It’s that time of year again… We’re making our list and checking it twice, trying to find out who’s been naughty or nice. Yes, it’s our Album of the Year! More coveted than a shiny penny, more famous than the winner of last year’s X-Factor and guaranteed to start debate!

This year, to shuffle blame away from TLOBF HQ, we’re getting YOU, yes, YOU the reader, to vote for the albums YOU think are the best 2008 had to offer. We’ve whittled down a mammoth list of prospective albums to a mere 50. It’s tough work, but someone had to do it.

So, mouse button at the ready - get clicking! You can pick as many albums as you like, there are no limits. If you feel it’s worthy of “Album of the Year” status, then do the right thing and cast your vote.

If you need some help making that all-important decision, you can read our take on the albums listed in our 2008 archive here.

The poll will close on Friday December 12th.

There is a prize up for grabs for one lucky reader. Some very kind record companies behind the following 50 records have offered up a selection of prizes including: ultra-rare vinyl, posters, t-shirts and CDs by some of the nominees, plus a pair of tickets to see the sold-out Fleet Foxes show at London Roundhouse in February 2009. To be in with a chance of winning this mammoth and hugely exciting prize, enter your details at the bottom of this page. The lucky winner will be notified via email. Competition closes on Friday 12th December.

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Welcome to the second edition of our new monthly feature: ART OF NOISE. It’s a simple concept. We ask bands we love to make us a mixtape and tell us exactly why they picked each track. Thus, you get some free kick ass music AND find out more about some of your favourite artists taste. Everyone literally, is a winner.

This months mix tape was curated by Meredith Godreau, the brainchild behind FatCat Records’ newest act Gregory & The Hawk. Her beautiful debut album Moenie & Kitchie (TLOBF review) is available through all good outlets now and she is about to embark on a TLOBF sponsored tour of the UK. Click here for the dates.

The nine tracks here show clearly where Godreau’s roots lie.. The Sundays, Sebadoh, The Velvet Underground, plus tracks from TLOBF heroes The American Analog Set and Guided By Voices. Needless to say it’s an essential mix.

1. The Juliana Hatfield Three: ‘My Sister’
Juliana Hatfield was a role model of mine from the Blake Babies days.

2. Sebadoh: ‘Social Medicine’
I got introduced to Sebadoh last year through the song ‘Brand New Love’, which I couldn’t stop listening to. This song was new to me when I added it to the mix, but i immediately liked the slow unfolding.

3. Karl Blau: ‘Before Telling Dragons’
Mike and I first heard about Karl Blau this past August when we visited the Secretly Canadian office and Nick gave us a copy of the brand new album Nature’s Got Away. This track immediately stood out because of the funny way the melody goes with the words and the addictive drum beat.

4. The Softies: ‘Awful Mess’
Used to dabble in The Softies, but hadn’t listened to them in years. I found this song and remembered how pretty it was.

5. The Sundays: ‘You’re Not The Only One I Know’
The Sundays are the perfect band, Harriet Wheeler is the perfect singer, and all the songs are perfect. I picked this one cause I like the singing riffs at the end.

6. Mew: ‘A Dark Design’
I just heard mew last week and mistook it for mum doing a My Bloody Valentine cover version.

7. The American Analog Set: ‘Sharp Briar’
A nice song that sounds good loud.

8. Guided By Voices: ‘Everywhere with helicopter’
Another old favorite of mine, I think to love Guided By Voices involves listening to whole albums at a time, but this is maybe a good representation of their energy ad sound.

9. The Velvet Underground: ‘Stephanie Says’
A cheesy song for the end of the mix.

Download: Art Of Noise #2 : : ‘Gregory & The Hawk’ [.zip file]

FatCat records’ signing of Meredith Godreau was actually a happy accident. Whilst on business in NYC enjoying a few sociable drinks, Meredith appeared on stage with her band and captivated them in seconds. Although she’d been going under the moniker of Gregory and The Hawk since 2003 and achieving cult success on the blogosphere she had in fact no record deal and no manager. That soon changed after the performance, FatCat had her in a recording studio a month later which resulted in the staggeringly beautiful album Moenie & Kitchie. If you’ve not discovered the kooky charm of Meredith, wander over to her MySpace page for a listen - the songs will have you in their grasp in seconds, and whilst you’re listening you can get to know Meredith a little better below. She doesn’t give too much away mind you. But when trying to explain her own sound she couldn’t have said it any simpler or truer… Continue Reading

We expect a lot from music, at times. Songs can lift moods, express sympathies, or calm fiery tempers. One my first listen to Gregory and the Hawk, I’d just come home from work and was in a foul mood. (I work with children, enough said really.) The aim was to distract myself rather than get rid of my current agitated mental state. However, I’m please to report that Gregory and the Hawk did exactly that. Despite my complete unfamiliarity with it, Moenie and Kitchi managed to turn my frown right upside down, courtesy of haunting vocals, humble but powerful melodies, and exuding the general feeling you get when you let out a big sigh. Aaaaahhh… Continue Reading