NINE

Album

9. Johnny Foreigner - Waited Up 'Til It Was Light

Birmingham trio Johnny Foreigner released their debut album in June of this year, delivering 13 three-minute hot buttered crumpets of Brum indie gems. Alexei and Kelly's vocals play off each other in a boy-girl-boy-girl Los Camp!y sort of way, probably one of the reasons the band are compared to LC! - who they also toured with this year - so often. At times some lyrics are completely illegible but it kinda works. At three times, they're probably one of the bands I've seen most this year - once as a support to LC!, once at Reading and then at Cardiff Barfly in September. Highlights include Yes! You Talk Too Fast just generally, and the tune of I Dream of Jeannie to lead into Cranes and Cranes and Cranes and Cranes.

Songs

18. Slow Club - Me and You

Again, I can't really be sure of whether this is 2007 or 2008 but Slow Club are a cool little twosome I discovered this year - so this year they shall be. This song was probably the first I'd heard from them too, and it's just magical twee goodness. The last chorus in particular incorporates a sing-along of sorts which just sounds amazing. The perfect accompaniment to a warm Summer's day

17. Why? - The Hollows

Another discovery I've made this year despite Alopecia being their third LP released in May. An experimental mix of hip hop and indie, The Hollows is haunting from the start as its ... oh fucking hell, whatever. It's good ok? Am I seriously gonna have to write about songs every day? Why did I commit to this? Blaady hell. But yeah, goooood song. With just a slight jingle of pocket change pulsing.