Shank Year End Wrap-Up (Listenings): Michael T. Fournier's 2008 Music List

by Michael T. Fournier

Mike is a Chunklet contributor and author of the 33 1/3 series book, The Minutemen's Double Nickels on The Dime.

In 2008, I went back to school in Maine and took a job as librarian of the college radio station. I put CD's away eight hours a week and listen to all sorts of music. What a great gig!

(* = older stuff I discovered in 2008)

*REFLECTOR by ANTELOPE
Jagged minimalism never sounded so sweet.

DUBAI CUTS: MODERN INFRASTRUCTURE WITH NEW WORLD PROBLEM SOLVING by CAMPAIGN FOR REAL TIME
Campaign's continued evolution into the world's best synth/dance band reaches new Timberlake/Fugazi heights.

FIRST STRIKE -- Live @ O'Brien's, Allston MA 2/5/08.
Never actually saw a bar-clearing brawl before.

A BILLION BALCONIES FACING THE SUN by GOD FIRES MAN
Dear the Edge: I forgive you. Bono, on the other hand.....

EL TORO by KETMAN
Three (agitprop) pieces, no waiting.

NOUNS by NO AGE
Everybody's down. And with good reason: these two are spiritual children of the mid-80's SST regime.

ROBBY ROADSTEAMER
 Jeez, which one of Robby's five 2008 LP's is the best? The double album from September, maybe?

SBACH by SBACH
Perhaps the finest 8-bit glitchcore record I've heard all year.

THIS IS IT... by MARNIE STERN
'The Crippled Jazzer' might be the song of the year. Where the hell's my kilter?

APRIL by SUN KIL MOON
Way more Red House Painters-y than their debut. Mmmm, sad.

*SEVEN DAYS AWAKE by TRALUMA
Seven Days Awake. A shame I never got into these guys while they were active. Post-whatever from Chicago that has elbowed its way into my lineup of the era's best.

DEAR SCIENCE by TV ON THE RADIO
The leap has been made, and I'm not talking about the one over the shark.

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Over the next several weeks, we will be regularly posting Year End Wrap Up lists from our friends, readers, and regular Shank contributors. So please stay tuned...