CLICK HERE TO SEE THE PREVIOUS 30 CHOICES

Top 20 to 11 Albums of 2008



20. MATMOS
Supreme Balloon
(Matador - 12th May)

Supreme Balloon saw Matmos attempt to create a “lighthearted cosmic pop” record made entirely out of synthesizers. Supreme Balloon is an impressive feat of ingenuity and single-mindedness creating what they like to call “colourful sound-origami”. Fitting.

Matmos Website
Download: Matmos - Rainbow Flag




19. PARTS & LABOR
Receivers
(Jagjaguwar - 10th Nov)

Brooklyn’s Parts & Labor took a different approach to 4th album Receivers by turning from scrappy-punk to art-rock and thus creating a concoction of psych, noise, and pop. Mixing samples and recording submitted by friends and fans Parts & Labor have created an album as much in debt to those that love them as it is to themselves.

Parts & Labor Website
Download : Parts & Labor - Nowheres Nigh




18. VAMPIRE WEEKEND
Vampire Weekend
(XL - 28th Jan)

Hard to believe this debut album was released almost a full year ago to great hype and thankfully it lived up to it. Delivering one of the best videos of the year in the process for ‘A-Punk’, Vampire Weekend experimented with African guitars and beats mixing them with New York indie to create a playful pop album.

Vampire Weekend Website




17. MOGWAI
The Hawk Is Howling
(Wall Of Sound - 22nd Sep)

Mogwai returned this year with an album containing no lyrics whatsoever in Hawk Is Howling. Using only instrumentation to create pictures with sound Mogwai created a diverse challenging album that would make some laugh where others would cry now isn’t that the mark of a great album.

Mogwai Website




16. LOS CAMPESINOS!
We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed
(Wichita - 27th Oct)

Landing a mere eight months after their debut We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed saw Los Campesions! grow-up from spiky funk brats into adults soaked in turmoil and the pains of growing-up. Far superior to their debut at this rate it won’t be long till Los Campesinos! create a genuine work of genius.

Los Campesinos! Website
Download: Los Campesinos! - We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed




15. BON IVER
For Emma, Forever Ago
(4AD - 24 Mar)

After a break-up Justin Vernon retreated to a remote cabin to fight the harsh winter alone that led to him documenting his heartbreak. Creating Bon Iver and delivering a striking debut in For Emma, Forever Ago dealing with heartache, longing, love, and guilt this is an album we can all relate to and take heart in.

Bon Iver Website
Download: Bon Iver - Skinny Love




14. 10 YEARS
Division
(Republic - 12th May)

Following up their breakthrough The Autumn Effect, with a more expansive and intensely creative album in Division. 10 Years cemented their status at the top of the US Alternative Rock Scene including grabbing the #1 single on US Rock Radio with ‘Beautiful’.

10 Years Website




13. PEOPLE IN PLANES
Beyond The Horizon
(Wind-Up - 9th Sep)

Second album syndrome didn’t manage to strike at People In Planes as they built on their growing reputation and continuing US success with Beyond The Horizon. This Welsh Alternative Rock group have grounded their music in classic melodies and song-writing attached to hard-rocking hooks and spectral balladry.

People in Planes Website




12. CUT COPY
In Ghost Colours
(Universal - 12 May)

In Ghost Colours follows highly acclaimed 2004 debut Bright Like Neon Love and continues the fine blend of indie rock and 60’s psychedelia with 80’s synths and electronics to superb effect. It splits across genres effortlessly from anthem ‘Hearts On Fire’s epic sax-house to the more blessed ‘So Haunted’. A Fine return from Oz.

Cut Copy Website
Download: Cut Copy - Lights and Music




11. RATATAT
LP3 (XL - 7th Jul)

Their third album sees Ratatat retain their unique guitar style whilst creating a wave of new textures through live percussion to Wurlitzer and Mellotron. LP3 is a heady mix of analogue and digital flourishing, mashing together heavy metal riffs with club dance beats to create a crowd pleasing movement.

Ratatat Website
Download: Ratatat - Mirando




10. METALLICA
Death Magnetic
(Mercury - 12th Sep)

Metallica returned with a bang; a might big bang, in 2008 as they unleashed Death Magnetic their eleventh studio album. It was heralded as a return to form for the group after the St. Anger debacle. With trademark riff-age and pounding beats Metallica returned to claim their throne at the head of the metal table.

Metallica Website




09. OASIS
Dig Out Your Soul
(Big Brother - 6th Oct)

2008 saw Oasis climb out of the woodwork to release another boring Brit-rock album… no wait what is this I’m hearing it appears to be some sort of psychedelic 60’s space rock with Liam Gallagher singing… odd! Yes it was surprising and yes it was utterly brilliant Dig Out Your Soul finally saw the Oasis re-invention they’ve been threatening this century.

Oasis Website




08. FLEET FOXES
Fleet Foxes
(Bella Union - 16th Jun)

Fleet Foxes decided against the a-typical Seattle grunge-rock sound and went for something a little more startling on their self titled debut album. Mixing together folk music, pop, choral music, film scores, and yes sacred harp singing to create and unmistakeable western American sound with not even a hint of self-loathing in sight.

Fleet Foxes - Website




07. FOALS
Antidotes
(Transgressive - 24 Mar)

Another hugely hyped band seeking to live-up to that hype was Foals and with the decision to leave your most well-known songs off your debut they seemed destined to try and confound everyone. Antidotes sees the band create a danceable vibe with incessant bass lines and layers of sound. You get the impression this is just a warm up fight before the main bout for Foals.

Foals Website




06. YOU ME AT SIX
Take Off Your Colours
(Slam Dunk 6th Oct)

You Me At Six’s debut effort is a pop-punk album in the vein of the recent spearheads of their genre My Chemical Romance and Fall Out Boy. Taking the pop sensibility and marrying it to fast and heavy guitar riffs to create a more populist sound.

You Me At Six Website




05. SIGUR ROS
Með Suð í Eyrum Við Spilum Endalaust
(EMI - 23rd Jun)

Með Suð í Eyrum Við Spilum Endalaust saw the welcome return of Iceland’s Sigur Rós and their majestic, beautidul soundscapes but lo and behold their was an evolution as they began to explore new musical territory (well for them). Crafting pop melodies and nods to contemporaries such as The Beatles in amongst their well honed glacial music dimension.

Sigur Ros Website
Download: Sigur Ros - Gobbledigook




04. GLASVEGAS
Glasvegas
(Sony BMG - 8th Sep)

Few bands have split opinions as much as Glasvegas have this year with their self-titled debut album that tackled all manner of pertinent themes aided by the surf-pop sounds of the 60’s being assaulted by My Bloody Valentines sonic assault. Add to that a front-man who appears to have welded sunglasses to his face (inappropriate for Glasgow I can promise you).

Glasvegas Website




03. MGMT
Oracular Spectacular
(Sony BMG - 10th Mar)

Few albums this year have spanked the dancefloor as hard as MGMT have done with Oracular Spectacular with a string of instantly memorable tracks including ‘Time To Pretend’, ‘Electric Feel’ and ‘Kids’ if you’ve been out and shook some ass this year it’s highly likely nay definite that it’s been to MGMT.

MGMT Website




02. COLDPLAY
Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends
(Parlophone - 12th Jun)

Possibly one of the most anticipated release of the year (yes maybe even more so than GNR) saw Coldplay live up to their reputation as one of this countries most consistent and successful bands with Viva La Vida… mixing their trademark sound to more diverse tracks such as ‘Lost!’ and ‘Lovers In Japan’ saw Chris Martin and Co. continue to reign.

Coldplay Website




01. KINGS OF LEON
Only By The Night
(RCA - 22nd Sep)

Kings Of Leon finally made that final push that they’ve been threatening since album #2 into the big leagues with Only By The Night helped by their first #1 single in the blistering ‘Sex On Fire’ and a raucous headline slot at Glastonbury. 2008 has truly been the Kings year and despite some diverse reviews they have gone on to be one of the best selling artists of the year and continue to build-up steam as we head into 2009.

Kings Of Leon Website