Movement (Collector's Edition)
02 JOY DIVISION - The Best Of Joy Division
03 GABRIELLES WISH - Live
04 ELIO E LE STORIE TESE - Studentessi
05 A CERTAIN RATIO - Mind Made Up
06 GLI ANTONIO BENASSI - Parma Parallela
07 SECTION 25 - Are XXX
08 SKARNEMURTA - Dirty Swing: L'Aperitivo
09 BLAKE/E/E/E - Border Radio
10 THE BREEDERS - Mountain Battles
11 OFFLAGA DISCO PAX - Bachelite
12 VARIOUS ARTISTS - Il Dono
13 KALEVALA - Promo 2008
14 STEFANO PILIA - Action Silence Prayers
15 THE CHARLATANS - You Cross My Path
The best of 2007 saw New Order at number 1 and Joy Division at number 2. The best of 2008 is no different, those dear old bastards have made their way to the top once again with yet another useless, but ultimately precious reissue/best of. While Joy Division's collectors editions added concert recordings, New Order's add all the non-album singles and b-sides. Movement is of particular interest for those who haven't been avid completists so far because it finally rediscovers a gem which has remained hidden in their discography. The real Mesh (the track which has been titled Mesh until 2002 was actually a mis-labelled Cries And Whispers) which had appeared on CD so far only on the 1981-82 US compilation. One of their best songs ever. And there are all those versions of Ceremony, Temptation etc. you might have missed until now. Now you have no excuse. Yet another best of Joy Division, but better compiled than Permanent, and hey, it's been 13 years since that compilation, so they have an excuse for this release, after all.
Gabrielles Wish brought us their first Live album since Live And Bobbins, and hey, it's been 11 years, so they have an excuse for this release, after all.
Elio E Le Storie Tese came back after five years and it was well worth the wait. Yet another masterpiece from this Italian band making unique sophisticated pop matched by funny but extremely intelligent lyrics. An unlikely clash between Steely Dan and Monty Python if you wish, but it works, it really does.
A much needed comeback comes from A Certain Ratio, we had to wait 11 years for this great album which rediscovers Factory sounds lost ages ago and includes songs like Starlight, one of their best ever.
Antonio Benassi is a legend in Parma, leader of underground veterans Le Borchie, he has been around for decades and finally releases his first proper album with a great band carrying his name. Sort of local Elio E Le Storie Tese, slightly more trad rock oriented but also slightly funnier. The title track is already an anthem in the town.
Section 25 came back last year, and this year have celebrated their 30 years with a compilation of Peel sessions and demos available for free download for a limited time. Nice to have another Factory band in the Top 10.
Skarnemurta released a wonderful EP heading the fans to their new direction, evolving their trademark sound to a Dirty Swing. Listen and get what it means.
I think I'll remember 2008 as the year I saw Massimo Volume coming back, six years after their split, with a hugely successful tour. We can hope for a new album next year, meanwhile last year we had the debut album by guitarist Egle Sommacal and a welcome CD reissue of his first band, Detriti. This year we have the debut of the band of former guitarist Marcella Riccardi, Blake/e/e/e. If you think the name is weird, wait for the music, which is also really inventive and emotional. What? A debut album in my chart! I know the artist has been around for ages, but at least this band has made a debut and it's fresh music, so let's get content with this.
It's unlikely we can wait for a new album by the Pixies, but at least we've had the welcome comeback of The Breeders with a small gem of rough and psychedelic post-country.
People had high expectations for Offlaga Disco Pax after their acclaimed debut. It was impossible for the follow-up to match it, but it's still a great album.
Il Dono is a tribute to Diaframma made by some other important bands of the Italian alternative scene like Marlene Kuntz and Santo Niente, but also promising emerging bands like Magnolia and Oshinoko Bunker Orchestra.
Kalevala have warmed up their ever growing audience for their next album with an excellent EP of great celtic folk metal. I know it doesn't sound really credible, after all the crap released under that tag by other bands, but Kalevala are different, they are really talented and make you believe that great music can be done that way as well.
Speaking of talent, Stefano Pilia is the new second guitarist of Massimo Volume, he is a precious addition to their sound and has a solo career as well releasing guitar ambient soundscapes.
The Charlatans have released one of their best albums, if not their best at all (less retro, more groovy)... for free!
Finally a mention for a band which would have definitely made the Top 5 in 2007 if I hadn't discovered them only this year. We haven't heard shoegazing as good as Airiel's since the glorious days of My Bloody Valentine, Slowdive and Swervedriver at Creation. Less ethereal than their British influences, and with a stronger rhythm section, but still extremely emotional, this band from Chicago floods an ocean of sound in your ears. And you want more and more. Many bands try do something like this, but get nowhere near.
Merry Christmas and a Happy 2009, time is short to save this decade from being the worst ever since rock'n'roll was invented, let's hope more new bands will do some effort, and that we'll be able to discover them in time... let's keep an ear for those youngsters struggling on MySpace... suggestions by streaming music sites like Last.FM might be useful as well... that's how I discovered Airiel...
