10. Bonnie “Prince” Billy
Lie Down In The Light

Lie Down In The Light? That’s a bit of a cheery title for a Bonnie “Prince” Billy album isn’t it? Well, yes, it is. On songs like ‘I’ll Be Glad’ and ‘For Every Field There’s A Mole’, you get a genuine sense of joy from hearing Will Oldham (for it is he!) wrap that creaking, croaking voice of his round lyrics such as “There’s a lap for resting head/ There’s the only nesting bed”. But don’t get too comfortable, in the same song he ends with this cheery couplet; “…hand to hold your throat/ To stifle that crying choke”. A rare talent, one that seems to flourish the more prolific he becomes and with a new album due next March, expect to see him on this list in 2009. His best, most consistent album since I See A Darkness.

Key track: 'Easy Does It'

* I know there's a formatting issue with the Bonnie "Prince" Billy bit. I can only apologise. Blame the tools, not the craftsmen.