Love is Elusive.

2008 was quite the year for music. And who could have scripted a better conclusion to the year that was in music than with the latest Animal Collective effort, Merriweather Post Pavillion, seeping onto the internets on Christmas Day. While I’m sure that most of us are slowly and pleasurably digesting this new album, there are a lot of albums from 2008 that went unnoticed. While I can’t possibly cover all of them, I will try my best to give credit where credit is due. MP3s from the albums can be found at the post’s conclusion.

UpCDownC… — Embers (2008)

Embers, the sophomore effort from Kent’s UpCDownC, is one of the year’s finest post-rock albums. In a year clouded with deserving praise for bands like This Will Destroy You’s S/T debut and Russian Circles’ Station, UpCDownC managed to discover a happy medium which I believe will cater to fans of both aforementioned established post-rock bands. The main flaw of Embers is that at times it feels a bit bipolar. The album ranges from beautifully constructed guitar melodies to heavy brutal riffs. Though I feel that this album is at its’ best in those songs saturated with pleasing melodic guitars, there is certainly something for everyone in this effort.

Unwed Sailor — Little Wars (2008)

Although this is a stretch, I figured I’d put this one down here for good measure. While Unwed Sailor is a well known band in the post-rock scene, I feel their music should be more popular than it actually is, which blows my mind. Little Wars, Unwed Sailor’s latest effort is more rock-based than anything they have done before (or at least anything since The Faithful Anchor). This album is the best translation of their live set onto CD to date. Look for History, their next effort, to be released sometime in ‘09.

Moonlit Sailor — A Footprint of Feelings (2008)

Moving from Unwed Sailors to Moonlit Sailors (ugh, cheesy as hell, I know). This is one of the year’s most beautiful albums. The debut album from a Swedish Post-Rock band out of Malmo is solid gold. Absolutely stunning guitar melodies leads to a more commercial-poppy Explosions in the Sky-esque sound. I can’t really say enough good things about this album, so please check out the opening track at the bottom of this post.

Akira Kosemura — Tiny Musical

To say this album is a work of art is an understatement. One of my favorites of the year is this third effort from Japan’s Akira Kosemura. Utilizing simplistic acoustic guitar, piano, and organic beats, Kosemura is able to craft a innocent and genuine modern day masterpiece in the instrumental realm. Seriously, I can not say enough good things about this album. Buy it and listen to it again and again. Pure brilliance.

You.May.Die.In.The.Desert — Bears in the Yukon

Of course, I had to end with a local favorite. You.May.Die.In.The.Desert’s Bears in the Yukon is an album which does justice to their live sets. This album rightfully conveys the energy and passion of the band on stage. Taking the theory used by Mogwai of applying layers upon layers of distortion, YMDITD takes this and applies it to the realm of delay. The aural pleasure of hearing the distressing ring of delay throughout an entire song has become the established trademark of this Seattle Post-Rock trio. While delay does indeed cloud the album, the band does not lose sight of constructing well-crafted songs ranging from ambient drones, to math rock riffs, and screeching feedback. One of this year’s most enjoyable post-rock experiences. Also check out their Harmonic Motions split with Gifts from Enola. Specifically the track The Sound of Titans — in my opinion their best work to date.

Akira Kosemura — Overture (Tiny Musical, 2008)
Akira Kosemura — Departure (Tiny Musical, 2008)
Moonlit Sailor — A Footprint of Feelings (A Footprint of Feelings, 2008)
Unwed Sailor — The Garden (Little Wars, 2008)
UpCDownC… — Cascades (Embers, 2008)
UpCDownC… — Our Flowers (Embers, 2008)
You.May.Die.In.The.Desert — Bears in the Yukon (Bears in the Yukon, 2008)

Edit

I realize I forgot to mention the awesomeness of Lymbyc Systym. They recently stopped by the daytrotter studios and recorded a session. You can find that here.

Also, check out their Field Study Split EP, which was released late this year with This Will Destroy You. Quality stuff.