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Post by Professor Gommel on Dec 11, 2008 19:55:18 GMT -5
As the holiday season nears, that time-honored Shite ’n’ Onions tradition approaches and we find ourselves contemplating the annual question: “What were the ten best CD of 2008?”
Okay, granted, 2008 is not over, (which is why the ol’ voting poll hasn’t surfaced yet from our esteemed Kahuna’s desktop,) but, looking back on past lists, (and I did!) I noticed a trend that I am hoping to circumnavigate this year; all of the top ten CDs from 2005, 2006 and 2007 were by bands from English-speaking countries.
I am not saying that there is any blatant discrimination going on. Nor am I suggesting some fiendish cover-up, (that goes “straight to the top!”). To the contrary, I realize that this type of music is generated moreso from countries that natively speak in the Queen’s tongue than other countries and that the voting is done based on popularity among the S’n’O listeners and it is simply possible that the CDs from those other nations just weren’t as good.
However, in an effort to inch this style of music ever so closer to its eventual destiny of world domination, er, that is, acceptance, I want to remind the voters of the “also runnings,” in this survey.
The obvious big name contenders, (and each with a damned fine offering. Its been a really good year!):
The Fisticuffs - Neatly Stumblin’ Flogging Molly - Float The GO Set - Rising The Mighty Regis - Another Nickel For The Pope The Pubcrawlers - One Too Many Again Real McKenzies - Off The Leash The Righs - The Rivers Run Deep The Tossers - On A Fine Spring Evening The Vandon Arms - Health to the Company The Wages of Sin - Gringo Mariachi
And a serious point of deliberation: Neck’s Come Out Fighting has been available for electronic purchase since September, but the disc as an actual DISC isn’t released until mid-January, 2009. Is this an ’08 release or an ’09? Judges?
The also runnings: Tortilla Flat, From Vine to Wine. A Swiss band with a sound similar to a Celtic Social Distortion. Mr. Irish Bastard - The Bastard Brotherhood. German band sounding like MacGowan-era Popes. Irish Stew of Sindidun, Dare to Dream. (See recent review!) If these guys were more accessible, I believe they would be among the biggest names of the whole genre! In Search of A Rose, Kind of Green. Great long running German band. And one of their stronger, punkier releases. The Cherry Coke$, Sail the Pint. I’ve actually only heard three or four tracks off of this one. Konsumo Respeto - Como te Iba Diciendo. From Spain, in Spanish. Recently made available as a free download here on S’n’O... The Redhill Rats - Some Heroes. Outta Helsinki, Finland. Also recently made available here @ S'n'O.
This is only new material releases. I didn’t include live CDs or compilations. If we are gonna include those than you can add The Killigans, The Mahones, Jaime Clarke’s Perfect, and The Kissers to that list, as well as the Pogues box set.
Did I miss anyone?
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Post by kinksmarkham on Dec 14, 2008 13:06:14 GMT -5
Hi Chris,
Excellent write-up about the Japanese scene.
Regarding the list, I agree with Fisticuffs, Tossers, the Vandom Arms and Neck as some of the best albums of the year. Real McKenzies last albums are not so good as the first 3 albums, so, IMHO, "Off the Leash" should not be included in the Top 10 list. Flogging Molly "Float" is better than RMcK "Off the Leash", but I would put it at the bottom of the list.
I must admit that you were rigth and the second album by the Serbian band Irish Stew of Sindidun is really good. And I am happy that you have enjoyed my recommendation about Mr. Irish Bastard.
Finally, I have been listening today Tortilla Flat "From Vine to Wine". Interesting album, I have found influences by bands such as Screeching Weasel, Rancid and even Attila the Stockbroker's Barnstormer. However, they should have chosen other traditional tunes covers instead of "Scotland the Brave" and "Auld Lang Syne".
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Post by Professor Gommel on Dec 14, 2008 16:13:20 GMT -5
Excellent write-up about the Japanese scene. Thanks! Glad you liked it. Regarding the list, I agree with Fisticuffs, Tossers, the Vandom Arms and Neck as some of the best albums of the year. Real McKenzies last albums are not so good as the first 3 albums, so, IMHO, "Off the Leash" should not be included in the Top 10 list. Flogging Molly "Float" is better than RMcK "Off the Leash", but I would put it at the bottom of the list. WHOA! Gotta say, that is NOT my suggestion for a top ten list! I probably should've made it more clear. Those are just CDs that came out in 2008! The first half of the list is in alphabetical order only!The second half is a list of bands from non-English speaking countries who had a CD released in 2008! This is not the official poll. I was only reminding the potential "voters" of as many candidates as I could think of. And I was asking for inclusion of bands that I may have missed. (I know that the band " Smiting Shilelaghs" out of Jersey had a release called Unfiltered Blarney, but I have only heard their MySpace tracks, (good sounding stuff, despite the corny name!) I must admit that you were right and the second album by the Serbian band Irish Stew of Sindidun is really good. And I am happy that you have enjoyed my recommendation about Mr. Irish Bastard. Mr.IB is really good stuff. Thanks again for the 411 on them. Irish Stew is actually among my choices for year's best. Finally, I have been listening today Tortilla Flat "From Vine to Wine". Interesting album, I have found influences by bands such as Screeching Weasel, Rancid and even Attila the Stockbroker's Barnstormer. However, they should have chosen other traditional tunes covers instead of " Scotland the Brave" and "Auld Lang Syne". Yeah. They've a good sound, but I agree. Those tunes have been done to death, (file under "Wild Rover.") You're the guy plugged into all the bands from the back end of Europe. So, help us out here... What other CDs came out in '08 that should up for consideration?
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Post by kinksmarkham on Dec 20, 2008 5:53:03 GMT -5
Good morning to everybody! It is not easy for me to say which albums that have been released in Europe during 2008 should be included in the 2008 list. First of all, unfortunately I don't have enough time to hear all the albums that I have bought/downloaded and sometimes the ones that I am regularly hearing are not from 2008, but from 2007 or 2006. Secondly, even if we have a single market in Europe, the music market is not quite homogeneous. This is mainly due to the fact that we have too many languages. So maybe there is an excellent band in Latvia or Bulgaria playing paddy punk and I will not be able to notice that for a long time. Anyway, these are some of the bands that I feel that the s'n'o community would enjoy: Skontra. A band from Asturias, Spain. www.myspace.com/skontraTheir albums and demo can be downloaded for free from their website: www.skontra.net/descarga.htmlThe album Cantares pa Dempues d'una Guerra has been released in 2008. Bastards on Parade, from Galicia, Spain. They have released a couple of EPs and will release an album next year: profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=65762633The second EP, Whiskey in My Heart, has been released in 2008 Pilsner Oiquell, from the Czech Republic. Their name comes from a well known Czech beer, Pilsner Urquell. www.oiquell.eu/www.myspace.com/oioioipilsneroiquellThe album Na Zapadni Fronte Klid has been released in 2008. Apart from those bands, as it was mentioned by Professor Gommel, Mr. Irish Bastard, from Germany, has released an excellent album in 2008, The Bastard Brotherhood. www.myspace.com/mririshbastardwww.mririshbastard.com/Finally, these two bands are not Europeans, but Brazilians: Ketamina: www.myspace.com/ketamina77At their myspace site there is a link to download their album Pode Vir Me Internar for free. Maltz: www.myspace.com/maltzfolkrockSome songs can be downloaded from www.tramavirtual.com.br/maltzI Hope that you will enjoy some of these bands.
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Post by Professor Gommel on Dec 20, 2008 22:33:33 GMT -5
I forgot about Bastards On Parade. Great stuff! (In English, too.)
Thanks for the leads on that other stuff. I love how the Paddy-Punk sound is reaching into and planting seeds in almost every corner of the globe.
Although it would make the creation of a definitive Paddy-Punk Database, (or PPDb,) a daunting endeavor. That is, if, of course, some particularly ambitious Shite 'n' Onions member or Celtic Folk-Punk fan were, in fact, planning to attempt such thingy. ;D
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Post by Barnacle Brian on Dec 25, 2008 11:38:15 GMT -5
Damn, I haven't heard half of 'em... I hate my job.
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Post by uberursine on Dec 27, 2008 18:12:21 GMT -5
So, if anyone can put in their 2 cents, my list follows... I'm only ranking the albums I own, and have heard all the way through multiple times...
1 Wages of Sin - Gringo Mariachi 2 Mr. Irish Bastard - The Bastard Brotherhood 3 Kissers - Live Candy Ratz 4 The Go Set - Rising 5 Tossers - On a Fine Spring Evening 6 Meisce - Shipwrecked in a Bottle 7 Flogging Molly - Float 8 Dreadnoughts - Legends Never Die 9 The Mighty Regis - Another Nickel for the Pope 10 Neck - Come Out Fighting (I bought it on eMusic.com in 2008, so I'ld call it a 2008 album)
(more folk-punk than celt-punk, but the following albums need mention as they both are extra excellent)
Zydepunks - Finisterre Deadly Gentlemen - The Bastard Masterpiece
and for the sake of completeness the following albums were released this year if anyone wants to vote for them...
Dirges - When Laughing got you Killed Black 47 - IRAQ Greenland Whalefishers - Amazing Space (although it is a comp of previously released material)
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Post by Professor Gommel on Dec 29, 2008 1:21:10 GMT -5
So, if anyone can put in their 2 cents, my list follows... I'm only ranking the albums I own, and have heard all the way through multiple times... 1 Wages of Sin - Gringo Mariachi 2 Mr. Irish Bastard - The Bastard Brotherhood 3 Kissers - Live Candy Ratz 4 The Go Set - Rising 5 Tossers - On a Fine Spring Evening 6 Meisce - Shipwrecked in a Bottle 7 Flogging Molly - Float 8 Dreadnoughts - Legends Never Die 9 The Mighty Regis - Another Nickel for the Pope 10 Neck - Come Out Fighting (I bought it on eMusic.com in 2008, so I'ld call it a 2008 album) Anyone's 2 cents are welcome, Superbear. Speaking of welcome, first post, eh? Welcome aboard! Decent looking list you got there. Some respectable entries. I think we may see quite a few of those on the list of others, too. I agree with you on Neck. Let's call Come Out Fighting an '08 release. That being said, I would would put it up higher on my own list. In the top 5, at least. and for the sake of completeness the following albums were released this year if anyone wants to vote for them... Dirges - When Laughing got you Killed Good call. I forgot about that one, (so early in the year!) Also an '08 release, (and worthy of consideration, too,) was The Porter's excellent CD, " Anywhere But Home."
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Post by uberursine on Dec 29, 2008 11:03:16 GMT -5
Thanks for the welcome, I've been lurking here for quite awhile...
Maybe Neck should be higher on my list, with so much good stuff it is so hard to rank one as better than another. I wish I could rank them all as 3rd, as the only 2 I'm certain of are #1 Wages of Sin - Gringo Mariachi, and #2 Mr. Irish Bastard - The Bastard Brotherhood
Also, I had to double check, but the Porters was 2007 (was an excellent album though (I'm playing it now...)
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Post by Paddy Rollingstone on Dec 29, 2008 14:13:42 GMT -5
Tnx for all the input on the 10 Ten. I'm going to call the new NECK one 2009 as it hasn't been offically released yet or promoted. If you don't see one of your fav. CDs in the 10 ten it's either cos your taste sucks or I haven't heard the CD.
Me not having heard the CD will not exclude the CD from the list - just most likely keep it outta the top 3 - as long of course as the CD has been reviewed in SnO (WoS) or I'm getting a general buzz from this board (towards the bottom of the list or an honourable mention).
A comp can be included if there is significant new/unheard stuff (and I really like the band)......hint, hint......
Still deciding on those bands on large indies where the PR people can't be bothered to send in a review CD (txn for nothing Victory and sideonedummy)
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Post by NJPADDY on Dec 29, 2008 15:28:04 GMT -5
Haven't bought many music CD's this year. On a silent movie kick of late so most of my spare change has been going to Criterion and Kino.
As for my favorite cd's this year #1 Wages of Sin #2 Dreadnoughts #3 Killigans Live at the Zoo Bar
Also if eligible, Meisce. I have the old demo version of it, but it's still a great cd. I wish they would come out with new material. I think Amazing Grace was actually released near the end of 2006.
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Post by Professor Gommel on Dec 29, 2008 15:33:24 GMT -5
Also, I had to double check, but the Porters was 2007 (was an excellent album though (I'm playing it now...) It appears that you are correct, sir. I was lazy. The review was written in 2008. And yeah, excellent CD.
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Post by Paddy Rollingstone on Dec 29, 2008 19:27:09 GMT -5
we can be flexiable with years and since It wasn't considered for the 2007 list I think its fair if it gets a shot @ 2008
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Post by bigmac on Dec 29, 2008 23:04:41 GMT -5
just to recap
The Fisticuffs - Neatly Stumblin’
Flogging Molly - Float
The GO Set - Rising
The Mighty Regis - Another Nickel For The Pope
The Pubcrawlers - One Too Many Again
Real McKenzies - Off The Leash
The Righs - The Rivers Run Deep
The Tossers - On A Fine Spring Evening
The Vandon Arms - Health to the Company
The Wages of Sin - Gringo Mariachi (got mine yesterday will listen tonite!)
Tortilla Flat, From Vine to Wine. (dunno but, meh)
Mr. Irish Bastard - The Bastard Brotherhood.
Irish Stew of Sindidun, Dare to Dream. ( top choice!)
In Search of A Rose, Kind of Green. . The Cherry Coke$, Sail the Pint. ( iTunes says it's just an EP + it only has 4 tracks)
Konsumo Respeto - Como te Iba Diciendo.
The Redhill Rats - Some Heroes.
Bastards On Parade
3 Kissers - Live Candy Ratz
6 Meisce - Shipwrecked in a Bottle
8 Dreadnoughts - Legends Never Die( fav.)
9 The Mighty Regis - Another Nickel for the Pope
10 Neck - Come Out Fighting
Killigans Live at the Zoo Bar
The Porters - Anywhere but home ( yes? are... are we allowing this?)
I go for the Dreadnoughts ( one of few albums since Siobhan[blesses self] that i liked every track) and WoS through to list all my favs would just repeat the list again.
(didn't like Float or Off the leash. Definietly not either of their better releases.)
P.S. does anyone know if iTunes will get Rising or maybe where* i could get a copy in N.A.?
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Post by Professor Gommel on Dec 29, 2008 23:57:10 GMT -5
Good to see someone else with IRISH STEW OF SINDIDUN in their top spot. Now I just have to organize the rest of my top ten! So, NECK, Come Out Fighting is a 2009, and THE PORTERS' Anywhere But Home is in the running for 2008. Yes? BigMac, THE CHERRY COKE$' Sail The Pint IS a full-lengther, BTW, but iTunes only has 4 tracks of it, (the only four I've heard, too.) But, to listen to more, go here: www.amazon.co.jp/gp/switch-language/product/B001AMRAKU/ref=dp_change_lang?ie=UTF8&language=en%5FJPAlso looking for THE GO SET's Rising. All out at CDBaby, apparently.
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Post by Professor Gommel on Dec 30, 2008 1:48:24 GMT -5
Here is my (suggested) list of ten best releases of 2008.
I based my selection solely on frequency of listens, (and, from what I have heard on MySpace, CDBaby and the S'n'O Down-Under podcast, if I owned The GO Set's Rising, that may well have bumped something off...)
But, here are my faves from 2008:
1. Irish Stew of Sindidun - Dare to Dream 2. The Pogues - Just Look ‘em Straight in the Eye and Say “Pogue Mahone!” 3. The Mighty Regis - Another Nickel for the Pope 4. Mr. Irish Bastard - The Bastard Brotherhood 5. The Tossers - On A Fine Spring Evening 6. The Wages Of Sin - Gringo Mariachi 7. The Righs - The Rivers Run Deep 8. The Dreadnoughts - Legends Never Die 9. The Fisticuffs - Neatly Stumblin’ 10. (TIE) Flogging Molly - Float / The Porters - Anywhere But Home
Plus I'd like to honorably mention:
In Search of a Rose - Kind Of Green
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Post by kinksmarkham on Dec 30, 2008 9:05:45 GMT -5
Given that the Porters have been admitted, even if it was released in 2007, I was wondering if the debut album by the French speaking Canadian band Corrigan Fest "La Victoire en Chantant", which was also released in 2007, is valid. It is one of my favourite albums from the last years. This band was born in 2003 when a couple of guys which had played in different punk rock bands from Montreal (Banlieue Rouge, Shock Troops, Generatorz) met. They released a 5 tracks demo in 2004. In 2006 the old guitarist from Banlieue Rouge joined the band and they released their first album in 2007. A new album is due for 2009 and the band will be touring Europe next Summer. www.corriganfest.comwww.myspace.com/corriganfestSomething about this band in English: www.montrealmirror.com/2007/032207/music6.html
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Post by Paddy Rollingstone on Dec 30, 2008 13:03:43 GMT -5
The top 10 is now 13 release with 2 joint 1st and 3 joint 10s.
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Post by ruthlessnate on Dec 30, 2008 14:38:17 GMT -5
I wish I could afford all of these albums. The only ones I got this year were: The Righs - The Rivers Run Deep (of course, since I'm in the freaking band) Flogging Molly - Float The Tossers - On A Fine Spring Evening The Tossers - Gloatin' and Showboatin' on St. Patrick's Day The Pogues - Just Look Them Straight In The Eye and Say "Pogue Mahone!" (*cough*pirated*cough*)
Those are definitely the best. However, State of Grace by Street Dogs features a lot more Celtic sound to it than previous releases I've heard, and I think it deserves consideration.
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Post by Professor Gommel on Dec 30, 2008 14:55:44 GMT -5
The top 10 is now 13 release with 2 joint 1st and 3 joint 10s. Yeah, its been a good year for the ol' Paddy-Punk.
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Post by Tom Fucking McSod on Dec 30, 2008 15:49:42 GMT -5
Jus', t'cover my own ass 'ere...
The Dreadnoughts - Legends Never Die This whole albumn... to the last second is amazing.
Mr. Irish Bastard - The Bastard Brotherhood Jus' sayin'.
The Tossers - On a Fine Spring Evening This albumn actually re-affirmed my faith in these boys. I'd been steadily losin' interest over the last few albumns
Real McKenzies - Off The Leash This albumn, much like the above stated Tossers, re-affirmed my faith in a band I once loved, bet was losing.
Wages of Sin - Gringo Mariachi
------------------- -------------------
Completely in this order. Out of what I managed to pick up this year... Those capped off everythin'.
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Post by uberursine on Dec 30, 2008 19:13:32 GMT -5
I see alot of mention about Irish Stew of Sindidun, and I like the stuff on myspace... Where are you purchasing the cd - the only place I can find to buy it is yu4you.com and I can't read the site...
Also, for whoever was asking, I got my Go Set - Rising from Amazon.com, but it isn't there anymore - so that wasn't really helpful... sorry
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Post by bigmac on Dec 30, 2008 23:12:01 GMT -5
I.S. CD - on Yu4You; top right hand side is a Srpski(Serbian)/English button to translate the page. Better yet - www.yu4you.com/trazi.php?terms=Irish+Stew&lang=enCurses! is still can't find The GO Set! *sigh*... wish i could get the Cherry Coke$ complete album. Not to mention the original Beer My Friends. Still, I have every other album on that list( dunno about that Tortilla Flat but, each to his own) so i guess i shouldn't really complain. (BTW had a hell of a time gettin' that Righs album. Anyone else have trouble?)
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Post by Paddy Rollingstone on Dec 30, 2008 23:44:00 GMT -5
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Post by wagesofsin on Dec 31, 2008 15:52:50 GMT -5
#4 again!?! Damn you, Pogues! ;D
I kid... I'm well chuffed to be in such exalted company. Thanks to all for the kind words and support - I am both flattered and honored. I'm flonered... or possibly hattered.
Happy 2009 all.
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Post by wagesofsin on Dec 31, 2008 15:53:29 GMT -5
PS - so when do we get our commemorative plaque? ;D
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Post by Professor Gommel on Dec 31, 2008 18:37:54 GMT -5
I'm not 100% sure, but I think Shite'n'Onions is the only site with a "10 Best Releases of 2008" list that contains 22 releases!
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