Favourite records of 2008 (Part Two)

Frightened Rabbit – The Midnight Organ Fight
Not just one of my favourite records of the year, but one of my favourite records full stop. Heartbreakingly honest lyrics sung in melodies that get under your skin over the backdrop of alt indie folk fighting it out with the early 90’s American alternative scene. This is a record that gets better and better and is sure to be one of those landmark releases that’ll spread by word of mouth.

Kiki Pau – Let’s Rock
A great debut from Norway that landed in my inbox halfway through the year. Imagine Pavement fronted by Jonathan Richman playing jangly indie pop and you’re halfway there. Jangly indie with a rock n roll skew that’ll make you smile, make you dance and make even the darkest days seem sunny.

The Long Blondes – 'Couples'
Taking the Long Blondes charity shop chic and giving it a glam disco makeover shouldn’t have worked, but it does. More polished and less immediate that their debut, ‘Couples’ is nonetheless full of great tunes that stretch the band’s aesthetic. A somewhat bittersweet inclusion given the sad circumstances that followed it’s release.

Aidan John Moffat – I Can Hear Your Heart
If you’d have told me the first time I listened to this, that it would be a favourite record of the year, I’d have thought you’d been drinking. Infact if you’d have said I’d listen to it a second time, I’d have thought you were mad. But I did and it is. ‘I Can Hear Your Heart’ is 24 tracks of spoken word, poetry and prose, read in Aidan’s inimitable style over a backing of crackled easy listening. By turns rude, crude, touching and hilarious. Just, don’t listen to it at work on headphones.

Noah & The Whale – Peaceful, The World Lays Me Down
An utterly charming record. Sweet, unassuming and full of warmth, this is an indie folk record that should be treasured. Nothing seems forced, as these musings on life, love and death casually serenade you and hug you close.

Frightened Rabbit - old old fashioned (live acoustic session version) original version available on 'The Midnight Organ Fight

Kiki Pau - bukowski from the album 'Let's Rock'

The Long Blondes - too clever by half (live acoustic session version) original version available on 'Couples'

Aidan John Moffat - nothing in common from the album 'I Can Hear Your Heart'

Noah & The Whale - give a little love (live acoustic session version) original version available on 'Peaceful, The World Lays Me Down'

mp3 / music / favourite records of 2008 / frightened rabbit / kiki pau / long blondes / aidan john moffat / noah and the whale