2008 so far.

[Jafs]

I forgot to mention:

Sun Kil Moon - April (Caldo Verde)

Melancholic folk. Unique voice. Listen to "Moorestown".

Peter Broderick - Float (Type Records)

Modern classical, nice debut album too.

[Lx_Nen]

I've only got 1 recommendation for everyone from 2008 so far.

Discuss - Aeration Swells.

Treads a fine line between genius and total bollocks. Hard to describe without mentioning BoC/Schnauss, but it's not as close to a BoC clone as Tycho - Adrift from home. Don't be afraid to skip a bit (brother Maynard*), but it's definitely worth wading through a lot of self-indulgence to get to the stand out track "Puerto Rico Y La Vieja Pc".

http://www.myspace.com/discuss
http://www.myspace.com/ekofarmed (spin off project)

*obscure python reference, sorry

[mmm skyscraper]

Heartbreak - Lies

http://www.myspace.com/heartbreak1

If you like Italo, this is great stuff.

[joethelion]

In no particular order...

Sasha - Invol2ver
-> even though I suspect that the tracks this time around haven't been quite as "tweaked around with" as much as on the first one (which - to me almost felt like a 'artist album' if you know what I mean) - I still have been pleasantly pleased with this release. Definitely not as 'atmospheric' as the last one either, yet still with loads of melody and character

iTAL tEK - Cyclical
-> even though I'm really NOT a fan of the whole "IDM deal" (aka pretentiousness) ... it still has really been able to grab me.

Portishead - Third
-> I was worried that... at first, I only thought it was a great album b/c I was sooooo hyped up to finally get new material of theirs (and see them live), but it still gets pretty regular play and really didn't disappoint me. And it's definitely not just their last two albums all over again. There's a definite progression in sound, and some nice analogue-y traits that you didn't have as much as on their previous stuff.

The Black Ghosts - The Black Ghosts
-> it's funny how ..well... once Simian broke up, the members have all massively improved from when they were together. Just enough pop sprinkled over everything. You should buy the album if just for "I Want Nothing" and "Some Way Through This" ...plus there are some awesome remixes from tracks off this album


the Presets - Apocalypso
-> this album just is PACKED with really class singles, yet still has a great flow. I can't listen to this and not get hyped up. Soooooo menacing yet happy all at the same time. It's like you're at a club in purgatory, if that makes any sense

Muscles - Guns Babes and Lemonade
-> not sure if this came out this year or late last... and it's def a bit too similar to the Presets at times, and some tracks can be off putting to some people, but you seriously CAN NOT be in a bad mood when you listen to the album... seriously, it's impossible. It could be an incredibly dreary day, your girlfriend could have broken up with you... and you'll still have a HUGE smile on your face.

[matt]

Originally Posted by joethelion

the Presets - Apocalypso
-> this album just is PACKED with really class singles, yet still has a great flow. I can't listen to this and not get hyped up. Soooooo menacing yet happy all at the same time. It's like you're at a club in purgatory, if that makes any sense

if you like this album make you sure you also check out other modular acts cut copy and midnight juggernauts as both have also released great albums this year (and are not a million miles away from the presets in sound)

In fact one of my favourite iPod playlists this year has been a Modular one i put together which has these three albums plus the Muscles one

And i haven't heard it yet but the new Ladyhawke album has been getting some good reviews too

[Jan]

Lone - Lemurian

Don't let the abysmal cover art deceive you, that album is actually very, very good.

[joethelion]

Originally Posted by matt

if you like this album make you sure you also check out other modular acts cut copy and midnight juggernauts as both have also released great albums this year (and are not a million miles away from the presets in sound)

ha! I actually originally started to write about the Midnight Juggernauts' album but then I wasn't sure if it came out this year, or late last year... and my review was pretty much "they sound like the Presets"

I dug Cut Copy's album at first... but it really hasn't gotten many plays after that first 2 week period (save for "Lights & Music")

[GforGroove]

Originally Posted by mmm skyscraper

Heartbreak - Lies

http://www.myspace.com/heartbreak1

If you like Italo, this is great stuff.

I loved this!!. Thanks for recommend it.

[GforGroove]

I think i have my favorites of this year:
new Fennesz-Black Sea and one of the truly most beautiful albums ever and BEST of the year for me: GROUPER- Dragging a Dead Dear Up a Hill

[Jafs]

Time for tops, no ?