2008 Top 10 Albums
It's that time of year when we look back at what has passed and pick out our favourite moments. Looking back at things with a musical slant, 2008 has proven to be rather disappointing compared to other years. Most years I add over 100 hours worth of music to my library. This year I managed a paltry 69 hours. I think it reflects the lack of quality music that was released.
That said, where there was quality, it was definitely high quality. And I'm pleased to say that half of the top 10 list are Australian albums.
Just remember that this is my album list, not a best guitar album list. I listen to too much music to just make a guitar album list. Mind you, most of these albums feature awesome guitar work.
10. Slipknot - All Hope Is Gone (Special Edition CD/DVD)
While I'm sure "old school" Slipknot fans are probably throwing up in their rubber masks because of their hatred of this album, I really like it. Maybe not as much as Subliminal Verses, but I definitely dig it. Lots of grooves, lots of bone crushing guitar tones, and some fantastic song writing. If you like the heavier Stone Sour songs, then you will like this Slipknot album.
9. The Living End - White Noise
The first Australian album in the list. I've never been a great fan of The Living End, but this album is rock solid. It's a real departure for them, with a much more in your face rock and roll feel, this album will go down as an Aussie classic for sure. Chris Cheney is surely one of the most versatile and talented Australian guitarists of all time. No wonder he has a Gretch endorsement deal!
8. The Saboteurs / The Raconteurs - Consolers Of The Lonely
Jack White will go down as the most important songwriter of this generation. This album is even more of a testament to that fact. What I love most about this band is that with a talented rhythm section behind him, White's take on the blues is a powerful beast that cannot be stopped. Even if you are not a White Stripes fan you should check this out.
7. The Butterfly Effect - Final Conversation of Kings
Another Aussie band. This is their third album and they just keep getting better and better. The growth between albums is amazing, with the bombastic arrangements replaced by subtle dynamics and atmospherics, all pinned together by some great guitar work and an awesome rhythm section.
6. Scars On Broadway - Scars On Broadway CD & DVD
Now this is an album I didn't expect to get into. I know the underlying tones of this album are political, and it's meant to be "metal", but hot-diggity-damn if it doesn't put a smile on my face every time I hear it! It really is that fun, and will surely be a metal summer party album for years to come.
5. Ash Grunwald - Fish Out Of WaterA great Australian singer/songwriter that is just about to break huge. This album is a great slab of roots/blues, soulful singing, infused with a healthy dose of electronic and hip hot beats. Trust me, it works, and it works brilliantly. This was my soundtrack while travelling through Cambodia during November.
4. Kings of Leon - Only by the Night
I've never been a big fan of Kings Of Leon, but this is a great album. Anthemic stadium rock with huge sounding guitars swirling in reverb and chorus, with some great vocal performances and huge amounts of energy. I've heard longtime fans would be disappointed by this album, but as a newcomer to the band I found this album to be very special indeed.
3. Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds - Dig!!! Lazarus Dig!!!
Australian musical royalty, even if he does live in the UK and has so for years. Nick Cave and some of the members of the Bad Seeds have definitely been affected by their other incarnation Grinderman. Much more raw rock with gutteral performances that leaving you wanting more. Cave again shows just what a genius he is on this album.
2. Nine Inch Nails - The Slip
I have to admit, I was a little bewildered by Ghosts I-IV. A massive collection of soundscapes inspired by artworks? OK, I'll let it slid because the follow up to Year Zero is a masterpiece. In my opinion, it is the best thing Reznor has released since The Fragile. Yep, I know that is comment bait so start flaming me now. I love this album.
1. Birds Of Tokyo - Universes
Yep. They've done it again. The best band in Australia today have taken out the top spot again in my yearly list. You thought their first album Day One was good? Then wait till you hear this. The album is full of songs that have you singing along with the chorus after the first repeat, and has expanded their sonic landscape while focusing their songwriting abilities. No hook goes missed, no melody is wasted. Well and truely Album of the Year.
Honourable Mentions
Two more Australian acts in this list, being Cog an The Presets. For those who don't know Cog are pretty much the Australian answer to Tool, and The Presets are the kings of dark wave electro. Metallica and Guns N' Roses make this list too. Ignore all the hater and have a listen to the albums. They are not perfect, but are still much more enjoyable to listen to than most of the other junk that was released this year.
A very special note goes out to Kane. I grabbed this album off the cuff and have not seen it anywhere since. It is some of the best pop rock I have heard in years. It very nearly made it into the top 10, it is that good.
Kane - Everything You Want
Guns N' Roses - Chinese Democracy
Black Keys - Attack and Release
Cog - Sharing Space
Extreme - Saudades de Rock
Joe Satriani - Professor Satchafunkilus and the Musterion of Rock
Metallica - Death Magnetic
The Presets - Apocalypso
Biggest Disappointments
These were two albums I was really looking forward to, and unfortunately found to be less than enjoyable. The Black Crowes album just lumbers along mid tempo for most of the album, and just isn't the "fun" they normaly are. Counting Crows new album just sounds like a band trying to sound like the Counting Crows. I couldn't tell you why I think that, it just feels very forced to me, like they are reigning in their songwriting and performances to kkep that Counting Crows sound.
The Black Crowes - Warpaint
Counting Crows - Saturday Nights and Sunday Mornings
So there you have it.
I'd love to hear what you all think, and why I'm wrong, and anything that I've missed that I should check out.
