end of year lists

well, i figured i'd leave it till the last day to post my favourite music of the year - & there was loads to choose from. 'till next year!

ALBUMS

1.      The Night Marchers – See You In Magic

I loved that a review described one song as being a cross between Status Quo & The Byrds! For the most part tho this just rocked - & relentlessly. This debut from John Reiss’ new band was killer & they were ridiculously good live.

2.      No Age – Nouns

Lots of noise, but really good pop songs too.  Some great live shows this year – the aftershow at Vinyl bar was particularly good.

3.      Nobunny – Love Visions

Has a sloppy Modern Lovers feel & dumb jokey lyrics throughout but this is a damn good record & has some of the catchiest songs you’ll hear.

4.      Deerhunter – Microcastle

Microcastle is just great song after great song. & not too shoegazey for me, made me think of The Shins at times.

5.      Davilla 666 – Davilla 666

The Nuggets boxset as played by Mexican gangsters.

6.      Jay Reatard – Matador Singles 08

A precursor to his proper solo album for Matador due next year, this was a great collection of songs. Not as good as the 06/07 collection that also came out this year, or his debut ‘Blood Visions’. Still if this was the first you’d heard of him (as it was for many) you’d be mighty impressed.

7.      Gentleman Jesse – Introducing Gentleman Jesse & His Men

Carbonas bass player takes the lead and comes up with a late 70’s style powerpop album (The Nerves/The Jam etc). Sadly this didn’t include the great single ‘I Don’t Wanna Know’ which may well be the best thing he’s done.

8.      The Explorers Club – Freedom Wind

The best Beach Boys outtakes album you could wish for.

Blitzen Trapper – Furr

All the best bits of classic rock, alt country & powerpop crammed into one record & played by a band of Jeff Lynnes.

10.   Grand Archives – Grand Archives

Killed the Fleet Foxes album for me, but no one else seemingly.

 SINGLES

1.      Marked Men – Fortune

Had the album from which this is taken had arrived as planned this year, it would almost certainly have been a contender for the top of my chart. As it’s now due Jan 09, i have something to look forward to.

2.      Hex Dispensers – Lose My Cool

Equal parts Cheap Trick and The Misfits; their debut album snuck out at the end of last year & has been one of the most played this year. This 2008 ep was great & the title track is possibly my most played track of the year.

3.      Hunx – You Don’t Like Rock & Roll

Glam rock glitter drums, early Ramones, very camp vocals & a scratch & sniff sleeve. The ‘Good Kisser’ single was great too.

4.      Box Elders – Hole In My Head

Makes me think of Redd Kross playing The Hollies, probably helps there are brothers in the band too. A really cool melodic song which sounds timeless to me.

Violens - V

Their list of influences begins with The Zombies & Nazz which is good enough. Kinda sounds like ‘Dear 23’ era Posies to me too. Looking forward to more in the new year.