2008 The Year That Was…BoxSetGo Version

You know what bothers me…? It appears that the older I get the faster the years seem to pass me by. I accept reluctantly that the days weeks and months remain pretty much consistent however I am convinced that the speeding of time is working in perfect symmetrical unity with my slowing metabolism – the pair hand in hand conspiring against me – the cruellest of all twists.

Still, there is the end of year “Best Of” review – what better to lift my spirits on these darkened days than compiling my favourite tracks over the last 12 months and 18 pounds.

2008 has been split into two separate mixes which hopefully track some of the best music of the year – listening to the mix now it really was a brilliant year.

I Will Possess Your Heart – Death Cab For Cutie
This one divided the fans and I don’t know why – the intro is incredible and shows a band at the top of their game unafraid to tread new ground. An epic masterwork and one of the many highlights from the magnificent “Narrow Stairs”, an album which must be up there in the album of the year stakes.

Sweet Talk – Spiritualized
Jason Pierce = genius! enough said…

Keep Yourself Warm – Frightened Rabbit
Listen to the start – at first I thought it was Spiritualized’s “Take Good Take Of It”. “The Midnight Organ Fight” was a massive highlight of the musical year – Scotland’s Frightened Rabbit follow in the tradition of Twilight Sad combining melodic rock with folk sensibilities adding a dash of post rock structure. Any track with the lyric “It takes more than fucking someone you don’t know to keep yourself warm” deserves its place in the list – a cracking tune.

White Winter Hymnal – Fleet Foxes
One of the big favourites from this year, it’s easy to see why, just total dreamlike brilliance and one of the most fitting winter odes ever. As a song it does that rare trick of instantly lifting the mood of the listener while two seconds later fills them with a melancholic glimpse of the past they can never reach again. Utterly charming…

Abandon – French Kicks
The first track from the New York bands fourth album and one of the best of the year – its melodic guitar music and dreamy vocals recall beautiful melodies of old – if The Byrds ever did Post rock I would imagine it would sound like this. Essential.

Old World Lies – Brasstronaut
Yes, they do use brass instruments, a slow number here that drifts along effortlessly. These Canadian electrify your speakers with an intense troubled song that won’t lift the festive mood but may just be the most important track you hear all winter.

Get Better – Mates Of State
For me this track is simply just the purest pop you are likely to hear this year. Kori Gardeners vocals remind me of Liz Frazer (Cocteau Twins) singing bubblegum pop. It’s such a great tune – good pop music like this is hard to come by.

Expectations – Gentle Touch
Swedish group Gentle touch released a magnificent album this year – full of 80’s style tunes that where passionate in the gentlest possible way. Expectations opens the album and is linear and pure in it’s approach and yet drives a melody through that can’t fail to hit a nerve.

Eraser – No Age
First time I heard the album it baffled me by the third time it was one of the best records I had heard this year or any other. Just genius – this is probably the most accessible track on “Nouns” – a magnificent sonic attack on your senses – it only lasts for 2.5 minutes – but it is 2.5 minutes of fuzzy hypnotic brilliance.

Nothing Ever Happened – Deerhunter
The centrepiece of the brilliant “Microcastle” album – when they are fragile they is no-one as good as Deerhunter, when they decide to turn their guitars up they prove here they can mix it with the noisy boys and then some. An incredibly important single from an essential album.

Smile – Monsieur Minimal
Electronic goodness from where else but Greece – perfect pop that recalls the purity and melody of the old Sarah records. An outstanding album from which “Smile” is just one of the many highlights – not content with inventing civilisation it appears the Greeks are now inventing perfect pop music and the world is a better place for it…

I’m Not Crying. You’re Not Crying – Dear And The Headlights
American indie rock has never sounded so good – imagine Jimmy Eat world playing Slade classic sand you get the idea. A cracking song that ebbs and flows beautifully through the trials and tribulations of a romance gone sour. This is one that will stick in the head for a few weeks – total guitar heaven.

Hook up On Us – Jay Jay Pistolet
An alluring and angelic piece of song writer heaven. Justin Hayward-Young aka Jay Jay Pistolet is a young man with an old heart and a perfect ear for structure and melody. An impeccable track that is perfect for those dark winter evenings – this is true talent.

From Here To Dundee/Eternity – How To Swim
An orchestral band from Glasgow who have an uncanny ability to craft immaculate songs. You can hear the influences in their sound from Arcade Fire to The Polyphonic Spree however this band are more than the sum of their parts. A rousing uplifting track guaranteed to shake the blues out of any weary traveler – sublime.

Boneless – The Notwist
They have been delivering superb muisic for nearly 20 years so it was no surprise that The Notwists album “The Devil You And Me” was yet another masterpiece. A simple piano motif starts and shapes the song that twists and turns through a melodically perfect dreamscape. A blissful daydream that breezes into your inner consciousness; lifting your mood and spirit in a way that only music can do.

Blue Mantle – The Aliens
“Blue Mantle” is the last track from without question my favourite album of the year “Luna”. A total hallucinatory journey into space both inner and outer courteous of Gordon Anderson (the second genius on the mix)- this is a staggering track that really only makes sense when listened to as part of the album. However, I am too selfish to leave it out as it provides this mix with the most graceful finish. A track that drifts from a radiant core to a contemplative finish – by the time Anderson sings “I’m Waking Up Love” the eyes are ready to succumb to the inevitable emotive release…

01. I Will Possess Your Heart - Death Cab For Cutie
02. Sweet Talk -Spiritualized
03. Keep Yourself Warm - Frightened Rabbit
04. White Winter Hymnal - Fleet Foxes
05. Abandon - French Kicks
06. Old World Lies - Brasstronaut
07. Get Better - Mates Of State
08. Expectations - Gentle Touch
09. Eraser - No Age
10. Nothing Ever Happened - Deerhunter
11. Smile - Monsieur Minimal
12. I'm Not Crying. You're Not Crying - Dear And The Headlights
13. Hooked Up On Us - Jay Jay Pistolet
14. From Here To Dundee/Eternity - How To Swim
15. Boneless - The Notwist
16. Blue Mantle - The Aliens

2008

Part II next week...