2008 was a strange and somehow diffuse year in pop music to me. Oscillating between the guitardriven resurrection of postpunk style of the beginning millenium, the arising neogaze, the sometimes hysterical flowers growing on the dancefloor bed and the decadence discussions of music industry, indie music seems a bit disoriented. The real spectaculum or the new silver lining on the horizont of popmusic was definitly missing. But wait a while. l am sure, pop won't eat itself! It never does and will and remember: the end is the beginning is the end...
Anyway, here are my personal most beloved songs of 2008 (not necessarily the best ones of 2008). But the ones which moved, surprised and convinced me. The pearls.
(Please note: The listing is alphabetical)
The big Sleep - Pinkies
Watch that trio, Powerful and sensitiv rocking!
The Black Angels - You on the run
Hypnotic, dazed and leading straight to hell.
Black Kids - I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You
A bit wierd, a bit mad, a bit hysterical but a great optimistic dance track, reminds on some embarrassing songs from the 80's!
The Boxing Lessons - Dark Side of the Moog
Wow! This is the way it might work with the above mentioned problems.
Cut // Copy - Lights and Music
Fresh, cool and engaging.
Downliners Sekt - School Daze
The best protagonists in the 2008 act called "WE BORED AS FUCK WITH THE MUSIC INDUSTRY".
The Dying Seconds - I'll make the best Weapon
Undoubtedly one of the highlights. It's almost mandatory to fall in love with them.
Earth - Rise to Glory
Boy, they really got time to concentrate on the necessary riffs. Pure Rock, brilliant!
Elbows - Mirrorball
Didn't know wich track is the best. Daisies in the gutter.
Empty Rooms - Off with his Head
Sympathic band and a definitve great step forward in the bright future!
Exit Calm - We are on our own
A intensive voice calling from out an intensive wall of sound from famous AC30.
Fuck Buttons - Bright Tomorrow
New, wierd and a great name. Reasons enough to get in the list.
Hafe a nice Life - Bloodhail
Dark, authentic and very melancholic. The other reasons to get in the list here.
Hooray for Earth - Izod
Reminds me on Failure mixed by the Human League. Great band.
The Jimmy Cage - Jetta's Place
A big song! No more comment, just let go.
Kiko - Slave of my Mind
From the dance department of the Last Pop Song. (Yes, there is one!)
Laura - Bobik is America
From the postrock department of the Last Pop Song. Great Song.
Lymbyc System - Notations
Once again from the postrock department of the Last Pop Song. Highly recommended.
Mercy Arms - Kilby
Real good indie from down under. The sound reminds me of Gene, Ride and the Chrurch.
Mogwai - Scotlands Shame
No comment necessary.
One unique Signal - Bishops
One of the highlights. Intense, intense. Somewhere between Spaceman 3, Sonic Youth and Birthday Party. I love them.
Radius System - Monochrome -
There is much more coming from France than Baguette and dance music...
Red Light Company - With lights out
Watch out! Nice debut.
Sigur Ros - Við Spilum Endalaust
see comment at Mogwai!
Sennen - Blackout
Sounds like being commondable sucessors of Six.By Seven.
Safe as Home - Grid
A big surprise from Safranin! Great!
The Teenagers - Starlett Johansson
Because it's the authentic soundtrack for endless pubertal problems. Don't mind, it's the infantile side of the Last Pop Song.
This is the Ivy League - London Bridges
Because it's the authentic soundtrack for endless postpubertal nonproblems.
Transmission - Goodbye old Friend
Hello good old friends from Killing Joke and the Verve! Thrilling Youth.
The Verve - Love is Noise
Verve goes POP, not really spectecular, but a wildcard and a good record.
Weezer - Heart Songs
Oh, Rivers, what a nostalgia! But it feels good and familiar what you are singing of.
We are Scientists - Tonight
The better party at the block. Many good songs. We'll see what the future holds.
Wire - Mekon Headman
And the price for the best youngtimer goes out to: ... Wire! Incredible, must have found the fountain of youth.
And not to forget the albums of The Notwist, Kings of Leon, Death Cab for Cutie, Snow Patrol (it was long an winding road to success!) , Bloc Party, the Fall, Coldplay (Sorry), M83, The Vines and the all the rest I just forgot.
Bild: Gregor Schneider
