2008 in Review
INTRODUCTION
For me, 2008 will be remembered as the year in which I discovered Ricky Gervais' radio show and stopped listening to music wherever I went. The four years worth of two-hour radio programmes became something of an obsession, and I listened to them in series multiple times throughout the year at the expense of my normal practice of having music blaring on the train, in my bedroom and whenever I was walking. For someone who used to carry around 188 CDs in his backpack so he would have enough music within arm's reach, this is quite a shift in behaviour.
But equally, I was exposed to far more new music than usual this year because I was constantly surrounded by recently released CDs in my new job at a music store. I no longer have to wait until I go out of my way to purchase new music, which has allowed me to become aware of new CDs the day they are released to retail and has given me far more albums in my end-of-2008 shortlist than last year. And being predominantly a punk/hardcore store, I've broadened my horizons to include some previously unknown areas of the musical landscape.
As well as punk, hardcore and metalcore, I've delved deeper into post-rock, noise and metal this year, and they're all genres which have made their mark on the lists below.
2008 will also be fondly remembered as the year that I finally got to witness two incredibly important bands in the flesh: Dream Theater, who were my gateway to progressive music in high school, and Porcupine Tree, my favourite band, both made their inaugural journeys to Australia after many years. It's going to take a hell of a lot to unseat the two Porcupine Tree shows I saw as the best concerts of my lifetime so far.
But at the end of the day, it's all about the CDs and EPs. The records.
Compared to 2006 and 2007, there's a far higher concentration of local music in both my end-of-year album and EP lists, reflecting the increasing quality and maturity of Australia's musical output. Last year I split my list into Australian and international releases, but this year there is no doubt the Aussies have just as much right to be in the list as the foreigners.
TOP TEN ALBUMS OF 2008
10. Boris – Smile
Before laying ears on Boris for myself, all I had heard about them was that they were noisy and ridiculously heavy. But that description completely neglects to mention the significant role of melody in Boris' music (well, Smile at least, as it's still the only Boris album I've heard). That's what struck me the first time I listened to Smile: the fact that I was humming it in my head the day after.
9. The Mars Volta – The Bedlam in Goliath
Something of a comeback after the mildly disappointing Amputechture, but still quite a distance short of their masterpiece De–Loused In The Comatorium.
8. Trial Kennedy – New Manic Art
In 2007 Trial Kennedy were nobodies; a tight band with a distinctive sound and down–to–earth personalities. Now they're still the same guys, but their music is being played on triple j, Nova and even Triple M. It couldn't have happened to a nicer, harder working bunch of guys.
7. Opeth – Watershed
Similar to The Bedlam In Goliath, Watershed blows its predecessor Ghost Reveries out of the water, but in Opeth's catalogue only ranks third or fourth. I shouldn't constantly compare each album Opeth releases with Blackwater Park, but it's difficult not to.
6. Mushroom Giant – Kuru
I'm a sucker for packaging that is an extension of the music it contains, and the intriguing references to cannibalism and sparce textual information in Kuru's inlay really piqued my interest from the very beginning. It's hard to describe Mushroom Giant; not quite post-rock, not quick hard rock, not quite anything. But they're good.
5. Birds of Tokyo – Universes
In the time that Karnivool have been preparing their second album (not even recording, just preparing), Birds Of Tokyo have released two full–length CDs, an EP and a single, toured the country multiple times with growing crowds each time, and broken through to the mainstream with airplay on Nova. I'd be worried about which basket Ian Kenny would put his eggs in if only Birds Of Tokyo didn't write such great pop music.
4. Steven Wilson – Insurgentes
An absolute grower, I wasn't much of a fan to begin with but it's now cracked my top five of the year. Steven Wilson effortlessly proves what a brilliant songwriter he is, and lets everyone know that he can span multiple genres and still release a cohesive package. I wish I had his talent.
3. The Sound of Animals Fighting – The Ocean And The Sun
This came as a complete surprise. Announced mere weeks before its release, I barely had time to get excited about their reformation before I had their album in my hand. Lying somewhere between the extremes of their previous two records, The Ocean And The Sun is just weird enough to be unique, but not so weird to make multiple listens difficult.
2. Cog – Sharing Space
When the Just Visiting EPs first came out, I honestly never thought Cog would get anywhere with a sound so heavily rooted in Tool–esque alternative heavy metal. But for their sophomore full–length they completely reinvented their sound into something distinctly Australian, and the result was an instantly satisfying album. I think after my first listen I knew it'd be among my favourites of the year.
1. Sleep Parade – Things Can Always Change
In less than 12 months I've witnessed Sleep Parade morph from a suburban secret playing the Espy front bar with 30 people in the audience into a band that won the respect of 2,000 Porcupine Tree fans at the Enmore Theatre in Sydney. It was one of my proudest moments of the year knowing that a band whose name I passed on to the promoter of the Porcupine Tree tour ended up being picked as the sole national support, but it was the strength of their debut album that really won people over. A truly world–class album, Things Can Always Change is my favourite album of 2008.
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
Metallica – Death Magnetic
The most honourable mention must go to Metallica, who managed to defy all expectations and release an album that doesn't suck.
Mogwai – The Hawk is Howling
Mogwai are perennial favourites for my end-of-year lists, but unfortunately I was unable to really sink my teeth into The Hawk Is Howling before the year ended.
'neath – The Small Untruths
Similarly, I received this album quite late in the year so I haven't been able to give it more than a passing glance. The Spiders Sleep was my #1 album of last year, so it's got a lot to live up to.
Norma Jean – The Anti Mother
Anti-Flag – The Bright Lights Of America
Rise Against – Appeal To Reason
Robotosaurus – Manhater
Story of the Year – The Black Swan
TOP TEN EPs OF 2008
10. VarLiiba – NumbAntic
A blend of nu–prog and grunge, with lovely Vedder–esque vocals.
9. One Day as a Lion – One Day As A Lion
God it's great to hear Zack De La Rocha singing again.
8. The Rex Wicked – The World Could Turn Around
Australia's answer to old–school Muse, but with a haunting space rock influence.
7. Tangled Thoughts of Leaving – Tiny Fragments
Surprisingly consistent for such a diverse EP.
6. Closure In Moscow – The Penance And The Patience
Saltmarsh will hate me for this, but The Penance And The Patience is a good, solid release.
5. House vs. Hurricane – Forfeiture
One of the only hardcore records I would call progressive. Splashes of trance, dance and psychadelia combined with incredible clean vocal harmonies and the requisite brutality.
4. Nucleus – Circumvolution
Honestly I didn't quite understand this EP until I saw them live, but they were one of my gig highlights of the year.
3. Rook – Add Colour
Quite a departure from their earlier, mostly one–dimensional work. If they release an album in 2009 I predict it'll be among the best of the year.
2. toe hider – Toe Hider
I love that Michael Mills has the balls to release such a pompous, epic EP with so fucking many notes, but I love even more that each song is pleasantly easy to listen to. I don't understand how one guy can have so much talent.
1. Sleepmakeswaves – in today already walks tomorrow
There's a reason sleepmakeswaves had already amassed an international following before they'd even set foot outside Sydney: despite what their guitarist says, there's something in their music unlike any other post-rock in the world.
BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENTS OF 2008
The Butterfly Effect – Final Conversation Of Kings
It's regained some ground over the past couple of weeks, but Final Conversation Of Kings seemed completely limp in comparison to the power of Imago. I appreciate that they're continually exploring new territory, but musically I was disappointed.
Mammal – The Majority
I'm not sure if it's because I'm over Mammal or the album's no good, but I haven't listened to The Majority since the week it came out, and I haven't felt like doing so either.
TOP TEN CONCERTS OF 2008
1. Porcupine Tree, Sleep Parade – Enmore Theatre, Sydney
2. Porcupine Tree, Sleep Parade – Palace Theatre, Melbourne
3. The Dear Hunter, mewithoutYou, As Tall as Lions, Kevin Devine, My American Heart – Billboard The Venue, Melbourne
4. Dream Theater – Festival Hall, Melbourne
5. Karnivool, That 1 Guy, Mere Theory – QBH, Melbourne
6. Cog, Kora, Jakob – Palace Theatre, Melbourne
7. Birds of Tokyo, Mere Theory, Calling All Cars – Corner Hotel, Melbourne
8. A State of Flux, Nucleus, Alaska Ratio, Cloud City – Revolver Upstairs, Melbourne
9. Mammal, Dead Letter Circus, MM9, Trial Kennedy – QBH, Melbourne
10. Rook, The Evening Son, Engine Three-Seven, Alba Varden – Esplanade Hotel, Melbourne
LAST.FM MOST LISTENED-TO ARTISTS OF 2008
1. The Ricky Gervais Show (805)
2. Gyroscope (337)
3. Cog (248)
4. The Sound of Animals Fighting (234)
5. Birds of Tokyo (232)
6. The Dear Hunter (216)
7. Regina Spektor (188)
8. Sleep Parade (185)
9. Porcupine Tree (184)
10. mewithoutYou (173)
LAST.FM MOST LISTENED-TO ALBUMS OF 2008
1. Gyroscope – Sound Shattering Sound (153)
2. Karnivool – Themata (137)
3. Regina Spektor – Begin to Hope (136)
4. Kiss Kiss – Reality vs. the Optimist (135)
5. Sleep Parade – Things Can Always Change (130)
6. Against Me! – New Wave (117)
7. mewithoutYou – Brother, Sister (116)
8. David Bowie – The Best Of David Bowie (107)
9. Steven Wilson – Insurgentes (81)
10. Dropkick Murphys – The Warrior's Code (77)
Win Ben Stein's Mind
I've always loved Roger Ebert's writing, but have never really finished reading any of his reviews and thought "shit, yes, I completely agree with everything you just said."
Until now.
Last.fm's End-of-2008 Charts
Last.fm has compiled a list of the most popular albums, songs and new artists of 2008. Coldplay dominates the songs category (which is sort of obvious, since their album is #1... and songs come from albums), but the other two lists are quite interesting.
I have one main question: who the fuck are MGMT, The Ting Tings, and most of the other new artists in that list? I'm so out of touch with current hipster musical trends that the only artist in that list whose music I'm aware of is Katy Perry, and that's only because of the controversy she started. If you played me a song by any of the artists in that top ten, I'd struggle to identify it.
The Dark Lord of Logos
Klaus Pichler of Vice magazine compiled a mini Q&A with Christophe Szpajdel, who has designed "more than 7,000 logos, mostly for black- and death-metal bands from all over the world".
Check out the accompanying slideshow of his work, which exemplifies how little creativity there is in black metal design (as opposed to black metal music which, to be fair, is a mixed bag). I dislike stereotypical heavy metal design from an aesthetic point of view, but commenter Jason make a great point:
They are very appropriate. The music is not accessible and is very harsh thus it's visual interpretation follows suit.
These logos appeal to the correct target audience.
And that's good design.
Why Is Everyone Saying 'Fail' All of a Sudden?
Slate has a feature on the term "fail":
The highest form of fail—the epic fail—involves not just catastrophic failure but hubris as well. Not just coming in second in a bike race but doing so because you fell off your bike after prematurely raising your arms in victory.
The article is totally fascinating and brilliantly written. The idea of a Slate exploration of "fail" is as absurd as the New York Times running a feature on lolcats. The world needs more absurdity.
Want to Buy a Record Player?
The current discussion about CD sales vs. digital music downloads may seem like a bleeding edge, hi-tech issue; but this 1949 article in Time about the new-fangled record-playing machines puts the whole thing in context for me:
To exorcise the speed demon, top executives of RCA Victor, Columbia and Decca have been huddling in quiet meetings. Last week there was still no agreement. Until the industry pulled itself together, record fans had two sensible alternatives : postpone buying or buy a turntable that plays all three speeds. There are about ten on the market, ranging in price from $15 to more than $50.
Bottom line, record companies have always been in the business of screwing their customers out of choice in order to make a profit, and their flagship product—consumer confusion—will never change.
I often find myself wishing for an indie revolution, but independant record labels are so disjointed and disconnected from each other that I can't see it happening any time soon.
Tap Tap Revenge to Release Nine Inch Nails Edition
Tap Tap Revenge—a Guitar Hero clone for the iPhone and iPod Touch—has announced a licensing deal with Nine Inch Nails, resulting in a NIN-specific edition of the game:
The application will include a NIN-centric theme, as well as over a dozen of the band’s songs from its last two albums. The partnership is among the first to bring licensed content to an iPhone application, and will likely prompt a wave of similar deals between other musicians and applications on the platform.
It's not surprising that Trent Reznor is at the cutting edge.
TWLOHA Update
A quick update on the TWLOHA situation: Kids Help Line got back to me within a day and made available to us information cards, stickers and other knick-knacks, so I think we'll be giving them out with TWLOHA merch when we start selling it in a couple of weeks.
If we do end up making our own for whatever reason, I'll be using the links that people kindly put in the comments. Thank you!
Amazon Takes on Wikipedia With Editable Music Data
Amazon is backing a user-editable music information repository called SoundUnwound:
As with Wikipedia, users can edit this information, but not directly. All changes must be vetted by Amazon staff before appearing on the site, so you can forget about retroactively joining Run D.M.C. Rankings charts list the users with the most approved edits for the day, week or of all time, offering a bit of motivation to those want to amass that sort of authority.
Wikipedia is a snakepit of fan pages and official biographies masquerading as objective encyclopedia articles, but compared to some articles currently on SoundUnwound, Wikipedia is infallible.
SoundUnwound does put less emphasis on objectivity and verifiability guidelines, but in my opinion they have a little way to go if they want to overtake Wikipedia in the accuracy stakes. The first article I checked (Porcupine Tree), was woeful:
Sky Moves Sideways (1995) is considered to be Porcupine Tree’s seminal album, but the sound continued to evolve with Signify (1996), Stupid Dream (1999) and Lightbulb Sun (2000), becoming progressively rockier, a musical direction confirmed by the release of In Absentia (2002) and Deadwing (2005).
Moderating edits is a stroke of genius, but unless the moderation team is stacked with experts in every band ever formed they'll have trouble distinguishing between valuable, true information and, well, bollocks. That paragraph quoted above is clearly just the opinion of whoever wrote it, and contains a glaring mistake in the title of The Sky Moves Sideways.
People like myself who would usually just fix that kind of error might be put off by the requirement to register and have the changes go through a vetting process.
Then again, the lack of penis references in a website containing user-generated content is most refreshing.
To Write Love on Her Arms
It has always irked me that artists who perform at charity galas, benefit concerts and other charitable events usually, by some eerie coincidence, have a single or tour to promote. Call me a pessimist, it just seems that a worthy cause is the easiest way to drum up media coverage for every self-obsessed, self-promotional starlet and wannabe with something to flog.
I'm not suggesting that any charitable event is a sham, but if you can get a few press mentions for your upcoming album while helping to feed some starving Africans, the attitude seems to be: bring it on.
By their own admission, the To Write Love On Her Arms organisation (TWLOHA) is "not a 24-hour helpline", as the organisation's official MySpace profile states:
We are not trained professionals. TWLOHA hopes to serve as a bridge to help.
The issue that TWLOHA has dedicated itself to is the tragedy of youth suicide and self-harm. Certainly a worthy and deserving cause—and of course I absolutely support anyone doing anything to help prevent suicide, youth or otherwise—but my problem is with the way in which they go about it.
If you go to the TWLOHA website—if, say, you were a young person possibly suffering from depression and looking for help—what do you think would be the first thing you see? A hotline number? A list of links to helpful organisations?
Actually, the first thing you see is a splash page advertising pre-orders for a book.
The second thing you see, if you're like me and miss the microscopic "continue to twloha.com" link under the fold, is a shopfront where you can buy TWLOHA-branded merchandise at severely inflated prices. The shopfront is, of course, brought to you by Zambooie®.
On the shopfront's sidebar is a navigation menu with links to make a donation to TWLOHA, visit the organisation's MySpace page, join the street team (powered by FanCorps®) and add a TWLOHA badge to your website or MySpace profile (powered by SocialVibe®).
Above these sponsorship links is the site's internal navigation menu, in which the "Find Help" link is the third item, underneath a link to a calendar of TWLOHA-sponsored concerts and events.
The MySpace profile is just as bad: a long-winded and self-indulgent history section full of name-drops and photos of celebrity musicians wearing TWLOHA merch, interspersed with links and advertisements to buy T-shirts and other TWLOHA-branded items.
The single paragraph which directs troubled young people to help is squeezed between an award the profile won from MySpace, and instructions on how to promote TWLOHA with flyers and banners.
I'm not sure who they think their audience is: people at risk of depression and suicide themselves, or kids who like to feel warm and fuzzy inside thinking they're doing something to help by buying a $40 T-shirt, but are at no risk themselves.
Surely that $40 would be better spent by donating it directly to Kids Help Line, an organisation that can have a direct, practical positive effect on depression and self-harm among young people.
Fist2Face was recently the venue for a TWLOHA-hosted concert with some local rock bands and speeches by the organisation's two founders, who had flown half-way across the world to spread the word about TWLOHA. I didn't go, but if a troubled young person had come to get some advice or find help, they would have been in trouble: there was no information packs, no flyers, nothing.
The founders got up and spoke, but it was less about suicide prevention and more about the musicians they've met backstage at concerts.
beyondblue and Kids Help Line would love to have the kind of exposure an event like that would generate, but they were nowhere to be seen.
TWLOHA has got exactly the right idea by positioning themselves within the music scene that kids are passionate about, but they completely fail the people they are trying to help by concentrating more on self-promotion and less on suicide prevention.
The organisation is making a push into Australia this year, and Fist2Face is one of the outlets that will be selling TWLOHA merch. Originally I refused to have any part of it, but after talking it over with my boss we decided that a better approach would be to look into local depression and suicide prevention organisations and try to get some kind of information card to give away with each shirt.
Maybe then it won't be a complete waste of kids' hard-earned money.
Personally I believe strongly in Kids Help Line, where my second cousin worked for a number of years, but if anyone knows of any other similar organisations based in Australia please let me know so I can get in touch with them.
UPDATE: I've posted a short update with the response I got from Kids Help Line.
