the Dead” enclose this characteristic oddity that Chad VanGaalen stands for. Skewed melody and weird lyrics about a neighbourg eating his dog – the result is charming and irresistible. VanGaalen definite gets brilliant on “TMNT Mask” where he really proofs his talent. Skewed, dance-able and god-damn-catchy + VanGaalen equals a good song and originality. “Willow Tree” is a very charming ballad where a melancolic banjo leads the path of the song into a golden hymn enchanted by horns, bells, a bassoon and an accordion. Enchanting as “Phamtom Anthills” which strange grandiosity make it deserve an absolutely brilliant”-sticker.
Listening to the lyrics ‘death’ seems to be the theme on the record. The ‘everywhere-to-be-found’ reflections on death makes his songs melancolic like “Willow Tree”: ‘When I die / I hang my head beside the willow tree / When I’m dead / is when I be free’ and ‘You can take my body / put it in a boat / Light on it fire / and send it out to sea’. While the theme death is releasing in this song it’s seen from a comic aspect on “Cries of the Dead”: ‘I can hear the cries if the dead / Maybe it’s your neighbourg beating his dog in the basement’.
The undecribable, beautiful craziness of Chad VanGaalen is extremely recommendable.
Cut Copy
Posted by: Niels Guénec on: September 17, 2008
In Ghost Colours, 2008
Among all these modern tendencies it’s time to loosen up and turn back time. The soft sound of the 80’s music is back reinkarnated in three australian fellows. Frontman Dan Whitford started off in 2001 as a solo artist before gathering the rest of the band in 2003. The band is Cut Copy.
The band slowly won peoples attention by touring with major international bands like Bloc Party, Franz Ferdinand and lately Daft Punk. However, the process to bulid an international name took time. Just recently Cut Copy got their name into European magazines, blogs etc. When the british music press discovered Cut Copy as a potential band their first album was about 2 ½ year old. No companied had yet been interested in releasing it in the UK. What a shame (I guess mainstream and hype does bring along some good things). The new release is not to be mistaken of. It’s brilliant.
‘In Ghost Colours’ is dominated of guitar figures and synthesizers creating this delicate atmosphere of the 80’s. Cut Copy themselves are more inspired by the 70’s music like Beach Boys which is easely to hear in their sonorous choir constructions. However, the dancability, the pop melodies and synth love makes Cut Copy appear like a 80-loving band, but also a band searching for new directions, scouting for experiments, looking forward into the future.
Facts:
- Formed in 2001 by Dan Whitford. In 2003 fully assembled.
- First album, ‘Bright Neon Love’, released in Australia in 2004. Recorded in Dan’s bedroom.
- Released at Modular Records (Wolfmother, The Avalanches, The Presets (AU)).
- Second album, ‘In Ghost Colours’, released March this year.
- Now touring for third year in a row.
- Producer: Tim Goldsworthy (The Rapture, Hercules And Love Affair)
Born Ruffians
Posted by: Niels Guénec on: August 4, 2008
Red, Yellow & Blue, 2008
‘Red, Yellow & Blue‘ – one colour for each member of the Toronto band Born Ruffians. With an ordinary band set-up, guitar/bass/drums, three Canadian friends commited an extraordinary album. With only three colours you can create a masterpiece. Born Ruffians are the living proof of this.
While not being much of a ruffian-band they manage to attract attention otherwise. Not by breaking stuff or commiting vandalism but playing their thoughtfull music material. The bright voice of Luke Lalonde accompanied by the uh/ah choir of bassist Mitch Derosier and drummer Steven Hamelin creates a marvellous atmosphere. In addition to this comes the bands instrumental creativity and the sublime text work: “If I started my own country / For the flag, what colours would I use? / Such a myriad to choose from / I would pick red, yellow & blue // Red, for the blood I’d spill to own it / Yellow, for the sun which shines my way / And although I am leader of this country / Blue, because I’d still have sad days“. Crooked rythems, uptempo beats, part-singing choir and melodic guitar riffs are mixed together into a damn good tasting music cocktail. All in all everything works perfect on this record. Taking garage rock to ‘the next level’ BR deserves to be praised and honoured for this record – it is extremly recommendable.
Please pay causion: This album grows bigger and bigger! I spend several hours listening to this album. I wouldn’t garantee good first impressions, however, if you like bands like The Strokes, Animal Collective or Modest Mouse this album will likely – over time – fall in (very) good taste. BR has the same catchy beats ans riffs as The Strokes. Luke Lalonde’s way of singing is inspired by Isaac Brock from Modest Mouse. Animal Collective’s playful universe is also to be found in BRs’ music. It takes time to capture all of this and that is why it grows and keeps growing. The most fantastic and beautiful albums are these kinds of albums.
Now, go out and buy that album.
Vampire Weekend
Posted by: Niels Guénec on: May 27, 2008
Vampire Weekend, 2008
It is seen before and now it seems to be finding its way back into popular music. Afro beat has in the past few years been increasing its appearance. One of the pioneers that has adapted the afro beat is Vampire Weekend. The band was formed back in 2006 where the four fellows met at the Columbia University. With a common love for popmusicians as The Zombies and The Beatles and a passion for afro beat, a genre from the 1970’s, they started a band together.
A different and unique way of using traditional instruments is what characterize afro beat and this gives the music a special and admirable vibe. On the self-titled album Vampire Weekend make use of this and combine it with simple, african rythems and elements from classical music such as violins. This may sound a bit odd, however, the band manage to create a unique univers. The references to african music makes the music organic and recognizable. Additional genres like punk and classical makes it sound new and exciting but still natural and familiar. This is why Vampire Weekend can add an odd instrument like the panflute into a track without you even notice it.
The album is very recommendable, and maybe that is why they topped the list of ‘most read reviews’ on pitchforkmedia in past two months. VW (not das auto) is the sound of a sunny day, a great summer, love and harmony. Peace.
Listen to the first five tracks from the album on myspace – they’re great!
Headlights
Posted by: Niels Guénec on: May 17, 2008
Some Racing, Some Stopping, 2008
The formation of Headligths took place in 2004. In 2006 they released their debut ‘Kill Them With Kidness’; “Indie pop with a shoegazey aftertaste” as they named it themselves. An album that will hit you right in your indie heart if you’re the lucky owner of one of those. After a tremendous tour activity (over 300 shows during two and a half year) caused by their first albumrelease the band needed a break. The trio mooved into a farmhouse surrounded by soybean and corn fields. This was last spring. They needed a pause, space and piece. Gradually the band started to wirte songs again – the songs that turned into the new record.
All things that had happened in the three past years were stressing for the band. All the touring and the release of the previous album. This influenced their way of making music. “This time they wanted something more natural, more immediate, more spontaneous“, as written on their website. Erin Fein, lead vocals, put it this way: they wanted to “capture the moment of a new song“. The title of the new album describes the bands story so far: ‘Some Racing, Some Stopping‘. The touring and then the need to settle down.
What came out of this break is pretty good. Tracks such as ‘Get Yer Head Around It’ and ‘School Boys’ are indeed recommendable while ‘Market Girl’ takes my breath away. On these tracks you really feel the bands passion for music. The sonorous guitars and ringing bells creates an absolutely beautiful melancolic atmosphere that would touch any indie lovers bleeding heart. ‘Cherry Tulips’, ‘On April 2′ and ‘Catch Them All’ is a different affair. Melancholy is gone and the tunes are likeable, happy and attracts the listener with its “sympaphy”, sonorous guitar themes and cathing rythems. Headlights is, however, best on their melancholic songs. The beautiful lyrics on ‘Some Racing, Some Stopping’, the dizzyness on ‘So Much For the Afternoon’ and the breathless beauty ‘Marked Girl’ is what makes Headlights a great band. The beautiful voice of Erin Fein is also worth accentuating.
Headlights is now out ‘racing’ again. They will be touring North America in the next two months.
Facts:
- Headlights was formed in 2004
- They released two long play records and an EP
- Artistacal references: Mercury Rev, The Band, Björk, 60’s french girl pop, My Bloody Valentine.
- Headlights is playing ‘indie pop with a shoegazey aftertaste’
- You will definitely like them!
Foals
Posted by: Niels Guénec on: May 16, 2008
Antidotes, 2008
Foals is gonna be the most important band in 2008. Mm, that’s right. The hype is now long gone and you know what? I found that very convenient. Now we can really concentrate on listening to the music. And this band is really making good music.
Foals is a band from Oxford, UK. The band members went to university together and gave this up because they wanted to play music instead. Now, three years after the band was formed, they released their long play debut. Foals themselves describe their new album as a dualistic combination of dansable and thougthful music – an album for the friday nights but also an album you would reflect on at home. Furthermore, this description includes an odd artistic reference as Gwen Steffani. The refenrences that the music press has offered are genres like dance pop mixed with afro beat and distinctly math rock. Actually Foals is doing anything in their power to avoid the manipulating, hyping music press – especially the british. And the ferocious press has been out there, just waiting to pronounce the coming of ‘the next big thing’, namely Foals. Right at the beginning the members agreed on their position on music. It should be pop music with a cutting edge, cointain elements from all over the world and first of all the music should be anti-élitist. They intend to maintain a close relationship to their roots. Foals make music for people to enjoy it, that’s all.
With an admirable opinion to music Foals indirectly proclaime themselves as best new act this year. ‘Antidotes‘ is an amazing album. Bringing a whole new musical perspective to life Foals has commited an absolutely original piece of musical art. These five guys from oXXXford invented their own retarded, stoned, anti-pop. Accompanied by the New York-based afro beat collective Antibalas Foals merged math rock and world music, and what came out of it is this exciting new pop music. Anti-pop, Antibalas, Antidotes.
All tracks are great but the brilliant ones are songs like ‘The French Open’, ‘Olympic Airways’ and ‘Two Steps, Twice’. In the french opening is easy to hear their inspiration of world music. The horns and guitar rythems has a distinct foreign character. With the intensity increasing as the beat goes faster the first (french) words seems like punchlines for me: “Un peu d’air sur la terre” (a bit air on Earth) – building up a massive amount of energy and releasing it at once: “Wasted games / Rackets and gadgets”. ‘Olympic Airways’ has an amazing passage with a double guitar figure while ‘Two Steps, Twice’ alike the first track is very energetic.
‘Heavy Water’ and ‘Electric Bloom’ are great live performance songs. Foals commited an absolutely fantastic gig at Train, Århus, the 8th of March.
Hummer EP, 2007
None of the previous myspace-hits or rather singles Foals made before the album is included on the album. All songs on ‘Antidotes’ are brand new and the first single is called ‘Balloons’. Later on Foals launched ‘Cassius’ and ‘Red Socks Pugie’ as the second and third single from the record. The previous singles ‘Hummer’ and ‘Mathetics’ are to be found on the ‘Hummer EP’ from 2007 which also contain the brilliant ‘Astronouts and All’. Foals did not want to release a record which people already heard.
Facts:
- Dave Sitek (from Tv On the Radio) recorded and produced but the final mix was declined by Foals. They wished a different sound.
- Foals was formed in 2005.
- Foals play math rock, afro beat and pop.
- Foals’ friends are making their coverart and music videos. The guy who makes Foals’ music videos works full time at a kebab bar.
- The famous afro beat band Antibalas made additional horn music on ‘Antidotes’.
- Foals should be seen live (accompanied by Antibalas).
