In Review 08'

Lets get right into it:

Jamie Lidell – Jim
“Another Day” captures gospel glow, “Figure Me Out” is a chunky piece of neo-soul, and “All I Wanna Do” is the slow dance you waited all night for. This album got tons of rotation.

Paavoharju – Laulu Laakson Kukista
Remember to put Paavoharju, and Fonal Records on your radar.

Diesto – Isle of Marauder
One of the true surprises this year. The huge riffs in the last minutes of “Marauder” and barbaque-quitar-break at the end of “Mind Eraser” have a return value that competes with some of my favorite moments this year.

Christine Fellows – Nevertheless
Technically this is a Canadian release from last year, but Vampire Weekend is making every indie list this year, when their album leaked some twenty months ago. Nevertheless deserves just as much online clamor, if not more.

Oddisee – 101
This is another album that no one is talking about. Oddisee will teach you soon.

Ceremony – Still You Feel Nothing
In other proletariat awards:
Paint it Black “Shell Game Redux” = best song
Vitamin X @ Satyricon Portland, OR = best show*

The Donkeys – Living on the Other Side
What makes the Donkeys different from other folk, indie, and other label mates are their bluesy lyrics and instrumental-grassroots-high on tracks like "Downtown Jenny" and "Dolphin Center." If you own Birkenstocks; kick a hippie, and ride with the Donkeys.

Scarface – Emeritus
What hasn’t already been said? I’ll say it again. Respect.

Ponytail – Ice Cream Spiritual
This album is crazy blur of Pop fun, like MTV played backwards in double time, but in a good way.

Prostitute Disfigurement – Decedents of Depravity
Roel’s lead guitar work on this album stands up to anyone within the genre. Previously, Dave Suzuki of Vital Remains blew me away with his lead work on Icons of Evil, and after listening to Decedents I believe the Roel is just as talented . The solos on “Concealed Insanity” and “Life Depraved” are perfectly balanced between melody and prowess.

Crystal Castles – Crystal Castles
Good music. Bad humans. Hate to Love.

I might write an Honorable Mention crew…

*w/ the glorious thrash-a-puss! Basically, a giant inflatable octopus was throne into the pit.