Valet: Naked Acid (5/5)

Joshua's Top 10 Non-Metal Albums of 2008
#1 out of 10


Year: 2008
Genre: Atmospheric Psychedelic Minimalism
Label: Kranky Records
TRT: 43:47

I walked through a room where this album was playing, and I instantly fell for it. The lush textures and dreamy atmosphere are unmatched, and the smoky, sensual and dark vocals of Honey Owens drip over the heavily layered soundscapes in such an elegant way. This is the sort of album you put on repeat, and just sink further and further into it’s hypnotic mystery.

01 We Went There
02 Drum Movie
03 Kehaar
04 Fuck It
05 Babylon 4 Eva
06 Fire
07 Streets

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Grouper: Dragging a Dead Deer Up a Hill (5/5)

Joshua's Top 10 Non-Metal Albums of 2008
#2 out of 10


Year: 2008
Genre: Atmospheric Acoustic Drone
Label: Type Records
TRT: 45:41

Liz Harris has been creating static-drenched drone albums for several years now, but with this release, she progresses her sound further than ever. Instead of focusing on the guitars and the feedback, these elements act as a cocoon of sorts, a framework of sounds that support her quiet vocal stylings and acoustic guitar strumming. The result is warm and inviting, and very relaxing, while maintaining a certain quality of unease to challenge your comfort level and keep you engrossed.

I was not at all surprised to find out Grouper hails from the same Portland music scene as Valet.

01 Disengaged
02 Heavy Water/ I'd Rather Be Sleeping
03 Stuck
04 When We Fall
05 Traveling Through a Sea
06 Fishing Bird (Empty Gutted in the Evening Breeze)
07 Invisible
08 Dragging a Dead Deer Up a Hill
09 A Cover Over
10 Wind and Snow
11 Tidal Wave
12 We''ve All Time to Sleep

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Nine Inch Nails: The Slip (4.5/5)

Joshua's Top 10 Non-Metal Albums of 2008
#3 out of 10


Year: 2008
Genre: Electro Glitch Rock
Label: Null Corporation
TRT: 43:47

Trent Reznor has come a long way since the days when he would force fans to wait 5 or more years between records. With Year Zero released a mere two years after With Teeth, following that a year later with Ghosts I-IV. And then scarcely two months after the digital release of Ghosts, Reznor springs another full length album, The Slip.

There’s a rumor circulating the internet that The Slip is a closer view at the “Great Destroyer” of Year Zero. While I can certainly see the similarities, and with a little creativity connect the dots between the two, I would tend to think the stories are related in content and context, but not actually one and the same.

With this release, Reznor combines the raw energy of Pretty Hate Machine with the polished intensity of Year Zero, rounding it out with the commercial appeal of With Teeth. While I wouldn’t say this is anywhere close to his “strongest” album, it has a strange addictive quality to it. Whatever issues I may have with the pacing and flow (towards the end of the album), I just can’t stop listening to it. And the higher the volume, the better the experience.

01 999,999
02 1,000,000
03 Letting You
04 Discipline
05 Echoplex
06 Head Down
07 Lights in the Sky
08 Corona Radiata
09 The Four of Us Are Dying
10 Demon Seed

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Clark: Turning Dragon (4.5/5)

Joshua's Top 10 Non-Metal Albums of 2008
#4 out of 10 (tie)


Year: 2008
Genre: Electronic Dance Glitch
Label: Warp
TRT: 46:35

Combining schizophrenic glitchy electronics with big beat dance floor beats, Chris Clark has created the perfect amalgamation of experimentation and control. Unashamedly Infectious and unabashedly catchy, it’s hard to name an album that’s more fun to audit.

01 New Year Storm
02 Volcan Veins
03 Truncation Horn
04 For Wolves Crew
05 Violenl
06 Radiation Clutch
07 Ache of the North
08 Mercy Sines
09 Hot May Slides
10 BEG
11 Penultimate Persian

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Earth: The Bees Made Honey in the Lions Skull (4.5/5)

Joshua's Top 10 Non-Metal Albums of 2008
#4 out of 10 (tie)


Year: 2008
Genre: Southern Drone Rock
Label: Southern Lord
TRT: 53:24

Perfectly crafted tracks with immense depth and character are nothing new from these pioneers, but who would have guessed drone could be this catchy? Never before has a drone album captured my attention as fully as this one. This has to be the most accessible drone record ever written. Earth have truly reinvented themselves, and I for one am extremely impressed.

01 Omens and Portents I: The Driver
02 The Driver
03 Miami Morning Coming Down II (Shine)
04 Engine of Ruin
05 Omens and Portents II: The Carrion Crow
06 Hung From the Moon
07 The Bees Made Honey In The Lions' Skull

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Anathallo: Canopy Glow (4.5/5)

Joshua's Top 10 Non-Metal Albums of 2008
#6 out of 10


Year: 2008
Genre: Atmospheric Indie Rock
Label: Anticon
TRT: 44:22

After a release as ambitions as 2006’s Floating World, it’s hard to know what to expect from the follow-up. Instead of trying to push the proverbial envelope even further, this troupe of musicians wisely took a step back and a step away from their previous work, and released a much more subdued, subtle and contemplative work of art.

Canopy Glow is probably the most “consistent” of all their albums, in that the contrast between delicate and bombastic is played down considerably, keeping a relatively even keel throughout. But one must not confuse “even keeled” with “uneventful”. The changes of pace, while less drastic, are executed with the same expert precision previously displayed.

01 Noni's Field
02 Italo
03 Northern Lights
04 The River
05 Cafetorium
06 Sleeping Torpor
07 All the First Pages
08 John J. Audubon
09 Bells
10 Tower of Babel

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Goldfrapp: Seventh Tree (4.5/5)

Joshua's Top 10 Non-Metal Albums of 2008
#7 out of 10


Year: 2008
Genre: Atmospheric Electro-Pop
Label: Mute Records
TRT: 41:34

This album has such a vibrant warmth to it, it’s hard to ignore. Though I can’t imagine why anyone would try. When I look back on the summer of 2008, this album will be playing in the background of my thoughts. Atmospheric, free flowing and with a general sense that every thing is right in the world, it’s the quintessential album for a roadtrip with the windows down, or sitting on the porch with the sun shining down and a book in hand.

01 Clowns
02 Little Bird
03 Happiness
04 Road to Somewhere
05 Eat Yourself
06 Some People
07 A & E
08 Cologne Cerrone Houdini
09 Caravan Girl
10 Monster Love

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M83: Saturdays=Youth (4.5/5)

Joshua's Top 10 Non-Metal Albums of 2008
#8 out of 10


Year: 2008
Genre: Atmospheric Electro-Pop
Label: Mute Records
TRT: 62:10

Anthony Gonzalez has a way of overhauling and reinventing his music, while always managing to maintain his signature sound. Saturdays=Youth is his tribute to the decade he grew up in, and he sought to recreate the experiences he had as a kid stumbling through the 80’s. Along with Goldfrapp’s Seventh Tree, this album is sure to brighten your mood and lift your spirits with it’s warm energy and glow of discovery. Even the darker tracks contain a certain level of optimism, as naïve as it may be.

download part i
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01 You, Appearing
02 Kim & Jessie
03 Skin of the Night
04 Graveyard Girl
05 Couleurs
06 Up!
07 We Own the Sky
08 Highyway of Endless Dreams
09 Too Late
10 Dark Moves of Love
11 Midnight Souls Remain

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Flying Lotus: Los Angeles (4/5)

Joshua's Top 10 Non-Metal Albums of 2008
#9 out of 10


Year: 2008
Genre: "Trip-Hop"
Label: Warp Records
TRT: 43:17

I regrettably neglected this album for quite awhile, but from the first listen I knew it would be getting hours of play. People call it “trip hop”, but I’m not really familiar with the ins and outs of this genre. All I know is that I adore the atmosphere created by the static-drenched glitchy beats, so warm and inviting and fresh upon each new listen.

01 Brainfeeder
02 Breathe . Something/Stellar Star
03 Beginners Falafel
04 Camel
05 Melt!
06 Comet Course
07 Orbit 405
08 Golden Diva
09 Riot
10 GNG BNG
11 Parisian Goldfish
12 Sleepy Dinosaur
13 RobertaFlack (feat. Dolly)
14 SexSlaveShip
15 Auntie's Harp
16 Testament (feat. Gonja Sufi)
17 Auntie's Lock/Infinitum (feat. Laura Darlington)

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God is an Astronaut: God is an Astronaut (4/5)

Joshua's Top 10 Non-Metal Albums of 2008
#10 out of 10


Year: 2008
Genre: Epic Post Rock
Label: Revive Records
TRT: 61:14

This might be the best post-rock band in existence. Never stagnant, always interesting, and creating epic builds in record time. If such a thing were an Olympic event, they’d take home the gold medal every time.

01 Shadows
02 Post Mortem
03 Echoes
04 Snowfall
05 First Day of Sun
06 No Return
07 Zodiac
08 Remaining Light
09 Shores of Orion
10 Loss

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Virgin Black: Requiem - Fortissimo (5/5)

Joshua's Top 10 Metal Albums of 2008
#1 out of 10


Year: 2008
Genre: Orchestral Funeral Death Doom
Label: The End
TRT: 43:59

Virgin Black continues down the dark spiral of despair with this album. Officially the third and final piece of the Requiem trilogy (though the second to be released), it is the ultimate realization of sorrow and slighted petitions regarding the nature of life and love. Revolving around morbid themes of suffering and death, the band forgoes many of the contrasting elements found in previous releases and opts for a somewhat straight-forward funeral doom metal sound mixed with bursts of death/doom, and vocalist Rowan London abandons his operatic range entirely in favor of death growls. This time around, the band contrasts the heavier side of their sound against the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra’s classical contributions and the operatic offerings of their resident soprano. This combination manages to open up new avenues of expression and serves to underline the grief and passion of everything else they’ve done.

Fortissimo still nods to previous works, but whereas the main hook for Mezzo Forte was Drink the Midnight Hymn and Opera de Trance, Fortissimo taps the vein of I Sleep With the Emporer. Flowing seamlessly from Mezzo Forte with despair, anger and longing, it's simultaneously devastating, euphoric and cathartic.

01 The Fragile Breath
02 In Winter's Ash
03 Silent
04 God in Dust
05 Lacrimosa (Gather Me)
06 Darkness
07 Forever

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Meshuggah: obZen (5/5)

Joshua's Top 10 Metal Albums of 2008
#2 out of 10


Year: 2008
Genre: Technical Experimental Poly-rhythmic Metal Masturbation
Label: Nuclear Blast
TRT: 52:39

Many times when a band has been around for a few years, they will begin to compromise their style to go for a more accessible sound. This will usually disenfranchise their loyal fan base, while brining in many new listeners who couldn’t appreciate the bands older style.

So when I say that in 2008, Meshuggah released the most listenable and accessible album of their twenty year career, isn’t that cause for worry?

Have no fear. These Swedish juggernauts of metal insanity combine the fury of their earlier albums with the technicality and unmatched time signature mastery of their more recent offerings.

Riff after riff, drum beat after drum beat, obZen is pound for pound one of the most awe-inspiring metal creations ever released. Wrapping your head around the intricacies layered within takes multiple listens. Just be careful to give your ears a break every now and then, or they might start bleeding from the beating.

01 Combustion
02 Electric Red
03 Bleed
04 Lethargica
05 obZen
06 This Spiteful Snake
07 Pineal Gland Optics
08 Pravus
09 Dancers to a Discordant System

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Made Out of Babies: The Ruiner (4.5/5)

Joshua's Top 10 Metal Albums of 2008
#3 out of 10


Year: 2008
Genre: Progressive Sludge Rock
Label: The End
TRT: 42:29

I love Julie Christmas. Her work with Battle of Mice is absolutely phenomenal. So I was always miffed at the quality of this band. Nothing seemed to hit the same way, or work together as well.

Well all that has changed. The Ruiner is a delicious slice of demented pie, serving up Ms. Christmas in all her endearingly unhinged glory. Coupled with music that keeps pace while also keeping the frenetic energy grounded with solid musicianship and an insatiable appetite for groovy rhythms, catchy beats and just enough sludge to keep things nice and heavy.

01 Cooker
02 Grimace
03 Invisible Ink
04 The Major
05 Buffalo
06 Bunny Boots
07 Stranger
08 Peew
09 How to Get Bigger

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Mirrorthrone: Gangrene (4.5/5)

Joshua's Top 10 Metal Albums of 2008
#4 out of 10


Year: 2008
Genre: Progressive Symphonic Black Metal
Label: Red Stream
TRT: 64:39

A new discovery for me this year. Mirrothrone is a one man project, and that one man (Vladimir Cochet) creates his own brand of black metal, utilizing choirs, orchestras and keyboards to create very lush and beautiful soundscapes, contrasted by the brutal musicianship that pairs perfectly with his harsh vocal stylings. A very satisfying album, with a healthy level of replay value.

download part 1
download part 2

01 Dismay
02 No One By My Side
03 The Fecal Rebellion
04 Ganglion
05 Une Existence Dont Plus Personne ne Jouit
06 So Frail

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Transitional: Nothing Real Nothing Absent (4.5/5)

Joshua's Top 10 Metal Albums of 2008
#5 out of 10


Year: 2008
Genre: Shoegaze Drone Sludge
Label: Conspiracy
TRT: 33:12

Comprised of Kevin Laska and Dave Cochrane, Transitional crafts dark and moody music. This release has a decidedly old-school Heart Ache sound to it, with a good dose of Sun Down/Sun Rise as well, which is not surprising since Cochrane collaborated with Justin Broadrick on that project in the past. Oscillating between heavy lows and atmospheric highs, Transitional has put together a very satisfying release, who’s largest fault lies in it’s frustratingly inadequate length.

01 Nowhere Shining
02 Fracture
03 This Paradise, Part I
04 This Paradise, Part II
05 Lustless
06 Abandonment

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A Storm of Light: And We Wept the Black Ocean Within (4.5/5)

Joshua's Top 10 Metal Albums of 2008
#6 out of 10


Year: 2008
Genre: Dirty Post-Metal
Label: Neurot
TRT: 62:50

Another project of Josh Graham (Blood and Time, Battle of Mice, Red Sparowes) This time exploring a similar sound to that of Neurosis (who he directed visuals for). Very atmospheric and heavy, with an emphasis on sludge. Interestingly enough, Graham has said that the album’s concept has something to do with “bog bodies”, corpses that have been preserved remarkably well in the sludge of peat bogs for hundreds of years.

While some might be turned off to his gravelly vocal delivery, I personally find it to fit perfectly with the feel of the album.

01 Adrift (The Albatross I)
02 Vast and Endless
03 Black Ocean
04 Thunderhead
05 Undertow (The Albatross II)
06 Mass
07 Leaden Tide
08 Breach (The Albatross III)
09 Descent
10 Iron Heart

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Daylight Dies: Lost to the Living (4/5)

Joshua's Top 10 Metal Albums of 2008
#7 out of 10


Year: 2008
Genre: Death Doom Metal
Label: Candlelight
TRT: 51:28

I’m a bit late to the party, having only just discovered them this year. Lost to the Living is the fourth studio album from these Americans, and if their older work is similar, I’m going to have a lot of fun exploring their back catalogue. Doomy, gloomy and yet groovy. If you enjoy Opeth or Swallow the Sun, be sure to check out this band.

01 Cathedral
02 Descending
03 A Subtle Violence
04 And a Slow Surrender
05 Last Alone
06 Woke Up Lost
07 The Morning Light
08 At a Loss
09 A Portrait in White

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Mouth of the Architect: Quietly (4/5)

Joshua's Top 10 Metal Albums of 2008
#8 out of 10



Year: 2008
Genre: Post-Metal
Label: Translation Loss
TRT: 55:38

While not as instantly likable as Ties That Bind, their 2006 offering, Quietly is a grower. It has a more subdued and contemplative tone, fitting of the album’s title. Track five also boasts a guest vocal spot by everyone’s darling, Julie Christmas, which can only ever make an album better.

download part 1
download part 2

01 Quietly
02 Hate and Heartache
03 Pine Boxes
04 Guilt and the Like
05 Generation of Ghosts
06 Rocking Chairs and Shotguns
07 Medicine
08 A Beautiful Corpse

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Cult of Luna: Eternal Kingdom (4/5)

Joshua's Top 10 Metal Albums of 2008
#9 out of 10



Year: 2008
Genre: Post-Metal
Label: Earache
TRT: 60:54

In their latest release, Cult of Luna focus more on cults and nefarious religious practices than they have in their previous work. Many stark images of owls, dark woods, cover of night, and strange rituals inundate their sludge-centered post-metal compositions. It’s pretty creepy. And by creepy, I mean awesome.

01 Owlwood
02 Eternal Kingdom
03 Ghost Trail
04 The Lure (Interlude)
05 Mire Deep
06 The Great Migration
07 Osterbotten
08 Curse
09 Ugin
10 Following Betulas

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Crowpath: One With Filth (4/5)

Joshua's Top 10 Metal Albums of 2008
#10 out of 10



Year: 2008
Genre: Technical Death Metal
Label: Willowtip
TRT: 31:22

In their twelve year career, this group of Swedes has put out four albums, and barely two hours of material. But I for one am willing to let the length of their albums slide, because they’re very good at what they do. Which is of course bringing face-crushing and ear-smashing chaos to the table. Technical death metal, mixed with elements of crust, sludge and wee bit of mathcore…This band keeps you thrashing for half an hour, and then leaves you wanting more.

01 One With Filth
02 Where Angels Do Sin
03 Fondling the Grotesque
04 Plague Bearer
05 I Gryningen
06 Cleansed in Chlorine
07 The Deed
08 The Hunt
09 Septic Monarch
10 In Pitch Black Piss
11 Retarded Angel

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