Here’s my top eight of 2008, in alphabetical order (of course):

Andrew Morgan - Andrew Morgan (Independent)
This self titled effort from Lawrence, Kansas songwriter Andrew Morgan was first released by Moorworks in Japan in April. However, it is the digital version that Morgan released on his web site shortly after with a slightly different tracklisting that stands as the definitive version of his second full length. More accessible than its predecessor (2004’s wonderful Misadventures In Radiology), but by no means watered down, this is Andrew Morgan at the top of his game. Chamber pop may not be fashionable like it was at the start of this decade, but Morgan’s brilliant arrangements are breathing life into one of my favorite genres.

Benoît Pioulard - Temper (Kranky) (Original Review, Interview)
If you are a fan of Chicago’s Kranky label, then you have no excuse not to own this sophomore release from Benoît Pioulard. Temper isn’t necessarily new ground for Pioulard (real name Tom Meluch), serving instead as a pleasant extension of his 2006 debut, Précis. I struggle to think of another artist who is able to coherently blend melancholy folk with mesmerizing ambient instrumentals.

Chad VanGaalen - Soft Airplane (Sub Pop) (Original Review)
Of all the artists in Sub Pop’s history, Chad VanGaalen is among the most peculiar. Fortunately, he is also one of their best talents in recent memory. This Calgary resident splits his time between his basement and the half-pipe in his back yard. While he’s in the basement, VanGaalen builds instruments by hand for future compositions. His third LP, Soft Airplane, is a complex beast that features many of his best songs released to date. Some of VanGaalen’s work is compared to Neil Young, but with each record he releases, it is obvious that he is slowly establishing his own DIY sound that is morbid, beautiful, and exciting.

Mogwai - The Hawk Is Howling (Matador) (Original Review)
I wasn’t a big Mogwai fan prior to hearing The Hawk Is Howling, but they have my full attention now. The drones coming out of Glasgow are still splendid.

Portishead - Third (Mercury) (Original Review)
I always say that Portishead isn’t a band I listen to often, but when I do go back and listen to their albums, I regain my immense respect for their music. Third is the comeback album of the year and very few people will argue that. It is the album that I never thought would happen, an album that I had enormously low expectations for. I’m not sure how, but they’ve managed to stay relevant all these years later.

Spiritualized - Songs In A & E (Fontana Int’l)
He had to go through a series of near-death experiences beforehand, but Jason Pierce finally released a new Spiritualized record in 2008. His voice has clearly aged, diminishing the strength of his vocals at times, but this only adds to the haunting nature of the album. One of the most startling things about Songs In A & E is that it was written before Pierce’s bout with periorbital cellulitis and bilateral pneumonia. Pierce’s fixation on blues and soul music remains, but the compact construction of A & E makes it one of his most cohesive releases yet. A & E soars because Pierce has learned that less can be more.

The Tallest Man On Earth - Shallow Grave (Gravitation)
Refer to my post from 12/6/08.

TV On The Radio - Dear Science (DGC/Interscope)
Refer to my post from 12/9/08.

Earlier this year, Calgary’s Flemish Eye Records released the self titled debut from Women, a little known Canadian quartet. Women are fortunate enough to count Flemish Eye labelmate Chad VanGaalen as one of their biggest fans. VanGaalen produced the album shares concert bills with the group on a regular basis. It appears that Flemish Eye’s release of the album generated some notice here in the states. That attention culminated in July when it was announced that Jagjaguwar had signed the band and would be handling the U.S. release, which will take place on October 7th. Women will spend the fall season touring, not only with VanGaalen but also with Dungen and Julie Doiron. Dates are listed below:

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• Artist: Chad VanGaalen
• Album: Soft Airplane
• Label: Sub Pop
• Release: 2008
• Links: Flemish Eye, MySpace

Soft Airplane begins with two of Chad VanGaalen’s finest compositions to date, but only serve as a precursor for the surprises that his third full length packs. “Willow Tree” perfects the intimate folk that VanGaalen has tinkered with on his previous releases. The song segues immediately into “Bones Of Man,” a mid-tempo rocker that adds more fuel to the frequent Neil Young comparisons that are tossed VanGaalen’s way. The first five songs on the album visit familiar, yet refined territory for VanGaalen. It isn’t until Soft Airplane arrives at “Phantom Anthills” that he decides to throw a true curveball.

The electronic blips of “Phantom Anthills” represent the beginning of VanGaalen’s most experimental song cycle to date. There are softer moments scattered around (the haunting “Molten Light” and the forgettable Destroyer-esque “City Of Electric Light”), but the second half of Soft Airplane is anything but quiet. “TMNT Mask” is a such a trip that any attempt at a description would fall short. However, I can reveal to you that TMNT does equal Teenage Mutant Nina Turtles, in case you were wondering. These sonic explorations climax with “Frozen Energon,” a closing instrumental that would make Thurston Moore grin proudly.

Despite how much the album jumps around, VanGaalen retains a high level of consistency. His previous effort, 2006’s Skelliconnection, had some trouble with this. When I interviewed VanGaalen prior to that album’s release, he admitted to me that he had a great deal of trouble sequencing it. I am curious to know if he encountered similar issues with the adventurous Soft Airplane. Regardless, it does a much better job of balancing his singer/songwriter and experimental tendencies. VanGaalen continues to prove that he is one of Sub Pop’s most dynamic artists and Soft Airplane is only further confirmation.

Tour
9/21/08 - New York, NY - Blender Theatre @ Gramercy (with Giant Sand)
10/2/08 - Ottawa, Ontario - Zaphod Beeblebrox (with Women)
10/3/08 - Montreal, Quebec - Ukrainian Federation (with Women and Julie Doiron)
10/4/08 - Toronto, Ontario - The Mod Club (with Women)
10/9/08 - Vancouver, BC - Richards on Richards
10/10/08 - Victoria, BC - Sugar Nightclub
10/11/08 - Portland, OR - Doug Fir Lounge (with Giant Sand)
10/12/08 - Seattle, WA - Triple Door (with Giant Sand)
10/17/08 - Edmonton - McDougall United Church (WCMA CBCRadio3 showcase)
10/25/08 - Calgary - The Uptown Stage

Although it doesn’t appear Chad VanGaalen will be taking part in Sub Pop’s upcoming 20th anniversary festivities, that didn’t stop the prolific Canadian songwriter from contributing a new song to the third installment of the label’s Terminal Sales compilation. VanGaalen’s entry comes in the form of “Willow Tree,” (stream below) a track from his forthcoming third album, Soft Airplane. According to the sleeve that accompanies the compilation, Soft Airplane will be released by Sub Pop in September.

“Willow Tree” is a slow, haunting folk jam that continues to elaborate on the unique style that VanGaalen presented on his first two albums. I am curious to see if this multi-instrumentalist has any new experiments to offer on the rest of Soft Airplane. Listeners awaiting the release of Soft Airplane can check out VanGaalen’s production talents on the debut self titled full length from Women, another Canadian act. That album will be released in Canada & the U.S. on July 8th by VanGaalen’s original label, Flemish Eye.

TOUR
June 26 - Calgary - Science Centre
August 2 - Sackville, NB - SappyFest!