Favourite records of 2008 (Part Three)

The Notwist – The Devil, You + Me
Initial listens suggested ‘The Devil, You And Me’ was set to be a disappointing follow up to ‘Neon Golden’. Repeated listens however revealed it to be a slow burning album that merely needed time to reveal itself. Darker and more brooding that it’s predecessor, it’s mix of clinical electronica and sparse downbeat indie makes a beautifully restrained if occasionally unsettling listen.

Portishead – Third
It may have been a long time coming but ‘Third’ surpassed any and all expectations. Obliterating the ghost of trip hop in it’s wake, ‘Third’ was a remarkable return that, Beth’s voice aside, resembled little of the band’s past. Tense, desolate and uncompromisingly grim, it may not be an easy listen, but it is a rewarding one.

The Raconteurs – Consolers Of The Lonely
The Raconteurs returned with a rock album worthy of a supergroup. But where their debut was a group effort with no clear leader, ‘Consolers Of the Lonely’ saw Jack White take up the mantle. As excessive as The White Stripes are minimal, it sounds like the band are having the time of their lives jamming with their mates. Thankfully there’s none of the indulgence that might imply. But there are plenty of big riffs, fret stripping solos and mariachi horns thrown into the mix to make an album that is an unashamed but knowingly retro take on 70s rock and roll.

REM – Accelerate
Who’d have thought R.E.M. had it in them? After three albums of diminishing returns, Michael Stipe and co returned with a record that’s as good as it is short. With guitars well and truly plugged back in, it sounded like R.E.M. had found their muse again. And in doing so, they’ve recorded the real follow up to my personal favourite, ‘New Adventures In Hifi’. Possibly the most surprising inclusion in the list, it is also probably the one I’ve reached for more than any of the others.

Santogold – Santogold
Refusing to be pigeon holed, Santogold mixed pop with indie, post punk with new wave, reggae with electronica to create a wonderfully varied listen that’s more cohesive than that description suggests. Finally a hipster record that’s got both style and content and more worthy of the column inches it notched up.

The Notwist - good lies from the album 'The Devil, You & Me'

Portishead - we carry on (live session version) original version available on 'Third'

The Raconteurs - top yourself (live acoustic session version) original version available on 'Consolers Of The Lonely'

R.E.M. - horse to water (live version) original version available on 'Accelerate'

Santogold - creator (live session version) original version available on 'Santogold'

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