The album whose name was the biggest pain in the ass to type this year also turned out to be one of the biggest surprises. Sigur Ros drop the funeral marches and pick up the acoustic guitars on this unexpected turn from a band trying to remain relevant in what’s considered by many an irrelevant genre. ‘Gobbledigook’ announces the change triumphantly with pounding drums, hand claps and lalalas that more closely resemble another album on this list, Visiter, than say, The Earth Is Not a Cold Dead Place. The change works wonderfully for a few tracks, before Sigur Ros prove they’re still among the best at what they do: epic post rock. ‘Festival’ and ‘Ara Batur’ are two of their best tracks in a long time, the latter decked out with a gloriously over-the-top orchestra and choir. It’ll be interesting to see where Sigur Ros go from here. This album leaves their avenues completely open.  / Adam Downer

Sigur Rós @ MySpace  //  Review

49. Subtle - ExitingARM

While most anticon. projects are way too far up their own asses to be enjoyed, Subtle has always managed to straddle the line between the ridiculous and the not-quite-so-ridiculous. While the first track on ExitingARM might give the misleading impression that this is an upbeat album, further listening reveals a much more melancholy album. While it is a ridiculously deep album, built on layer upon layer of musical and lyrical concepts, “getting” this album might be one of the best investments of 2008. While Doseone's delivery is a little pitchy and the wackiness can get in the way at times, ExitingARM is still a well executed and conceptually brilliant hip hop album.  / John A. Hanson

Subtle @ MySpace  //  Review

48. Kanye West - 808s & Heartbreak

I think it is safe to say that no one saw this coming. Indie hipsters have always loved Kanye, but 808s & Heartbreak may prove to be his biggest crossover success yet. Creating a dark, moody atmosphere with omnipresent Auto-Tune and psuedo-epic synth choir and string accompaniment, Kanye takes the digital and makes it almost heartfelt. Yes, the lyrics are terrible, but most of us can ignore that and just enjoy the music.  / Tyler Fisher

MP3: Kanye West  - 'Love Lockdown' (Flying Lotus remix)  //  Review

47. Extra Life - Secular Works

I could talk all day about the beautiful yet awkward mish-mash of genres on display throughout Secular Works. Vocalist Charlie Looker gives one of the most impressive performances of the year, his tenor weaving its way through intense epics (‘Blackmail Blues’), brooding Slint-like tracks (‘I'll Burn’), cheerier, more upbeat tracks (‘The Refrain’) and even an a cappella piece (‘Bled White’). Backing him up is a band that is impressive across the board, but especially in the bass and violin departments. Difficult to listen to and even more difficult to describe, Secular Works nonetheless sucks the listener in: absolutely the most confounding and interesting album of 2008.  / Andrew Hartwig

MP3: Extra Life - 'I Don't See It That Way'  //  Review

 46. In Mourning - Shrouded Divine

Released on January 2, The Shrouded Divine set a very early benchmark for everybody else releasing a metal record in 2008. Blending melodic death metal with prog rock interludes, In Mourning invite comparisons with Opeth, yet there are a few areas where these guys are arguably better. Certainly they offer more diversity and flair within their heaviest outbursts, with some passages suggesting a doom metal influence. One wonders how they'll build on it: if they produce a second album as good as this, they'll automatically become one of the most exciting acts in metal.   / Nick Butler

MP3: In Mourning - 'Amnesia'  //  Review

45. Messiah J and the Expert - From the Word Go

Many white people might not be fully comfortable with the idea of unashamedly fun and upbeat rap music, but Irish rap duo Messiah J and the Expert step up the game on both the lyrical front and the dancefloor with their third album, From The Word Go. ‘Jean Is Planning An Escape’ examines the complexity of an abusive relationship above a furious four-to-the-floor beat, while pulsating opener ‘Year Of The Genie’ sheds light on the absurdity of election season, with all its slick hair and empty promises. On the flipside, ‘Turn The Magic On’ (featuring Leda Egri) touches on the telepathic relationship shared by old friends, while ‘Geography’ (featuring a chorus from indie band Delorentos) laments the hardship of long-distance friendship. Messiah J’s rhymes have been tightened significantly, to the extent that it’s advisable to hang on his every word, while the Expert’s musical base has expanded, making for a more diverse but no less distinctive album.  / Dave De Sylvia

MP3: Messiah J and the Expert - 'Amnesia Comes Easily'  //  Review

44. Fennesz - Black Sea

Black Sea is hard to label as an ambient record simply due to how much is going on throughout its length. Christian Fennesz returns with yet another noisy, serene album of soundscapes that embraces a slight electronic edge. Black Sea is a beautiful, if derivative, record and a welcome addition to Fennesz's already impressive discography.  / Jared W. Dillon

MP3: Fennesz - 'Saffron Revolution'  //  Review

43. Krallice – Krallice

Mick Barr- and Colin Marston-fronted black metal: how terrible does that sound? In reality, Krallice come off like the bastard child of groups like Weakling and Wolves in the Throne Room; highly melodic and not so concerned with the aesthetics of the genre they're working in. Marston and Barr are arguably two of the most skilled guitarists ever to pick up the instrument, and Krallice sees Barr explore his minimalist influences within the realm of black metal. Technical and catchy, Krallice represents both aforementioned members’ most accessible work yet, and in that light it succeeds tenfold.  / Jared W. Dillon

MP3: Krallice - 'Wretched Wisdom'  //  Review

42. The Loved Ones - Build & Burn

Has there been a record released this year that has started off more personally relevant than: "I've been working longer hours..." even if you're not exactly "... watching money streaming in"? At an ideal half-hour runtime, Build & Burn effortlessly passes, all but begging for a repeat play once you reach the final seconds. The album is bookended by stellar rhythms and resolute vocals. Weaving in and out of punk, rock, and even bouts of bluegrass, The Loved Ones obviously pay tribute to their elders, but the energy of opener ‘Pretty Good Year,’ the piano-driven ‘Selfish Masquerade,’ and the somber ‘I Swear’ make for one of punk's best records of 2008.  / Jom

MP3: The Loved Ones - 'Sarah's Game'  //  Review

41. Coldplay - Viva La Vida or Death And All His Friends

Everyone's guilty pleasure got a lot less embarrassing to like on this, their fourth and best record, but now Chris Martin wants to go and fuck it all up. Months after the release of the beautiful, inferably celebratory Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends, Martin commented that the band should break up after they turn 33. If that were to happen, the world would lose a band finally hitting its stride. The Brian Eno-produced Viva La Vida is a powerful, ballad-less tour de force from Coldplay, complete with exuberance, charm, and the heart they’ve been feigning for years.  / Adam Downer

MP3: Coldplay - 'Violet Hill'  //  Review

Individual Lists:

Share: Facebook Stumble Digg Del.icio.us

Comments