So here we go then, in no particular order...
BURIAL – Untrue
A vibe that cuts so deep that it sometimes physically hurts you can be matched only by this anonymous Londoner's formidable arsenal of the most incisive and natural-sounding grooves around. While Burial's debut was mainly for the dubstep scenesters, genre classification of any kind is utterly irrelevant here. This is the sound of being alone, at night, outside, in the urban coldness. And it's frighteningly good. Half-distinct vocal refrains of half-forgotten singers weave their way through the cracks in the fractured beats, and swathes of string samples swell up out of the crackling sounds of old records, log fires and rain. It's a trick not to get so far dragged into this dark and compelling territory that you can't come back.
Stand-out tracks: In McDonalds; Etched Headplate; Archangel
ULRICH SCHNAUSS – Goodbye
The splendid German is back with this gem. See my previous review!
Stand-out tracks: Goodbye
STARS OF THE LID – And Their Refinement Of The Decline
(OK, so I didn't really get on to this until 2008 but hey. My list: my rules!)
This album sounds like the moment of your own death, slowed down to an almost stationary pace, and the whole thing transcribed using the sounds of your subconscious mind by the ancient and mysterious orchestrator of life and death himself.
Stand-out tracks: Don't Bother They're Here; Apreludes (in C# Major)
MODESELEKTOR – Happy Birthday!
A remarkable second album from the boys from Berlin. Stunningly well-produced dance-floor stomps provide the perfect backdrop to a struggle between the most sublime sounds imaginable and the most ridiculous decisions you've heard this year. It works too: however this music makes you feel, you'll be grinning and grooving along in no time. To nitpick, their ideas can be pedestrian at times – the album is perhaps half-a-dozen tracks too long, and some of the guest appearances are rather 'token'. But if you don't mind skipping a few, there's enough on here to make this a consistently stronger, fuller and more proficient effort from the German duo, and is recommended to anyone who appreciates a good beat.
Stand-out tracks: The White Flash (feat. Thom Yorke); Let Your Love Grow (feat Apparat and Paul St. Hilaire)
WORTH MENTIONING:
UNDERWORLD – Oblivion With Bells
Almost didn't make the list, as it's genuinely weak in many places, but Crocodile into Beautiful Burnout makes it all worthwhile.
RADIOHEAD – In Rainbows
Don't get any big ideas. This record misses far more than it hits... but I'd say it's probably (just) worth the £0.00 I paid for it. What I liked: Jonny's lusciously dated-sounding string arrangements. What I disliked: Rock-idiot Ed O'Brien is clearly in the driving seat now, elderly Phil Selway just can't drum anymore, Thom's voice is BLOODY AWFUL and you can't even hear Colin. Oh, and the desecration of Videotape is just a little too hard to forgive.
KLASHNEKOFF – Lionheart: The Tussle With The Beast
Hip-hop appears to be at last starting to shake free of its oversized bling booty, and this record from the British rising star is as hopeful a sign as any we've yet seen. Rousing, occasionally tragic and always extremely personal poetry is set against Joe Buhdha's phenomenally slick production... this is strong, moving and inspirational stuff. Just the way hip-hop should be.
