We’ve always been late late in dealing with the passing year; but this time we’re way into a new year. God only knows what next year will bring but knowing that lots of readers are still hunting good albums from 2008 here’s one final post about 2008 with a cream of the crop selection and we go straight to 2009! Promise!

Rest of the mentions for 2008 :

Ursula Bogner – Recordings 1969 – 1988 : Jan Jelinek’s new record label Faitiche’s impressive debut release was the pioneering work of electronic music of the late Ursula Bogner, the yet undiscovered amateur musician.
Paavoharju – Laulu Laakson Kukista : Finnish free-psych folk collective Paavoharju hit it big time this year.
Women – Self Titled : previously on undomondo
The Dodos – Visiter : The Dodos went extinct on most of the end of the year lists, contrary to their hipness at the start of the year. Good progressive indie/folk.
White Denim – Workout Holiday : Along with Foals & Friendly Fires this indie/dance band was one of the more mainstream acts we enjoyed.
Quiet Village – Silent Movie : Among arguments of pastiche & nostalgia, Quiet Village made one of the most pleasing psychedelia of this year trailing right behind The Advisory Circle.
Karl Hector & The Malcouns – Sahara Swing : A late discovery on our part, this afrobeat/hiphop/funk mashup on Stones Throw surely deserves more words in the coming days.
Jack Rose – Dr. Ragtime & Pals / Self Titled : Jack Rose’s traditional revivalist guitar work triggered an obsessive period of Fahey & Basho for us. Great work and a must for your collection.
Balmorhea – Rivers Arms : previously on undomondo
Grails – Doomsdayer’s Holiday : previously on undomondo
Gojira – The Way of All Flesh : French progcore/death metallers Gojira replaced last years High on Fire album on our toplist, one of the more mature and enjoyable metal albums this year.
Goldmund – The Malady of Elegance : I’ve never quite been a fan of Goldmund’s solo piano work, but this time the timbre and the ambience is perfected on some songs.
Jacaszek – Treny : agree with Cenk Akyol, this is one of the best electronic music released this year.
Madlib the Beat Konducta – Vol. 5: Dil Cosby Suite : Madlib released four albums this year and this J Dilla tribute was the best one in our humble opinion.
Marnie Stern – This is it and I am it.. : Alright this was definitely a grower, when I did the initial non-review I was disappointed, but after a few listens I was hooked, so I take my words back, this is indeed a noteworthy followup to her debut.
TV on the Radio – Dear Science : Amidst all the hype and my reactionary stance, TV on the Radio’s album has some songs like Red Dress that would singlehandedly beat all songs I’ve listened to this year for the best song of the year.
Sawako – Bitter Sweet : previously on undomondo
Syd Matters – Ghost Days : previously on undomondo
Les Fragments de la Nuit : previously on undomondo
Fennesz – Black Sea : Not much to say it’s another great Christian Fennesz album, you like it or you don’t
Flying Lotus – Los Angeles : Although Flying Lotus’ Los Angeles was underwhelming, his style was spearheading our daily music intake so he’s included here.
Pierre Bastien – Visions of Doing : previously on undomondo

And the Top 10 once again so that we everything is in a single post.

Bar Kokhba Sextet – Lucifer : It is pretty amazing that Lucifer is no.6 on Rate Your Music’s 2008 Charts, provided that there’s never a concensus on albums and the place is riddled with Power Metal listeners & Classic Rock fans and indie fanboys. How in the hell a Chamber Sextet playing cinematic klezmer music composed by John Zorn and not on anybody’s toplist can make it into the aggregated chart shows you that unconsciously everyone knew this was the best album of the year. Previously on undomondo
The Advisory Circle – Other Channels : A close second, which only made it onto the Top 10 on Wire has the Ghost Box aesthetic written allover. If you’re into BBC Radiophonics, vocal snippets, early electronics, tape loops, British psychedelia this is your ticket to heaven, if not sod off. Previously on undomondo.
John Zorn – Dreamers : Another album of incredible compositions from Zorn, surf guitar by Ribot, vibes played by Kenny Wollesen and more cinematic ambience from percussionist Cyro Baptista.
Vivian Girls – Vivian Girls : Brooklyn’s answer to California’s Lo-fi scene. Previously on undomondo
No Age – Nouns : California’s answer to Brooklyn’s Lo-fi scene.
Dungen – 4 : Swedish psychedelic rock & jam band didn’t get the critical acclaim, but we discovered them recently so we’re still impressed with this one. Previously on undomondo
Larkin Grimm – Parplar : Previously on undomondo
Black Mountain – In the Future : Canadian stoner rock outfit Black Mountain took us back to the days of Black Sabbath.
Colour Haze – All : Believe me it took us more than a few listens to understand that Colour Haze are from Munich. Stoner Rock from Munich may sound like an oxymoron, but you have to listen to believe.
Bohren und der Club of Gore – Dolores : It seems the doomjazz masters went even more slower with Dolores. Infectious.
Nomo – Ghost Rock : Previously on undomondo

Best of 2008 lists from other authors