Buckle up. The Top 10 albums that didn't leave our stereo in 2008.

10. Wolf Parade - At Mt.Zoomer

This Montreal collective disbanded to work on side-projects after the initial success of their 2005 breakthrough Apologies to the Queen Mary. Dual songwriters Spencer Krug and Dan Boeckner went on to release side-project albums in the interim, with Sunset Rubdown and Handsome Furs respectively. While both were solid, more than anything the venture proved how valuable they are in reigning in and supporting each others vices. Give or take a few cuts it's all back in full glory here on their long-awaited follow up. When the two voices finally entwine for Zoomer's epic final track 'Kissing the Beehive', there's no classic rock/prog/indie/pop/hybrid that can compete.


Wolf Parade - 'Kissing the Beehive' - fan video

9. Pivot - O Soundtrack My Heart

Shedding three members and gaining sonic manipulator Dave Miller, Sydney based brothers Laurence and Richard Pike crafted a dense landscape of propulsive rhythms, futuristic moans and more lyrical interplay than most bands with singers. Backed up by an explosive live show that pits the band physically against each other as much it does to fuse them, sealed the deal. Now signed with Warp records the future looks bright. And menacing.


Pivot - 'O Soundtrack My Heart'

8. Santogold - Santogold

Really, I'm pretty damn sick of this album. I've heard it fucking everywhere and it's all I can do to never press play on Santi White's debut again. But it's a backhanded compliment, because the range of pop on offer here is so effortless - while somehow sounding classic and fresh - and fun, that...damn it...it deserves every accolade.


Santogold - L.E.S Artistes


7. Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago

Bon Iver's meek debut is a study in contrast. Not between genre-hopping, wordsmithery or labels but the divine and the pretty good. A handful of wonderful songs like 'Skinny Love', 'Flume', 'The Wolves (Act I & II)' and 're: Stacks' set the new benchmark for "lonesome guy with a 4 track No. 623453428756". But it was enough - with some padding - for Justin Vernon to seep into the consciousness of patient hearted souls everywhere. His live shows appear to play up the communal angle rather than the isolated one, revealing another depth to this most interesting newcomer.


Bon Iver - 'Skinny Love' live on Letterman


6. Gang Gang Dance - St. Dymphna

St. Dymphna wins this years "somehow always being in the stereo" award. Along with the "what's this aga...perfect!" seal of approval. For their fourth record the New York band created a weird miasma of tribal ryhthms, loping disco, rap, indie rock and cinematic sweeps. And yet somehow it all comes across as a thoughtful pop record. This one's still making sense to me and I'm really not sure how or why. Tick.


Gang Gang Dance - 'House Jam' live in Tokyo


5. The Presets - Apocalypso

Yeah like everyone else. Similar to MGMT, The Presets were ubiquitous this year. When Julian Hamilton thanked everyone at the ARIA's for supporting their "weird" music, it came across as a little disingenuous. They're the biggest fucking band in Australia! But outside of our island they're considered the trancey, darker buds of those otherwise light-hearted exports Cut Copy and Midnight Juggernauts. It's easy to forget they were a cult band here first but to the rest of the world they still are. Seeing them pull a larger crowd at Splendour in the Grass than those interested in Sigur Ros and Wolfmother combined was proof enough that the duo's pounding music is, now, massively mainstream. That's weird.


The Presets - 'My People' live at the ARIAs


4. Grand Salvo - Death

If Paddy Mann was from anywhere but Australia he'd be world famous. Fans of Cat Power, Will Oldham, Smog - Dylan - anyone who could get by on words alone needs to wake up to this now. That Mann is an accomplished composer completes the equation. On fourth album Death, his attention to detail, songcraft and unique vision (in a genre bloated with syrupy tradition) was not so much a revelation as a reconfirmation of his peculiar brilliance. The best Australian record in 2008.



3. MGMT - Oracular Spectacular

We've said a bunch of stuff already about this record. As has everyone else, from year end lists, to the production nerds, to the hipsters, to the Supre set. Haters will remember this record for playing while they're secretly buying their cardigans in Dangerfield, while the lovers will in 5 years time say "I told you so". Shame their live experience couldn't match the life and depth of the record. Perhaps Dave Friddmann should join the band permanently.


MGMT - 'Time to Pretend' live in Abbey Rd


2. Why? - Alopecia

Are they hip-hop? Are they indie? Are they storybook? Don't know but San Fransisco's Yoni Wolf and Co have mastered something unique to themselves this year and we're in a better place for it. One of the most interesting - and idiosyncratic - lyricists going at the moment became one of the most inventive songwriters. Score! In our interview with him earlier in the year he said "Now it feels like I’m using my life as a starting point and really going on from there. I’ve got a little more into the craft of it, you know." It shows.


Why? - 'A Sky For Shoeing Horses Under'


1. TV on the Radio - Dear Science

Yep. The Brooklyn five-piece have been suggesting greatness over the course of two critic-pleasing but ultimately patchy records since early 2000. Dear Science finally pulls their disparete elements together, infusing their cynical world view with a strut that suggests there is a light on in the room. Or sex at the end of the album, in this case. Despite no-one buying tickets to their debut Australian tour in 2006 on the back of Return to Cookie Mountain - forcing them to downgrade venues - their appearance revealed the sweaty, wild humanity pulsing behind their carefully crafted, studio records. This time they let some of it through.


TV on the Radio - 'Love Dog' - live at Le Live De La Sema

Honourable mentions:

Foals - Antidotes
Kanye West - 808s & Heartbreak
Charge Group - Escaping Mankind
The Drones - Havilah
Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes
Sigur Ros - Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust

Still getting there:

Of Montreal - Skeletal Lamping
Portishead - Third
Guns n Roses - Chinese Democracy (Still fascinated)
Qua - Q&A
Ladyhawke - Ladyhawke
Empire of the Sun - Walking on a Dream

Under the radar:

Delta Spirit - Ode to Sunshine
The Dodos - Visiter
Friendly Fires - Friendly Fires
Ghoul - A Mouthful of Gold

Underwhelmed:

Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend
Coldplay - Viva La Vida
Metallica - Death Magnetic
Bloc Party - Intimacy
Okkervil River - The Stand Ins