#1 Kings Of Leon - Because Of The Times (LP)
Undoubtbly the record that had the biggest impact on me last year. It got me through a rough patch and will be forever grateful to Kings Of Leon for it. Getting to see them live at SXSW at the hight of my mania over this record was an extra added bonus earlier in the year. This is one of my favourites of the last 10 years! Special mention goes to the albums' singles b-sides, My Third House, Woo Hoo and that great remix of My Party.
#2 Glasvegas - Daddy's Gone (Single)
Late in the year discovery and the better for it. Probably single of the year. Another victory for the Scotts. Can't wait for the full-length.
#3 Phantom Planet - Tour EP
Still waiting for the follow up to their amazing self titled 3rd album, this 4 track tour ep will do just fine to tide me over for a bit more. The lead-off track Leader is so good, Rivers could take a few notes, and the 3rd song, Too Much Too Often is the Longpigs resurrected. That's a good thing by the way.
#4 Manic Street Preachers - You're Love Alone Is Not Enough (Single)
I liked Send Away The Tigers but this song stood out by far and I couldn't stop listening to it over and over. Even the instrumental version. (which I lost so if anyone has it.....)
#5 Babyshambles - Delivery (Single)
Shotter's Nation was a bit shoddy, yet Babyshambles continue to put out great singles. Delivery is their best yet.
#6 Ted Leo/Pharmacists - Living With The Living (LP)
The day Ted Leo stops making great records is the day Bruce Springsteen covers Warrent's Cherry Pie!
#7 GoodBooks - Control (LP)
Best new band of the year? 4 smashing singles and an incredible debut from the next great British hope. Bloc Party eat your hearts out!
#8 Super Furry Animals - Hey Venus (LP)
My favourite band ever so this was gonna be in whether it was good or not. But it's good, really good, SUPER good! Run-Away is classic Furries at their best. A return to the I can listen to this whole thing through.
#9 Charlotte Hatherley - The Deep Blue (LP)
Not as immediate as Grey Will Fade, but nobody is making pop records like this. Her guitar playing is awesome and she worked with Andy from XTC so she's in the top 10 just for that.
#10 Devo - Watch Us Work It (Digital Single)
You heard this in that Telus commercial, I think it was Telus. A brand new Devo song that sounds like vintage Duty Now For The Future. This totally makes up for Total Devo. And no other act on this list has an action figure.
#11 The Electric Soft Parade - No Need To Be Downhearted (LP)
Finally got to see them live this year...and TWICE! First single, If That's The Case Then I Don't Know has the best riff of the year and they covered a Sparks song on 7'' . Super nice blokes as well.
#12 Apartment - Fall Into Place (Single)
Maybe this was the Telus commercial. Could be The Kooks but a bit of a Smiths thingy. In fact, I could have seen Red Autumn Fall doing this. Would've made em' huge.
#13 Ra Ra Riot - EP
Not so much the EP but the most surprisingly great new live band I saw this year. I was moved and I bought the 7''. Recording they're debut right now.
#14 Ash - Twilight Of The Innocents (LP)
It kinda sucks that Charlotte splits and THEN the band go back from metal to pop. Not as good as Chaz' solo output but a return to the Ash I loved for the first few albums of their long career.
#15 Tegan And Sara - Back In Your Head (Single)
I liked The Con but this song makes me so jealous and I frickin' wish I wrote it. Probably should be called Stuck In Your Head.
#16 The Warlocks - Heavy Deavy Skull Lover (LP)
The cover is wicked, they have 2 drummers, and you've never heard them.
#17 Arctic Monkeys - Favourite Worst Nightmare (LP)
Their Room On Fire? Here cause I don't want to make enemies with the NME.
#18 The Fiery Furnaces - Widow City(LP)
There is no other album out there that sounds like this. It sounds like Led Zeppelin covering Devo songs sung by your strange neighbour that you're slighty afraid of yet attracted to....I don't know what I'm getting on about here. Just check out Duplexes Of The Dead.
#19 The Arcade Fire - Neon Bible (LP)
I don't know why I didn't get it right off the bat but I know this is a great record.
#20 Radiohead - In Rainbows (LP)
Just because of the pay what you want thing!
I'm puttin' my money on Glasvegas and Phantom Planet both being in the best of 2008 but we'll just have to wait and see. Have a great New Year!
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