Top 10 of 2008

the definitive top 10, look nowhere else. all you needed to know about 2008 is right here. there were a few albums that very narrowly missed out on this post, namely friendly fires, hercules and love affair and bloc party. generally, a good year for music i would say. shame blackout crew didn't release an album, fingers crossed for '09!

The Top 10...in order no less!!!

Metronomy - Nights Out



undeniably my favourite album of the year. metronomy have touched me in a way i only usually let my girlfriend! and for that, i love them.

The Teenagers - Reality Check



second space was a close call with crystal castles only narrowly missing out. there is something about this album that keeps me coming back for more. i have peter riordan to thank for the teenagers! thanks pete.

Crystal Castles - Crystal Castles



again, another album that i cannot go without listening to for long. if their remix album had been an official release i think it may have also made it in here.

Late of the Pier - Fantasy Black Channel




top stuff! i tried so hard not to like them but it just was not possible.

Dan le Sac vs Scroobius Pip - Angles



still one of my favourite ever live acts. the more i listen to this the more i like it.

The Presets - Apocalypso



when i first downloaded this album i listened to it quite literally non-stop! i overdid it a bit, but they are still right at the top of my most played list on my ipod after months and months of not playing it.

Kanye West - 808s & Heartbreak



i love kanye! a slightly different direction, very moody and sad but fantastic all the same. sadly i cannot find a link for this one at the moment.

Foals - Antidotes



hours of fun can be had listening to foals...

Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend



another band that i tried not to like but i couldn't help it.

Bonde do Role - With Lasers

i first stumbled across bonde do role a couple of years ago when chromeo supported them in sheffield and i was as impressed then as i am now...very! they were fantastic live, more energy than a power bar (although they couldn't eclipse meeting pee thug and dave 1). if css and m.i.a had a mass orgy, it would sound something exactly like this. personally, i prefer this to both css and m.i.a but thats just my opinion on the matter.

Bonde do Role - With Lasers

Ninjasonik - Tight Pants EP

i can't get this song out of my head! i saw the video over on zeitgeber's blog and have to admit i wasn't impressed but for some reason felt compelled to download the ep when he uploaded it. the title track is (obviously) a stand out, as well as the rap remix of it, and internet bitch pharaho's 4x4 remix! i have to try so hard to stop myself shouting "what nigga!" while i listen to it, which, walking through london on my way home from work may not be such a good idea! download this, for fans of spank rock, sweat x, n.e.r.d...

Ninjasonik - Tight Pants EP

Ra Ra Riot - The Rhumb Line

this one is definitely for fans of vampire weekend, similar sounding but a bit darker and sadder. the sound does not mirror the very new rave sounding name i must warn you. i downloaded this on a whim after hearing only one song and was tres impressed! bada bing...

Ra Ra Riot - The Rhumb Line

Neon Neon - Stainless Style

before this album came out i was very excited! as a huge back to the future fan, a concept album about john delorean sounded like pure eargasm material especially as it was a collaboration between boom bip and the singer from the super furry animals (not to mention guest appearances from har mar and spank rock!). then it came out, and i listened to it and was so so so disappointed i pretty much vowed never to listen to it again. but, after the insistence of my brother and his girlfriend i gave it another go and much to my surprise...it sounded exactly the same and i was even more disappointed that i had even attempted to give it another go! however (yes there is a positive end to this tale) on the train home from work yesterday i was bored and had nothing new to listen to, so i randomly decided to give neon neon one last chance to impress and boy howdy did it?! it was just what i needed! i was reeling from no new music and it acted like a brand new album and has not been taken off repeat since. it is one big nostalgiaenfused80sconceptdarkfunk treat with some great lyrics and some very very good songs (i'd probably say belfast was my fav). so, if you haven't heard this before download it, and if you have heard it and didn't like it give it one (or two or maybe even three) more chance(s)...

Neon Neon - Stainless Style

Nathaniel Merriweather - Music To Make Love To Your Old Lady By

this album is soooo good! dan the automator (midas) does it again with help from mike patton, kid koala, damon albarn and afrika bambaataa. really smooth beats and fantastic lyrics. the only thing that lets it down are the interludes, but don't let that put you off. this is very relaxing and songs such as the cover of berlin's sex (i'm a), strangers on a train and to catch a thief make for a veeeeeeery pleasant listen.

Nathaniel Merriweather Presents Lovage - Music To Make Love To Your Old Lady By

Beck - Hell Yes (Remix EP)

beck goes 8-bit! now, normally i am not a huge beck fan but this ep is uncredible! why has it taken me so long to find out about it? even if you're not a fan of beck or 8-bit, download this because it is so good (with exception of que onda guero).

Beck - Hell Yes (Remix EP)

right, i've been waiting for an excuse to post this for a while now and i finally have one. this is a stone cold tune! don't get excited, its not on the ep but its still well worth a listen.

Beck - Debra (Live)

Metronomy - Heartbreaker vs Holiday (EP)

yes, more metronomy. i did warn you. this promo (as you can probably tell) is a mix of the heartbreaker single, and the holiday single (well duh!). b-sides aplenty!

Metronomy - Heartbreaker vs Holiday (EP)

Metronomy - Radio Ladio (EP)

in no particular order, here is my second instalment of metronomy's back catalogue of singles and eps. they are all seriously worth downloading for the b-sides which in this case resemble slagsmalsklubben (slightly). trust me, have i been wrong before?

Metronomy - Radio Ladio (EP)

Donk Boys - Sing Along With

ok, so its official..."donk" is now officially this blog's favourite word! blackout crew and donk boys should collaborate for the good of music and mankind (or maybe someone could just do a mix/mash up of the two?). anyway, this ep... definitely one for fans of booka shade, and possibly slagsmalsklubben (more repetitive and less fun but slightly similar). give it a go...

Donk Boys - Sing Along With

Lazee - Setting Standards

props to cel for this one! i heard "rock away" and was so amazed that i decided to download the album, only to be more amazed! how is this guy not huge!? the production, the beats, the rhymes - all brilliant! very similar to lupe fiasco, reminiscent in parts to kanye west and jay-z and would also sound well at home on an a-trak mash up.

Lazee - Setting Standards

MSTRKRFT - RMXS (Remixes)

as you may or may not know, i love remixes! and i love remix albums (especially crystal castles'!). this collection of remixes (or rmxs, get it?) by MSTRKRFT is fantastico! consistently good and classic MSTRKRFT. the bloc party remix may be my personal fav. what are u waiting for?

MSTRKRFT -RMXS (Part One) (Part Two)

Metronomy - Remixes (Not Officially Released)

i heart metronomy big time, i heart everything about them and this collection of remixes is no exception! if you like metronomy then you must, i insist must, download this. it is textbook metronomy, unmistakable! atlantis to interzone is bound to put a smile on even the most solemn beatnik, and kate nash's foundations sounds good(i know!!!). thats enough from me...for now...

Metronomy - Remixes (Part One) (Part Two)

The Whip - X Marks Destination

wicked cool album! if you don't have this already (which you should!) then download it now. i honestly think anyone will like this album. reminiscent of a young new order (something for the olds) but 21st century enough for the kids.

The Whip - X Marks Destination

tuneage -

The Whip - Trash (you must have heard this, right?!)

The Whip - Blackout

Foals - Hummer (CD Single)

what a tune! arguably my fav foals song (up there with brazil is here and olympic airways). real shame its not on the single cd version of the album (yes its on the double cd but so are some live tracks that are best avoided if you listen to your ipod on shuffle) so here it is...

Foals - Hummer (CD Single)

Foals - Antidotes

quality quality quality! intricate, fun and catchy. if you do not own this, you should! so download it. i will be uploading the hummer single as it is a major tune but is not on the album.

Foals - Antidotes

Klaxons - Myths of the Near Future

i randomly decided to listen to this album again today and was blown away. i had forgotten how good it was. it was like it was the first time i'd heard it! if you don't already have this album, you must know what klaxons are capable of so download it...now!

Klaxons - Myths of the Near Future

Klaxons - Its Not Over Yet

Klaxons - Atlantis to Interzone
(if you haven't already, download the crystal castles remix album as there is an amazing remix of this)

ps
this is for the gorgeous klaxon face, you know who you are!

Peaches - Fatherfucker

last instalment of peaches, and its another stonker! such a good album! you know what you're getting by now, so go ahead and download it...

Peaches - Fatherfucker

Boy 8-Bit - Suspense Is Killing Me

jay-z would probably introduce this with, "it's your boy!"

xzibit would say something along the lines of, "you it's your boy 8 to the B"

flava flav would definitely shout "yeeeaaah boyyyy!"

but not me, no, i won't use such introductions. this ep is "banging" though (just to steal another xzibit catchphrase) but i mean "banging" in a good sense, not in the sense of a beaten up, battered old chevvy. the old lime remix is my personal fav track on here, it reminds me a bit of crystal castles and a bit of a-trak (probs because of the distorted vocals).

Boy 8-Bit - Suspense Is Killing Me

Blackout Crew - Put a Donk On It

"ey thats good that, tony!"

i found it and i had to post it! i'll admit, my infatuation with the crew (as they will now be known) started off as a bit off a piss take, but now i genuinely love them! they'r fantastic! just little things like the way the second guy to rap says "i'm back" in an american accent, and the stretched vocal chords when the two guys are shouting "put a donk on it" make this song (and the crew) so good. i was walking home from work with the biggest cheesiest grin listening to this, i must have looked like such a twat. the remixes on here are pretty good too!

Blackout Crew - Put a Donk On It

Peaches - Impeach My Bush

more from peaches! YAY! if you liked "teaches of..." then expect more of the same here. another quality album. think a female har mar superstar but cruder and funnier with dirtier beats and lyrics...yep, thats it...

Peaches - Impeach My Bush

sample this! :

Peaches - Hit it Hard
Peaches - Two Guys for Every Girl

Peaches - The Teaches of Peaches (+ Bonus Disc)

such a good album! but don't listen to it in earshot of young or old people, or anyone easily offended as it is a leetle beet rude! the lyrics are brilliant, the music is amazing, and as we know 5 + 5 = 10! download it now and dance to it!

Peaches - The Teaches of Peaches

Slagsmålsklubben - Den Svenske Disco

seeing as they have been such a hit i thought i'd link to some more of the almighty slags! tunes abound...

Slagsmålsklubben - Den Svenske Disco

pw: sickness-abounds.blogspot.com

Aphex Twin - Druqks

it was requested, so here it is, some aphex acid! educate yourself. this is not my personal fav aphex album but it is still very very good with some outstanding songs! more aphex twin will be uploaded, when? i cannot answer, where? i think you already know!

Aphex Twin - Druqks

track

Aphex Twin - 54 Cymru Beats

videos

TUNE!

BIGGER TUNE!

both on the album

Interpol - Antics

such good mood music! my girlfriend got me into interpol and i have never looked back. i have to be in the right frame of mind for it, but when i am boy howdy do i enjoy it! listen to it if you're upset, down, homesick, lovesick, angry or alternatively want to dance (as it is surprisingly good to dance to!).

Interpol - Antics

snippets

Interpol - Evil tune!

Interpol - Slow Hands

Jakobinarina - The First Crusade

bit of a random one this one. i had real trouble trying to find this a couple of months ago so thought i'd make it easy for anyone else searching for it! i had only heard one jakobinarina song before i downloaded this but it was exactly what i had expected and i was not disappointed!

Jakobinarina - The First Crusade

Slagsmålsklubben - Boss For Leader

ok granted, this will not be for everyone's taste! slightly 8-bit, strongly electronica, (slightly happy hardcore according to my deranged and deluded brother), probably like nothing you've heard before but well worth checking out. i would say give it a chance as it is definitely a grower and very addictive.

Slagsmålsklubben - Boss For Leader

pw: sickness-abounds.blogspot.com

tasters

Slagsmålsklubben - Malmo Beach Night Party (one of my very favs!)

Slagsmålsklubben - Oevningskoera

Slagsmålsklubben - Sponsored By Destiny (Possibly the best Slags song!)

autoKratz - Down and Out in Paris and London

i know what you're thinking - "oh no not another french electro house type justice daft etc act." i thought it too, so i listened, and i liked! yes it is similar, but it also has big similarities to tiga. trust me...come on...i havent been wrong yet...

autoKratz - Down and Out in Paris and London

Metronomy - Pip Paine: Pay Back The £5000 You Owe Me

phenomenal! one of the most exciting and interesting albums i have heard for years! download it, i am sure you will enjoy it.

Metronomy - Pip Paine: Pay Back the £5000 You Owe Me
Sorry, after a request from the record company I have had to remove this link.

sample tune, arguably my fav on the album

Metronomy - Trick or Treatz

Death From Above 1979 - Romance Bloody Romance (Remixes and B-Sides)

i promised more, so here it is. this is an awesome album! don't worry that it is b sides and remixes, if anything, some of the remixes are better than the originals. don't believe me? well download a few samples to test it, i dare ya!

Death From Above 1979 - Romance Bloody Romance (Remixes and B-Sides)

test it? feeling risky?

Death From Above 1979 - Blood on our Hands (Justice Remix)

Death From Above 1979 - Little Girl (MSTRKRFT Edition)

Death From Above 1979 - You're a Woman I'm a Machine

awesome, awesome, awesome!!! right now i am totally hooked on dfa1979 so keep posted for more...

Death From Above 1979 - You're a Woman I'm a Machine

a little teaser, and what a tune!

Death From Above 1979 - Little Girl

Scroobius Pip - No Commercial Breaks

scroobs' debut album, good but lacking that cutting edge (dan le sac). many of the songs appear on angles, although slightly not as good. definitely worth listening to if you're a fan of dan le sac vs scroobius pip.

Scroobius Pip - No Commercial Breaks

Friendly Fires - Photobooth EP and Cross the Line

i liked the album so much i had to upload the eps too. awesome stuff!


cover for cross the line


cover for photobooth ep

Friendly Fires - EPs (both eps are contained in the same rar file)

Friendly Fires - Friendly Fires

this album is brilliant! download it and download it now! it is like a cross between !!!, mystery jets and late of the pier. sooooooooo good!

Friendly Fires - Friendly Fires

A few little tasters...

Friendly Fires - Lovesick (one of my favs off the album)

Friendly Fires - White Diamonds

Friendly Fires - Paris

A-Trak - Running Man (Nike+)

not a patch on dirty south dance but still worth a listen i'd say. it is good to listen to on a run, agreed, but dirty south dance is better for that purpose and any other purpose you could think of. still a good mix don't get me wrong!

A-Trak - Running Man

!!! (Chk Chk Chk)- Myth Takes

my everlasting memory of chk chk chk will be lying on my sofa nursing an awful hangover on christmas day with my nan rubbing my head and my brother playing shit schiesse merde as loud as he could! dance? rock? punk? fun!

!!! - Myth Takes

my fav chk chk chk song

!!! - Must Be The Moon (Hot Chip Remix)

Varig - Come On

VARIG are a self proclaimed DIY music project with a club, electro, ghetto sound and are also a friend of the blog. fans of justice, sebastian, mstrkrft and the like will definitely enjoy this track.

Varig - Come On

Myspace

The Notwist - Neon Golden and The Devil You and Me

the notwist are a relatively new discovery for me but they got me through my final uni exams and i am forever indebted to them for that. some of the tracks are unbelievably good, like pilot and good lies. these albums are so good that they make me nostalgic about the time i spent listening to them and revising in western bank library in sheffield (anyone who's been there surely knows just how grimey that building is!!!).


The Notwist - Neon Golden

check out consequence off this album(below)

The Notwist - Consequence


The Notwist - The Devil You and Me

check out good lies (below) for a taster

The Notwist - Good Lies