Best Albums I Discovered in 2008
The following albums were discovered during 2008, but were from years before. I think they are pretty amazing and are worth a shout.
The Futureheads – The Futureheads
Outshining their later attempts, The Futureheads’ debut is a hard-hitting bit of post-punk. They blended a mixture of raw and chunky guitar sections with a interesting array of multi-vocal work. Highlights include the amazing First Day, a speedy interpretation of what working is, and the ferocious and energetic Man Ray. I think the idea in mind was “quantity over quality”, however the album is still well worth purchasing with over half of the 17 tracks being really great.
Era Vulagris – Queens of the Stone Age
Harsh, distorted, violent and almost psychedelic, Queens of the Stone Age produced something different, but arguably much better, than their previous work. They put together a hard rock album, something I normally despise, and fueled it with a power station, to create haunting electric echoes, drilling guitar riffs and a mixture of moaning and screaming from the singer. Even if you’re not really into this type of thing, I would encourage you to at least try some of their creative rock music.
† – Justice
Justice’s debut features a stunning amount of synth work work, plus some great sampling. You can definitely here some of the rock and pop influences here, which makes it a really great album to listen to.
Orchestra of Wolves – Gallows
Hardcore is not my favorite genre, to say the least, but Gallows showed me how amazing this genre could be. With violent and jagged chords, unmelodious solos and amazing “vocals” from the lead singer, Orchestra of Wolves, is something which really gets your blood boiling, not your ears bleeding.
Abandon Ship, Will Someone Shoot That Fucking Snake
Silent Alarm – Bloc Party
Though I can’t stand their slow and only electronic work, their tracks which are based on rock, are amazing. An excellent example is Positive Tension. It starts off with a simple bass line. It throws in a fast drum beat and then it adds interesting, but nothing special, lyrics. Mixed in are some slow guitar chords. But what is revealed half way, is Bloc Party’s genius. “Something glorious is about to happen! The Reckoning!” the leader singer yells, cueing the punchy solo guitar chords. Fast and jumpy the second guitar kicks in as both singers start to scream. It’s all released in a face-melting solo to a quiet end.
Thanks for the picture Ryan Chirnomas.
MaybeNextTime said,
January 3, 2009 at 3:26 am
Positive Tension is absolutely utterly brilliant – the bit – I don’t know what the musicy word for it is – where all the instruments drop out and Kele Okereke yells out ‘SO FUCKING USELESS’ always makes me want to shout it out too. That got me in trouble at college.
nathan said,
January 6, 2009 at 4:41 pm
Some good albums there, the futureheads and bloc party debuts are some of my favourites ever. And justice is brilliant too – though I was pretty disappointed by Gallows’ album after hearing Abandon Ship.
endtype said,
February 15, 2009 at 8:58 pm
Yeah…I’d agree that “Abandon Ship” is a bit of a popish song.
However, great list. QOTSA is amazing
Paulina said,
September 1, 2009 at 2:19 am
Justice’s “The Cross” has to be my favourite album of the ones you mentioned. Consistently good tracks, always gets me in a good mood.