30

Samiyam, Rap Beats Vol. 1 [Brainfeeder/Alpha Pup]

“Rap Beats Vol. 1” isn’t exactly an album, more a collection of beats full of 8-bit gaming and 80s sounds. Samiyam, like many current producers of the beat generation, is pushing the boundaries of rhythm by creating a new bombardment of off kilter groove. Like Ras G, Samiyam’s sound is instantly recognizable. He’s also a producer crossing boundaries with his “Return” EP on Kode9’s Hyperdub label, known for its dubstep. I’m glad that Samiyam moved out to L.A. to work closer to those in his genre as well as his partner, Flying Lotus.

~ gravelheadwrap

MySpace  Buy from WarpMart

Download: Super Chronzio Bros. 2

29

Murcof, The Versailles Sessions [Leaf]

Murcof has been keeping us at the edge of our seats, slowly spelling out his moniker with the first letters of his album names. So it was a pleasant surprise when The Versailles Sessions dropped in October. The album is an aural document of music composed for the grand opening of Les Grandes Eaux Nocturnes. For this commissioned work, Fernando Corona decided to go deeper into his dark well of symphonic sound accompanied by repetitive minimalism and microscopic textures. This time the usual beats are stripped, leaving just the acoustic instruments under the direction of Corona to light the way into the deep passages of Chateau Versailles. Boroque in nature, the sound is magnificent and regal.

~ Headphone Commute

MySpace  Buy from Amazon  Download from eMusic

Download: Louis XIV's Demons

28

Bon Iver, For Emma, Forever Ago [Jagjaguwar]

Bon Iver has had quite the year. Since For Emma came out last winter, he has received loads of press, TV time, and accolades. A lot of attention for a simple folk record sung in falsetto conceived in the woods of Wisconsin. But it's deserved. For Emma plays like a stripped down sing along version of TV on the Radio, with the acoustic guitar creating an intensity you wouldn't expect from what appears on the surface to be understated music. A listen that can't help but strike an emotional chord with everyone who listens to it, this is a tremendous piece of work.

~ onecaseman

MySpace  Buy from Amazon  Download from eMusic

Download: Skinny Love

27

Anders Ilar, Sworn [Level]

One of the better electronic albums of the year. Anders Ilar covers a surprisingly large amount of genres and has released records on a number of different labels (Shitkatapult, audio.nl, Narita, etc.). It's a good thing that Ilar's prolificness doesn't affect quality control all that much---this one is straightforward drum-heavy IDM (a genre that's slowly on its way out the door, I'm afraid), and wouldn't be out of place on Merck or Schematic. Eleven long and densely-layered tracks, engaging and expertly produced.

~ playbynumbers

MySpace  Buy from Level Records

Download: Hillside

26

Hauschka, Ferndorf [130701]

Known for his experimentation with prepared piano - the one where the strings and hammers are modified with pads and scraps of random metal that change the timbre of the sound on individual notes - Volker Bertelmann brings in strings into his usually solo compositions. Hauschka excels in creating majestic classical pieces, all whilst adding a touch of modern experimentation and exploration of live instruments. The melancholy melodies allude to a forgotten childhood spent growing up in a remote village (Ferndorf in German). Sad and lovely at the same time. The melodies will long keep ringing in your head.

~ Headphone Commute

MySpace  Buy from Amazon  Download from eMusic

Download: Blue Bicycle

25

Brael & Tokyo Bloodworm, Living Language [Moteer]

Moteer turned it up a notch in 2008. In a short time, the label has defined a new type of extremely eclectic, electro-acoustic music, and probably the finest example yet is this collaboration between the American duo Brael and the loose collective Tokyo Bloodworm. Each song is a different take of downtempo music that references multiple instruments, electronic sounds, and even vocals. It's a swirling mix, but there's a cohesion to the album that's an achievement in and of itself, considering how many cooks were in the kitchen. This album is certainly a follower in the footsteps of The Boats Songs in the Sea, and a step up. The world would be a lot calmer if more people listened to this.

~ onecaseman

Brael MySpace  Tokyo Bloodworm MySpace  Buy from Norman Records

Download: Morning Of The World

24

Voice Of The Seven Woods, VVIIW [Self-released]

“VVIIW” was a nice surprise this year after ‘07’s self-titled release by Voice of the Seven Woods. “VVIIW” is a continuation of the psych-folk the act is known for. This time around, there is much more of an Eastern influence than ever. There are traces of Alice Coltrane and Ananda Shankar found throughout much like on their debut. Overall, I love how comforting and meditative “VVIIW” is. The sitar and acoustic guitars meld together in a wonderful way while found sounds used as percussion are played. A great release overall.

~ gravelheadwrap

Download: A Meditation Upon Death

23

Jóhann Jóhannsson, Fordlandia [4AD]

Jóhann Jóhannsson is a prominent figure in the Icelandic contemporary artistic community. His modern classical compositions are some of the most soul drenching works I have ever heard. All human emotion and suffering is collected, saturated and compressed in this single conceptual album. Fordlandia documents human hunger for ideals, technological progress, doomed failures, and the beauty of nature reclaiming itself. It's theme revolves around the creation and collapse of the rubber plantation established by Henry Ford. In Fordlandia Jóhannsson captures every dropped tear in this ambitious and gorgeous tour de force in evolution of modern classical.

~ Headphone Commute

MySpace  Buy from Amazon

Download: The Rocket Builder (IO Pan)

22

The Fun Years, Baby It's Cold Inside [Barge]

Sleeper record of the year right here. Without question. The Fun Years have crafted an incredible fusion of noise, ambience, and rock that is the defining moment of 2008 for me. A continuous record or morphing sounds, decayed guitar strokes and field recordings evolve into repetitive guitar riffs and electronic noise, eventually morphing together as one giant wave of sound, piano notes and tape loops degrade into indecipherable noise - this is the sound of entropy on record. Each track segues into the next before the closer explodes into a post-rock fiasco of escalated guitar and then dilutes back to the sound of the beginning of the record, creating a continuous loop if you're inclined to relive the experience. And you will.

~ onecaseman

Official Site  Buy from Barge

Download: Auto Show Day Of The Dead

21

Ólafur Arnalds, Variations Of Static [Erased Tapes]

Variations of Static is only a five track EP, but somehow this second release from Arnalds has managed to sweep me off. And this young Icelandic composer continues to create waves across the globe. It's no wonder that he has already accompanied Sigur Rós on their European tour. Arnalds composes with lush symphonic strings, restrained piano, electronic elements, and acoustic percussion, creating a unique sound that lives somewhere between modern classical and post-rock. Arnalds clearly has a big future ahead of him, and this 2008 EP will be treasured in my library for the years to come. Beautiful in the same way the arctic is...

~ Headphone Commute

MySpace  Buy from Amazon

Download: Fok