Feature / Music
Pass The Mic: Record Labels and Artists on 2008

Words: Michael • Posted pre-2010

LINKS TO ALL THE PAGES

Aversionline.com (Andrew)

What are your top five albums that were released in 2008?

  1. Celestine - At the Borders of Arcadia
  2. Cynic - Traced in Air
  3. J. Bannon - The Blood of Thine Enemies
  4. Make Do and Mend - We're All Just Living
  5. Reign Supreme - American Violence

What band did you discover in 2008 that had an impact on your life? What made them significant?

Definitely Make Do and Mend. At first I felt like they needed a little work, but over time I absolutely fell in love with their debut EP, and "Imsomniac Jams" is one of the greatest songs in the fucking world. I've listened to that track more than any other song this year. Amazing, and highly recommended.

How will you remember 2008? (In terms of music.)

Not a great year, ha. A lot of weak albums were highly overrated, which I guess is somewhat commonplace every year, but? I don't know? I wasn't psyched about a ton of high-profile releases this year at all. Most of the truly great material was coming from more obscure bands, in my opinion.

Vinyl record sales saw a significant increase this year while hard copy sales continued to dwindle. Is this a return to the glory days for vinyl or just a phase? Explain.

I don't really know. Maybe collector types are having a bit of a resurgence or something, but I'm really not a vinyl fan anymore. I didn't start buying vinyl again until a week or two ago when I finally got a USB turntable, but? I'd still rather buy CD's or downloads. Vinyl's a pain in the ass.

What was the most memorable moment for you in 2008?

Hmmm, I guess the new Cynic album, even though it can't touch the mastery of "Focus." I'm just an enormous Cynic worshipper, so for them to finally release a new record was a really big deal for me, I guess.

What can we look forward to from you in 2009?

The same ol' same ol', ha! I hope that's good enough!

What three records are you looking forward to most in 2009?

The only two I can think of off the top of my head are the new Cannibal Corpse and, of course, the new Katatonia. There's gotta be at least a couple of others that I'm anxious to hear, but those are the two that are freshest in my mind.

Homepage: http://www.aversionline.com

Related features

Brux

One Question Interviews • April 14, 2026

Brux SPB: You choose to skip English and sing in your mother tongue. What are the pros and cons of this choice for you? Brux: Our songs are mostly in our mother tongue (spanish / catalan), we just have a few in English. Pros: they sound more natural, the link … Read more

The Goons

One Question Interviews • April 13, 2026

Serge (The Goons - vocals) SPB: How did writing the new material compare to when you sat down and started work on your last record – 19 years ago? Serge: The old stuff was written more collaboratively than the recent songs. These days we don’t get together as often as … Read more

The Arrivals

Interviews • April 12, 2026

The Arrivals have been a band for 30 years -- though they’ve made us wait 16 years for the follow-up to 2010’s Volatile Molotov. While a ton of time has passed and the band has moved, literally in some cases, and raised children in others, their sound is still the … Read more

The Gits

Interviews • April 11, 2026

Almost three decades after their original run, The Gits remain a vital part of Seattle’s punk rock history. Their raw intensity, emotional directness, and fiercely independent spirit continue to resonate with new generations discovering them through streaming platforms and reissues. In 2026, the band’s legacy is further honored with the … Read more

Dead Pioneers

One Question Interviews • April 2, 2026

Abe Brennan (Dead Pioneers) SPB: How many Nazi teeth do you think you could knock out in a single punch? Brennan: Hi, Chuck, nice to hear from you, and thank you for the opportunity to discuss the dislodging of Nazi teeth. I appreciate it. So knocking Nazi -- or any … Read more

More from this section

The New York Dolls: Reflections and Legacy

Music • March 30, 2026

I first discovered the New York Dolls in the mid-to-late 1980s, just as I was beginning to stretch the boundaries of my musical journey. Up until then, my exposure to music had mostly come through my parents, aunts, and uncles. They planted the initial seeds, and those seeds quickly grew, … Read more

Post Office Experiences

Music • March 10, 2026

In a different world, which we think was shortly before COVID and MAGA and all things bad and in ALL CAPS occurred, Scene Point Blank had the idea to write a comprehensive piece about mailorder experiences from the people who dedicate their free time to sending you records, cds, tapes, … Read more

Demos You Want To Check #2

Music / New Kids On The Block • January 12, 2026

The musical landscape is ever changing. New genres are popping up, new hypes burst out of nowhere and then die out, and new bands present themselves to the world. How on earth are you expected to keep up, right? Well, a little help never hurts! So here we are, your … Read more