2008...so far

It's still early but there have been several records thus far this year that I think are really A+ material. So, what is your favorite record this year so far? For me, it would definitely be:



Times New Viking: "Rip It Off". Be forewarned though, this record is a complete assault on your ear drums. The best description I could give ove it is it's Guided By Voices in their heyday ('94-'96) if they were produced by David Bowie (ala "Search and Destroy"), but harsher. I think I read one blogger say it was as though The Archies started a post punk band with no money to record. I think this thing is a masterpiece.

 

"Hey Venus!" by Super Furry Animals is quite amazing in my opinion. It was released in the U.K. in 2007, but came out over here (with an extra disc of the U.K. b sides) about a month ago.

And the new Birds Of Avalon e.p., which comes out in a few weeks, is quite stunning as well.

 

Supergrass - Diamon Hoo Ha
I'm hoping this will finally be the album that gets them some attention stateside, but after 10+ years, I doubt it. Such an overlooked rock band...

 

Nada Surf - Lucky

 

The Drive-By Truckers - Brighter Than Creation's Dark

The highlight of my year, thusfar.

 

Black Mountain, In the Future

and....

 

Jason Collett - Here's to Being Here

Recommended if you like The Band and mid-70's Dylan...kind of alt-countryish in places too.

 

This band is real popular over in their native Ireland right now, but I really like Bell X1's Flock album released on Yep Roc a few weeks ago.

 

Man, you stole my fave! These guys/gal are playing a show in my friend's basement two weeks from tomorrow... man, I'm pumped!

From what little I've heard, the new Beach House album ("Devotion") is also quite good. Woozy, heroin-laced shoegazer w/ a bit of Motown and country-folk thrown in.

 

American Music Club "The Golden Age" is the best thing I've heard all year!

 

I've listened to the Beach House album and I'm of a mixed opnion. It's good but I'm not so sure I can distract myself from it's clear influences.

I also would recommend at least spinning the "Vampire Weekend" record, it's worth a listen at least, to anyone really -- very catchy.

 

I love what I've heard and this would likely be my pick had the vinyl come out by now.
But the most exciting for me so far has been the vinyl reissues of Drive-By Truckers' back catalog. Especially the Decoration Day LP. Great stuff.

 

Vinicius Cantuaria. Brazilian guitarist singer/song writer. Very atmospheric music, he almost never disappoints.

 

That is, indeed, an incredibly catchy record, and really is worth a listen. They have a great moniker, as well, and as a grad student in English, I really dig the fact that they write songs about commas and suchlike. But personally, I can't really get into their sound. They're a bit too rounded-off and polished for me. A bit too safe, too squeaky clean. Not really my bag....

That said, however, I can see how people could become enamored with them. Give 'em a try!

 

I wish I had something new and hip to pick but to be honest my favourite album of the year thus far is Joe Jackson's new one. I like Gary Louris's new album too.

 

Another vote for Black Mountain's In the Future. It gets better with every listen.

 

So far, my favorite this year is Erykah Badu's New Amerykah Part One.

I'm also waiting for my copy of Boris's Smile, should be here any day now. What I've heard of it online could make it a contender too . . .

 

That is at the top of my list so far too. great album!

 

Gary Louris - Vagabond. I'm really digging this record.

 

I haven't heard that much new music yet, but I can't stop listening to Vampire Weekend's S/T debut. This band has just EXPLODED.



And this one is growing on me very quickly as well:

 

Ray Davies' Working Man's Cafe
The Bird And The Bee's Too Many Hearts

 

North Mississippi Allstars - Hernando

 

How's Black Mountain's new album compared to the one back from 2005. I kind of liked that one.

 

Thanks for the tip. Anything that compares to GBV is well worth checking out in my book. I'll have to pick this up soon.

Jeff