Top 100 albums of 2008! Part [4]

Top 100 Albums Of 2008
[Part 4] From #40. to #31.

[The Song "10" From Kyte in this playlist is wrong. The correct name is "Sunlight".]

#40. Mogwai - The Hawk Is Howling
The sophisticated comeback of Mogwai. "The Hawk Is Howling" is an epic album and perhaps Mogwai's best album ever. Explore this exceptionally crafted album.
Listen: "The Sun Smells Too Loud"
[Link]








#39. Apparat - Things To Be Frickled - Parts And Remixes
This album is a Remix Collection of well known songs of Apparat. His real name is Sasha Ring and he released this 2disc remix compilation. On the first cd you will find his remixes on other artists and on the second some well known artists {such as Modeselector, Telefon Tel Aviv....} remix his songs.
A brilliant compilation that I really enjoyed.
Listen: "Arcadia [Telefon Tel Aviv Remix]"
[Link]



#38. Tindersticks - The Hungry Saw
Tindersticks will never release a bad album and this is the proof!
With "The Hungry Saw" and their new sound, they have accompliced to make misery sound so enjoyable and desirable that in the end you ask for more. Melodic music and excellent vocals once again from Stuart A. Staple's distinctive voice.
Listen: "The Organist Entertains"
[Link]





#37. Brett Anderson - Wilderness
Brett Anderson also known as a lead frontman of Suede, releases his latest solo album. "Wilderness" is his best effort as a solo artist. This album also reminded me the song "Europe is our playground" from Suede while I was listening to it. A beautiful record with easy listening tracks and melancholic sounds that create a bittersweet feelings with the mellow tone of his voice.
Listen: "Back To You"
[Link]




#36. Goldfrapp - Seventh Tree
Like it or not, this is the new sound of Goldfrapp. They went back to basics leaving all the glam rock and the electronic beats behind.
Alison Goldfrapp's vocals remain sweet but less seductive, as this album contains an innocent,relaxing and peaceful feeling.
Listen : "A&E"
[Link]






#35. Elbow - The Seldom Seen Kid
"The Seldom Seen Kid" is Elbow's most mature and well-built album. With their forth attempt they prove that they will undoubtedly remain in the indie scene for more years.
This is an innovative album with magnificent sounds that definitely worth a listen.
Listen: "Grounds For Divorce"
[Link]






#34. Hot Chip - Made In The Dark
Third album for the English electro-indie band Hot Chip. "Made In The Dark" is an ultimate dance party! Creative, vivacious, adventurous and mysterious... This album is everything you need to get wild!
Listen: "One Pure Thought"
[Link]







#33. God Is An Astronaut - God Is An Astronaut
God Is An Astronaut released their new post-rock album as a web-release-exclusive which means that you can buy or download it from their official website.
"God Is An Astronaut" is a well-crafted album as all of their previous ones. It might be lacking the presence of something new, but that doesn't include it in the bad albums. Absorbing, enjoyable and visionary.
Listen: "No Return"
[Link]



#32. Lykke Li - Youth Novels
This is the debut album from Lykke Li. A twenty-one-year-old singer-songwriter with a childlike voice from Sweden.
"Youth Novels" is a surprising album with electro-pop catchy sounds that almost everyone loved this year and created a buzz around her name.
Listen: "This Trumpet in my Head" [To discover a different sound from this record.]
[Link]




#31. Kyte - Kyte
Kyte is an indie rock band from Leicestershire [England] with obvious post-rock influences. They released in 2008 this beautiful mini-album also named "Kyte" that soon became one of my favorites. Various shoegaze melodies create a sweet melancholic record that affects the listener with its simple midi sounds.
Listen: "Sunlight"
[Link]

Top 100 albums of 2008! Part [5]

Top 100 Albums 2008
[Part 5] from #50. to #41.

The real game begins, this is the hardest part...
So many great albums as you've already seen and listened.
Now it's time to advance from the great ones to the greatest.
But only one will be the highlight of the year.
The masterpiece of 2008. Which one will it be?
Find Out in 3 Days from now...

#50. Monika - Avatar
Monika, a Greek singer-songwriter with an impressive voice and a great record! With her debut album "Avatar", Monika proves that all the hype with this album was appropriate and definitely praiseworthy. A great future for this young lady is coming and she is only 21! Welcome.
Listen: "Babe"
[Link]





#49. dEUS - Vantage Point
From this "Vantage Point" I can see clearly that dEUS are back to amaze as with this wonderful album, but with an unexpected mainstream sweet sound that we could never imagine that they were able to create.
Listen: "Eternal Woman"
[Link]







#48. Melodium - Cerebro Spin
Laurent Girard better known under the moniker "Melodium" is a french electronica music producer. "Cerebro Spin" is his latest effort. This album is mostly instrumental, with vulnerable melodies and fragile electronic tunes to remember.
Listen: "Choanal Imperforation"
[Link]







#47. The Black Angels - Directions To See A Ghost
This is a strange band from Texas [Austin]. The Black Angels is band that whether you love them or hate them, they will get your interest. "Directions to See A Ghost" is a psychedelic rock album with unfamiliar vocals and explosive rock sounds.
Listen: "Mission District"
[Link]







#46. Glasvegas - Glasvegas
Glasvegas is a Scottish band and their debut album "Glasvegas" is perfect. This album has something unique, I don't know yet what it is... Maybe it's the vocals that make it so special or the vivid music or the youthfull spirit or... Whatever it is, this album is Great!
Listen: "It's My Own Cheating Heart That Makes Me Cry"
[Link]






#45. Gregor Samsa - Rest
This is the 4th full length album of Gregor Samsa. "Rest" is their latest work that really impressed me. They successfully created a post-rock album with contemporary classical sounds. "Rest" is sensational, majestic, creative and melodic.
Listen: "Pseudonyms"
[Link]





#44. Auburn Lull - Begin Civil Twilight
The third album of Auburn Lull "Begin Civil Twilight" is simply their best. Brilliant shoegaze music, dreamy tunes, ethereal background vocals. Discover its beauty...
Listen: "Coasts"
[Link]









#43. Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago
Bon Iver {also known as Justin Vernon} released his debut album
as Bon Iver in 2008. He also released the same album as Justin Vernon in 2007. So, I choose the 2nd version and place it in #43 [it would be much higher if it wasn't re-released].
Poetic, original, flawless and wondrous! A must have album.
Listen: "Lump Sum"
[Link]






#42. Boduf Songs - How Shadows Chase The Balance
Boduf Songs is the work of Mat Sweet. "How Shadows Chase The Balance" is a dark, atmospheric folk album that touches the listener from the first song. But as I've mentioned this dark touch destroys your psychological strength and plays with your emotions. Don't listen to it if you feel depressed. It is devastating.
Listen: "Mission Creep" for the lyrics ["All of my heroes died the same day..."]
[Link]




#41. Last Harbour - Dead Fires And The Lonely Spark
"Dead Fires & The Lonely Spark" is a melodramatic folk album from a Manchester-based band, Last Harbour. This record sounds like a continuance to the album of Boduf Songs. Melodic tearjerking songs, excellent vocals and atmospheric from start to finish. Feel this music experience!
Listen: "The Accident"
[Link]

Top 100 albums of 2008! Part [6]

Top 100 Albums 2008
Part [6] from #60. to #51.

[This time the missing artist from the playlist is Peter Broderick]



#60. The Teenagers - Reality Check
The only reason of this album to be on this list is that I really enjoyed it and nothing more. I would admit that there is not variety on the sound of this album and there are also some tracks that could be considered almost identical. However, Reality Check is a fresh and sweet record about the teenage years of our lives.

Listen: "Homecoming"
[Link]

#59. Evangelicals - The Evening Descends

The Evening Descends is a well-made album that successfully gathers a great variety of sounds. It has a concept of things that take place at night but that would not be considered as a turn off.
Nice melodies, interesting lyrics and a bit of psychedelia.
Listen: "Stoned Again"
[Link]

#58. A Weather - Cove
A Weather release this indie-folk beautiful album. Harmonic and quiet with charming vocals and guitar melodies. A joyful and touching album that will never make you feel bored. If you are also a fan of "Iron & Wine" this is must have album.
Listen: "Spiders and Snakes"

[Link]

#57. The Killers - Day & Age
This album arrived unexpectedly and landed in no.57. "Day & Age" is the new album of one of the most popular indie bands in the world "The Killers". Their new outcome is well-crafted as always but I would say that this time they include a disco-pop approach to their music that adds more interest.
Listen: "Human"
[Link]

#56. British Sea Power - Do You Like Rock Music?
This is rock music! "Do you Like Rock Music" is a must have album with epic rock songs! An alternative title for this album could be: "Rock music at its best." No Comments.
Listen: "Waving Flags"

[Link]

#55. Hammock - Maybe They Will Sing For Us Tomorrow

When it comes to Hammock, silence and secrecy are the two main elements of their work. This quiet and "beat-less" album delivers a sense of slow-motion movements in the whole atmosphere. Press play and set your imagination free, everything is possible.

Listen: "Mono No Aware"

[Link]

#54. Peter Broderick - Float

One more excellent record released by "Type Records".

Peter Broderick's work on "Float" is amazing. A contemporary classical music album with ambient lullabies waiting to flourish as soon as your eyes get dry.

Listen: "Something Has Changed"

[Link]

#53. The Walkmen - You & Me

After this magnificent album "The Walkmen" gained the respect they deserve. Simply their best album. Every song a different story, amazing music and a bit of Dylan-esque vocals. What else do you need to change your mind?

Listen: "I Lost You"

[Link]

#52. TV On The Radio - Dear Science

"Dear Science" a record that will become classic and a point of reference of their entire career. Tv on the Radio are back with their third album and write their own page in the history of music.

Listen: "Dancing Choose"

[Link]

#51. Isobel Campbell and Mark Lanegan - Sunday At Devil Dirt

Isobel Campbell's angelic voice and Mark Lanegan's dusty vocals create an album with an etherial and dirty ambience at the same time. They are undisputedly the most successful duet of the year with a great album!

Listen: "The Raven"

[Link]

Top 100 albums of 2008! Part [7]

Top 100 Albums of 2008
[part 7.] from #70. to #61.
Sorry for not uploading a playlist as usual but these albums are not so well known to the public and I couldn't find more than 4-5 songs to create a playlist. So, there was no reason to upload an incomplete playlist.

#70. Ladyhawke -Ladyhawke
It's Ladyhawke time so dance,dance,dance! This album carries something beautiful from the 80's and combines it with today's pop music. The result is amazing, a beautiful pop album with a few synth-pop hallmarks. Music for the masses!
Listen: "Magic", "Better than Sunday"
[Link]



#69. Atlas Sound - Let The Blind Lead Those Who Can See But Not Feel
A Bradford Cox's project [see Deerhunter] but this time, his solo work. This abstract record hypnotizes you with its both artistic sounds and wonderful lyrics. Definitely a high quality music album!
Listen: "Scrapping Past", "Let the Blind Lead..."
[Link]





#68. Subtle - Exiting Arm
Here is the third album of "Subtle" a band coming from Oakland. Beyond this obscure and eye-catching album, there are more unimaginable things to discover. I would like to use a phrase that I've read in a critic, which describes it perfectly: "This album is a Glorious Mess!"
Listen: "Hollow Hollered", "Providence"
[Link]





#67. Bomb The Bass - Future Chaos
Bomb the Bass is back with his new album "Future Chaos". Electronic songs with trip hop elements compound this hypnotically atmospheric album which is close to perfection.
Listen: "Smog" and "Hold Me Up" [both // Featuring Paul Conboy's excellent vocals.]
[Link]





#66. B. Fleischmann - Angst Is Not A Weltanschauung
This is a bright album with a dull cover..! Don't judge an album by its cover though so give it a try. This nine song record is one of his best in my opinion. Interesting tunes, brilliant instrumental parts and a playful mood set "Angst Is Not A Weltanschauung!" in the top 100 of the year.
Listen: "Playtime", "24:12"
[Link]




#65. Pacific UV - Longplay 2
Dream pop and shoegaze blends create this post-rock album of Pacific Uv. Harmonic, well-structured and melodic songs that add some extra melancholy to makes the whole atmosphere drip.
Listen: "Need" , "If So"
[Link]






#64. Mount Eerie, Julie Doiron, Fred Squire - Lost Wisdom
This might be a mini-album (lasting under half-an-hour) of Phil Elverum's work but Julie Doiron's vocals and Fred Squire's guitar make it gigantic. The outcome of this collaboration of great artists is splendid. Try it.
Listen: ["Voice In Headphones","Flaming Home"]
[Link]





#63. Of Montreal - Skeletal Lamping
Danger, danger! Are you sure you want to listen to this album? Of Montreal's Skeletal Lamping is an odd masterpiece! At first, the noisy tunes and the explicit lyrics might sound to you a bit provoking but as soon as you overcome with this, I am sure you will see how brilliant an album it is.
Listen: "An Elurdian Instance", "Gallery Piece"
[Link]





#62. Murder By Death - Red Of Tooth and Claw
If you are a fan of "16Horsepower" or you enjoy country-rock music this is recommended it for you. "Red of Tooth and Claw" is a mixture of country, alternative and gothic music. The result is a dark country album with great prospects to become one of your favorites.
Listen: "The Black Spot","Comin' Home"
[Link]




#61. Helios - Caesura
The third album of Keith Keniff's work as "Helios" released again from my adorable label "Type Records". The cover of this ambient album captures perfectly the whole idea of this album and depicts it clearly as an image. The place where you'll travel as soon as you listen to this magnificent album. Have a nice trip.
Listen: "Fourteen Drawings", "Backlight"
[Link]

Top 100 albums of 2008! Part [8]

Top 100 albums of 2008!
Part [8] counting down from #80. to #71

#80. Ladytron - Velocifero

This album is a combination of dark synth-pop with German goth and a bit of electroclash. With their latest work they proved to be one step forward of their previous excellent album "The Witching Hour".
Key track: "Versus"
[Link]






#79. Xiu Xiu - Women As Lovers

This is perhaps the most listenable album of Xiu Xiu. This band from San Jose with "Women as Lovers" created the best album of their career. Experimental tunes and an artistic cover that looks like it is taken from a bondage hardcore film.
Key Track: "F.T.W"
[Link]






#78. Spiritualized - Songs in A&E

Spiritualized is the work of Jason Pearce. "Songs in A&E" is his 6th album and in my opinion his best so far. The music is moving, the lyrics are fantastic and a personal revelation of Jason's inner world.
Key track: "Death take your fiddle."
[Link]






#77. Palodine - Garden Of Deceit

Expressing my thoughs once again: "This would be the sound of Pj Harvey if she was born in Seattle." Dark music with shoegaze and folk influences create this (tagged) "gothic-folk" gem. Katrina Whitney's voice is unbelievable! I see a bright future coming for Palodine's dark music.
Key Track: Listen to the entire album. Brilliant!
[Link]




#76. Brendan Canning - Something For All Of Us

One more solo album release from a founding member of "Broken Social Scene". This is a solid album with glorious melodic songs.
Brendan Canning revealed his experimental impact on BSS's by releasing his debut album.
Key Tracks: "Possible Grenade", "Chameleon"
[Link]





#75. Calexico - Carried To Dust

I never thought that Calexico would release an album that it could sound appealing to me... I was taken aback when I heard this record. Balanced, creative, interesting, melodic... "Carried to Dust" made me reconsider my opinion about this band.
Welcome, Calexico.
Key Track: "The News About William."
[Link]




#74. Kaki King - Dreaming Of Revenge

Kaki King releases her 4th album, uncovering her sophisticated side. This album might sound a bit complicated at first but after a few listens you will understand her admirable work.
Absolutelly touching!
Key Track: "Sad American"
[Link]






#73. Elsiane - Hybrid

Trip Hop - Electronica coming from Canada. Elsiane's unique childlike female vocals may sound a bit Bjork-ish but allows you to relax and enjoy their beautiful music. A must have trip hop debut album from Elsiane. Discover more...
Key Track: "Vaporous"
[Link]






#72. The Raveonettes - Lust Lust Lust

Raveonettes are back once again with new sound! This Scandinavian band released their best album yet. "Lust Lust Lust" is simply magnificent. Romantic, Lustful, Sharp.... Brilliant!
I am also fond of the 3D cover.
Key Tracks: "Aly, Walk with Me" and "With My Eyes Closed"
[Link]






#71. July Skies - The Weather Clock

Another post-rock album from July Skies. There is such great inspiration in this album witch draws memories from the childhood years and delivers a sad and nostalgic feeling to the listener. If are a fan of "Slowdive" or "Epic 45" this is something that will hook you!
Key Track: "Girl on the Hill."
[Link]