(Disclaimer: These are my personal recommendations and in no way represent the views of other members of this blog, otherwise there’d be Coldplay records.
Also, I am cracked up on Benylin & Paracetamols due to illness, hopefully going some way to explain why Auto-tune rappers are over-represented)
Also, I am cracked up on Benylin & Paracetamols due to illness, hopefully going some way to explain why Auto-tune rappers are over-represented)
The Hold Steady - Stay Positive
Craig Finn and his troupe of weathered rock’n’rollers go even further along their quest to revive the “Unified Scene”. Abandoning Charlemagne, Holly & Gideon for new, unnamed but universal characters might not be an universally popular decision (me included), but will no doubt broaden the appeal of the band even more. As if they’re not appealing enough already - possessing the ability to be everything to everyone, be it bar-room rock ‘n roll to some and highly literate indie rock to others. Also, double-plus points for gang vocals and a Dillinger Four reference on track one “Constructive Summer”. Immense.
Fucked Up - The Chemistry of Common Life
Tons of hype surrounding F’ed Up, from the usual culprits (Pitchfork, NME), but that shouldn’t put anyone off this force of nature. Much is made of the intra-band conflict and other nonsense (including Pink Eyes & 10,000 Marbles’ rival blogs), and to be honest the clash of hardcore vox with massively layered guitars and prog-ish song structures shouldn’t work. But it does, see “No Epiphany” for evidence. Of course, this is coming from someone with an aversion to songs that go past 3 minutes.
Dillinger Four - C I V I L W A R
The second band from the Twin Cities on this list (see above), I’ve got to admit I’m a latecomer to the D4 party. I had always dismissed them as a second rate Fat Wreck punk-by-numbers band. Oops. Their previous records are on the whole slightly rawer and more unforgiving than this one, which seems to have acquired a poppier edge due to its 6 year gestation time. The drawback of the new-ish direction being fewer songs featuring the booze-addled gruff vox of bassist Paddy Costello (owner of the famous Triple Rock), though he does pop up on some crackers such as “Parishiltonisametaphor”. Grown-up pop punk at its best.
Gaslight Anthem – The ’59 Sound
One of the biggest successes of last year, the Anthem are the latest punk rock kids to bring in influences outside of the usual box – there isn’t a 1977 year-zero for them. You could call it Springsteencore, with the hints of The Boss’ tales of blue-collar heartbreak & struggle all over this record (including some direct references). However, the “-core” suffix couldn’t be a worse representation of the ’59 Sound – the ‘Anthem have toned down the breakneck punk of their first record for a slower more considered sound, which pays off spectacularly on stand-out tunes such as “Miles Davis & The Cool”.
The Bronx - The Bronx III
Matt Caughthran and the boys are not complicated men. They know what you want, and they give it to you – badass hardcore-influenced punk rock. More of the same, maybe – but when the same is this good, who’s can have an issue with that? Plus, there aren’t any ballads this time (or what I’d personally dub ballads – basically mid-tempo songs over 3:30). Next time – El Bronx and the mariachi record everyone’s been waiting for.
Kanye West – 808s & Heartbreak
A divisive album certainly – like Marmite, or Dirk Kuyt. Kanye’s “pop-art” (his words) experiment has no
rapping and consists basically of an 808 drum machine, and an Auto-tune enhanced Mr.West crooning over the top. Personally, I think it works – particularly on current single “Heartless” and emo-tastic closer “Coldest Winter”. We should be thankful - another standard Kanye LP could have involved more Coldplay collaborations. And I’d rather listen to Kanye farting the entire Disney back-catalogue through an Autotune machine than that.
Neon Neon – Stainless Style
We all knew Gruff Rhys wasn’t all there, with his track record of awesome but insane albums, including his most recent dalliances with a paper animal from the Kingdom of Candy. His latest sonic adventure, alongside producer Boom Bip, recounts the life of John Delorean, creator of the iconic car of Back to The Future fame and legendary coke fiend, with help from various collaborators including hipster rappers Spank Rock & Yo Majesty. Some tracks aren’t quite there (“Sweat Shop”) but most of them are 80s-style synth bangers, such as the Star Wars-sized chorus of “I Told Her On Alderaan”.
Paint It Black – The New Lexicon
Latest release from melodic hardcore overlord Dan Yemin (of Lifetime and Kid Dynamite fame) featuring production by noise-hop group Dälek. The unsettling layer of electronic noise ever present between the 2 minute bursts of hardcore combine with Yemin’s alternative hip-hop influenced flow to produce a modern hardcore punk album that if not groundbreaking, is definitely cutting edge.
Lil’ Wayne – Tha Carter III
“It ain’t trickin’ if you got it…” Wayne got it – you know that already.
Problem is he also thinks he also gots it on guitar…look out for next year’s rock record. No doubt aided by the sketchy Auto-Tune enhanced howl.
The Loved Ones – Build & Burn
Some more of that Blue-collar influenced punk which seems to be in vogue recently, and indeed the second Fat Wreck band on this list. Songs such as “Sarah’s Game” and “The Bridge” hark back to the more conventional (but awesome) pop-punk of their first record, but sit neatly next to the ol' times chain-gang songs such as “Louisiana”. I'm also a fan of how they keep using "Keep your Heart" as a motif in a few songs, 'cos that shit's cool.
Honourable mentions: Vampire Weekend – S/T; Los Campesinos - We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed; Polar Bear Club - Sometimes Things Just Disappear; Cancer Bats – Hail Destroyer.
Records I listened to in 2008 a lot but were out in 2007: A Wilhelm Scream – Career Suicide; New Wave by Against Me!; The Gaslight Anthem - Sink or Swim
G.R.W
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