Monthly Archive for December, 2008

holeytonal top 10 albums 2008

Published
by
rylan
on December 14, 2008
in holeyinteresting
. 0 Comments

I hated choosing this list. Feel sorry for the albums that missed out. They’ll just have to do better next time:

10. Foals - Antidotes

Expect the Unexpected with Foals. This is what New Rave wanted to be.

Foals on MySpace

9. TV on the Radio - Dear Science

Some dared proclaim Dear Science as the OK Computer for the naughties. Not convinced, but it does confront the Bush years with stunning tracks and great lyrics. Unlike Radiohead’s best, its poignant, but not suicidal. 

TV On the Radio on MySpace

8. Camphor - Drawn To Dust

Epic. In fact, even more epic than I thought it would be. Oh, and this album would certainly win best use of an orchestra.

Camphor on MySpace

7. Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend

Took a few listens, but I eventually fell in love with this africana inspired album from the columbia university chums.

Vampire Weekend on MySpace

6. Third - Portishead

How many of us were scared that this was going to be horrible? Thankfully a massive sigh of relief was heard around the world that the Bristolian’s still have what it takes to be the best.

Portishead on MySpace

5. Nico Muhly - Mother Tongue

I first heard about Nico Muhly in the Guardian, apparently he wants to live his fantasy of going to an English boarding school so he can experience the special relationship between master and schoolboy. hmm.

Nico Muhly on MySpace

4. MGMT - Oracular Spectacular

Pure psychedelic pop. If you’re ever feeling a down, listen to this - Its bizarreness will take your mind off anything. Not only that but the rousing choruses are enough to make anyone cheer up.

MGMT on MySpace

3. Shearwater - Rook

From Austin, Texas - this album is a luscious journey through Americana - with Dulcimers, Glockenspiels, Banjos and Homemade instruments. They also have a drummer/clarinettist called Thor Harris, that looks like Thor. I shit you not.

Shearwater on MySpace

2. Dead Confederate - Wrecking Ball

I’ve talked about this album before. I could talk about how great it is again, but I suggest reading my post about this prog/grunge beast.

Dead Confederate on MySpace

1. Elbow - The Seldom Seen Kid

Maybe I can see the future. When I played this to friends I foretold it would win the Mercury award and despite being released early in 2008, would remain as the best album. Oh how they laughed. Oh how right I was.

The beauty of The Seldom Seen Kid - it feels effortless.

Elbow on MySpace

Broadcasting a Great Escape to Germany

Published
by
rylan
on December 1, 2008
in MP3, indie and new music
. 3 Comments

Yes, we were very sad.

Basel, Switzerland - a town of culture, the pharmaceutical industry and permanent frowns. No one smiles in the birthplace of LSD. Basel was pretty, but my holiday was like a trip to a mental asylum. Clinical, regulated and dull. We needed to escape. To Germany.

Freiberg, a beautiful town with great food and smiles, was worth the hour long train journey. Especially as we managed to squeeze in a Broadcast 2000 gig.

Joe Steer, the brains of Broadcast 2000, has been justifiably triumphed by my friends recently. His experimental acoustic jinks, backed by a rare mix of snare drum, violin and glockenspiel, are delightful.

The music of Broadcast 20000 feels more authentic than the similarly styled Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly. Perhaps the lack of electronic mumbo jumbo makes a more heart-warming and personal experience. Songwriters that don’t bombard me with all the crazy shit they find on their music software are in my good books - experimentalism can be all about moderation.

Broadcast 2000’s exposure has been, well, quite big. Get Up and Go is on an Orange advert and on Building Blocks, their tasty mini-album. To whet your appetite Joe has kindly offered my favourite song from the album to holeytonal for you to devour:

Broadcast 2000 - Everybody & Me