Nektar: A Tab in the Ocean (5/5)

Year: 1972
Genre: Progressive Psychedelic Space Rock
Label: Bacillus
TRT: 35:50

I've seen pretty mixed reviews on this album but ratings and polls aside, I think this album has something very special about it...especially the B side. Really the most amazing information about this album is that it is their 2nd album of 1972. It's like they went as far out as you can go on hallucinogenics for "Journey to the Centre of the Eye" and as they came down they were able to relate their huge ideas they got from different perspectives into a more arranged and cohesive conversation.

I really think this has the "Obscured by Clouds" & "Dark Side of the Moon" feel and it's got the very professional orchestrated arrangement that a lot of psychedelic rock bands didn't even worry about because they were okay with the chaotic drug-induced arrangements that pushed other boundaries. But there is something really amazing about listening to a very carefully arranged recording and still getting all the psychedelic nuances of a Pink Floyd album. The lightly distorted organ is omnipresent and I love it because organ is one of my favorite instruments to hear done well. The epic 16 minutes "A Tab in the Ocean" is made of aggressive symphonic keyboards and electric guitar full of distortion, near metal sometimes! They can really go anywhere they want in the realm of uncapped infinite sounds and pull down the exact sounds to convey what they are feeling. Nektar is therefore very underrated.

01. A Tab in the Ocean
02. Desolation Valley, Waves
03. Crying in the Dark
04. King Of Twilight

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Nektar: Journey to the Centre of the Eye (5/5)

Year: 1972
Genre: Progressive Psychedelic Space Rock
Label: Bacillus
TRT: 41:55

First I must say this is one of my absolute all-time favorite bands. Nektar has to also be one of the most underrated bands. This album is full of pounding hammond organ, trippy effects, weaving guitar lines mixing together with other instruments, the majestic mellotron, and of course a larger-than-life concept. These are the common tags one can apply to this release by the nearly unknown British psychedelic/prog-rock band working in Germany.

The songs flow well together, creating a tight conceptual suite with the actual songs never becoming too boring as it brings certain musical themes throughout the whole album. I'm quite certain this band has a sound of their own, but for sure they're certainly more hypnotic and heavy than your average prog-rock band.

01. Prelude
02. Astronauts Nightmare
03. Countenance
04. The Nine Lifeless Daughters of the Sun
05. Warp Oversight
06. The Dream Nebula: Part I
07. The Dream Nebula: Part II
08. It's All in My Mind
09. Burn Out of My Eyes
10. Void of Vision
11. Pupil of the Eye
12. Look Inside Yourself
13. Death of the Mind

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McDonald and Giles: McDonald and Giles (5/5)

Year: 1970
Genre: Psychedelic Progressive Rock/Pop
Label: Island
TRT: 46:02

Not to long ago a record store opened in town and I was buying a lot of vintage vinyl including: King Crimson, Led Zeppelin, Beatles, Yes, Nektar, etc....

I guess after seeing me buy a few stacks from him over time, the owner of the store showed me an album that he said was pretty rare that had members of King Crimson's first album. He obviously couldn't sell me his copy but he told me if I ever saw it, I should pick it up. I went onto eBay the next day and luckily ran into the Argentinean release from '77...the price wasn't even bad.

After the first listen I knew this was such a great album...I loved everything about it. Now after listening to it many times and some from different perspectives; it is probably my favorite album of all time. I know that's almost blasphemy when we talk about the best bands in the world, but for releases individually alone it is my favorite. If I could rate it a little higher than my other 5 star ratings.....I would.

01. Suite in 'C'
02. Flight of the Ibis
03. Is She Waiting?
04. Tomorrow's People - The Children of Today
05. Birdman

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Saltillo: Ganglion (4/5)

Year: 2006
Genre: Trip-Hop IDM
Label: Suspicious
TRT: 52:17



Glitchy IDM Electronic music is sweet.

Glitchy Electronic music with an orchestra is even better....

01 A Necessary End
02 Giving In
03 Remember Me?
04 A Simple Test
05 A Hair on the Head of John the Baptist
06 Blood and Milk
07 The Opening
08 Backyard Pond
09 Grafting
10 Praise
11 I'm on the Wrong Side
12 002 F#m

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If These Trees Could Talk (4/5)

Year: 2006
Genre: Post-Rock
Label: Self Released
TRT: 32:01

If These Trees Could Talk are part of the elite group of post-rock bands that don't need 10+ minutes to build a climax, and are as engaging during their quiet sections as they are during their riotous finales.

01 Malabar Front
02 Smoke Stacks
03 The Friscalating Dusklight
04 Signal Tree
05 The Death of a Paradigm
06 41°4'23n, -81°31'4w


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Goldfrapp: Supernature (4/5)

Year: 2005
Genre: Electro Dance Pop
Label: Mute
TRT: 48:05

While 2008's Seventh Tree was a warm and dreamy, carefree slice of summer, Supernature is darker, colder, and a more engaging listen. Ms. Goldfrapp throws herself into these tracks with reckless abandon, and you can't help but get caught up in the energy and vigor exuded.

01 Ooh La La
02 Lovely 2 C U
03 Ride a White Horse
04 You Never Know
05 Let It Take You
06 Fly Me Away
07 Slide In
08 Koko
09 Satin Chic
10 Time Out From the World
11 Number 1
12 Beautiful

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School of Emotional Engineering: School of Emotional Engineering (4.5/5)

Year: 2004
Genre: Dark Atmospheric Soundscapes
Label: Architecture
TRT: 46:47

Even though I've had this for a couple years now, it never really clicked with me until just recently. It's the sort of music that seeps into your head and slowly takes over your mind. Very delicate and unassuming. But once it makes it to your core, the sinister undertones sink in and take root, like a juxtaposition of Mago's Definition of Raw Moments From a Different Perspective and Ulver's Teachings in Silence.

I can't stop listening to it.

01 To Be Continued
02 ...Refrain
03 Falling for Sylvia
04 Of Angel Dust...
05 ...Refrain (Bloodline)
06 Redline
07 She Dreams in Car Crashes
08 Slicing the Skin Between My Toes

Purchase School of Emotional Engineering from Waterfront Records

Unsane: Visqueen (4/5)

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Year: 2007
Genre: Post Hardcore Sludge
Label: Ipecac
TRT: 42:08

Unsane has been around for close to two decades, but I just recently checked them out. As often happens with a band that's been around for so long, one loses the urgency to investigate, and they slowly get lost on an endless list of bands "to check out". So when I saw this cd for $4, I was interested, but when I flipped it over and saw they were now on Mike Patton's label, I was sold, and I bought it.

What I was immediately impressed with was the clear, upfront and meaty basslines found on this disc. Very heavy and mean sounding. The vocals are not usually something I'm fond of, but the throaty yells of Chris Spencer really feel at home here, and fit perfectly. The combination of those things paired with mid-paced and methodical drumming over sludgy, driving guitars make for an experience with an unexpected groove that makes you want to nod your head to the beat, while raising your fist in protest of...anything and everything.

01 Against the Grain
02 Last Man Standing
03 This Stops at the River
04 Only Pain
05 No One
06 Windshield
07 Shooting Clay
08 Line on the Wall
09 Disdain
10 Eat Crow
11 East Broadway

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Steal the Prize: I Want to Talk to God (5/5)

Year: 2009
Genre: Psychedelic Rock
Label: Self-Released
TRT: 52:29

These guys are young, talented, brilliant, and hard working. Every song has been perfectly crafted to stand the test of time. The band looks for the big picture when writing songs and I think it comes across nicely especially with the lyrics complementing the vibes sent out through the songs.

The album is a concept based around the lives of the guys in the band...starting with the first song you get the idea that the band has control by making a catchy hit with lyrics about feeling crazy. By the second song you will start to understand this is going to be a psychedelic album.....and believe me, you wouldn't be more right, this album is soaked in the perspective and oneness that come from psychedelics.

The band overall if I had to categorize them would be a sweet fusion of Led Zeppelin & The Beatles. You might have an idea of what you think they sound like from that mix but it'll be different because this band is truly one of the most unique new bands out right now. They aren't just taking the styles that worked in the 60's and 70's and working it into their music like a lot of bands these days, but they are making their own music from their own standards not necessarily caring about what the masses might think.

This is an album about doing and being......

myspace.com/stealtheprize

01 Some Things Don't Translate
02 The Opposite of Space
03 You're My Moment
04 You Go Left, I Go Righteous
05 If These Walls Could Talk
06 Us or Me
07 All the Pretty Ladies
08 Outrun the Sun
09 Let Me Know
10 Pledge Allegiance to Planet Earth
11 The Skeptics Were Right
12 Born Again, Again

Small Brown Bike: The River Bed (4/5)

Year: 2003
Genre: Emotional Post-Hardcore
Label: Lookout
TRT: 40:33

I heard about this band way back in the day, but never got around to checking them out. Their break-out album Dead Reckoning was released right around the time contemporaries Thursday and Cursive released their own contributions (Full Collapse and Domestica respectively), and they actually did a split with the latter.

Fast forward to a local indie music store going out of business and having a massive sale. I see this album for $7 and think to myself, why not? I had an idea of what to expect from them, and they delivered handsomely.

Their final release, coming two years after the album I'd heard so much about in 2001, is presented in a more mature way, both musically and lyrically. Very catchy songs with interesting drumming, and heartfelt vocals that make you want to stand up and shout along. If you're a fan of any of the bands or albums I've mentioned, you will dig this hard.

01 Deconstruct/Rebuild
02 Safe In Sound
03 A Declaration Of Sorts
04 Scream In The Silence
05 Day And Nightmares
06 Tragically Ending
07 Sincerely Yours
08 What's Missing Is Dead
09 The Outline Of Your Hand Still Remains On My Hand
10 A Lesson To Remember

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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
download part ii

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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Chad VanGaalen: Soft Airplane (5/5)

Jonathan's #1 out of 20 Album of 2008


Year: 2008
Label: Sub Pop
Genre: Psychedelic Lo-Fi Pop
TRT: 54:27

VanGaalen was an artist that I stumbled upon while listening to one of the radio stations I had created on Pandora.com. When I found out he had an album coming out this year I was really excited, and I had a lot of expectations based upon the earlier material he's composed. One listen all the way through and I knew it would already be one of my top albums of the year. This album has all the bells and whistles of the normal VanGaalen songs, except I think this is his best songwriting. The songwriting is so good I don't feel any low points on the album, he just keeps bringing the goodies we all love.

VanGaalen is also an amazing artist in animation. Watching the songs he's made videos for on YouTube just makes the experience of this album even more amazing than just the mental visual images I get while only listening.

01 Willow Tree
02 Bones of Man
03 Cries of the Dead
04 Inside the Molecules
05 Bare Feet on Wet Griptape
06 Phantom Anthills
07 Poisonous Heads
08 TMNT Mask
09 Molten Light
10 Old Man + the Sea
11 City of Electric Light
12 Rabid Bits of Time
12 Frozen Energon

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Fleet Foxes: Fleet Foxes (5/5)

Jonathan's #2 out of 20 Album of 2008


Year: 2008
Label: Sub Pop
Genre: Baroque Harmonic Pop
TRT: 54:27

Fleet Foxes is a five-piece Seattle based band who describe their music as "baroque harmonic pop jams". This is a perfect way to describe it because in some places you'll hear 5 part harmonies that are just so beautiful paired with an up-tempo drum beat.

I bought this vinyl from my local record store "Speakertree Records" after I'd heard the internet leak, which I was immediately digging upon my first listen. I was also really impressed to see the band was releasing not only their full-length but also the ep "Sun Giant" together with the gate fold packaging. The artwork alone is a great reason to purchase these two records but once you start listening to the music you realize the talent and songwriting is rarely matched.

There are so many tracks I could highlight but they all take you on an amazing journey. Overall, I can't get over the earthy tones, harmonies, and natural feeling this one gives me.

Full Length~
01 Sun it Rises
02 White Winter Hymnal
03 Ragged Wood
04 Tiger Mountain Peasant Song
05 Quiet Houses
06 He Doesn't Know Why
07 Heard Them Stirring
08 Your Protector
09 Meadowlarks
10 Blue Ridge Mountains
11 Oliver James

Sun Giant EP~
01 Sun Giant
02 Drops in the River
03 English House
04 Mykonos
05 Innocent Son

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The Besnard Lakes: The Besnard Lakes Are the Dark Horse (4.5/5)

Jonathan's #3 out of 20 Album of 2008


Year: 2008
Label: Jagjaguwar
Genre: Psychedelic/Atmospheric Indie Rock
TRT: 52:42

The Besnard Lakes are an indie rock band from Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Formed by the husband and wife team of Jace Lasek and Olga Goreas. The band are currently a six-piece centered around the atmospheric songs of Lasek and Goreas, whose expansive sound culls from numerous aspects of rock 'n' roll history.

This band does more than just the "indie" sound that we've all come to know the meaning of in our own ways, but I feel they are creating their own niche in this ever expanding genre by adding psychedelic and atmospheric elements. The album starts out with a falsetto vocal part layered over top of tremolo guitar and a violin, which I think just sets the perfect mood for any listener about to experience the rest of these songs. And it doesn't hurt to have amazing bass lines that draw you deeper into the vibes and feelings saturated all over this recording.

This is the year where the "Beach Boys" harmonies and vocal styles are coming back stronger than ever, and this not an exception. With that said, I think anyone can listen and still appreciate the complete originality of the beautiful musicianship.

01 Disaster
02 For Agent 13
03 And You Lied to Me
04 Devastation
05 Because Tonight
06 Rides the Rails
07 On Bedford and Grand
08 Cedric's War

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Jim Noir: Jim Noir (4.5/5)

Jonathan's #4 out of 20 Album of 2008


Year: 2008
Label: My Dad
Genre: Psychedelic Electronic Indie Pop
TRT: 57:37

Jim Noir (real name Alan Roberts) is an English singer-songwriter from Davyhulme, Manchester. This is his sophomore release and I have to say he just keeps getting better. Roberts goes deeper into his electronic side which normally I don't like too much of, but everything that goes on through-out the album just continues to uplift me. The harmonies are reminiscent of The Beach Boys but they have such a great tone that I never really caught myself thinking that until now. Honestly, this reminds me the most of the writing style of Caribou, because not only are the harmonies, electronic, and guitar wonderful, but the percussion on this album stays on par with all the other instruments. I'd have to say there is no lull in this album, everything continues to flow until it is finally over.


01 Welcome Commander Jameson
02 All Right
03 What U Gonna Do
04 Don't Worry
05 Ships and Clouds
06 Happy Day Today
07 Look Around You
08 Good Old Vinyl
09 Same Place Holiday
10 Day by Day by Day
11 Welcome CJ
12 On a Different Shelf
13 Forever Endeavor

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Dr. Dog: Fate (4.5/5)

Jonathan's #5 out of 20 Album of 2008


Year: 2008
Label: Park the Van
Genre: Indie Blues Pop
TRT: 54:55

Dr. Dog is a psychedelic rock group from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania which formed in 1999.

"Fate" is a really catchy album that brings back the feelings I get when I hear Bob Dylan and The Band, because it has the bluesy soul that so much of the music today has forgotten. It definitely has the newer edge to it that you would expect, but instead of letting the music from the past define them they manipulate it to their individuality to create something new and unpredictable.

01 The Breeze
02 Hang On
03 The Old Days
04 Army of Ancients
05 The Rabbit, the Bat, and the Reindeer
06 The Ark
07 From
08 100 Years
09 Uncovering the Old
10 The Beach
11 My Friend

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The Explorers Club: Freedom Wind (4.5/5)

Jonathan's #6 out of 20 Album of 2008


Year: 2008
Label: Dead Oceans
Genre: Psychedelic Sunshine Pop
TRT: 54:27

The Explorers Club are a pop rock band from the coast of South Carolina. They are a 6 man band who are heavily influenced by the harmony styles of the Beach Boys.

Although, the band has stolen the style of the Beach Boys, I can't say they've stolen anything else, nor can I say anything bad about this release. With each listen I continue to love each song more. I can't help but feel that this album in it's concept was sent through the cosmos and reincarnated into the present as the lost Beach Boys album; and not only the lost album, but possibly even the best album

01 Forever
02 Honey Don't I Know Why
03 Don't Forget the Sun
04 Lost My Head
05 Do You Love Me?
06 Summer Air
07 If You Go
08 In the Country
09 Safe Distance
10 Hold Me Tight
11 Last Kiss
12 Freedom Wind

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The Ruby Suns: Sea Lion (4.5/5)

Jonathan's #7 out of 20 Album of 2008


Year: 2008
Label: Sub Pop
Genre: Neo Psychedelic World Indie Pop
TRT: 53:14

Headed by writer Ryan McPhun, the New Zealand's The Ruby Suns formed in Auckland in 2004. Ryan and his Dictaphone (portable tape recorder) have ventured into the wilds of Africa, the ancient monasteries of Thailand, and the haunting landscapes that surround his everyday. This really shows through as I was instantly feeling the raw vibes and colourful tones wrapped into this shoegaze/world indie pop album.

The harmonies this year have been outstanding, and The Ruby Suns may just have some of the most unique blends. There are some intense sounds on some places through-out the album that I have no idea how they were made which fascinates me more than anything else. I think these sounds are so special because it really shows that the band is fishing for new ideas and feelings that haven't yet been dropped into existence.

01 Blue Penguin
02 Oh, Mojave
03 Tane Mahuta
04 There Are Birds
05 It's Mwangi in Front of Me
06 Remember
07 Ole Rinka
08 Adventure Tour
09 Kenya Dig It?
10 Morning Sun

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