Listmania!
Albums of '08
For Emma Forever AgoFor Emma Forever Ago by Bon Iver
Buy new: £7.98 / Used from: £7.19
Debut album from singer/songwriter Justin Vernon; intimate americana with gentle falsetto, beautiful guitar and a few horns here and there.
The Seldom Seen KidThe Seldom Seen Kid by Elbow
Buy new: £6.98 / Used from: £6.97
Elbow continue to move from strength to strength with this their fourth studio album. 'Grounds For Divorce' must be one of the best singles of the year.
RedRed by Guillemots
Buy new: £9.98 / Used from: £5.28
Not quite as good as their debut but here Guillemots go for the pop jugular with the likes of 'Big Dog' and 'Get Over It'.
Vampire WeekendVampire Weekend by Vampire Weekend
Buy new: £5.97 / Used from: £6.98
Wonderful Afro-inspired indie pop from the New York quartet.
Oracular SpectacularOracular Spectacular by MGMT
Buy new: £4.98 / Used from: £4.95
Another cool-as-f*ck band from New York, this time peddling blissful electro-glam-rock.
SantogoldSantogold by Santogold
Buy new: £3.98 / Used from: £3.95
If this lady is the future of female pop singers then we have nothing to worry about. Parts Yeah Yeah Yeahs, part MIA, but mostly very original indeed.
Stay Positive (Limited Edition Special Package)Stay Positive (Limited Edition Special Package) by The Hold Steady
Buy new: £7.98 / Used from: £6.99
The greatest rock and roll band in the world return with their follow up to 2006's highly acclaimed Boys And Girls In America.
Little DreamerLittle Dreamer by Beth Rowley
Buy new: £8.98
Wonderful debut from the Bristol based blues/gospel singer-songwriter. A bit Radio 2 perhaps, but the lady has an incredible voice. Much better live!
Rest Now Weary Head You Will Get Well SoonRest Now Weary Head You Will Get Well Soon by Get Well Soon
Buy new: £8.98 / Used from: £17.00
Perhaps my favourite album of 2008; German Konstantin Gropper - clearly enamored by the likes of Patrick Wolf, Bright Eyes and Radiohead - delivers an album of epic scale.
H.A.A.R.P + DVDH.A.A.R.P + DVD by Muse
Buy new: £10.98 / Used from: £5.32
One of the biggest (and best) bands in the world play their biggest and best gig to date.
The Slip + DVDThe Slip + DVD by Nine Inch Nails
Buy new: £9.98 / Used from: £8.16
This free downloading thing is starting to catch on! I like it! Mr Reznor returns to his powerful, punchy best a la Year Zero.
In SilicoIn Silico by Pendulum
Buy new: £5.98 / Used from: £4.69
Apparently, according to NME, Pendulum are "hated by indie kids, derided by d'n'b fans and misunderstood by metallers"... well, I think they fookin' rock!
Micah P. Hinson and the Red Empire OrchestraMicah P. Hinson and the Red Empire Orchestra by Micah P. Hinson
Buy new: £8.98 / Used from: £16.30
"...Red Empire Orchestra" sees the alt. country man's cracked baritone joined by heartbreaking strings, jangling banjos and some good ol' acoustic strumming. Beautiful stuff.
Modern GuiltModern Guilt by Beck
Buy new: £9.98 / Used from: £6.07
Beck + Danger Mouse = *drool*
Evil UrgesEvil Urges by My Morning Jacket
Buy new: £8.98 / Used from: £7.24
From the Prince-aping funk rock of "Highly Suspicious" to the beautiful southern balladry of "Smokin' From Shootin'", Evil Urges is as eclectic as it is amazing!
Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaustMeð suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust by Sigur Ros
Buy new: £7.98 / Used from: £5.50
'With Buzzing In Our Ears We Play Endlessly' - Sigur Ros have certainly been playing, and this album shows a great leap forward for the band. Sensation stuff!
Rosie and the GoldbugRosie and the Goldbug by Rosie & The Goldbug
Buy new: £9.98 / Used from: £45.69
Quirky female-fronted indie pop a la Tori Amos, Kate Bush, Dresden Dolls etc... Lots of fun!
Only By The NightOnly By The Night by Kings Of Leon
Buy new: £6.97 / Used from: £26.05
One of the world's best bands delivers another corker.
Dear ScienceDear Science by TV On The Radio
Buy new: £6.98 / Used from: £6.95
No-one else sounds like these guys. Absolutely peerless.
Acid TongueAcid Tongue by Jenny Lewis
Buy new: £8.98 / Used from: £7.45
Second album for the Rilo Kiley frontwoman away from her band - this time without the Watson Twins - and it's as good as anything she's put her name to. Honest, bittersweet songs, and a few rockers!
Letters from Sinners and StrangersLetters from Sinners and Strangers by Eilen Jewell
Buy new: £7.98 / Used from: £9.19
Veering dangerously close to Country for some, this is a mostly upbeat record from the wonderful voice of Eilen Jewell.
The '59 SoundThe '59 Sound by Gaslight Anthem
Buy new: £7.98 / Used from: £7.66
The Jersey boys do indeed sound a little bit like the Boss himself, not least because of singer Brian Fallon's soaring, impassioned vocals, but there's so much more to them than that.
Intimacy Limited EditionIntimacy Limited Edition by Bloc Party
Buy new: £11.98
Bloody love Bloc Party! They just get better and better and Intimacy fuses the sound of their first 2 albums to near perfect effect.
Kala: ExpandedKala: Expanded by MIA
Buy new: £11.99 / Used from: £9.10
Expanded edition of the international lady's stunning second album. Buy it and listen to some good pop music.