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01. Cocoon - On My Way
02. Lisa Hannigan - An Ocean and a Rock
03. Sambassadeur - Kate
04. Glen Hansard - Fallen From the Sky
05. Britta Persson - You Are The Best
06. Yann Tiersen (feat. Dominique A) - Monochrome
07. Centro-matic - I, the Kite
08. Vanguart - Los Chicos de Ayer
09. Glen Hansard - Trying to Pull Myself Away
10. Little Joy - Keep Me In Mind

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1. How did you get into 29?
Sun Kil Moon - Driving at night from Watkins Glenn through Montour Falls. It was a very confusing time in my life, I was in the backseat of the Ouca van, Elijah was driving and Willa was in the passenger seat. The song Carry Me Ohio haunted me.

2. What was the first song you ever heard by 22?
Fruit Bats - The Old Black Hole was the first song I heard from Fruit Bats, as it is the first track on their debut album. I was drawn to their music as they sounded much like The Shins, who I was devoted to at the time.

3. What's your favorite lyric by 33?
Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin - "Wait for me another year or two/ I will graduate and marry you" from Oregon Girl

4. How did you get into 49?
These United States - When Alexandra was living with me for a few short weeks in Harlem I took her downtown to see Horse Feathers at the Knitting Factory. These United States opened for them.

5. How many albums by 13 do you own?
Phosphorescent - I own Pride on vinyl, but digitally I have five (and one daytrotter session).

6. What is your favorite song by 50?
Music Tapes - I really like Freeing Song For Reindeer, though The Television Tells Us is a favorite as well, since it makes me think of that singing vintage TV, Static.

7. Is there a song by 39 that makes you sad?
Rogue Wave - Temporary always makes me think of a time when I was very vulnerable and searching for some stability.

8. What is your favorite song by 15?
Horse Feathers - Like Lavender will probably always be my favorite song by this artist. Certain things always stay the same.

9. What is your favorite song by 5?
Iron & Wine - Lord, tough call. I'm inexplicably drawn to the first album, though it has cemented itself as a pill crucial to ingest whole. As a stand alone song, I think Carouselis my favorite.

10. Is there a song by 6 that makes you happy?
Happiness isn't Luke Temple's strong suit, but when I hearthe owl song I often find myself grinning.

11. What is the worst song by 41?
Via Audio - Though they have such solid material, the duet presentsalways bores me.

12. What is your favorite song by 10?
Bowerbirds - I have to admit that I hold the song Dark Horse is very special to me as it makes reference to the 'great upstate of New York' and for that I will always love them.

13. What is a good memory you have involving 30?
Akron/Family - I went to see this band for the first time on Valentines day up in a euro-trash club in Greenpoint. I went with Elijah and we ate gummy bears before the set, and during the performance I met Tiel Reardon, and at the end of the show we rode the train together and have been friends since.

14. What is your favorite song by 38?
Great Lake Swimmers - Song for the Angels is one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard. It fills me with love and the desire to make it.

15. Is there a song by 19 that makes you happy?
Love - Orange Skies is a song so cheerful it could only be fully appreciated on a journey with friends. I hope I get to experience that soon.

16. Is there a song by 25 that makes you sad?
Elf Power - I never thought about it before, but Elf Power is a generally optimistic force in my life. I find comfort in the familiarity of the songs and the messages of hope. However, The Arrow Flies Close is a bit sad.

17. What is the first song you ever heard by 23?
Van Morrison - Actively the first song by Van Morrison I listened to was And It Stoned Me, though I'm sure I'd heard others before growing up.

18. What's your favorite lyric by 11?
Calexico - "I'm gonna walk these streets of cold concrete / Like I'm a ghost searching for its grave / Then I'll dwell by the edge of this man made lake / And descend into the city that holds no place for me" from Man Made Lake

19. Who is your favorite member of 1?
of Montreal - This is a hard question. In certain respects you might be able to argue that there is only one member of oM, as Kevin Barnes isolates himself and comes back with an album made entirely on his own. Still, without the impact of the live show, they never would have achieved the acclaim they currently enjoy. In that setting The B.P. easily steals the show with his wily charms. Bryan is someone I know and respect as both a person and a musician, so probably Beeps. Still, I wish I could have an afternoon to get to know Kevin outside of his stage persona.

20. Is there a song by 14 that makes you happy?
The Snake the Cross the Crown - Gypsy Melodies always lifts my spirits!

21. What is a good memory involving 27?
Sufjan Stevens - Pfft... I dunno. There was that one summer where Soupjam was all the rage with everyone. I would go from my car to Chazland to Eli's Ouca van to Willa's house and feel like I never missed a beat off Illinoise...

22. What is your favorite song by 16?
The Kinks - That's a really tough call. Toss up between Strangersand Picture Book.

23. What is the first song you ever heard by 47?
Grandaddy - Hell yeah, I remember it like it was yesterday. Charles and I were lazing about, watching MTV in our youth when a rather unusual music video came on, featuring a song that was way too cool for MTV. It was Crystal Lake, and the video featured a flying shack that landed in the middle of a big city, where the hillbilly inhabitants took some time to explore. It also featured a dancing bear. Look it up on Youtube, I know its there because I just watched it the other day.

24. What is your favorite album by 18?
Chad VanGaalen - Thats a difficult question. I think I'd have to say Skelliconnection, although Soft Airplane is also really amazing.

25. What is your favorite song by 21?
T. Rex - I'm going to have to go with Telegram Sam for this one.

26. What is the first song you ever heard by 26?
Tyler Ramsey- The first song I heard, like really listened to, was Ships. I was really into Ramsey when I lived in Harlem, but anymore I find him to be too much of a downer. I still think Ships is beautiful, though.

27. What is your favorite album by 3?
The Coral - Damn, I used to think they'd never top their self titled release, but since then I've grown to appreciate everything they've done. I think their latest, Roots and Echoes, is the best album in their catalog, but not by much. Every album is worth listening to, even Night Freak.

28. What is your favorite song by 2?
Casper & The Cookies - I love the song Moldy Flowers; that little stint towards the end always catches me off guard "Why give birth? / Why get born? / Why give hope to your fellow man and start the pain again?"

29. What was the first song you ever heard by 32?
Centro-matic - The first song I remember hearing is Strahan Has Corralled the Freaks, but in all likelihood it was probably The Mighty Midshipman, as it is the first track on Love You Just the Same.

30. What is your favorite song by 8?
Bonnie 'Prince' Billy - Probably Strange Form Of Life, though with such a prolific artist it's hard to pick just one.

31. How many times have you seen 17 live?
The Flaming Lips - The year I decided to finally get my shit together and go to college, the Lips played at the fucking New York State Fair and I had to miss it. That was the first sign that I was making a huge mistake. I still have not seen them live, but they top my list of acts to see.

32. Is there a song by 44 that makes you happy?
Tom Waits - Oh yes, Tom Waits is always an epicenter of joy in my life... Still, Don't Go Into That Barn always excites me, even though its about creepy secret slave shacks, and Step Right Up makes me think of Patrick Pigeonhead who I sometimes fear I wont ever see again.

33. How did you get into 12?
Bon Iver - When I lived in Harlem and only got to see Miranda once every two weeks, she introduced me to him. She came and said "You gotta listen to this guy" and played me a song off his myspace page. This was beforeFor Emma, Forever Ago came out. I didn't get really into them until I saw them live in Boston with Bowerbirds.

34. What is the worst song by 45?
Nana Grizol - It's hard to hate a song by these kids, but if I had to pick one... I guess Tiny Rainbows.

35. What was the first song you ever heard by 34?
Gorillaz- I heard Clint Eastwood after the video was released in the UK. Shortly thereafter I spread the album throughout my highschool. It was the most important thing I did there.

36. What is the first song you ever heard by 48?
Beck- I don't know, probably Loseror something that got actual airtime in the 90's.

37. How many times have you seen 37 live?
The American Analog Set - These guys broke up a while ago. I was considering going to catch their last show ever up in Toronto, but didn't feel passionately enough about it, so I skipped it. I'm sure they'll play together again sometime, since they're all mixed up in that retarded Canadian conglomerate.

38. What is your favorite song by 36?
The Helio Sequence - Probably Blood Bleeds purely for the nostalgia factor. It isn't their best song by any stretch, but it is the song that came to represent the soundtrack to my life's greatest event - a 10 day trip with no destination as long as we were going south. It was a crusade, it was my finest moment.

39. What was the first song you ever heard by 28?
Circulatory System - Yesterdays World, since it is the first song on their album. I quickly followed it up with the following 21 songs, though.

40. What is your favorite album by 7?
Devendra Banhart - I like his newest album, Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon the most, though Fatty would disagree.

41. Is there a song by 31 that makes you happy?
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band - Yellow Brick Road

42. What is your favorite album by 40?
Destroyer - I love the latest album, Trouble in Dreams. I feel like it is his most focused work, and he's able to finally leave behind the poet's ego that makes his previous albums so convoluted.


43. What is your favorite song by 24?
Starlight Mints - I love Rinky Dinky, but in the summer you just cant beat singing Popsiclewith your friends.

44. What is a good memory you have involving 46?
Tacks, the Boy Disaster - Just recently I played them on a very long drive with my friend Alexandra. We were both unemployed and driving is cheap therapy.

45. What is your favorite song by 35?
Samamidon- Hands down saro. It's one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard.

46. Is there a song by 9 that makes you happy?
The Olivia Tremor Control - Hell yeah, most of their catalog makes me happy. Namely Hideaway,A New Day, and Jumping Fences.

47. What is your favorite album by 4?
The Impossible Shapes - We Like It Wild is their best album, I'd have to say.

48. Who is your favorite member of 42?
Ummm... Neil Young.

49. What is the first song you ever heard by 43?
South San Gabriel - The first song I ever heard from them wasninety secretaries down, but that was back when I thought South San Gabriel was just the name of an album from Centro-matic. Turns out it's a full fledged side project. Go Figures.

50. What is your favorite song by 20?
Frank Zappa - I can't get enough of the song Motherly Love. I think is clever and funny, and it just sounds really nice.

My top 10 concerts for 2008:

1/19: Antone's: Jason Isbell (with Will Hoge, Jeremy Fisher)
2/10: Emo's: Dead Meadow (with Black Mountain, Blood on the Wall, The viet minh, Ringo Deathstarr, Strange Attractors)
2/21: Antone's: North Mississippi Allstars (with Alvin Youngblood Hart)
2/29: Austin Music Hall: Ghostland Observatory (with Dr. Jack)
5/30: Emo's: The Black Angels (with Brothers And Sisters, Possessed By Paul James)
5/31: The Parish: Centro-matic (with South San Gabriel, Sarah Jaffe)
6/22: (Houston) Jones Hall: Tom Waits
8/22: Emo's: Melvins (with Porn, Big Business)
9/26: KLRU-TV Studios: Drive-By Truckers
9/28: Stubb's: The Black Keys (with Jessica Lea Mayfield, The Black Angels)




The contenders:

1/19: Antone's: Jason Isbell (with Will Hoge, Jeremy Fisher)
2/10: Emo's: Dead Meadow (with Black Mountain, Blood on the Wall, The Viet Minh, Ringo Deathstarr, Strange Attractors)
2/21: Antone's: North Mississippi Allstars (with Alvin Youngblood Hart)
2/29: Austin Music Hall: Ghostland Observatory (with Dr. Jack)
3/12: SXSW:
* Red Eyed Fly: Two Gallants, White Denim, Octopus Project
* Mother Egan's: Abigail Washburn w/Sparrow Quartet (feat. Bela Fleck), The Silos
* Thirsty Nickel: Sunburned Hand of the Man
* Bourbon Rocks: Hopewell, Earthless, Witch
* Mohawk: Dodos, The Big Sleep
3/13: SXSW:
* Club Deville: Tim Easton (feat. Whipsaws), Buddy Miller, Old 97's, The Drams
* Red Eyed Fly: The Black Angels
* Tap Room at Six: Linus Pauling Quartet
* Spiro's: Colour Revolt
3/14: SXSW:
* Vice Saves Texas (outdoor): Monotonix
* Mugshots: Scale The Summit, Yakuza
* Longbranch Inn: Wooden Shjips
* Elysium: Sodopp, Avengers in Sci-Fi
3/15: SXSW:
* Typewriter Museum: Blind Mice, Shellshag
* Waterloo Park: Wooden Shjips
* Typewriter Museum: Attack Formation, Monotonix
* Side Bar: Dead Confederate
* Waterloo Park: Black Mountain
* Elysium: KbN, Damage, Toddle, The Emeralds, The Pillows
3/17: Emo's: Acid Mothers Temple (with Danava, Scorpion Child)
4/9: Paramount Theatre: Kids in the Hall
4/10: Austin Music Hall: The Mars Volta
4/14: (Houston) Verizon Wireless Theatre: The Mars Volta
5/1: (Houston) Meridian: Gov't Mule (with Grace Potter and the Nocturnals)
5/2: Stubb's: Raconteurs (with Birds of Avalon)
5/29: The Parish: Shearwater (with Follow that Bird)
5/30: Emo's: The Black Angels (with Brothers and Sisters, Possessed By Paul James)
5/31: The Parish: Centro-Matic (with South San Gabriel, Sarah Jaffe)
6/1: End of an Ear Records: Will Johnson
6/22: (Houston) Jones Hall: Tom Waits
6/28: Mohawk: Boris (with Torche, Clouds)
7/8: Waterloo Records: Will Johnson
7/26: Beerland: Tia Carrera (with Oh Beast!, Attack Formation)
8/6: The Parish: The Hold Steady (with The Loved Ones)
8/15: Room 710: Tia Carrera
8/22: Emo's: Melvins (with Porn, Big Business)
9/26: KLRU-TV Studios: Drive-By Truckers
9/26: Emo's (inside): Dead Confederate (with Wax Fang)
9/26: Emo's (outside): Drive-By Truckers
9/28: Stubb's: The Black Keys (with Jessica Lea Mayfield, Black Angels)
10/5: La Zona Rosa: Henry Rollins
10/10: The Backyard: Widespread Panic
10/11: The Backyard: Widespread Panic
10/31: Austin Music Hall: Australian Pink Floyd
11/8: La Zona Rosa: Buckethead (with That 1 Guy)
11/12: Beerland: Two Cow Garage (with The Healers)
11/14: Stubb's: Ghostland Observatory
11/22: Austin Music Hall: Black Crowes (with Buffalo Killers)
12/6: Trophy's: Tia Carrera
12/27: La Zona Rosa: Old 97's (with The Drams)

2008 was as great a year in music as 2007 was lackluster. Narrowing down my list to 10 of my favorites was harder than finding 10 from last year. Lots of surprises, new discoveries, and old favorites that delivered the goods.

My top ten:
--------------
1. Dead Confederate "Wrecking Ball"
Their eponymous EP was a nice prelude to this debut LP, but didn't hint at how great it would be. This thing has an undercurrent of discontent that doesn't just bubble, but roils with anguish. Stunningly awesome, and it digs deeper with every listen.
Standout tracks include "The Rat", "Yer Circus", "It Was A Rose"

2. Drive-By Truckers "Brighter Than Creation's Dark"
Despite having a few songs that I think could have been left off and not missed, there's some dynamite songwriting by Cooley and Hood, plus strong contributions from Tucker.
Standout tracks include "3 Dimes Down", "The Righteous Path", "Self-Destructive Zones"

3. Shearwater "Rook"
Amazingly atmospheric and nuanced, dramatic and spellbinding.
Standout tracks include "Rooks", "The Snow Leopard", "Leviathan, Bound"

4. Melvins "Nude With Boots"
Maybe their best and most listenable ever, I love the current lineup that incorporates Big Business. A brutal kick in the junk.
Standout tracks include "Dog Island", "Billy Fish", "Nude With Boots"

5. Black Mountain "In The Future"
Psychedelic stoner rock at it's modern finest.
Standout tracks include "Stormy High", "Queens Will Play", "Evil Ways"

6. The Hold Steady "Stay Positive"
My first experience with THS. I can easily see why they paired with DBT for a tour this fall.
Standout tracks include "Cheyenne Sunrise", "One for the Cutters", "Ask Her For Adderall"

7. The Black Keys "Attack & Release"
Took me a while to appreciate the Danger Mouse treatment, and I have to say I like the live renditions better than the recorded ones, but this is still a really good disc.
Standout tracks include "Oceans & Streams", "Strange Times", "Remember When (Side B)"

8. Otis Taylor "Recapturing The Banjo"
Anything that features Alvin Youngblood Hart is likely to end up as a favorite for me, but this would have been even on its own.
Standout tracks include "Ran So Hard The Sun Went Down", "Prophets' Mission", "Ten Million Slaves"

9. Buckethead "Albino Slug"
Obscene virtuosity and killer riffs.
Standout tracks include "The Redeem Team", "Siege Engine", "Symmetrical Slug"

10. Centro-matic / South San Gabriel "Dual Hawks"
The yin and yang of Will Johnson, the rock and the introspective.
Standout tracks include "Emma Jane", "Remind Us Alive", "Kept On The Sly"


Others that I liked a lot included:
Beck "Modern Guilt" (This pairing with Danger Mouse worked for me)
The Black Angels "Directions To See A Ghost"
Black Crowes "warpaint" (Their best in a very long time, thankfully erasing the horrid memory of "Lions")
Dead Meadow "Old Growth"
Ghostland Observatory "Robotique Majestique"
Hammers of Misfortune "Church Of Broken Glass / Fields" (Super enjoyable art-rock prog)
The Mars Volta "The Bedlam in Goliath" (Not their best, but really good)
Russian Circles "Station" (Best instrumental release of the year)
Ryan Adams & The Cardinals "Cardinology" (Adams' writing strikes me because it feels so personally and fundamentally biographical to myself)


Excellent EP releases:
Monotonix "Body Language" (Not as good as the live show, but captures the energy pretty well)
Jason Isbell "Live at Twist & Shout" (Should have recorded a full show for release)
Black Mountain "Future Sounds" (Excellent companion disc to the full-length release)


Live / Archival / Rereleases:
David Gilmour "Live In Gdansk" (Astounding renditions of "Astronomy Domine", "Fat Old Sun", and "Echoes")
Bob Dylan "Tell Tale Signs: the Bootleg Series Vol. 8" (If all we had were Dylan's outtakes, we wouldn't complain)
Dax Riggs "If This Is Hell, Then I'm Lucky" (Crushingly heavy and an interesting contrast of longer, more complicated songs compared with "We Sing of Only Blood or Love")

Land of Talk – Some Are Lakes
Annuals – Such Fun
Shearwater – Rook
Bon Iver – For Emma, Forever Ago
Joan as Police Woman – To Survive
Dear and the Headlights – Drunk Like Bible Times
Ryan Adams & The Cardinals – Cardinology
M83 – Saturdays = Youth
Damien Jurado – Caught in the Trees
Sigur Ros – Med Sud I Eyrum Vid Spilum Endalaust
Margot & The Nuclear So and So’s – Animal! / Not Animal
Fleet Foxes – [self-titled] / Sun Giant EP
TV on the Radio – Dear Science
Ra Ra Riot – The Rhumb Line
Jenny Lewis – Acid Tongue
Centro-matic/South San Gabriel – Dual Hawks
Elvis Costello & The Imposters – Momofuku
The Gutter Twins – Saturnalia / Adorata
MGMT – Oracular Spectacular
Tokyo Police Club – Elephant Shell
The Hold Steady – Stay Positive
Mates of State – Re-Arrange Us
Dokken – Lightning Strikes Again
What Made Milwaukee Famous – What Doesn’t Kill Us
The Stills – Oceans Will Rise
Ida – Lovers' Prayers / My Fair, My Dark
Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson – [self-titled]
Pride Tiger – The Lucky Ones
Thao – We Brave Bee Stings And All
Elbow – The Seldom Seen Kid

A few weeks ago I wrote about the best albums of 2008, as far as I'm concerned. There are a few albums though I did buy, but weren't good enough in the end to make that list. Here goes:

1. Eli 'Paperboy' Reed - Roll With You
The review I read about this album got my attention, but it's really not spectacular. Old skool with a modern sound.

2. Lou Reed - Berlin: Live at St. Ann's Warehouse
I'm no Lou Reed fan, but I like New York, and Songs for Drella. This isn't close though, too choral.

3. The Raconteurs - Consolers of the Lonely
I liked their debut, but this just isn't as sharp - despite Many Shades of Black.

4. Woven Hand - Ten Stones
I have a love/hate relationship with everything David Eugene Edwards does. I appreciate it, but it's just too... uhm... possessed.

5. Centro-matic/South San Gabriel - Dual Hawks
One of my heroes of the last few years, but combining both bands on one album just wasn't a good thing. Now they both are too flat.

6. Brian Eno and David Byrne - Everything That Happens
Interesting, but not groundbreaking.

7. Forward Russia - Life Processes.
Another love/hate relationship. I'd love to like them, appreciate what they're doing, but the songs won't be remembered and I can't get to like the voice.

8. Solomon Burke - Like A Fire.
Read the rave reviews about his comeback, but this is OK, not smashing.

Rules:
- Only one album by artist (otherwise, too many Pearl Jam or Sophia albums, etc.)
- Only genres of rock (no Portishead, Team Sleep, Statistics, Beethoven, Ellington, etc.)
- Places may change (difficult to make it orderly, etc.)

01. Sophia - Fixed Water
02. Pearl Jam - Vitalogy
03. Jeff Buckley - Grace
04. Honestly - Have a Nice Life
05. Radford - Black Out The Sun
06. Coldplay - Parachutes
07. Alice in Chains - Jar of Flies
08. Elliott Smith - XO
09. Bush - The Science of Things
10. Spain - The Blue Moods of Spain
11. Radiohead - OK Computer
12. Creed - My Own Prison
13. Vertical Horizon - Go
14. Pink Floyd - Atom Heart Mother
15. Soundgarden - Superunknown
16. Brother Cane - Wishpool
17. Idaho - Hearts of Palm
18. Lifehouse - Lifehouse
19. Live - Secret Samadhi
20. 3 Doors Down - 3 Doors Down
21. Marilyn Manson - Holy Wood (In the Shadow of the Valley of Death)
22. Red House Painters - Ocean Beach
23. Codeine - Frigid Stars
24. Fiona Apple - Tidal
25. Staind - 14 Shades of Grey
26. Dream Theater - Awake
27. Low - Long Division
28. Tool - Aenima
29. Darling - Ends in Fantasy
30. Cold - A Different Kind of Pain
31. Carissa's Wierd - Songs about Leaving
32. Korn - Life Is Peachy
33. Faith No More - Angel Dust
34. Kutless - Strong Tower
35. Stone Temple Pilots - Purple
36. Dinosaur Jr. - Green Mind
37. Bruce Springsteen - The Rising
38. Rage Against the Machine - Rage Against the Machine
39. Nick Drake - Bryter Layter
40. Sparklehorse - It’s A Wonderful Life
41. Dakota Suite - This River Only Brings Poison
42. Thornley - Come Again
43. Seventh Day Slumber - Once Upon A Shattered Life
44. Silverchair - Neon Ballroom
45. Paradise Lost - Believe in Nothing
46. The Rising - Future Unknown
47. A Perfect Circle - Thirteenth Step
48. Nirvana - Nevermind
49. Dishwalla - Dishwalla
50. Red Hot Chili Peppers - Blood Sugar Sex Magik
51. Dakona - Perfect Change
52. Deftones - White Pony
53. Familiar 48 - Wonderful Nothing
54. Damon Johnson - Dust
55. Institute - Distort Yourself
56. Tram - A Kind Of Closure
57. Mad Season - Above
58. Vonray - Vonray
59. Northmont - Waiting
60. Slave to the System - Slave to the System
61. Johnny Cash - American IV: The Man Comes Around
62. Steve Adey - All Things Real
63. Thomas Feiner & Anywhen - The Opiates - Revised
64. Doubting Paris - The Weapons of the Tongues of Lovers
65. Bedhead - Bedheaded
66. Red Halo - Dead Man's Vitamin
67. South San Gabriel - Welcome, Convalescence
68. Thalia Zedek - Liars and Prayers
69. Songs: Ohia - The Lioness
70. July For Kings - Nostalgia
71. Schaeffer - Something Worth Fighting For
72. Thriving Ivory - Thriving Ivory
73. Tracy Chapman - Telling Stories
74. Neil Young - Harvest
75. Nihil - Pandora's Box
76. Bonnie 'Prince' Billy - I See a Darkness
77. Jackson C. Frank - Blues Run The Game
78. Magnolia Electric Co. - Fading Trails
79. Stage - Stage
80. Ingram Hill - June's Picture Show
81. Foreign Oren - Foreign Oren
82. Fuel - Sunburn
83. The Offspring - Smash
84. LN - Dirt Floor Hotel Part 2
85. Jeremy Camp - Restored
86. Puddle of Mudd - Come Clean
87. Red - End of Silence
88. Mainstay - Become Who You Are
89. Monta - The Brilliant Masses
90. Audrye Sessions - Braille
91. PJ Harvey - Stories From the City, Stories From the Sea
92. Socialburn - Where You Are
93. Porcupine Tree - Deadwing
94. Mere - Switches & Dials
95. Breaking Benjamin - Phobia
96. Jackson Waters - Come Undone
97. Smile Empty Soul - Smile Empty Soul
98. Trading Yesterday - More Than This
99. Placebo - Without You I'm Nothing
100. Justin King - Fall/ Rise
101. Dave Matthews Band - Everyday
102. Lo-Pro - Lo-Pro
103. Augustana - All the Stars and Boulevards
104. Limp Bizkit - Results May Vary
105. Paloalto - Heroes and Villains
106. Antony and the Johnsons - I Am a Bird Now
107. Centro-matic - Navigational
108. Spout - Spout
109. Owen - No Good For No One Now
110. Type O Negative - October Rust
111. Bon Jovi - These Days

Welcome to my 2008 favourite albums list. I say "favourite" instead of "best" because I just like what I like. In fact a lot of the stuff that I like, I like in spite of the fact that I know it's not "good." I say "Caveat Emptor" (or "Buyer Beware") because in this age of digital music I seldomly buy actual CD's, and in fact, I seldomly buy complete albums. I have become what is surely some sort of reviled lower life form in the minds of true music aficionados: the cherry picker. I will tell you that I have downloaded the majority (if not all) of the songs from the albums in my top ten or twelve. After that it might get a little dicey. Consider yourself warned.


1. Elliott Brood - "Mountain Meadows"
I think this is the sentimental favourite if only because they are Canadian. Like the Calexico disc, I have the complete album and there are very few songs on it that I don't genuinely enjoy. If you haven't heard Elliott Brood, they describe their music as "death country." I would describe it as rock music, played on banjos and ukeleles, so that it sounds like it is coming through some sort of traditional music filter. "Mountain Meadows" is a milder, more commercially accessible Elliott Brood than their much darker debut album "Ambassador" but it's also a more consistent, more melodic Elliott Brood. Tracks like "Without Again" and "Write It All Down for You" are downright catchy. Other excellent tracks include the moody "31 Years" and bar room rockers like the instrumental "Chuckwagon" and the simple banjo driven, sing-a-longsy "T-Bill." But there are many other gooders here to choose from. Do yourself a favour and check out this unique new band.

Bonus social media content: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrTceGxkADA


2. Calexico - "Carried to Dust"
I was actually super majorly disappointed with this album when I first heard it. It's slick production values and Joey Burn's predominantly "spooky whisper" vocal stylings had me longing for the lo-fi indie wood-toned goodness of my favourite Calexico album, "Spoke." But, thankfully, John Convertino's drumming started pulling me in and now, after repeated listens, I am officially head over heels in love with this album. Calexico is, above all else these days, a band of great musicians. It is the jams, the little twists and turns and details of their music, that reward repeated listens and close attention, and are so friggin' excellent. They have also refound their mariachi mojo that was nearly absent from their last album "Garden Ruin." Desert flavoured tracks like "Inspiración," "Pulpo" and "El Gatillo (Trigger Revisited)" are among my favourites. But it's "Slowness" that is my absolute favourite, a beautiful duet sung with some very excellent female vocalist whose name I don't know because iTunes didn't have a "digital booklet" to offer with the album download (one of the pitfalls of virtual music I suppose).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5ymthjitIs


3. Justin Townes Earle - "The Good Life"
I normally don't like music quite this old-timey. This album sounds like it could have been recorded during the Depression and would be at right home spinning away on a gramaphone. I imagine this sort strict adherence to a form of music must take discipline but could be liberating at the same time. (I wish the new Ryan Adams & the Cardinals disc had more of this sort of discipline, more like their excellent "Jacksonville City Nights" album. But I digress...) The JTE "character" here is a cheatin', drinkin', gamblin', boxcar hoppin' rogue with a twinkle in his eye and a yarn on his lips but with a bit of lonesome side as well. It's a thoroughly enjoyable ride! Favourites include the title track, "Hard Livin'" and (If You) "Ain't Glad I'm Leaving" (Girl You Know You Oughta Be).

(As an aside I also ended up downloading a few tracks off of his debut EP "Yuma" including the excellent track "I Don't Care" which namedrops Saskatoon!!!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOi03zt9DTw


4. The Avett Brothers - "The Second Gleam EP"
This album really surprised me too. I sort of just downloaded it to use up some eMusic credits and thought its acoustic backporchy vibe might be nice to throw on while I was doing housework or something. But after a few plays I found myself really getting pulled in by the songwriting and ended up sitting in front of the computer, listening, dish towel in hand. Simple, catchy melodies and lyrics with just the right mix of melancholy and humour. A really great, really affecting little record. ("The Greatest Sum (acoustic)" and "Murder in the City" are my favourites but the whole thing is really solid.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aE7rkSELM3I


5. The Walkmen - "You & Me"
I've been cherry picking tunes from Walkmen albums for a number of years now. So I can say, with no great degree of certainty, this is by far my favourite of theirs. A hundred miles off from the punky screamer "the Rat" from their "Bows + Arrows" album (according to last.fm, still their most popular song), "You & Me" is a collection of poetic, boozy mid-tempo rockers with just the right amount of swagger. Lyrically, a lot of the songs come out of a place of regret and fatalism, of knowing you really need to get your shit together and make some changes in your life but also knowing that, in all likely hood, that isn't ever going to happen. You just are what you are, and so am I. This album is so consistently good that it's hard to pick favourites, but "Postcards from Tiny Islands," "Red Moon" and "In the New Year" are some good ones.

http://pitchfork.tv/juans-basement/the-walkmen


6. Old 97's - "Blame it on Gravity"
I'd heard of the Old 97's quite some time ago but I guess never really "got them" and had barely a handfull of their songs on my computer. That all changed when I heard the jaw-dropping "No Baby I" while listening to a neighbour's radio station here on last.fm this year. I immediately downloaded the bulk of "Blame on Gravity," cherry-picked many tunes from several albums in their back catalogue, and then spent the summer catching up with this heretofore overlooked Dallas, Texas band. I love their punky "I hear the train a comin'" take on alt-country and many of Rhett Miller's lyrics to me seem downright Westerbergian. While my whirlwind romance with them has now cooled slightly, I still count "No Baby I" as easily one of my favourite tracks of the year, and other gooders include "The Easy Way" and "The Fool."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fe3vTIuGrFQ


7. Beck - "Modern Guilt"
Not quite on par with my favourite Beck albums ("Odelay" and "Guero") but its up there. This time around Beck teams up with Danger Mouse who, I am told, is quite famous as the musical half of Gnarls Barkley. Danger Mouse produces the album and is credited for most of the album's "beats." (If you generate "beats" on a computer does that make you a percussionist? A drummer? I am getting old...) Lyrically, "Modern Guilt" is very dark and existential, with a few musings on environmental apocalypse thrown in for relief. However, musically, the album is actually quite uptempo and upbeat, and there is also a groovy retro late 60's vibe to many of the songs, which, combined with the very modern hip-hoppy beats and production, makes for a sonically rich and interesting album. Fave tracks include the title track, "Gamma Ray," "Orphans," "Chemtrails" and the air guitar worthy riff in "Soul of a Man."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxTLdflDe_0


8. Aimee Mann "@#%&*! Smilers"
A modest departure for the Aimme Mann "brand" from the 70's adult contemporary soft rock guitar sound of her last few albums to a more 70's adult contemporary soft rock keyboards sound. I wasn't sure if I liked this at first but the keyboards work well here generally and push the soaring melancholy in the choruses of songs like "Looking for Nothing" or "Thirty One Today" to spine tingling levels. In all, the Aimee Mann "brand promise" is delivered here, from the wisened, semi-detatched narrator coolly singing about an assortment of loser characters, right down to the beautiful CD packaging we've come to to expect from her. (Unfortunately, I only happened to see the packaging while killing time in a record store after I'd already downloaded the album... doh!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqM6DDWCZzs&feature=channel


9. Jolie Holland - "The Living and the Dead"
I first heard Jolie Holland on 2006 's 1930's-ish sounding torchlight album "Springtime Can Kill You" and subsequently cherry-picked a few tunes off of her 2004 debut "Escondida." Holland (so I've heard) was one of the founding members of the Be Good Tanyas, but you wouldn't necessarily know it from listening to her early solo work. More "old-timey" than "traditional" (if that makes sense) these albums have slow, understated arrangements that highlight her extraordinary ethereal, warbly voice. "The Living and the Dead" moves her into more upbeat, more modern sounding territory, but the whole thing still works, and is probably much more accessible (albeit less unique) than her first two albums. "Your Big Hands" is the rockingest track here and "Sweet Loving Man" is another favourite, but there are many good ones to chose from.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0GISfiX9oY


10. Kathleen Edwards - "Asking for Flowers"
I didn't especially care for this album initially as it kind of sounded like Kathleen Edwards was losing her edge. After a few listens though, I think there's still plenty of edge here, it's just more subtle. And this album seems to really mark her maturing as a songwriter. "The Cheapest Key" is a nod to her old overtly mischievous self, as is "Sure as Shit"(well, at least the title is anyways...) But it's the keenly observed, heart-wrenching title track that had me close to tears when it came on the stereo the other day while I was driving home from the grocery store...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hJxBNZ1xlk


11. Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks - "Real Emotional Trash"
I seem to be in a small minority of people who count Stephen Malkmus's eponymous debut as their favourite of his post-Pavement albums. I think Malkmus is a fairly awesome guitar player but I find a lot of his trippy solos and noodling a bit excessive. While "Real Emotional Trash" doesn't completely do away with those (the title track clocks in at ten minutes) there are a handful of songs here that match the catchy, smart, focused brevity of his early solo work. Also, I think the addition of former Sleater-Kinney drummer Janet Weiss helps a lot, as she at least provides a solid backbone for some of Malkmus's freestyle vocal and guitar explorations. "Cold Son" is my favourite, with "Gardenia" and "Out of Reaches" following close behind.

12. Foxboro Hottubs - "Stop Drop and Roll!!!"
I read somewhere that Green Day recorded this album under a pseudonym because they just wanted to have some fun and record some songs without having to deal with all the pressure of following up their monster 2004 hit album "American Idiot." The result is, well... fun! It is predictably punky but with lots of retro-60's garage and psychedelic influences thrown into the mix. The album includes one of my favourite songs of the year, "Pieces of Truth" with it's rip snortin' garage punk guitar riff and the reeling saxophone solo that closes it out. The Strawberry Alarm Clock-esque flutes of "Dark Side of Night" are also cool, as are the retro keyboards in the rollicking "Sally." All in all a very enjoyable effort!

13. Silver Jews - "Lookout Mountain, Lookout Sea"
A more polished, Nashville-ey sounding Silver Jews compared to their usual ramshackle delivery, which I'm not sure if I like or not... David Berman hasn't lost his sense of humour though or his gift with language. The hilarious "Candy Jail" will certainly become a Jews classic for me."What Is Not But Could Be If" and "Aloysius, Bluegrass Drummer" are also favourites.

14. Elvis Costello & The Imposters - "Momofuku"
Did I mention that the Imposters effin' rule? I heard this album was nailed together in like a week or two or something, and it shows. No computer massaging and time correcting here. This sounds live in the studio, with all the glorious imperfections that come along with that. Full of visceral groove and feel, this is a nice departure for Elvis from some of his more "cerebral" projects of late, and demonstrates that he still knows how to rock (for an old bugger). Favourite tracks include "Drum and Bone," "Stella Hurt" and "Go Away."

15. Cat Power - "Jukebox"
(Hmmm. This one feels too far down the list but I'm not sure who to bump...) Overall, I didn't like this album of cover songs as much as her recent "The Greatest" LP but there are a few tunes here that I really like a lot. Especially "I Believe in You" and her take on the Sinatra classic "New York, New York." She also released a companion EP this year called "Dark End of the Street" that features an interesting cover of CCR's "Fortunate Son" (although not nearly as cool as the Uncle Tupelo cover I've heard of that tune!) Add in her awesome take of Dylan's "Stuck Inside of Mobile With the Memphis Blues Again" from the late 2007 "Being There" soundtrack, and 2008 was a great year for listening to soulful Cat Power cover tunes.

16. Centro-matic - "Dual Hawks"
"Dual Hawks" is actually sort of a double album by songwriter Will Johnson. One half is recorded with his spare and haunting "South San Gabriel" project, the other with the noisier "Centro-matic." While I'm sure most music critics would undoubtedly prefer the more affecting and innovative South San Gabriel stuff, I just can't get enough of the 90's grunge and fuzztone guitars of Centro-matic. Also, Johnson's vocals on the latter are so very cool. Wisened, craggly and world weary with "the fiends and ghouls and darkness at (his) door" (from the song "Twenty-four." "All Your Farewells" and "The Rat Patrol and DJ's" are also stellar.)

17. Drive-By Truckers - "Brighter Than Creation's Dark"
For some reason, try as I might (I've cherry-picked from plenty of their albums) but I've never quite gotten the whole hubba-balloo over the DBT's. Don't get me wrong, they've got some great songs and I completely respect them as artists, and I genuinely appreciate the intelligent themes and vivid personae rendered in their lyrics, but somehow just not quite my cup of tea. Still, this album is by far their most accessible to date for me, and gems like "Ghost to Most" and "Two Daughters and a Beautiful Wife" may finally have me seeing the light (pun intended).

18. Lucinda Williams - "Little Honey"
I haven't given this album a whole lot of spins yet, but my initial reaction to it is quite positive, and I'm predicting some months down the road I may wish that I had ranked it higher. After several albums of generally quite morose, introspective music, this is the sound of Lucinda Williams finally having a bit of fun and rocking out. Initial favourites include a duet with Elvis Costello called "Jailhouse Tears", the honky tonk of "Well, Well, Well" and the mid-tempo "Little Rock Star" (which in a way reminds me of "Drunken Angel" from her classic "Car Wheels on a Gravel Road" album.)

19. Tokyo Police Club - "Elephant Shell"
The much hyped full-length debut from the Toronto area suburb of Newmarket, Ontario quartet turned out to be mildly disappointing. After releasing two stellar EP's that were full of quirky, high energy indie-post-punk-power-pop with shades of the Strokes, Buzzcocks and GBV, this album is a more toned-down serious affair and not nearly as much fun. Still, there are a enough nice nuggets here, such as "Juno" or "Listen to the Math," to let me give it a mildly enthusiastic thumbs up.

20. She & Him - "Volume 1"
This year's guilty pleasure, I suppose. A somewhat light-weight summer soft rock/pop (but nonetheless engaging) album that joins actress/looker Zooey Deschanel (of "Elf" fame) with musical savant M. Ward. The album is a mix of 50's and 60's pop, a bit of twang, and a bit of alternative. Deschanel is actually a pretty decent, confident singer and M.Ward keeps things fairly interesting musically. Favourite tracks: "Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?," This Is Not a Test" and "I Was Made for You."

Just barely missed the cut:
Jenny Lewis - "Acid Tongue"
Stars - "Sad Robots EP"
Jason Collett - "Here's to Being Here"