Hooray. It’s time, once again, for my definitive guide to the best music of the year. This time round, I’ve decided to use the magic of embedded YouTube videos to showcase the albums do it the same way I did last year, so that you can make you’re own mind up as to whether I’m a) full of marvelous musical wisdom, or b) full of shite.
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20. Rhubarb The Julius Work Calendar Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
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19. Malcolm Middleton A Brighter Light Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
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18. Nina Nastasia & Jim White You Follow Me Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
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17. El-P I’ll Sleep When You’re Dead Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
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16. Burial Untrue Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
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15. Example What We Made Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
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14. Jim Lauderdale The Bluegrass Diaries Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
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13. Okkervil River The Stage Names Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
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12. M.I.A. Kala Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
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11. Lucky Jim All The King’s Horses Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
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10. Wilco Sky Blue Sky Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
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9. Gogol Bordello Super Taranta Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
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8. Rachel Unthank & The Winterset The Bairns Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
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7. Arcade Fire Neon Bible Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
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6. Battles Mirrored Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
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5. Friska Viljor Bravo! Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
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4. Alela Diane The Pirate’s Gospel Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
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3. Tinariwen Aman Iman: Water Is Life Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
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2. The Imagined Village The Imagined Village Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
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1. Fanfare Ciocarlia Queens & Kings Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
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Notes:
1) Only two hip hop albums, both by white artists? Ouch.
2) Perhaps worryingly, my favourite song of the year is also by a white rapper.
3) It’s a much folksier selection than usual.
4) Best gig of the year? Goran Bregovic, Guca Festival, Serbia.
5) Worst gig of the year? Easy. Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Shepherds Bush Empire, London. Only show I’ve walked out on in anger since Bowie’s useless Glass Spider tour.
6) Most overrated record of the year? Stars Of The Lid’s And Their Refinement Of The Decline. Let’s compare two viewpoints:
“I simply feel that they are making the most important music of the 21st century.” Ivo Watts-Russell – 4AD label founder.
“What a load of noodley old bollocks. Don’t be suckered into buying this twaddle.” Fraser Lewry – blogjam.com
7) Tip for 2008? The Imagined Village will win the Mercury Prize.
Previously:
Best of 2006
Best of 2005
Best of 2004
Best of 2003
Best of 2002
Best of 2001
Best of 2000
I’ll bemoan the lack of Panda bear on your list. But you have El-P, Okkervil River and Malcolm Middleton in there, so whatever.
wot? No epic45? *shakes head sadly*
I knew you’d be disappointed in me.
*sigh*
Havn’t done mine yet, but Gogol Bordello will be the only band we agree on.
so this isn’t the most appropriate place to do this, but i just wanted to give you props for your sites. i heart me some kittenwars and catsinsinks. kudos for your creativity…from one web designer to another!
Burial is just amazing! Plus the Battles album is pretty good. You’ve got good taste, keep it up!
I’ve heard of 6 of your top twenty pop groups, Frase. You’re getting too way out, as my mother warned me as a youth.
I like your older, funny ones.