I ken there's still a month to go, but unless Kanye's album turns out to be not as unbelievably shit as the single, it's not likely to change much

Much of what I like is not album based so the thread can include artists, tunes, albums, gigs, whatever you like.

Tom Waits at the Playhouse - I've only really got into Waits amazing catalogue in the last few years, but in that time he's worked his way up to become one of my favourite artists, so to see him at this ultra-rare visit to the UK was a treat. So many great songs, Innocent When You Dream and Picture in a Frame are beautiful memories.

Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago - An amazing find, a terrific sparse haunting album conceived in a Wisconsin log cabin. Sometimes you get these records that are just in a world of their own. Released in its original demo form without any (over) production and all the better for it.

Bristol dubstep meets Berlin - originally a London thing, this year saw an amazing scene consolidated with great dance music coming primarily out of Bristol, a hybrid of 2-step beats and the dubby techno sounds of Berlin's Basic Channel. DJs and producers Appleblim, Peverelist, Martyn and 2562 (both from Holland), Headhunter and several more produced some great tunes that captured my brain. One step further out there was Skull Disco head honcho Shackleton, whose run of EPs and remixes are probably my favourite music of the year.

Portishead - Third - 12 years on, a triumphant return, and a giant leap on from their previous sound. A pretty heavy and weird sounding record, but with the magic of Beth Gibbons voice still well intact. It's lasted well since its release, sounding stronger with each listen.

Flying Lotus - Wonky blurred hip-hop producer whose "Los Angeles" is my favourite album of the year. His music extended way beyond that though with a run of remixes (some official, some not so) that again are in a vein of their own.

What's been your music of the year P&B people?

Nicole Atkins - Neptune City. I suppose she could be described as the female version of Richard Hawley. Retro early 60's Roy Orbison type vibe going on married to modern production. The title track alone is worthy of the album being number 1 in my end of year list.

Calexico - Carried to Dust. Stunning album by one of my favourite bands. Brilliant twangy guitars, spaced out atmospherics, and wonderful songwriting. Calexico in a nutshell then.

Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes. One of the more interesting new discoveries of the year. Just simply a great album.

Teddy Thompson - A Piece of What You Need - Never heard any of is previous stuff before I listened to this. A great 'country-folk-pop' album.

Glasvegas - Glasvegas. Superb debut album from one of the laziest footballers ever to play for the Albion Shades of early Mary Chain, but more so the Raveonettes, this is 'Spector-pop' at its best. Kinda fades a bit towards the end but a very impressive debut nonetheless.

Loads of great albums this year.

Still keep forgetting to hear the Calexico - will need to check it out.

I liked the Fleet Foxes album, not listened to it enough to consider it a favourite but definitely one I'll go back to. It was MOJO's album of the year in their new issue.

Either I am getting old or another terrible year.

Was even disappointed with Mogwai and ballboy's albums (Which is unheard of with me), as well as Roddy Woomble's offering (along with Drever and McCusker)

I actually did enjoy Glasvegas album though

I've found myself spending a lot more time buying old music this year - both stuff that is rereleased and repackaged, or just things that I hear/hear about and investigate. Still, there was plenty new that I loved too.

On Mogwai, I like the album, they've just lost all WOW factor for me (on record at least). Not really sure how they could get it back.

Albums of 08
Kings Of Leon - Only By The Night
Oasis - Dig Out Your Soul
MGMT - Oracular Spectscular
Glasvegas - Glasvegas
The Verve - Forth

Singles of 08
Kings Of Leon - Use Somebody
The Verve - Love Is Noise
Oasis - Shock Of The Lightning
The Music - Strength In Numbers
Shadow Puppets - Standin Next To Me

Gigs of 08
Oasis - AECC
The Verve - TITP
Babyshambles - Barrowlands
The Streets - Barrowlands
The Enemy - Carling Academy

I have to say I was utterly underwhelmed by the Verve's album. And that 'Love is Noise' single is one of the most annoying records of the year. Shame really, as I loved the band when they were around in the 90's.

I've thus far managed to avoid The Verve and Oasis entirely in 2008.

I don't mind the Kings of Leon album though, not really my cup of tea but likeable enough as these things go.

Ditto all of the above.

1. Slipknot - All Hope Is Gone
2. Metallica - Death Magnetic
3. Sabaton - The Art of War
4. AC/DC - Black Ice
5. Edguy - Tinnitus Sanctus

Edit: All albums, for those not in the know.

It really was amazing. Although I was pretty certain that it would be something special, I went with the attitude that, no matter how good he is, there's no way that it can be worth paying £104 (includes booking fee) per ticket for the privilege. It was.

I went to see Leonard Cohen at Edinburgh Castle this summer as well, and that was another pretty special concert. He was such a dignified and gracious performer that he effortlessly overcome any reservations that I had about some of the songs arrangements, and his rather musoesque backing band. He really was great.

Would have liked to have seen him again in Glasgow earlier this month, as I'd imagine he would be better suited to a more intimate indoor venue, but I'd already spent a fortune on tickets for betrilbied gentlemen of a certain vintage this year and couldn't really justify it.

Top 5 singles this year:
1. Bloc Party - Talons
2. The Music - Strength in Numbers
3. Kaiser Chiefs - Never Miss a Beat
4. Snow Patrol - Take Back the City
5. Bloc Party - Flux

I didn't know the back story until there, but its quite funny you say it is in demo form because I was sure I could hear bum notes being hit all over the place. Oh well, it has got quite a feel about it, I don't Love the album but I really like a few songs off it, Skinny love especially.

No, no, no, no, no. It was like being smacked in the chops with a sledgehammer of tedious shite.

I have to say I missed a lot of the Glasvegas hype as I was in Canada and wasn't sure what the fuss was about after hearing Geraldine and Daddy's Gone, but after getting into it a bit it's an unbelievable album, the guy still came across as a pretentious p***k on Buzzcocks the other week though.

Gotta love a bit of Dubstep, Been mainly listening to stuff like Benga and Skream but i'll need to give some of these a listen.

Oasis - Dig Out Your Soul
Kings Of Leon - Only By The Night
Pete And The Pirates - Little Death
Albert Hammond Junior - Como Te Lama
Glasvegas - Glasvegas

Dubstep Allstars Volume 6 mixed by Appleblim on Tempa records is the best place to start for that sound, I'd say, it gathers tunes by most of those guys. There were also albums by 2562 and Headhunter that were brilliant in that vein, along with various tunes.

There was loads more great stuff in that vein but there's not many fans of it on here, so I drew the line at that wee paragraph

I've not had a great year musically speaking. It's all been about one event for me though that stands out whatever the year.

My Bloody Valentine at The Barrowlands - a gig that moved me physically as well as emotionally. Ferocious.

I suppose the new album I've listened to the most would be Vampire Weekend's one. It's just a lot of fun. It would have been so much better if we had had the weather to go with it during the summer.

Other than that I've not really been keeping up with much. I was glad to see The Futureheads come back with an album that's more like their debut (even if it seemed like a dumbed down version). My ex-local band The Subways returned with a good album (and a single of the year in Girls and Boys) that carried on from the last one. Not groundbreaking from either but fine for putting on in the background.

I'll take a kicking for listening to The Ting Tings. Barring one horrendous track about roundabouts it's a thoroughly decent pop album. I don't have an indie rock mentality when it comes to music so I can't get upset at seeing them at the top of the charts while being on the cover of the NME. If little kids are buying it then it's down to writting catchy pop tunes.

The Santogold album is worth a listen, very eclectic but I'm sure fans of MIA will be on soon to lambast her watered down effort. Great sounding Pixies-style track on there though. The Damon Albarn Monkey album is also worth a listen but it does take a while to get into. I defy anyone to enjoy it all the way through as it's the soundtrack to a musical in cantonese. As such, I feel you need the visuals to make sense of some of the stuff on here. There are a few tracks that are pure TGTBATQ and some of it sounds like the logical progression from Demon Days.

After that it's random singles for me, including (shock horror) The Kaiser Chiefs and Oasis efforts this month, along with Hot Chip, Estelle and Girls Aloud.

Disappointments for me would be the Hot Chip album from the start of the year (I initially like it but it got tired pretty quickly), Kings of Leon taking it down a notch into MOR land, We Are Scientists losing their spark and becoming another indie guitar bland and try as I might I can't get past MGMT's whining and pretention.

In a word - meh!

I pretty much agree with all of that.

MBV was awesome, definitely. Great to hear them live.

Agree on the Hot Chip - it just didn't work for me. I find them less than the sum of their parts - all the obvious influences just make me want to listen to those influences, and I don't think the ballads were particularly strong.

The Estelle single American Boy was fantastic, definitely one of my favourite pop songs of the year.

I'm still waiting for something good really.

I forgot to include my single of the year

Fascination by Alphabeat

Cant believe i forgot this classic

Gig Of The Year
Glasgow Carling Academy Elbow. No fancy bits round the edges. Just a five peace band playing there music to perfection absolutely bliss.

Top five albums in no particular order

TV ON THE RADIO…..Tv on the radio
Funky and sophisticated, takes me back to Rick James in many ways.

Erykah Badu….,New Amerykah
this is one lady of soul who should not be missed. One of the best voices you will hear in soul there is also a tuch of hip hop here but never overloaded with such shit. Very, very good album.


The Music 'Strength In Numbers'
Three albums in and there best to date. Dance Rock full of melodic songs and a full blown chorus from start to finish you will sing along with. Well under rated band.

Laura Marling… What We Said this,
could quite easily be album of the year Joan Mitchell, Nick Cave, Bob Dylan all spring too mind when this album is playing

The Cute Lepers…Can’t Stand Modern Music
Anyone like the Ramons & Undertons. This will be for you thrash fuckin thrash, tap the foot play the drums, adrenalin rush. I’m too old for this but who cares.

That's a brilliant album.

Some of the songs are actually about hip-hop - The Healer is pretty much a love song to it and Telephone is based on a story from the late great J Dilla's mum about how in his last days when flitting in and out of coherence, he said he'd had a phone call from another dead rapper, ODB, giving him directions "home".

Anyway, that's a wee aside, it's probably a bit overlong but one of my favourite albums of the year, definitely.

Colin I ordered that dance album you recommend.
So will pm you with thoughts when I give it a good listen. Home on leave next week

1. Muse @ Marlay Park, Dublin - Just brilliant, as Muse generally are.

2. Anti-Flag - The Bright Lights Of America - Some people didn't like it, I LOVED it.

3. Glasvegas' Self Titled Debut Album - Genius.

4. Story of the Year - The Black Swan - Love this band after only recently getting into them, this album's class.

5. Taste of Chaos @ ABC, Glasgow - As I Laying Dying, Story of the Year, Atreyu... enough said.

Ahem
Thanks to who?

Partially you, partially Taste of Chaos.

Gigs of 2008

Holy f**k @ TITP
Sigur Ros @Connect
The Hold Steady @ The Garage
Bruce Springsteen @ The Millenium Stadium
British Sea Power @ Fat Sams

Albums Of 2008

Amanda Palmer - Who Killed Amanda Palmer
The Hold Steady - Stay Positive
Ben Folds - Way To Normal
Sigur Ros - Með Suð Í Eyrum Við Spilum Endalaust
British Sea Power - Do You Like Rock Music?

Totally agree that 2008's not been a vintage year - the undoubted highlight for me has been Frightened Rabbit's Midnight Organ Fight; just a wonderful record. Liked the Death Cab effort as well, although certainly not their finest work. Was surprised by how good 22 Dreams by Weller was in places too, had it only been 11 dreams it might have been a classic.

Biggest surprise for me was the Mark Morriss solo effort, really good stuff on there. Other honourable mentions - Port O'Brien, The Maybes and the Dawn Chorus.

Only Australian thing that I've really got into since I've been here is Cruel Guard by The Panics, came out last year here though, and I think gets its UK release next year. Worth a listen.

Bands I'm looking forward to hearing more from in 2009 are Broken Records, Northern Portrait and White Lies.

I never knew anything about this

Bluetones are one of my favourite bands as well. Need to check this out.

Colin M, agree on Bon Iver and especially Flying Lotus (favourite album this year also), which I only discovered in the last 2 weeks or so, after having seen his the name a few times.

also
Jay Reatard - Matador Singles '08
Los Campesinos! - We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed
Nine Inch Nails - Ghosts I-IV (Not technically one album, but it was all released together)

overall, it's been a fairly average year.

Well, I think it's been another great year.

Apart from my top 5 earlier, I've also really enjoyed the 2008 offerings from The Silver Jews, Razorlight (yeah, really), Lightspeed Champion, Robert Forster, One Night Only,British Sea Power, Magnetic Fields, Foxboro Hottubs, The Last Shadow Puppets, The Shout Out Louds, Those Dancing Days, and I'm loving the new Killers album. I even liked the Panic at the Disco album.

The new ones from heavyweights Kaiser Chiefs, Coldplay and Oasis all had their moments, but I've not really gone back to them after the first few listens.

I was slightly disappointed with the offerings from both We Are Scientists and The Mystery Jets, as their preceeding albums were both excellent. The Kings of Leon one was much talked about, but I found it a bit dull (although I loved 'Sex on Fire). And Boy Kill Boy proved they never really had talent after all, despite their debut being listenable enough, although it sounds dated already.

Another good year then, lots of good stuff if you've got the time and patience to look for it.

This is a difficult one - I've worked my way through older music this year. Not many positives from my point of view. My list includes pretty much anything musical.

Mogwai - The Hawk Is Howling. Yeah, they haven't really evolved much in their twelve years...but if they're going to make music as wonderful as this I hope they keep going for the next fifty. It's a well polished effort.

This Will Destroy You - This Will Destroy You. An excellent post-rock album with more than its fair share of truly wonderful moments; the buildup's a joy and the payoffs are explosive. They've clearly been listening to the greats of the genre and borrowing drum patterns and song structures...but if the results are this magic, who cares?

65daysofstatic live at King Tuts - An explosive performance. Quite how the hell they can take every "industrial" sort of music there is, merge it and turn it into a quite beautiful beast is nothing short of extraordinary.

Sigur Ros - Með Suð Í Eyrum Við Spilum Endalaust. Half arsed, but Sigur Ros half arsed is just fine, thanks.

Trifonic - Trifonic. Free download - well worth it . It's a decent stab at the IDM style and well worth a listen.

I'm not a prolific music listener/ album buyer, so my picks are perhaps a bit limited.

Albums (descending order of goodness)
The Futureheads - This is Not the World
Kaiser Chiefs - Off With Their Heads
The Guillemots - Red

That's of the albums released this year, realy got into The Futureheads after their set at TITP: this third album is wihout doubt their most 'complete' sound. Very good.
Kaiser Chiefs slightly underwhelming, good oints and the inevitable "WTF?" blips. 2nd best album but not an 'Employment'.
The Guillemots album was okay but in comparison to the first one its a major and IMO unsuccessful change. They appear to be aiming for a shift album to album of styles - the next album will have to do better.

Gigs
1. Kaiser Chiefs @ TITP
2. The Pogues @ TITP
3. The Wombats, Corn Exchange
4. The Enemy @ TITP
5. The Futureheads @ TITP

Best New Act: The Last Shadow Puppets.

It's as shit as the single.

I had it in my hand in Fopp yesterday, and thought "why am I buying this? It will be shit". So I didn't. Sounds like the right choice!

2008 has been a pretty good year for me, musically. here's my top 5 albums

Failsafe - The Truth is...
The King Blues - Save the world, get the girl
Mouthwash - True Stories
Get Cape, Wear Cape, Fly - Searching for the hows and whys
Rise Against - Appeal to reason.

Honourable mentions go to Less Than Jake, Four Year Strong, All Idols Fall, Crime in Stereo, Feeder, The Skints, Mike TV and MAC

There's been some pretty good gigs this year. I've been to around 30 but I reckon Streetlight Manifesto on the 10th of Dec will top this list:

Failsafe @ Rockers 15th July
NFG/CIS/SYG/FYS @ Barras 23rd Nov
Less Than Jake @ ABC 19th Nov
MXPX @ King Tuts 17th Feb
Strike Anywhere @ Cathouse 2nd Oct

Album wise I think it's been a pretty good year,

I've really like albums by

Port O'Brien
Bon Iver
Los Campesinos (I'm fairly sure the first was out this year, though it may have been the end of 07)
British Sea Power

I've quite liked

MGMT
Vampire Weekend
Pete and the Pirates
These dancing days
Foals
Lykke Li
Ra Ra Riot
The Black Kids EP (the album was a big disappointment)
Errors
Magnetic Fields
The Shout Out Louds
Ida Maria

Been Disappointed in

Cold war Kids
WAS
The Black Kids EP (the album was a big disappointment)

Been a bit of a biscuit tin for me musicwise this year. Only 2008 releases i actually bought were by Vincent Vincent & The Villains, King Khan & The Shrines, Beck and Glasvegas. Have to say the Glasvegas album is amazing and the me of 15 years ago would be absolutely obsessed.

Shamefully i have to confess to picking up the top 40 albums on mp3 for £5 at the Barras every month which may affect royalties but if anything stood out as good enough i'd happily buy it and support the artist (once i'd picked up the best of the rest over the previous 30 years.)

As someone who only got a computer 18 months ago the whole hype machine/music blog world is still fascinating also.

Top 2008:

Song - Geraldine (Glasvegas), Ear Against The Wireless (King Creosote)

Album - Glasvegas

Event - George Clinton @ Bestival. The event of this or any other year. Sunny weather at Rock Ness

I think he sings in every single track, with that stupid robotic ''keep youarr love laockdowannannn'' voice all over the shop.

Good choice Colin!

In the album corner

Narrow Stairs - Death Cab for Cutie
Seventh Tree - Goldfrapp
With a buzz ... - Sigur Ros
The Seldom Seen Kid - Elbow
Stay Postive - The Hold Steady

The Fall, Ben Folds,MGMT, British Sea Power and Vampire Weekend entertained regularly as well.

Gigs

The Hold Steady - Garage
Holy F*ck - TITP
The Hours - ABC2
My Bloody Valentine - Barrowlands (Did anyone mention it was quite loud)
Sigur Ros - Connect

Honourable mentions to Teenage Fanclub, Richard Hawley, Elbow and British Sea Power who all did the business live.

Bizarrely it's picking up some great reviews (along with some crap ones). Maybe a love it or hate it thing. I'd like to hear it so will probably *cough* acquire it for a listen but no way I'll part with my readies for it.

Hiphop wise I've not really been on top of things this year - the Q-Tip album is great, just out a bit late to make my list. The Roots one was good in places too, like most of their albums not a masterpiece but always worth checking out. Other than that I've been into the various Madlib albums but can't think of anything else in that vein I've got this year, may have forgotten some and obviously things like FlyLo are hiphop but not rap.

Without doubt the highlight of my year has to be Sigur Ros at Connect i dont think i have ever been moved so much by live music it felt as if there was no one else there and when the sun set with a stunning red sky behind the watch tower i thought i was going to have a wee cry (this could have a lot to do with three days vigorous boozing though and the heebiejeebies catching up rapidly) almost perfect

other highlights would be Vampire Weekend, Fleet Foxes, Bon Iver (especially Skinny love) giving Laura Marling a bash (oo-er) On a Day like this by Elbow the stand out single of the year in my opinion

I've not bought many new albums this year, so a combined album and gig list is in order.

Albums:

Frightened Rabbit - The Midnight Organ Fight
The Hold Steady - Stay Positive

Gigs:

Triptych (Mogwai, Frightened Rabbit, Errors and others) - Tramway
Radiohead - Glasgow Green
Teenage Fanlub - Oran Mor

How could i have forgot about Radiohead at glasgow green!! shove that in with mine as well, just goes to show how good sigur ros where that i forgot i had seen my favourite band of all time

Not been the best of years really for me.

Album-wise, and in no particular order.
Delays - Everything's the Rush.
Forward, Russia! - Life Processes.
Tokyo Police Club - Elephant Shell.
Vampire Weekend.
TV on the Radio - Dear Science.

Have i missed a Laura Marling album?
I thought she had only released Alas i Cannot Swim

Anyway

Levellers-Letters from the Underground
Metallica-Death Magnetic
AC/DC-Black Ice
Chris Tt-Capital
The Wildhearts-Stop us if you've heard this before Vol 1
Seize the Night-Warrior Moon