CD-Charts Position 1
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Sunday At Devil Dirt

by: Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan

Release Date May 12, 2008
After reading some mediocre reviews of this album I was shocked when I finally heard it and it turned out that I really enjoyed listening to it. It's clearly a step away from the first album, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. This album has much more of blues, kind of Nashville Skyline-era Bob Dylan, feel to it, and I personally think that their vocals work much better together here, whereas the first album often felt like one or other of the vocal tracks had simply been 'tagged on'.

All of the tracks on this album seem to gel together very well, and although there aren't really any stand-out 'single' type tracks, I do not think that this is a bad thing at all.

It might take a few listens to really get into it, ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 2
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Dig!!! Lazarus Dig!!! (+ 54 Page Booklet With Lyrics and Photos)

by: Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds

Release Date March 03, 2008
After the release of the magnificent "The Boatman's Call" it seems Nick Cave has chosen to release an album as soon as he had two or three inspired songs ready. It was certainly true for "No More Shall We Part", "Nocturama" and "Abattoir Blues/The Lyre of Orpheus" and it goes for "Dig!!! Lazarus Dig!!!" as well.

On this latest release the songs "Hold on to yourself" and "Jesus of the Moon" hold the standard we have come to expect from Nick Cave over the years, while the rest are bland and leave no lasting impression, even after repeated listening. When Nick Cave finds his inspiration he is an exceptional songwriter and performer so I'll give three stars for the two songs alone. If only he had put the best songs from the last four albums ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 3
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Third

by: Portishead

Release Date April 28, 2008
Much of the time bands who have gone into hibernation return with albums which are mere shadows of their previous work. This album is the complete opposite and successfully captures the eerie tones which occupy many of their best songs. I simply cannot pick a favourite from an album which oozes style.

CD-Charts Position 4
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Fleet Foxes

by: Fleet Foxes

Release Date June 16, 2008
HELLO? HI, THIS IS A GOOD ALBUM, THE SONGS ARE GOOD, IT MAKES YOU FEEL GOOD, IT MAKES YOU THINK.

CD-Charts Position 5
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Dig!!! Lazarus Dig!!!

by: Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds

Release Date March 03, 2008
To say Nick Cave isn't the force he once was, is like saying Vlad the Impaler had minor anger management issues. Glories LONG gone, he's resorting to loose balladeering and conventional rock in a vain and desperate attempt to disguise the fact he's got nothing new to say and should've given up on this music thing a long time ago.
A new Nick Cave album is cause for despair, where once it was cause for celebration. Ok, you can't go on re-living past triumphs (ask Morrissey) but the guy must have SOME of that early threat and purpose kicking around somewhere. Where's the gusto and urgency that drove classics like 'Nick the Stripper' or 'Mr Clarinet' ?
He's become a rock dullard, a pale imitation, a caricature of all he once meant.
He's got a hopeless ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 6
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For Emma Forever Ago

by: Bon Iver

Release Date March 24, 2008
For Emma just creeps up on you and invades your existence but in the most wondrous way. Had an awful long drive home one evening in the pitch darkness and listened to it properly. It's like having your best in friend in the car with you. When it finished I just put it back on again. Very wintry, isolated, atmospheric and lovely. Creature Fear and Lump Sum are brilliant. Lets not mess about all the songs are superb. And then of course there is "Re. Stacks" - the song of the year. Quite where Justin Vernon goes next I don't know but I do care a lot.

CD-Charts Position 7
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The Seldom Seen Kid

by: Elbow

Release Date March 17, 2008
Sorry to say I had never even heard of Elbow until I caught them on TV at this years Glastonbury.

Liked what I heard and bought the album (before they won the Mercury prize I hasten to add)

Was completely blown away by it. Have since invested in their back catalogue which have been equally impressive. All are highly recommended

It has certainly restored my interest in music .

CD-Charts Position 8
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Consolers of the Lonely

by: The Raconteurs

Release Date March 24, 2008
Some very clever songs on this album which show the inovative side to the Raconteurs!!

CD-Charts Position 9
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Oracular Spectacular

by: MGMT

Release Date March 10, 2008
See how they prance on the beach. Look at the hippy's long pink shorts. Aren't they cheeky?

Good little pop number this - will never set the world alight, but a fun-filled head-nodder. Pop should be fun I think! This is as much fun as when Michael Jackson cut down a tree with his hand, or when Madonna wore coffee filters on her boobies.

CD-Charts Position 10
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In the Future

by: Black Mountain

Release Date January 21, 2008
Not that you'd know it - what with this only being their second album - but Black Mountain main-man Stephen McBean has been around a long time. Then again, the tell-tale signs are all here: after all, you don't get to be this good at writing riffs overnight. And make no mistake, these are some of the best you'll hear all year - be they colossal, pedal-to-the-metal behemoths ('Stormy High') or delicate, exquisitely-crafted gems that lodge themselves in your brain and remain there for several days ('Wucan').

Every descriptive term used by previous reviewers - swirling, psychedelic, folky - is entirely apt, as are the references to the musical greats of the past. For those with a more modern taste, however... well, comparisons are little scarce. Not because Black ... Read More: