Whose Idea Was A Top 9, Anyway?

A change from the usual today, here are my favourite Oxon records of 2008, as posted on Oxfordbands.com. Quite hard to choose favourite records, as although I come across lots of new acts, I don't necessarily hear all the recordings, so it's an arbitrary list.

Not much else to say, so I'll leave you with this observation. You know that Gaviscon ad where a milky firemen surfs down a woman's throat, spraying pharmaceutical goodness around her oesophagus? Am I the only person who thinks that looks like the climax of some Trumpton blow job? I can't help seeing it as Fireman Sam's anthropomorphic ejaculate spurting down the gullet of some Pontypandy floozie. Sorry.

Edit: a quick trip to Google later, I realise I am not alone in forming this horrific image. I do feel better now.

TOP OXON RECORDINGS OF 2008

Les Clochards - Demo

"I get drunk and I forget things," alleges "Tango Borracho", but we won;t forget this eerie pop monologue. Edit - they released a full LP this year, and very good it is too, if you like wry Gallic cafe indie.

Ally Craig - "Angular Spirals" 7"

Wonky full band outing is lyrically obtuse but deeply lovable. We want a full LP!

Euhedral - Burned Out Visisons

Economy implodes! Venues close! "Hallelujah" raped" Never mind, watrm fuzzy drones wil make things better.

Family Machine - You Are The Family Machine

Yes, the songs are quite old now, but this brainy perk pop is as warming yet intoxicating as a pint of Drambuie.

Foals - Antidotes

Battles + Haricut 100 + studied funk artiness + stupid clothes = Blue Aeroplanes for the T4 generation.

Nonstop Tango - Maps & Dreams

Improv scamps impersonate Waits, on Oxford's least accurately named band's debut LP.

Space Heroes Of The People - "Motorway To Moscow"

Another cracking EP that sounds lovingly handmade and icily robotic simultaneously.

Tie Your Shoes To Your Knees & Pretend You're Small, Like Us - Demo

Journo baiting cockabout results in unexpected collaged fascination.

Stornoway - "On The Rocks"

New EP contrastingly reveals there's no end to this band's melodic invention, and that rag week humour really sucks.