2008 Top Ten

1 Centro-matic/South San Gabriel - Dual Hawks

The most anticipated release of the year for me and and this double shot more than delivered. Will Johnson has to be the most underrated songwriter working in music today.

2 Dr Dog - Fate

Every record from this band has been better than the last, this one is no exception. The best three part harmonies in the business and damn great live, too.

3 The Heavenly States - Delayer

Local boys (and girl) make good. Nice mix of rockin' and quiet tunes. I look forward to their next effort.

4 Okkervil River - The Stand-Ins

Still in the blush of new love for this band, not a weak song in the bunch. Another great live experience.

5 Calexico - Carried To Dust

Initially underwhelmed, this record gained steam after a Postcard rave forced a re-listen and its place was cemented in the top ten after witnessing their live show at the Fillmore.

6 Paul Westerberg - 49:00

A sloppy, glorious mess; all for forty nine cents.

7 Al Green - Lay It Down

It sounds like 1973, but for now it sounds like heaven. Reverand Al is timeless.

8 Frightened Rabbit - The Midnight Organ Fight

Tons of hype surrounding these guys and well deserved. This band has legs.

9 Tift Merritt - Another Country

A quiet, mature, and assured record from Tift.

10 Magnolia Summer - Lines From The Frame

A late in the game arrival, I've just been listening to it too much to have it not make the top ten. 

Bubbling under; on another day any of these records might've taken the number 9 and/or 10 spot:

Spiritualized - Songs in A&E

Giant Sand - Provisions

Dexateens - Lost And Found

Willy Vlautin & Paul Brainard - Northline

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!!

Kathleen Edwards - Asking For Flowers

My Morning Jacket - Evil Urges

The Hold Steady - Stay Positive

Paul Weller - 22 Dreams

The Gaslight Anthem - The '59 Sound 

Roger Bryan and The Orphans - Recovery

Raconteurs - Consoler of the Lonely

Top Tracks 

1 From - Dr Dog

A beautiful melody backed by glorious harmonies

2 Lost In The Light - The Heavenly States

Rock and roll at its finest

3 Lay It Down - Al Green

Could've been the follow up single to "Tired of Being Alone"

4 Lie Down Here (And Be My Girl) - Nick Cave

Ferocious. 

5 Soul On Fire - Spiritualized

Soaring, and the closest I ever come to religeon

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6 All I Wanna Do (Is Be With You) - Paul Weller

7 Pop Lie - Okkervil River

8 Great Expectations - The Gaslight Anthem

9 Emma Jane - South San Gabriel

10 Northline Main Theme - Willy Vlautin & Paul Brainard

It just wouldn't be right not to at least mention these great songs:

Slowness - Calexico

Well Enough Alone - Howe Gelb

Weatherman And Skin Goddess - Robert Pollard

Strychnine, Breathless Ways - Centro-matic

The Modern Leper - Frightened Rabbit

I Make the Dough, You Get the Glory - Kathleen Edwards

Kid - Dexateens 

Thank You Too - My Morning Jacket

Broken - Tift Merritt

Sensitive Boys - Alejandro Escovedo

Soon When I'm Gone - 13ghosts

If We Fall - Roger Bryan and the Orphans