Javids Top 10 Of 2008: Pt 2

Lets not stand on ceremony as we complete the ceremonious ceremony that is Javids top ten of last year. Hold on to your hats folks, as they may well be worth something one day:

5. Ladyhawke - Ladyhawke
From the opening few seconds of the starting track - 'Magic' this album announces itself. Grandiose dynamics and funky grooves with catchy melodies make this one of the surprise packets of the year. Hell, I only bought it for the sake of 'Paris Is Burning' and the fact I had a bit of spare money but I've fallen in love with this album. If this album is lacking something then I can't really think of what it is. Every note is placed effectively. Catchy pop one minute, chillout retro the next. While I hate one of Pix's favourite bands (Tigercity) for going with the 80's sound and boring the hell out of me, Ladyhawke shows that keeping the modern sound with the 80's feel is the way they should have gone all along.

4. The Grates - Teeth Lost, Hearts Won

One cannot deny the genius and passion that The Grates speak through their music. After the first album a few years ago I sat (no doubt with many others, but not on the same chair) wondering if the second release would meet the innocence and cheeky fun that the first one shouts in your face. It does all this and more. The Grates sound like they've been doing this alot longer than they actually have. An effort that sounds polished, but secretly has scratches on its knees from playing games all day. 'Burn Bridges' gives a pretty clear indication of where the album will take you. This album cant help but make you dance like Patience herself - but at least now we know where she gets it from.

3. Little Red - Listen To Little Red

Do I really need to keep going? Do I really need to hound you inanely with the things that I've been saying over and over and over for the past few months? Richard Branson (or whoever uncovered these guys to play at the V Festival) is a fucking genius. My favourite band of the year definately. Soulful harmonies, catchy tunes and a sound that takes you back 50 years to a time where things didnt matter (Global Warming? pfft). Accomplished songwriting and simple production keep your attention. On stage these guys are absolutely amazing, highly energetic, spot on vocally and a friendly bunch of characters. If you havent listened to these guys yet not only are you an idiot but a slow one as well. Listen to Little Red.

2. The Presets - Apocalypso
To call this album the benchmark of the year is an understatement. ARIA album of the year, awards and critical acclaim here and around the world, The Presets dont need us anymore. But they still love us and hence we reciprocate. Apocalypso is dark, brooding, a little horny, a little scary. The overall.. thickness of the industrial undertones is what sucks me in. Some of the most thought-out music I've ever heard. Such a massive progression from the previous effort and no doubt an album that will stand the test of time. I could continue heaping praise on this release but I dont think I need to. You've all heard it. I'm sure the majority agree with me. Will have us Talk Talk Talk Talk Talk (ing) Like Like Like Like Like That That That That That for ages.

1. Jackson Jackson - Tools For Survival
How did the Presets not get number one? It took a fucking massive effort from a relatively new outfit but last years best album is THIS ONE. Music is alot of things to alot of people but never before have I heard music turned into art turned back into music. The depth of construction and the evident thought that went into making this album shines beautifully. Acoustic sounds, cabaret vocals, some of the heaviest synth you've ever heard. If anyone did HSC music and knows about all the elements of music you might know what I mean when I say all bases are covered. You need to hear this album and I KNOW that you will not be disappointed. A truly beautiful effort well deserving of the number one spot. Not really an album that can be taken in songs though, a sit down (in the car perhaps), start-to-finish listen is whats needed. Once the confusion ends this album will grab you.

And of course there are some bad apples too.

Worst Album - Kings of Leon - Only By The Night

Highest selling album in the country? So the figues might contradict my opinion but COME ON. It took me a long time to get on the KOL bandwagon but 'Because of the Times' got me there. I started to realise that these guys are fun, drunken rednecks who like to sing funky, danceable tunes. Then this piece of shit came out and all the faith I'd built up has been destroyed. I was listening to an interview with one of the Followills about how this album was written when they were all depressed and on drugs. And now its gone on to the top of the charts all over the world? What do you think its going to go on? A new house, a new car and then A FUCKLOAD OF DRUGS which will in turn make them more depressed. Will one of them kill themselves before the next album? Dont tell me I havent listened to this album, dont tell me I'm being dismissive. I bought this CD and have listened to it numerous times over the last few months to try and understand. But I cant. This is not what THIS BAND are about (to me). Yes, 'Sex On Fire' and 'Crawl' are good songs but it takes alot more than that to make a #1 album in my opinion. But obviously I'm wrong. I don't blame them for their commercial success, they haven't sold out. But unfortunately it's the wrong album thats taken them to the top of the music world. It could be genius, but I just dont see it.

Funny that the worst album gets the biggest write-up. Oh well. There's my opinion mo fo's. Tell me what you think, comment with your own favourite albums of the last year, do whatever the hell you want. Now lets hope that 2009 can be the fabulous year for music that 2008 was. Its also a pretty damn big testament (I think) to the strength of Australian music that ALL of the top 5 releases are Aussie. So yeah. Dont expect me to get a southern cross tattoo anytime soon though.

Until next time.