Top Albums of 2008

It would have been nice to have a top 10, however my lethargic nature prevents me to look through my entire music collection to see what was actually released this year. So instead, here is a list of the albums that have a solid place in my heart and mind for years to come. There is no number one, they are all equally and indisputably awesome.

Ladyhawke - Ladyhawke
(Modular Records)
A very late discovery, but possibly the happiest record of 2008. Contemporary candy pop disguised as 80's New Wave. Although the Stevie Niks' influence sounds all to familiar, this has a distinct and unique resonance to it, a perfect soundtrack for those lonely walks and slow motion party montages that you see in your mind...or maybe that's just me.

Deerhunter - Microcastle
(4AD/Kranky)
Their previous efforts on Cryptograms was a noisy but lush experiment. Mature is an apt but patronizing description of the new album. All together more coherent with added longevity, this release wraps your ears in glowing melodies and washes of brittle guitars chords with every track seamlessly intertwining along the impeccably produced journey.

Pivot - O, Soundtrack My Heart
(Warp)
Just awesome. Tears your face off with bone crushing force and militant rhythms, a subtle hypnosis of cellophane encased synths and unceasing riffs. For fans of Battles searching for their filthy nemesis.

Yeasayer - All Hour Cymbals
(We Are Free)
People fail to see the sense in my '80's Gospel Folk-Rock' tag for this band, however i can see no greater description. Hall and Oates meets Boston in a Medieval battle of the bands is perhaps an accurate but confusing metaphor. Regardless, this album is an uplifiting and exoctic endevour i continue to enjoy.

Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago
(4AD/Jagjaguwar)
Frosted whispers and chain rattling apparitions haunt your speakers as Justin Vernon and his angelic chorus swell your heart with effervescent voices. An inescapable numb, a warming chill down your spine so achingly beautiful it cannot be justified by cheesy reviews.

Frequency Four

Limerick resident Tenaka asked me to do a remix for his forthcoming release: 'EPonymously Titled'. Its really heartfelt lo-fi folktronica, gonna be killer. He also got my EP a couple of sweet reviews on some Irish blogs and a mention in the Irish Independant! Thanks dude.
He introduced me to some wonderous music.

Bon Iver
Stunning singer-songwriter from Wisconsin. Obvious favourites are 'Flume' and 'Skinny Love', just achingly beautiful songs.

On a different note, Teej has made a blog for his end of year University degree project. Some kind of live looping one man band utilizing technilogical gizmo-gadgetry...
Its looks...interesting, but incredible! What a magical creature.
http://projectteej.blogspot.com/


PROJECT TEEJ - PRESENTATION VIDEO from Teej on Vimeo.

Frequency Three

Teej, insane drummer of our band and one my many infinite sources of musical wisdom led me to an interesting band the other day:

Yeasayer
Feels like 80's Gospel. Folk undercurrents and slap-back delay vocals.
Check their tune '2080' - it looks like you can get it free here.

Unforscene
Not one of Teej's suggestions, yet an awesome find none the less. Forget the winter chill and dream of summery fields with these guy's funky hip-hop fused beats and soulful melodies. They do a collaboration with the West-Coast marshal word-smith Epcot on their album 'Fingers and Thumbs' available on Tru Thoughts, also home to one of my favourite producers Quantic.

Fluid Mix - Hypnotize

So this is my first mix for Fluid-Radio, i don't have any fancy mixing software so the mixes are pretty medieval....but it means you get to hear the whole tune, so there.
Friday 19th December
7pm GMT
www.fluid-radio.co.uk

Halogen - Hypnotize (Fluid Mix) by Halogen

NOISE

I've been taking an increasingly added interest in all thing generally noisy. Tiny little machines of wires and circuits that create dense oscillations and waves of ambient sounds...
I recently purchased an FM3 Buddha Machine 2.0 from boomkat.com. A very concise and dainty piece of equipment that houses 9 different loops, i aim to buy several more to have my very own orchestra.


You can also download all the WAVs of the loops here:
http://www.fm3buddhamachine.com/site/?page_id=29

On a similar note is the awesomeness of bleeplabs.com.
They make strange little robot people with flashing minds that emit pulsating death rays of sonic chaos and digital madness. Soon they will be mine.