This year is pretty much over and, like a lot of folk, I've felt the need for some reason or another to make a list of records released this year that I like. 2008 has been traumatic/amazing for me for many reasons - I won't be forgetting this year any time soon. These are the records I lived with this year and I would love to know which records you liked this year too as I am a nerd and enjoy lists and pointless data collection…


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11. Genghis Tron - Board Up The House (Relapse)
I like zombies.

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As thoroughly exasperating as it to read top 10 after top 10 this time of year (usually all full of the same records), I never have enough self control to not get mixed up in it all. It gives me a chance to look back and see what actually did come out this year and how good a year it was for records. And also, most importantly, a chance to be a man and make a decision about one record that I think I enjoyed more than any other this year. I will keep it brief, here goes;

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10.…

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that is all.

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In a sense it is basic, unchallenging and at some moments downright cheesy, but the track Motr by Trans Am from the album Surrender To The Night is a concise, stunning and emotional piece of recorded music. I forget how good my favourite records are sometimes, so you'll have to excuse me. Listen to it if you can or indeed never have, it'll make you smile or pine. Or both.

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…no wonder he has been on television for so many years.

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with Crispin Hellion Glover.

This year I have been listening to a lot of Steve Reich for the first time as a result of picking up the Nonesuch retrospective box set Phases, which includes pretty much all of his most noted works. However, one piece I've always read about and heard fleeting reference to, but have never heard (until now) is Clapping Music. I came across this video link very incidentally the other day during regular wandering - that is to say, not by poring over the pages of stevereich.com but from other rather less artful online pursuits - and it is…

Just got back from a little holiday overseas and of course, i came back with a stack of stuff in exchange for pretty much all the money i have in the world. I managed to restrain my record buying to a certain extent, but I'm kinda glad because it's a quality haul. Probably the best stack of records I've ever come home with and I'm currently enjoying them whilst catching up with myself at home today. So here they are;

Madlib - Mind Fusion Vol. 4

Biosphere - Autour de la Lune

Ivor Cutler - Velvet Donkey

Kid 606 -…

Brisk. Best band in the country. Period.

And Palm have gotta be one of the best bands in Japan. Last.fm page sucks for these guys, so go here actually .

Last night at The Arthouse was pretty much gig of the year for me so far.

Enough said.

…i've decided to use it. it will contain my current 5 favourite pieces of music, in no particular order, subject to minor or mass changes without notice :)