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Strangeglue Writers' Top 50 Albums of 2008 (Numbers 30 -21)

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Featured Story Mahjongg Envelopes Vampire Weekend Hot Chip M83 The Photographic Wolf Parade The Walkmen Death Cab For Cutie Human Bell Feature Two Awards 2008

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All StrangeGlue Writers

18th December 2008
At 15:42 GMT

2 comment(s)

Welcome to part three of Strange Glue's year in lists. Here begin to appear albums which not only appealed to wide ranges of people but happened to be ridiculously good as well. It doesn't all have to be avant-garde leftfield experimentalsim y'know.

There were of course things other than music occupying our time this year. Some people came to the realisation that perhaps an Abrams tank was not the best form of transportation to take the little ones to football practice; the armed forces wished they were so lucky, as they patrolled the streets of the middle-east in canvas covered golf buggies. There was of course the big election: who'd of thought Alexander Burke would take it hey, not us, we never dreamed of seeing it... literally.

Perhaps we should share some of our favourite quotes of the year which are unrelated to music:

We've likely missed thousands of the best, so feel free to weigh in on the comments section. Well then, with dithering complete and the diversion thoroughly achieved, let's return to the business at hand.

Stay alert for the final two parts of our 2008 rundown which should be appearing on Strange Glue in the next few days.

21.) Mahjongg: Kontpab

Mahjongg's MySpace describes his music as Tropical / Industrial / Minimalist so to try and get across to you what his 2008 album Kontpab sounds like would be understandably difficult. Put a palm tree in a warehouse with a lap-top and your getting close. Or i could just say genius electronica from the US and be done with it...

22.) Envelopes: Here Comes The Wind

Usually when you mix Sweden with France you get...a...well you get an indie-pop band named Envelopes. Another under the radar release, Here Comes The Wind is Envelopes second album on Brille Records and deserved ten times the amount of success it actually received.

23.) Vampire Weekend: Vampire Weekend

We've worked it out and the chances of anyone in the world not hearing at least one song/jingle from this album is literally an impossibility, it's true. Recieving massive airplay pretty much all year round, Vampire Weekends debut is the definition of a successful start. If you like inoffensively afro-pop goodness then...well...then you've probably already got this so i'll stop there.

24.) Hot Chip: Made In The Dark

Going a different path than expected with this release, Made In The Dark was a bolder, harder LP than its predecessor and sounded all the better for it. Both electronically impressive and structurally brilliant, Made In The Dark was Hot Chip 2.0

25.) M83: Saturday = Youth

Winning the hearts of many with their fifth album, 2008 saw M83 projected into the mainstream, spewing their dance/electro goodness over everyone with a radio or TV. Released to much acclaim, Saturday = Youth is guranteed to be in many if not all end of years lists this year.

26.) The Photographic: Pictures Of A Changing World

Criminally underrated this year, Pictures Of A Changing World was a beautifully ambient tour through the psychedelic minds of The Photographic. Saying more with instruments than they can with words, this duo paint pictures with melody and are a definite one to watch in 2009.

27.) Wolf Parade: At Mount Zoomer

Another cult classic release from the guys over at Wolf Parade, Mount Zoomer was a dark, bouncy release that gained more than it's fair share of acclaim. Going deeper into the Wolf hole than ever before, this album flips between light and dark without a moments notice with atmosphere taking priority over structure.

28.) The Walkmen: You & Me

As cold as it was dark and as sparse as it was loud, You & Me was another remarkable release for The Walkmen. Ranging from jazz to rock to folk-esque song writing this album had everything but punk-funk under its belt. Pure, professional musicianship.

29.) Death Cab For Cutie: Narrow Stairs

Narrow Stairs was a wake up for everyone who forgot that Death Cab were actually more than just an American indie band. Straying from the sound of their previous album Plans, this LP was more left-wing than before and no one can forget their brilliant first single I Will Possess Your Heart that shows a promising look at the future of Death Cab.

30.) Human Bell: Human Bell

Two piece instrumentalists Human Bell made waves this year with their beautifully sparse self titled LP. Dreamy guitar plucking against nothingness, if a blackhole were audible it'd sound something close to this. Think Explosions In The Sky if they were taking a nap... but still explosive.