Listmania!
Best of 2008
See You After the WarSee You After the War by Decoration
Buy new: £7.78 / Used from: £6.22
There are more good tunes packed into each Decoration song than you will find on most albums. Criminally ignored.
Heretic PrideHeretic Pride by The Mountain Goats
Buy new: £7.98 / Used from: £10.72
The best band in the world if that nefarious concept made any sense.
Lookout Mountain, Lookout SeaLookout Mountain, Lookout Sea by Silver Jews
Buy new: £9.48 / Used from: £5.50
Surprise of the year. Surely the best thing they have ever done.
The Cross Eyed RamblerThe Cross Eyed Rambler by Paul Heaton
Buy new: £4.98 / Used from: £2.98
Rather good this. Confirmation that The Beautiful South should have called it a day long ago.
The EvangelistThe Evangelist by Robert Forster
Buy new: £3.98
A fitting tribute and an excellent album.
Hayman Watkins Trout and LeeHayman Watkins Trout and Lee by Various
Buy new: £9.79 / Used from: £8.74
A British version of Dillard and Clark, sort of. More please!
Not The Tremblin' KindNot The Tremblin' Kind by Laura Cantrell
Buy new: £7.98 / Used from: £4.48
Yes I know! This is a place holder for Trains, Planes and Automobiles that is only available on download. Excellent as ever!
Instant Coffee BabyInstant Coffee Baby by The Wave Pictures
Buy new: £4.98 / Used from: £4.90
Wear their influences on their sleeves but still manage to sound fresh.
Next Year in ZionNext Year in Zion by Herman Dune
Buy new: £4.98 / Used from: £4.58
Not their best collection of tunes perhaps, but sounds great and the lyrics (by accident or design) are pure genius.
Television's PeopleTelevision's People by Mistys Big Adventure
Buy new: £9.98 / Used from: £7.28
I really don't understand why the quality music media are not all over this lot.
Ready for the FloodReady for the Flood by Mark Olson & Gary Louris
Buy new: £8.98 / Used from: £5.00
Nothing ground-breaking. Just excellent songs well performed.
CSI: AmblesideCSI: Ambleside by Half Man Half Biscuit
Quite possibly their worst album but still plenty to entertain and inform. "I gave up hope ironically for Lent".
Cheer GoneCheer Gone by Euros Childs
Buy new: £7.98 / Used from: £5.49
Harks back to Blue Trees, which is no bad thing!
Imperial Wax SolventImperial Wax Solvent by The Fall
Buy new: £9.98 / Used from: £6.03
He's a fifty year old man and I like it.
Mr. Love & JusticeMr. Love & Justice by Billy Bragg
Buy new: £8.78 / Used from: £3.96
His best work since, er, Mermaid Avenue of course!
Great British Holiday Songs EpGreat British Holiday Songs Ep by Darren Hayman
Buy new: £9.98 / Used from: £6.50
Includes Caravan Songs EP, which is a real treasure.
I Worked On The ShipsI Worked On The Ships by Ballboy
Buy new: £9.98 / Used from: £2.44
Welcome return containing some great songs.
El ReyEl Rey by The Wedding Present
Buy new: £24.49 / Used from: £6.49
Business as usual.
Sugar Mountain: Live At Canterbury House 1968 [CD + DVD]Sugar Mountain: Live At Canterbury House 1968 [CD + DVD] by Neil Young
Buy new: £10.18 / Used from: £6.00
A lost gem. Is it just me or do the audience seem a little bored?
The BBC SessionsThe BBC Sessions by Belle And Sebastian
Buy new: £8.98
Recordings from their peak years. Great value.
Original Recordings 1995-1997Original Recordings 1995-1997 by The Detroit Cobras
Buy new: £12.69 / Used from: £10.96
Rock and roll expresso.
Because Her Beauty Is Raw and WildBecause Her Beauty Is Raw and Wild by Jonathan Richman
Buy new: £9.98 / Used from: £10.26
Songs for grown-ups.
Chemical ChordsChemical Chords by Stereolab
Buy new: £7.68 / Used from: £4.50
Blips and blops in all the right places