A selection of our favourite records from 2008 (or thereabouts), compiled by Colin MacKinnon and David Murphy.
Message to Bears: EP1
Mesmerising pastoral instrumentals from folk necromancer Jerome Alexander. And you can play it at Christmas parties! (CHM)
Les Clochards: Demo
“I get drunk, and I forget things”, alleges “Tango Borracho”, but we won’t forget this eerie pop monologue (DM)
Captive State: Elmore Grove
From the energising funkiness of ‘Mona’ to the epic romance of ‘China White Doll’ this is maximalist orchestral pop at its richest. (CHM)
Dear City: Dear City
Hauntingly bleak melodic electronica, with the most glamorously ill-sounding female vocals you’ve ever heard. The aural equivalent of heroin chic.(CHM)
Ally Craig: Angular Spirals
Wonky full band outing is lyrically obtuse but deeply lovable. We want a full LP! (DM)
Euhedral: Burned Out Visions
Economy implodes! Venues close! “Hallelujah” gets raped! Never mind, warm fuzzy drones will make things better. (DM)
A Silent Film: The City that Sleeps
Flawless debut album from potential stadium-rock giants.(CHM)
Family Machine: You are the Family Machine
Yes, the songs are quite old now, but this brainy perk pop is as warming yet intoxicating as a pint of Drambuie.(DM)
Maria Ilett: EP
Winsome acoustic ballads augmented by clever slivers of electronica and the odd string quartet.(CHM)
Foals: Antidotes
Battles + Haircut 100 + studied funky artiness + stupid clothes = Blue Aeroplanes for the Skins generation. (DM)
Nonstop Tango: Maps and Dreams
Improv scamps impersonate Waits, on Oxford’s least accurately named act’s debut LP. (DM)
The Winchell Riots: Histories
Icily beautiful guitar soundscapes and heart-cracking vocals from the successors to Fell City Girl.(CHM)
Space Heroes Of The People: Motorway to Moscow
Another cracking EP that sounds lovingly handmade and icily robotic simultaneously (DM)
Miriam Jones: Being There
Expertly-produced country with a dash of Canadian detachment.(CHM)
Tie Your Shoes To Your Knees & Pretend You’re Small Like Us: Demo
Journo baiting cockabout results in unexpected collaged fascination.(DM)
Stornoway: On the Rocks
Naff track about fish aside, wonderfully studenty folk music with big melodies and a bigger heart.(CHM)
New EP contrastingly reveals there’s no end to this band’s melodic invention, and that rag week humour really sucks.(DM)
The Scholars: Turbulence
Astoundingly accomplished trial stroke from local dark-pop youngsters. Still playing it after six months.(CHM)