Current mood:	working
Current music:	The VERVE "Forth"

Best of 2008

2008 was an incredibly strong year for releases, a welcome change from 2007. Here’s a short list of gems from the past year on repeat in my headphones. Let’s hope for an even better 2009. Cheers.

The GASLIGHT ANTHEM
The ’59 Sound



Every year, there seems to one release that’s on repeat since the day I get. This year, that release is clearly The GASLIGHT ANTHEM – The ’59 Sound. I have to really prevent myself from playing this because I will wear it out. I didn’t think this Jersey crew could top Sink Or Swim, but to me this release does just that. It’s the type of album that I must listen to in its entirety. Every song on here is damn catchy, particularly “The Patient Ferris Wheel,” which is what SOCIAL DISTORTION’s “Far Behind” was in 2007: my single of the year. These guys are poised for big things to come. Recent shows with the Bouncing Souls point to a bigger following. The GASLIGHT ANTHEM is one band to watch. Mad talent & choice songwriting here. Easily my favorite release of the year.

NICK WARREN
Lima: GU 35



What can I say that hasn’t already been said? Nick Warren has proven to be the highlight of the Global Underground series, & his latest mix for Lima, Peru, only validates this further. Some truly tasty cuts are served up, most notably on the first disc. Seamless mixing, beautiful tracks, clean production – it’s no wonder Nick Warren has a mad following. Count me in this lot. Always setting the standard with each successive mix, Nick Warren presents the future of electronic music.

MARCEL DETTMANN
Berghain 02



While the tech-electro sounds have never really appealed to me, Marcel Dettmann’s mix has me doing a double-take. I was a bit biased in picking this up because Kate Simko is on it, & anything she does is golden. Well, this mix just shows how compelling tech sounds could be. Who knew? Dettmann’s take on this fairly dark sound has made me reconsider what it’s all about. Import only, so if you’re looking for it, expect to pay a bit.

SOS
Balance 013



Last year’s release by Luke Fair stands as one of my all-time favorites. So could the Balance label really continue releasing high quality mixes? The latest from the trio known as SOS affirms this. This 3-CD mix starts off ambient & brooding, taking its sweet time to build up to dancefloor-worthy bpms. I expect nothing but the best from this label, & this release just shows why: with a choice record pool & top-notch producers, the Balance label has consistently been brilliant. SOS has succeeded in creating beautiful soundscapes.

The (INTERNATIONAL) NOISE CONSPIRACY
The Cross of My Calling



Perhaps one of the most anticipated releases for me, I have been following The (INTERNATIONAL) NOISE CONSPIRACY since REFUSED broke up. I was even more eager for this release when I found out Rick Rubin was behind the mixing board. And true to form, the (I)NC does not disappoint. Although the volume of A New Morning is long gone, what replaces that is more intricate songwriting. The production is slick, which you would expect with Rubin, but this actually enhances the 1960’s vibe I got from my initial listen, right down to the “groovy” artwork. The lyrics are intelligent & political, a welcome respite from all the vapid music being releases ad nauseum. Definitely worthy of your time. Now what about that tour?

SATOSHI TOMIIE
Renaissance Masters Series



Underrated. Overlooked. Severely talented. These are descriptions that hit me whenever I read the name Satoshi Tomiie. What really made me take notice was his Nu Breed mix years ago on the GU imprint. Since then, Tomiie has evolved much the same way as Nick Warren. The Masters Series is a fitting home for Tomiie, as this mix is without a doubt pure butter & then some. From the track selection to the incredibly fluid mixing, Tomiie shows he is a producer of experience. If you get this, try & get the CD version, as the brief Q&A section shows just how much Tomiie works to keep his love of music going. I get mad inspiration from this mixer. Crucial.

GREYBOY
15 Years of West Coast Cool



While not necessarily “new music,” Greyboy makes it no secret his love for old funky sounds & rare groove gems. 15 Years of West Coast Cool further exhibits this. If you were ever curious as to where producers get the bulk of their funky samples, you need to do some homework like Greyboy. This comp features Sharon Jones = ‘nuff said. Get it on double-LP.

Q-TIP
The Renaissance



I’ve been missing hip hop for years, so when I heard Q-Tip was finally going to release another solo album, I knew I would not be let down. Sure enough, “The Renaissance” is easily the best hip hop album of 2008 for me. No misogyny, no blatant profanity – just laid back beats with smooth flows & a high-quality guest list (Norah Jones, Amanda Diva) that isn’t 5 pages long. I don’t know why other hip hop artists can’t sound like this. Q-Tip makes it so easy to get into these grooves. His vocal stylings continue to sound unique. “Move” & “Dance On Glass” are stand-outs. The entire release is solid. I want more singles from this album!

MARK FARINA
Mushroom Jazz V.6



If the laidback beat scene ever needed a leader, Mark Farina stands as candidate #1. Mushroom Jazz 6 further exemplifies the skills we’ve heard years ago. Farina no doubt impresses with this new chill mix. It’s a bit more hip hop than earlier volumes, and Farina also has been using more & more of his friends’ works (J-Boogie, Colossus, The Jazzual Suspects). All of this results in an absurdly solid mix, with some funky gems I may need to work into my own sets (FLASH “Wasn’t Really Worth My Time” = unbelievably catchy). It’s no small wonder he is so highly revered. You need this.

The CURE
4:13 Dream



Has it really been 3 decades of creating music for these guys? I still have that very first Fiction Records single from 1979. Fast forward to 2008, & I am still listening to The Cure. "4:13 Dream" continues the dream guitar work & Blue Boy songwriting I always look for whenever they release a new album. As long as they keep writing music, I will continue to follow. Don’t let this one slip beneath your radar.

NAKED MUSIC
Re-Creation



What? An all new Naked Music release in 2008? I was just as surprised as anybody who follows this label to learn that Jay Denes was working on new material for a full-length release. After all, it’s been years. Listening to Re-Creation (& the 12” single for “Hurry”) made me nostalgic for these modern sounds. I really miss premium electronic sounds like Blue Six. No one is really making music like this anymore, which makes searching for these vibes ever more elusive. Buy get, get it, love it.

The VERVE
Forth



Let’s face it. Despite Richard Ashcroft’s distinctive voice, The VERVE is nothing without master guitar player Nick McCabe. That’s the only way this album was going to work: Nick McCabe must be on it. Thankfully, we get a return to form with this long-overdue release. If you’re looking for the volume of A Northern Soul, you better try again. However, the lush guitar sounds & Ashcroft’s uplifting voice are all present. Huge riffs & gigantic song structures still abound ("Appalachian Springs"). It’s as if The VERVE has never left. I hope it doesn’t happen – again.

V/A All Aboard: A Tribute To Johnny Cash



This fairly obscure tribute comp could have easily gotten lost among the countless tribute albums, but with appearances by the BOUNCING SOULS, The GASLIGHT ANTHEM & Russ Rankin, I am surprised that it remains somewhat hidden. The music reflects a real tribute, & not sub par cover versions of a stellar songwriter. The vinyl is a double-LP, so go to interpunk for that.

LUCINDA WILLIAMS
Little Honey



Lucinda Williams has always been compelling to me. Her off-key southern drawl & heartfelt lyrics just always grab my complete attention. “Little Honey” is perfect for those cross-country road trips across the I-10 westbound. Images of desert roads & searing heat always hit me whenever I hear her voice. Another crucial album from this roots songwriter.

MARY-ANNE HOBBS
Evangeline



If you follow Mary-Anne Hobbs on BBC’s Radio 1, then you’ve probably heard most of these sounds already. Hobbs has this uncanny knack of focusing on some challenging tracks that still maintain solid grooves. The dark dubstep vibes on “Way of the Gun” by Cult of the 13th Hour clearly showcase her penchant for difficult electronic listening. Look for it on vinyl – that’s a 4-record set.

U2 box set



The first 3 albums remastered. If you like them, then you probably already own this. Revel in it. If you could care less, then I cannot explain it to you. It’s an incredibly long box set full of nostalgia.

DISCHORD reissues

DISCHORD has reissued much of their earlier catalog (Dag Nasty, Minor Threat, Faith), most notably on vinyl. You should look for the vinyl reissues, as 1) the prices are still low & 2) each vinyl release contains the necessary code for you to download the entire release as an mp3. I have to admit: that’s a smart move on their part, since it appeases turntable-philes are well as those who gravitate towards their iPod.