I have gone back and forth about my #1. It really should be a 1a. and a 1b. scenario. Just saying.
OK, the year in review is done. I’m out. I will see you guys and gals next year. Yolo!
#10 – The Daylight Hours “How To Make A Mess Of Things” (Self-Released)
- For as much as I ended up listening to this album I thought it deserved to be in my top ten. Local singer/songwriter David Adedokun writes beautiful tales.
#9 – The Gaslight Anthem “The ‘59 Sound” (Side One Dummy)
- While not as instantly gratifying or commanding as their debut, The ‘59 Sound expands The Gaslight Anthem’s sound leaps and bounds. These guys could end up being really big before it’s over.
#8 – Dillinger Four “C I V I L W A R” (Fat Wreck Chords)
- Maturity is a bitch. Instead of Dillinger Four returning to their roots on their first album in six years, D4 made their most polished record yet. Career suicide? Perhaps if the songs weren’t so fucking good!
#7 – Pomegranates “Everything Is Alive” (Lujo)
- I had begun to hate anything labeled as “indie pop” but Pomegranates reaffirm my belief in the genre. Everything Is Alive is the sound of a band discovering who they are and therein lies its brilliance.
#6 – Algernon Cadwallader “Some Kind Of Cadwallader” (Be Happy)
- The little band that could keeps on going with a killer debut that delivered on the promises of the band’s demo.
#5 – Antlers “Self-Titled” (Rorschach)
- Amazing debut from this Richmond band. Mathy, eclectic, melodic and intricate…Antlers got it all.
#4 – Tigers Jaw “Self-Titled” (Prison Jazz)
- Insanely catchy pop/punk with addictive vocals. Try playing this album only once. I dare you.
#3 – The State Lottery “Cities We’re Not From” (Salinas)
- The music is powerful but it is The State Lottery’s lyrics that will slice you wide open.
#2 – Cheap Girls “Find Me A Drink Home” (Bermuda Mohawk)
- By far my most played album of 2008. Poetically frustrated lyrics set to power pop…fans of Lemonheads and Smoking Popes should fall in love just as I did many times over. Definitely honored to have worked with the band for Beartrap. Watch out for these guys. Bigger and brighter things are on the horizon!
#1 – Sun Kil Moon “April” (Caldo Verde)
- Perhaps the best album of Mark Kozelek’s career and that is an incredible statement. If April doesn’t deserve top spot, I’m not sure what does.
