Yes, you only get one pick for 2008

[nobody]

OK, I need to head to the record shop and get something a bti new. Been getting into a bit of a rut with listening to older stuff lately. I need suggestions, but I'm not going to be buying 20 things. So, I need you to tell me the one very top release for you so far in 2008. The one album you've bought from this year that if you had to get rid of all your new ones but a single album, the one you would keep. And, why would I, or anyone else, like it?

[Bernd]

ok.....I play, but can't do just one. I do two and let you decide.
Up to this Monday it was Shearwater's Rook that sat pretty on the top of this years purchases. Then the new Sigur Ros arrived. They are different from each other, but both somehow very rootsy and therefore closer then you might think.
The Sigur Ros is somewhat more playful then there last offerings, but still beautiful Icelandic tunage.
I am very taken with the Shearwater. Somehow I feel it is one of the best records I have heard in years. It's grand, melodic and leaves you wanting for more. So a tough one. I would declare the Shearwater and sneek out the Sigur Ros with me.

[Stone]

The new Bret Michaels.

[nobody]

Already got that.

[Davey]

Not sure which one you already got, but I'm gonna be jumping on the Shearwater wagon with Bernd, though it may not be a sound you'd go heavy for, nobody. Won't hear anything better or more adventurous this year. Beautiful record. Important music. Sadly, don't get a chance to say that often enough anymore.

Obviously influenced by that genre defining moment in the late 80s when Mark Hollis and Tim Friese-Greene and the rest of Talk Talk holed up in an abandoned church with an assortment of musicians, often recording in the dark, crafting a mix of ambient jazz and modern classicism that became one of the most beautiful records ever in "Spirit of Eden", probably the beginnings of what later became known as post-rock.

But this record is more dynamic overall, gentle at times, but loud and forceful at others. Not the typical formula, but whatever is right for the music. Songs like "The Snow Leopard" really do change the status of Shearwater in my mind, making Jonathan Meiberg one of the top musical visionaries today. There's the bits of Jeff Buckley, and even Scott Walker when he isn't so madly cryptic and overblown, some David Bowie at times, but this does seem pretty special, especially in today's play-it-safe pop music climate. I do love "Palo Santo", but this one goes way beyond my expectations. Sometimes you get the feel an artist has been working their whole career for that one defining record, and I think it all came together this time for Meiburg, the inspired lyrical imagery coupled with his allegorical music vision, can't imagine right now that it won't easily be my record of the year. Even harkens back to the progressive folk of Jethro Tull's "Songs from the Wood" (absent the often annoying flute), or bits of "Aqualung", but channeled through that later "Spirit of Eden" to strip away the excess. His voice is the best it has ever been, recorded without most of the needless reverb this time, it floats on the wind, and then soars effortlessly, like the majestic birds that live in so much of his music. Just 35 minutes, but a beautiful record. And speaking of record, the CD sounds pretty good even if a touch loud, but someone in another board mentioned the "fabulous sounding, dead-quiet Matador/RTI vinyl."

That's my story, though reading it now ... well, it seems a little overblown. Probably should've stopped at the first paragraph

[Bernd]

Not sure which one you already got, but I'm gonna be jumping on the Shearwater wagon with Bernd, though it may not be a sound you'd go heavy for, nobody. Won't hear anything better or more adventurous this year. Beautiful record. Important music. Sadly, don't get a chance to say that often enough anymore.

Obviously influenced by that genre defining moment in the late 80s when Mark Hollis and Tim Friese-Greene and the rest of Talk Talk holed up in an abandoned church with an assortment of musicians, often recording in the dark, crafting a mix of ambient jazz and modern classicism that became one of the most beautiful records ever in "Spirit of Eden", probably the beginnings of what later became known as post-rock.

But this record is more dynamic overall, gentle at times, but loud and forceful at others. Not the typical formula, but whatever is right for the music. Songs like "The Snow Leopard" really do change the status of Shearwater in my mind, making Jonathan Meiberg one of the top musical visionaries today. There's the bits of Jeff Buckley, and even Scott Walker when he isn't so madly cryptic and overblown, some David Bowie at times, but this does seem pretty special, especially in today's play-it-safe pop music climate. I do love "Palo Santo", but this one goes way beyond my expectations. Sometimes you get the feel an artist has been working their whole career for that one defining record, and I think it all came together this time for Meiburg, the inspired lyrical imagery coupled with his allegorical music vision, can't imagine right now that it won't easily be my record of the year. Even harkens back to the progressive folk of Jethro Tull's "Songs from the Wood" (absent the often annoying flute), or bits of "Aqualung", but channeled through that later "Spirit of Eden" to strip away the excess. His voice is the best it has ever been, recorded without most of the needless reverb this time, it floats on the wind, and then soars effortlessly, like the majestic birds that live in so much of his music. Just 35 minutes, but a beautiful record. And speaking of record, the CD sounds pretty good even if a touch loud, but someone in another board mentioned the "fabulous sounding, dead-quiet Matador/RTI vinyl."

That's my story, though reading it now ... well, it seems a little overblown. Probably should've stopped at the first paragraph

No, No, No.....thats perfect and nailed it.

[Duds]

If you forced me to keep just one of the 2008 releases, it would be OPETH.

would be tough to get rid of Mudcrutch, Steve Winwood, and the Robin Trower/Jack Bruce discs though.

[Mr MidFi]

Honestly? At this point, I'd have to say the new REM. It rocks. Seriously.

But I'll have to check out this Shearwater...I'm intrigued.

[Ex Lion Tamer]

I don't have this Shearwater album that everyone seems so high on, but I am Really enjoying - (wait...you better sit down, this could come as a HUGE shocker) - the new Wire album - Object 47, package that withRead & Burn 3 and you've got 50 or so minutes of choice (relatively) new Wire - and there's never anything wrong with that. Here's a link to the review at allmusic.com: http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p...0:knfpxz8jldhe

[Davey]

I don't have this Shearwater album that everyone seems so high on...

Yea, I guess if one person can be nobody, two people can be everyone, eh? Small board

wait...you better sit down, this could come as a HUGE shocker)

Yea again, that's kind of along the same wormhole as MidFi liking the latest R.E.M., pinch me cause I must be dreaming

New Wire, new Albini-recorded Wedding Present and Breeders, new Notwist, new Portishead, new Will Oldham, new Nick Cave, wow, lots of new stuff coming out from lots of cool bands that had kind of fallen off my radar in recent times.

[Mr MidFi]

Yea, I guess if one person can be nobody, two people can be everyone, eh? Small board
Yea again, that's kind of along the same wormhole as MidFi liking the latest R.E.M., pinch me cause I must be dreaming

New Wire, new Albini-recorded Wedding Present and Breeders, new Notwist, new Portishead, new Will Oldham, new Nick Cave, wow, lots of new stuff coming out from lots of cool bands that had kind of fallen off my radar in recent times.

Yeah, yeah...I walked right into that one. But I can't help it. It rocks. Sue me.

Actually, I was going to ask you about that new Notwist, so thanks for reminding me. I know it's only 9 days old, but how you liking it?

[Slosh]

Hmmm, I'm looking at my 2008 stuff and nothing is jumping out at me as essential. Lots of goodness to be sure but no absolute must-haves IMO.

Kid Dakota
R.E.M.
Voyager One
Sun Kil Moon
Islands
Wolf Parade
The Black Keys
Old 97s
The Raconteurs
Clinic
Earlimart
Melvins
Black Mountain
Cavalera Conspiracy
James McMurtry
Bonnie "Prince" Billy
Mudcrutch
Death Cab For Cutie
Stephen Malkmus
Shearwater
Ladyhawk
The Notwist
Elbow
Nine Inch Nails
Vampire Weekend
Tapes n' Tapes


NP:

[Davey]

Actually, I was going to ask you about that new Notwist, so thanks for reminding me. I know it's only 9 days old, but how you liking it?

No can tell, I've only heard the single. The only one I listed that I have actually heard (besides Shearwater, of course) is Portishead, and really like it. Slosh and Sticks (sounds kinda like a gay pirate bar, huh?) have the Notwist.

But R.E.M., nothing wrong there, just meant that it's not surprising. Cool to have a band you [still] like so much for so long.

[Mr MidFi]

Slosh and Sticks (sounds kinda like a gay pirate bar, huh?) have the Notwist.

Arrrr! Shiver me timbers and blow me...down.

[bobsticks]

But...I don't wanna be a pirate.

[bobsticks]

I would agree with Sloshy that this year has been good with greatness few and far between, although it's important to note that I haven't heard the Shearwater or Sigur Ros efforts. While I would remove a few our boy's list is pretty good...and I'd add :

Ray Davies
Anna Ternheim
THWhite
Valient Thorr
The Presets

I don't think you'd go wrong with any of those...Davies throws out some great everyman rif***e that surpasses some of the latter day Kinks stuff IMO and The Presets got somma dat Wax Trax synth vibe.

Actually---and I wasn't gonna mention this 'cause it's being reserved for the upcoming "Comp of Things You've Never Heard", but for you...---if you're in an all-jangle-no-jingle-surfcaster-Chuck Berry meets Los Straightjackets' INS agent kinda mood I'll pull out a darkhorse and refer to this:



You of all peeps will likey...or you can just wait for it to come out o VHS if'n ya nahmean.

Oh yeah, Sloshy's "Sounds Good:2008" is outstanding too!


sticks

[bobsticks]

Why the fuck is "riffage" censored??

[Slosh]

Why the fuck is "riffage" censored??

You can't have riffage without a fag in the middle wanking it up

[Stone]

Actually---and I wasn't gonna mention this 'cause it's being reserved for the upcoming "Comp of Things You've Never Heard", but for you...---if you're in an all-jangle-no-jingle-surfcaster-Chuck Berry meets Los Straightjackets' INS agent kinda mood I'll pull out a darkhorse and refer to this:





sticks

Now we're talking. Thanks for the heads up.

[ForeverAutumn]

I'd go with the REM too. It's only 35 minutes, but there's not a bad minute in there.

[tentoze]

Another slow year for much new music that has really slapped me silly. Until I got back from a month in Beijing yesterday, and this was waiting to be played:



Kicks ass. From my keyboard to your eyes, you read it here.

et

[Slosh]

Kicks ass. From my keyboard to your eyes, you read it here.

I have The Boxing Mirror and Room Of Songs and think they're both kind of dull. On that note why should I pick up the new one?

NP:

[Auricauricle]

Ali Farka Toure: In the Heart of the Moon.

Beautiful music and your brain needs to something different and jarring.

It's like sipping straight tequila or vodka. Like your taste buds, which get tired and stale and could stand something inspired, your ears get in a rut.

[Swish]

I have The Boxing Mirror and Room Of Songs and think they're both kind of dull. On that note why should I pick up the new one?

NP:

...and I bought it before seeing him open for Lucinda last year, but I was completely underwhelmed. His show was decent, while hers kicked major tail, and when he joined her on stage playing electric, it was quite nice.

I was more intrigued by the story of his life in music, one that tells of multiple marriages, drugs and booze, major health problems...a total cluster actually. He's lucky to be alive actually. The stories about his early musical affiliations in the Southwest...Austin I believe was the main city...were also pretty cool, hanging out with the likes of Lucinda, Steve Earle, John Cale...

Swish

[bobsticks]

Ali Farka Toure: In the Heart of the Moon.

Beautiful music and your brain needs to something different and jarring.

It's like sipping straight tequila or vodka. Like your taste buds, which get tired and stale and could stand something inspired, your ears get in a rut.

I don't know if this would quite be up D's alley but it is a mighty good album...and I agree with your observation. The Africans have different patterns of playing so the same ionian-phrygian-pentatonic thang that can get kinda hackneyed over here gets a fresh face, as it were. I used a few tracks off this one on the much-maligned "Summer Comp 2007". Good stuff.