i feel like 2008 was a weak year for music, at least for me, i don’t have a top twenty five, i don’t think i have a top ten, here’s my top like 8….

8.The New Year- s/t. Another great album from a great band, better then their 2nd album, not as good as the first. sprawling guitars, hushed vocals, the second half of the album suffers a little because it feels more like a solo album then a band album, mostly due to the lack of percussion.

7.Okkervil River-the stand ins. Not as good as the stage names, but has some very awesome songs, in this weak music year i feel it’s good enough to make my list.

6.Starflyer 59- Dial M. Horrible band name i know, and at first i thought this CD was their weakest by far, seemingly as if they didn’t didn’t really try, but i kept finding myself listening to it and it grew on me.

5. Beck-Modern Guilt. very solid album and it got me back into beck after falling away from him after his last two, solid songs except for that one with all the drum fills.

4. Deerhoof-Offend Maggie. Damn i like this band and this album is fantastic, accessible without sacrificing what makes them deerhoof, quirky girl vocals and angular 70s rock style riffs!

3.Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks- Real Emotional Trash. Everything this guy does is amazing, he’ll be on all of my top of lists. Jammy without losing the songs. the drummer from sleater-kinney adds the thunder he’s been missing all along.

2.Murder By Death-Red of Tooth and Claw. a Homer’s oddessy tale of a guy making his way home to kill some people. fantastical situations but still clearly set in the real. amazing.

1.Amanda Palmer-Who Killed Amanda Palmer? liner notes by Neil Gaimen, produced by Ben Folds and featuring songs by Amanda Palmer, clearly my favorite CD of the year. She shows much musical growth from the Dresden Dolls, and althougth the DD drummer is in my opinion the best drummer ever, the addition of strings, bass and other instruments strengthens her arrangements.