Best Of 2008, Get yer nominations in now! Options

[Industrial Kybos...]

Whenever year's end comes round, I can never reliably remember which albums have really floated my boat. With that in mind, I invite you all to give props to the quality releases of the year as they happen. It needn't just be albums either - good films you've watched, quality televisual entertainment and excellent gaming has its place herein also.

Sticking to the albums, I've been all over the following:

Portishead - Third. Not every 'head fan's cup of char, but I love it. Very different to the earlier triphop days, but still a tremendous release.

Pete And The Pirates - Little Death. Ramshackle indie-rock, low on originality but high on tunes and energy, there's not a single song on it that doesn't put some bounce 'n' swagger in my step.

Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes. Only listened to it for the first time yesterday after it dropped through the letterbox from Rough Trade, but it had an instant effect on me. Several times during listening I had to drop what I was doing, lean my head back, close my eyes and soak up the harmonic beauty.

A further shout is needed for the Rough Trade Shops Counter Culture 07 comp, too. Technicallt the best of last year, its release in the early months of this one qualifies it for entry. A simply stunning comp packed with a little bit of everything, and a cherry on top.

There will be more, I don't doubt...