This is the final installment of my “year in music” series. Part 1 I posted last week, and part 2 was on Monday.
If I posted these lists from this pool of music again in a year – or even in a month – it very likely would be at least somewhat different. I look back at last year’s list and would definitely move a few around. Still, it is what it is for now, and with nothing further, here is my top 10 favorite albums of 2008.
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#10 Viva La Vida or Death And All His Friends Coldplay (2008) While the secret to Coldplay’s success just may be ripping off other artists like Joe Satriani, I like the new album quite a bit. “Viva La Vida” is the standout track for me, but there’s a lot to like throughout this disc. |
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#9 The Seldom Seen Kid Elbow (2008) Sometimes compared to Coldplay, I discovered Elbow on eMusic last year, and looked forward to this new release. Guy Garvey’s voice is one of the reasons I love this band, and really love this album. |
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#8 Conor Oberst Conor Oberst (2008) I was also introduced to Conor Oberst’s trembling voice and wandering lyrics last year, and I was quite fond of his Bright Eyes release Cassadaga. However, I have enjoyed his new self-titled disc even more. |
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#7 Hope For The Hopeless Brett Dennen (2008) Folk singer/songwriter Brett Dennen’s newest didn’t grab me right away. It was initially a slight letdown after following 2006’s So Much More, but it quickly became a favorite with repeated listens. This guy has a bright future. |
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#6 Honey and Salt Jeff Black (2003) Like the Matthew Barber album (see #11), I got this one early in the year and it fell out of regular rotation too quickly. I rediscovered it last month and, despite it being five years old, I had no choice but to include it in this list. It is terrific. |
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#5 With Arrows, With Poise The Myriad (2008) Alt-rock band The Myriad appeared on my radar very early this year via an EP on eMusic. This full release is extremely satisfying, with lyrics that hint at their faith backed by great music. I look forward to future releases from these guys. |
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#4 Flying Upside Down Griffin House (2007) This is one of my late 07 albums, downloaded in December after my list last year was completed. House is a great songwriter and this album is excellent. It also contains one of my very favorite songs of the year, “I Remember (It’s Happening Again)”. |
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#3 Mudcrutch Mudcrutch (2008) I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again: I love all things Tom Petty. Mudcrutch is the name of Petty’s pre-Heartbreaker band that reunited last year and finally, 30+ years after disbanding, recorded their first album. It was worth the wait. |
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#2 Delivered Mark Erelli (2008) I became a big fan of Erelli last year, and his newest did not disappoint at all. With themes including hope, war, family and death, he has produced yet another outstanding collection of songs. If you don’t listen to Mark Erelli’s music, you really need to start right now. |
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#1 The Gabe Dixon Band The Gabe Dixon Band (2008) I listened to The Gabe Dixon Band samples over and over, and almost didn’t download it. Fortunately, I did, and the samples don’t do it justice. Still, I didn’t initially anticipate it would by my favorite of the year. Guitars are hard to come by on this piano-driven album that often brings to mind the likes of early Billy Joel. I highly recommend this one. Get it today. |
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That’s it. That’s the list.
We share four of the same albums and we each had Erelli and Gabe Dixon ranked pretty high. I wanted to get the Conor Oberst album but I never did. I’ll have to get a copy. I also have some Elbow, but I somehow missed their latest release. I’ll check it out.
December 10, 2008
Dixon is quite the hit this year. He won’t be my number one but he will be high on the list. Again, I was disappointed with Erelli but I plan to keep trying.
December 10, 2008
I really liked Erelli’s from day one.
December 10, 2008
My goal for ‘09 is to get beyond the usual mix of Coldplay, U2 and classic rock on my iPod while exercising at the gym. These lists should help. Thanks.
Our boys got a little wake-up call the other day, eh?
December 10, 2008
A not-so-unexpected wakeup considering a couple of weeks ago. After Michigan beat UCLA and then Duke handled Michigan, I thought it would then be tough to go to Ann Arbor. I also thought Purdue would be a much tougher game, but after they handled that one so easily, I feared a letdown at Michigan making a win even more difficult. From K’s comments, sounds like that may have happened.
December 10, 2008