By Sherwin Tay.

10. Yuppie Pricks – Balls.

 An album that doesn’t mind being number 10. If it could talk, it’d probably tell you to f*** off. Street corner punk in a tailored suit, a concept that’s hard to wrap your head around, but it works. Talk about turning the tables on conformity.

9. Faspitch – The Future Of Ear Repair

I would kill to catch these guys live again. This is the next best thing. Lush, manly post-hardcore, none of that whiney the-world-bleeds-for-my-pain bollocks.

8. NeverShoutNever! – The Yippee EP

Cliché, heartwarming, but oh so heartfelt. Put it on and be transported back to teenage rooms filled with posters of idols and dreams for the future.

7. Scars On Broadway – Self-Titled

Remember the stuccatoed, spasmodic goodness of System Of A Down? 2008 welcomes back the maestro who orchestrated a large part of it. System Of A Down’s six-string-samurai Daron Malakian puts his own spin on circle-headbanging, seizure-inducing, politically-incorrect comedy rock.

6. Jack & Rai – In Stores Now

It’s hard to believe that this came out of a studio based in a HDB flat. One spin of this sometimes cheeky, sometimes introspective, and always engaging record, and you’ll be hooked for a long, long time.

5. Meshuggah – Obzen

It’s the pinnacle of Meshuggah’s work. It’s Meshuggah. Need I say more? *fanboy cap on* FREDRIK THORDENDALLLLLLLLLLL.

4. Allura – Wake Up And Smell The Seaweed EP

Everyone loves an adorably quirky vocal powerhouse, especially when she’s fronting an immensely talented band of young musicians. The magic of an Allura set condensed into a CD; what’s not to love?

3. B-Quartet – Tomorrow Is Our Permanent Address

In their time, B-Quartet’s genre-bending work has moulded them into local legends that fill rooms with seasoned musicians giving standing ovations. This mind-blowing follow up to The Smitten Bard reinforces that point. Plus points for having one of the most entertaining vocalists you’ll probably ever see. 

2. Vertical Rush – Of Real Dreams

If there were to be a benchmark for album production among Singaporean acts, this is it. 4 years in the studio was time well spent.

1. Astroninja – Kiss My Astro!

Catchy, fun and most importantly, politically incorrect purveyors of “Astro-rock”. Huge hooks and bizarre lyrics abound, smashing themselves into one of the most exciting S-Rock albums this year.