Top five music moments of 2008
It's the most list-tastic time of year, and I'm getting into the swing of it with another one of my own: my favourite music moments from this year, as far as I can remember.
My relationship with music is a weird one these days: I'm as passionate about what I like and what I don't as I have ever been but I hear much less new stuff, so you'll find that this list contains (I think) no songs that were actually written in 2008! Given that my musical highlight of 2007 was probably a woman singing opera outside the National Gallery I suppose I shouldn't be surprised. Anyway, here they are:
One day like this, Elbow performing on Later... with Jools Holland
Elbow had a great year as their album The Seldom Seen Kid won the Mercury Music Prize and this performance has a victorious feel to it, full of the confidence and satisfaction of a hard-working band getting the breaks. Grounds for divorce is a catchier, more striking tune but this was a good moment and that's what this list is about (kind of).
Archangel, Burial
Another lift from the Mercury, hearing this tune for the first time was an exciting taste of something new (however out-of-date I may be). The bass murmurs and the beats twitch as contorted, ethereal vocals drift along threatening, lonely streets. Dark and desperate not to stay disconnected, Archangel feels like the mournful voice of our inner cities, beautifully unsettling. The sound is called Dubstep and dance music continues to give Protestantism a good run for its money in the competition to see who can have the most sub-genres.
Our God He reigns, Simon Brading featuring 29th Chapter
As previously discussed this is a thrilling, faith-stirring compound of styles, hearing it live was a great experience in a great week.
The humans are dead, Flight of the Conchords
More award-winners. I love the harmonies, the intricate lyrics, and the fact that this has made me laugh a lot.
The Dark Knight theme, Hans Zimmer
Like the film, this piece takes a long time to get going and is rather earnest but it's good nevertheless. The horn element (1:22 on) carries both a threat and hope, perfectly encapsulating the Dark Knight himself. It's repeated throughout the film and made for great cinema.
My relationship with music is a weird one these days: I'm as passionate about what I like and what I don't as I have ever been but I hear much less new stuff, so you'll find that this list contains (I think) no songs that were actually written in 2008! Given that my musical highlight of 2007 was probably a woman singing opera outside the National Gallery I suppose I shouldn't be surprised. Anyway, here they are:
One day like this, Elbow performing on Later... with Jools Holland
Elbow had a great year as their album The Seldom Seen Kid won the Mercury Music Prize and this performance has a victorious feel to it, full of the confidence and satisfaction of a hard-working band getting the breaks. Grounds for divorce is a catchier, more striking tune but this was a good moment and that's what this list is about (kind of).
Archangel, Burial
Another lift from the Mercury, hearing this tune for the first time was an exciting taste of something new (however out-of-date I may be). The bass murmurs and the beats twitch as contorted, ethereal vocals drift along threatening, lonely streets. Dark and desperate not to stay disconnected, Archangel feels like the mournful voice of our inner cities, beautifully unsettling. The sound is called Dubstep and dance music continues to give Protestantism a good run for its money in the competition to see who can have the most sub-genres.
Our God He reigns, Simon Brading featuring 29th Chapter
As previously discussed this is a thrilling, faith-stirring compound of styles, hearing it live was a great experience in a great week.
The humans are dead, Flight of the Conchords
More award-winners. I love the harmonies, the intricate lyrics, and the fact that this has made me laugh a lot.
The Dark Knight theme, Hans Zimmer
Like the film, this piece takes a long time to get going and is rather earnest but it's good nevertheless. The horn element (1:22 on) carries both a threat and hope, perfectly encapsulating the Dark Knight himself. It's repeated throughout the film and made for great cinema.