Top 10 albums of 2008: part 2 (of 2)

The final top 5 albums in the ranking.

Top 10 albums of 2008: part 1 (of 2)

Now that I’m in the holiday zone finally, I can listen to all the music, watch all the music videos, and write on the blog without the feeling I should be studying for the exams. So here I return again (it comes in waves, doesn’t it?) with new posts.

I have never managed to finish my ‘top ten albums of 2008’, so I’ll do it now, in two post (I’d better write both of them right now just to make sure they will appear on my blog soon). I changed positions of some albums in the former ranking, but the very top ones are still.

It’s so 3008

Black Eyed Peas

Check out the Black Eyed Peas‘ new, visually stunning music video for ‘Boom Boom Pow’. I really like BEP’s futuristic image. Actually, is it so futuristic after all? The technology that is available now is truly amazing.
Enjoy!

I’d like to comb your hair

Tiga

Oh gosh, there are so many great tunes coming out recently that I can hardly keep up with all the news, let alone write about it on this blog. Actually, this blog is so two months ago… But let’s keep it running!

Here’s a really cool music video for Tiga’s new single ‘Shoes’ from his upcoming album Ciao! (to be released in three days). As you can see, ’80s are everywhere now. Listen to lyrics carefully, please!

Lights flashing

Calvin Harris

Now that’s what I call a hit. ‘I’m Not Alone’ is one of the best dance recordings that I’ve heard in a long time. That’s why it came as a surprise to me that it’s a track from Scottish singer/songwriter/producer Calvin Harris whose previous singles (‘Girls’, ‘Acceptable in the ’80s’) I didn’t like at all.

‘I’m Not Alone’ switches from melancholic ballad à la Snow Patrol to euphoric dance tune reminiscing ’90s rave anthems. I’m always attracted to dance songs that have a nostalgic note in them:

It’s about feeling too old to go clubbing – says Harris -  I’m 25 now and it does feel a lot older than when I was having my first hit aged 22.

Calvin’s song debuted at #1 on UK singles chart knocking off ridiculous ‘Poker Face’ by even more ridiculous Lady GaGa (thank you, Calvin Harris!). I bet it’s gonna stay there for some time.

Raindrops

Tonight, Basement Jaxx played their new single ‘Raindrops’ on Pete Tong’s programme on BBC Radio 1. The band’s upcoming fifth album Scars will be released in late may/early June.

You can listen to the single on Basement Jaxx myspace. ‘Raindrops’ is a nice tune and there is Felix on vocals ( I can’t remember if he was on any other previous tracks). Maybe I haven’t fallen for this track, but I can honestly say I like it. I just can’t wait to listen to the song with Santigold. And I hope that their song featuring Sam Sparro will be on the album as well. Oh my.

Norwegian summer fling

Yet another Scandinavian singer conquers European dance charts. So far I haven’t find anything special about Annie, her voice is just like hundred of other voices on pop market and her image is not original at all. However, her single ‘Anthonio’ is a killer!

Produced by Richard X, ‘Anthonio’ is an irresistibly pulsating dance track conveying a catchy disco nostalgia. The lyrics with a twist in the end make the song even better as it is released so close to summer; it’s like a trailer of an exotic summer fling. Musically, there’s also a twist in the end with a massive key change – well done, Richard X!

There is no doubt we will all hear the song on holiday parties over and over – the summer disco anthem is born.

Boom Boom Peas

Black Eyed Peas come back on the dance scene with the first single from upcoming album The E.N.D. (Energy Never Dies) to be released in the beginning of June.

‘Boom Boom Pow’ is supposed to be a new sound of BEP. Well, I have to admit that its killer beat is catchy, but auto-tune effect? Come on, this was cool a few years ago when T-Pain was using it, but the moment Kanye West used auto-tune, it has instantly become passé. So it kinda collides with the lyrics sung by Fergie: “I’m so 3008 / you’re so 2000 and late”. If there will be a comeback to mid ’00s then, yeah, they are so 3008…

But it all doesn’t change the fact, that it’s a great tune for dancing. Here comes the weekend! Check it out:

Dull flame of desire

Björk in 'Dull Flame of Desire' music video

To be honest, I wasn’t aware that Björk released a fifth single from Volta until last week. In my opinion, ‘Dull Flame of Desire’ featuring Antony Hegarty is one the most beautiful love songs ever made: intimate lyrics, breath-taking performances from both singers and raw, pulsing rhythm. To see a bigger picture you should listen to the 7:30 album version, but today I want to tell you about the music video and a great remix made for the song.

Bat For Lashes: Daniel