Best Electronic Albums of 2008

[Tabitha]

Please post your favorite electronic albums from 2008, in order or otherwise.

[JonG]

What, so you can judge us first? Where's your list? ::

We've discussed this some in the "Best of 2007" thread, but here are some favorites of 2008 at the moment:

Toby Tobias - The Feeling 12" [REKIDS]
Twine - Violets [Ghostly International]
Echospace - Obmx (mp3 release) [echospace]
Dapayk Solo - Devil's House [Mo's Ferry Prod.]
Claro Intelecto - Metanarrative [Modern Love]
Anders Ilar - Sworn [Level Records]
Alva Noto - Unitxt [Raster-Noton]
Slowhouse - Two 12" [Slowhouse Recordings]

[Tabitha]

Well, my picks aren't really electronic in the classic sense, I don't think. For instance, how would you distinguish between "electronic" and "electronica"? Or, what does the genre description "electronic/dance" mean to you, because I'm a little fuzzy on that. Given that I've scarcely heard of anything on your list, I think I'd rather take some of your recommendations to heart first, and then post something a little more comprehensive. I'm just getting rolling with my electronic jag this year anyway.

[JonG]

I use the term "electronic" to refer to the entire genre. I don't like the term "electronica". I think that term was invented by the press in the 90's when electronic music almost broke big in the States with the Chemical Brothers, Prodigy, the Crystal Method, etc. "Electronic/dance" is just a category mostly used by record stores. Not all electronic music is danceable but to the lay person it might be thought of as just "dance" or "club" music. I guess that's why they use it.

I think those artists you listed in the introduction thread fit into the genre of electronic. If you have a list of albums by those or other like-minded artists please share 'em.

Be on the lookout for Morgan Geist's new album Double Night Time. Almost every song features vocals by the Junior Boy's Jeremy Greenspan.

[Tabitha]

Wow. I didn't know that, and that album has definitely now jumped to the upper echelon of my most anticipated. As far as my favorite electronic albums of '08 so far, it would roughly go like this:

Air France - No Way Down EP
Dan Friel - Ghost Town
Clark - Turning Dragon
HEALTH - DISCO
Portishead - 3rd
Atlas Sound - Let The Blind Lead...
Hurcules & Love Affair - s/t
Matmos - Supreme Balloon
Cut Copy - In Ghost Colors

Are you familiar with these?

[Iota]

Portishead - 3rd

Third is, by far, 08's most overrated album. Portishead could have released anything and everyone would have been like "WTF AWESOME".

My favourite electronic album is Detrimentalist by Venetian Snares.

[Tabitha]

Man! Your recommendations are slaying me right now. This is exactly what I was lookin' for. Thanks a bunch!

[Tabitha]

Third is, by far, 08's most overrated album. Portishead could have released anything and everyone would have been like "WTF AWESOME".

My favourite electronic album is Detrimentalist by Venetian Snares.

I'll have to respectfully disagree with you here. But, I can understand feeling that way about the album. It kinda sounds thrown together, the vocals are pretty over the top in a way, etc. At the same time.. it just works. For me, that is.

Great recommendation though with Venetian Snares. I've been hearing a lot about that album lately.

[JonG]

Portishead - 3rd
Hurcules & Love Affair - s/t
Cut Copy - In Ghost Colors

Are you familiar with these?

I own these ones. I know of Atlas Sound because he's from Atlanta. I've met him. I know of the others but haven't listen to those particular albums. I think 3rd is quite good. It shows that they have not been sitting our their hands the past ten years. There is certainly a progression and it doesn't sound exactly like their previous work.

[Tabitha]

You met Cox? What type of encounter was it, and what did you talk about?