2STEPSFORWARD4STEPSBACK Review Of The Year 2008~ Part III
We're back, for the 3rd leg of the 2STEPS' Review Of The Year feature. Right now we're counting down the Best 25 albums that came out in 2008. Later they'll be some other cool stuff to look out for so don't touch that dial. Oh and in case you haven't seen it, Q Magazine included Dido, Jack Johnson, Duffy, Adele and Keane in their Albums of the Year list l o l ! You're in the right place. Here's our list as it stands:
25. Johnny Foreigner - Waited Up Til It Was Light
24. Los Campesinos! - We Are Beautiful We Are Doomed
23. Dan Le Sac Vs Scroobius Pip - Angles
22. TV On The Radio - Dear Science,
21. Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes
20. Crystal Castles - Crystal Castles
19. ¡Forward, Russia! - Life Processes
18. Elbow - The Seldom Seen Kid
17. Pete And The Pirates - Little Death
16. Laura Marling - Alas, I Cannot Swim
Alright cool, let's got on with some more! xx
15: Mystery Jets - Twenty One (679) Original Review
After some considerable hype from us surrounding 'Twenty One', you'd forgive us for being let down. But miraculously, we weren't in the slightest. From the air raid sirens of the opener to the crackled radio feeback of the closer it's every bit as exciting as we'd hoped. Sure, they enjoyed some mainstream success with 'Two Doors Down' but managed to sidestep becoming rubbish, despite the album's re-release. I don't know where they'll go next but I'm 100% confident it'll be great.
14: The Last Shadow Puppets - The Age Of The Understatement (Domino)
No-one was quite sure what a collaboration between an Arctic Monkey and a Rascal would sound like, but I wasn't expecting this. Let's not forget Owen Pallett's contribution of the 22-piece orchestra, because it gave the album a sweeping cinematic flair. The whole thing feels like a classic, which is a real accomplishment from two 22 year old mates fooling around for a side-project. Literally brimming with perfectly crafted mini-masterpieces, it's daunting.
13: Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend (XL) Original Review
Hitting at the beginning of their year, just as people were really starting to sit up and take notice. Since then they've gone from strength to strength, pleasing hordes of people at the summer festivals this year, and all on the back of this one special record. I'd like to say it soundtracked the summer - which is did - but really it soundtracked the whole year, and that's why it's in this list. It was so upbeat, so lovable, but I don't think anyone saw their unique style going down quite so well.
12: Blood Red Shoes - Box of Secrets (Mercury) Original Review
Blood Red Shoes' debut was a long time coming. After touring almost constantly for 3 years they'd worked up quite a fan base, and with this leaking a whole 5 months early it drew a lot of listeners. It hit hard with a desperation not seen this strong but also so accessible since Nirvana. The lyrics spit discontent and disillusionment backed by music too furious to be created by just a boy and a girl. Provocative and exhilarating. Keep at a safe distance.
11: These New Puritans - Beat Pyramid (Angular) Original Review
I think this was the first album I bought in 2008, and was the first album I reviewed on here. I was initially pretty impressed by the dark production angular sound. But as time went on it grew on me more and more and I began to seriously consider it as one of the most innovative debuts of recent times. It just pushes some sort of boundary, maybe it's the hypnotic lyrics, or how they sample their own songs; something makes this really special.
------
Ok cool, the Top 10 will be coming up soon, so stick around you might learn a thing or two. This seems like a good time to mention the obvious - if you're missing any of the albums mentioned here seriously: beg steal or borrow to hear them. They're all good xx cc
MP3: Mystery Jets - 21
MP3:These New Puritans - Infinity Ytinifni
15: Mystery Jets - Twenty One (679) Original ReviewAfter some considerable hype from us surrounding 'Twenty One', you'd forgive us for being let down. But miraculously, we weren't in the slightest. From the air raid sirens of the opener to the crackled radio feeback of the closer it's every bit as exciting as we'd hoped. Sure, they enjoyed some mainstream success with 'Two Doors Down' but managed to sidestep becoming rubbish, despite the album's re-release. I don't know where they'll go next but I'm 100% confident it'll be great.
14: The Last Shadow Puppets - The Age Of The Understatement (Domino)No-one was quite sure what a collaboration between an Arctic Monkey and a Rascal would sound like, but I wasn't expecting this. Let's not forget Owen Pallett's contribution of the 22-piece orchestra, because it gave the album a sweeping cinematic flair. The whole thing feels like a classic, which is a real accomplishment from two 22 year old mates fooling around for a side-project. Literally brimming with perfectly crafted mini-masterpieces, it's daunting.
13: Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend (XL) Original ReviewHitting at the beginning of their year, just as people were really starting to sit up and take notice. Since then they've gone from strength to strength, pleasing hordes of people at the summer festivals this year, and all on the back of this one special record. I'd like to say it soundtracked the summer - which is did - but really it soundtracked the whole year, and that's why it's in this list. It was so upbeat, so lovable, but I don't think anyone saw their unique style going down quite so well.
12: Blood Red Shoes - Box of Secrets (Mercury) Original ReviewBlood Red Shoes' debut was a long time coming. After touring almost constantly for 3 years they'd worked up quite a fan base, and with this leaking a whole 5 months early it drew a lot of listeners. It hit hard with a desperation not seen this strong but also so accessible since Nirvana. The lyrics spit discontent and disillusionment backed by music too furious to be created by just a boy and a girl. Provocative and exhilarating. Keep at a safe distance.
11: These New Puritans - Beat Pyramid (Angular) Original ReviewI think this was the first album I bought in 2008, and was the first album I reviewed on here. I was initially pretty impressed by the dark production angular sound. But as time went on it grew on me more and more and I began to seriously consider it as one of the most innovative debuts of recent times. It just pushes some sort of boundary, maybe it's the hypnotic lyrics, or how they sample their own songs; something makes this really special.
------
Ok cool, the Top 10 will be coming up soon, so stick around you might learn a thing or two. This seems like a good time to mention the obvious - if you're missing any of the albums mentioned here seriously: beg steal or borrow to hear them. They're all good xx cc
MP3: Mystery Jets - 21
MP3:These New Puritans - Infinity Ytinifni
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