Tim's Albums 08

I'm not much good at keeping up with modern music so instead of trying to force a list of albums from 2008 that I quite like, I've instead listed the top albums I first heard in 2008. So with a vague sense of order, here is Tim's top 20 albums of 2008:

Stereolab – Chemical Chords (08)

Well polished Emporer Tomato Ketchup-style Stereolab. J'aime.

Exploding Star Orchestra - We Are All From Somewhere Else (07)

Intergalactic trance jazz.

Hiromi - Time Control (07)

Intergalactic piano jazz/rock fusion.

Venetian Snares - Rossz Csillag Alatt Szueletett (05)

Breakbeat Electronica + Classical Samples = Ace.

Isotope 217 – The Unstable Molecule (97)

Electro post-rock-jazz fusion, occasionally alienating, always fantastic.

John Coltrane - My Favourite Things (60)

Coltrane spreads his magic dust on some well known tunes.

Dave Brubeck – Time Out (59)

Jazz taken to almost classical levels of perfection.

YMCK – Family Genesis (08)

Chip tune with jazz sensibilities and ethereal female vocalist, nice.

Ryoji Ikeda – Test Tones (08)

Electonic artist who breaks music down to almost nothing and produces something special.

- Earlier albums (0C, Space/Time esp.) also well worth a listen.

Six Organs Of Admittance - Shelter From The Ash (07)

Epic psychadelic folk-rock, winner.

Tortoise- Standards (01)

Post-rock with jazz overtones, good stuff.

Neu! – Neu! (72)

Trance inducing Kraut rock, made in '72 yet "still sounds ahead of its time".

Steve Reich - Music for 18 Musicians (98)

Simply beautiful minimalist composition.

- Also does a good line in percusion on Drumming (74)

Crystal Castles – Cystal Castles (08)

If it's good enough for the car adverts it's good enough for me.

Fuck Buttons – Street Horrrsing (08)

A goodly noise.

OOIOO – Taiga (06)

Experimental female Japanese drum troupe, what's not to like?

- Green & Gold (00) also highly recommended

Manu Delago & Christophe Pepe Aeur - Living Room (07)

Incredible Hang/Bass Clarinet jazz duet.

Portico Quartet – Knee Deep In The North Sea (07)

Amazing jazz debut, spot the Pullman reference.

Esbjörn Svensson – Leucocyte (08)

Posthumous post-bop. Submit and be astonished.

Yo La Tengo - I Am Not Afraid of You And I Will Beat Your Ass (06)

My new favourite band.

- See also: I Can Hear the Heart Beating as One (97)