Roadrunner Records TOP 10 of 2008

Opeth - Watershed

Trivium - Shogun

Amon Amarth - Twilight Of The Thunder God

Grand Magus - Iron Will

Uriah Heep - Waking The Sleeper

Gojira - The Way Of All Flesh

AC/DC - Black Ice

Slipknot - All Hope Is Gone

Toxic Holocaust - An Overdose Of Death

Avantasia - The Scarecrow

Honorable Mentions

Septic Flesh - Communion
Black Stone Cherry - Folklore & Superstition
Black Tide - Light From Above
Testament - The Formation Of Damnation
36 Crazyfists - The Tide And Its Takers
Textures - Silhouettes
Disfear - Live The Storm
Volbeat - Guitar Gangsters & Cadillac Blood
Unleashed - Hammer Battalion
In This Moment - The Dream
The Parlor Mob - And You Were A Crow
Motorhead - Motorizer

Benea Reach - Alleviat

Singer Ilkka Volume sings in more styles than I can count (well, maybe it's three), they're melodic, heavy, and distorted, and there are several female vocal parts, which will get me every time. Check out "New Waters" and "Reason," two of my favourite tracks. I consider this the hidden gem of 2008.

Candiria's John LaMacchia, Dillinger Escape Plan's Greg Pucciato, Made Out of Babies' Julie Christmas, and Jeff Caxide from Isis. Total schizophrenia and totally stellar set of five tracks. Greg and Julie bring it home vocally on "Bloodletting."

Cruiserweight - Big Bold Letters

This is definitely a throwback to my days of listening to ovary rock at the exclusion of everything else. Still, the entire band is tight, singer Stella Maxwell hits her cues like a well-tuned tom, and there is little better lyrical writing in this genre today. "Balboa," and "We Totally Still Love Each Other" are two of the best tracks on here.

Gargantua and Pentagruel - Rollin' with Bitches

The only Rabelais-influenced, Enlightenment-rapping duo from Anacostia, D.C. of which I'm aware, MC Left Bank and Q-aker spit and flow like John Dryden if he had nightly threesomes while smoking blunts in frilly shirts. Classy and deep, man, classy and deep.

Septic Flesh - Communion

I'd say I'd annoy my neighbours with this one, but one night I put it on and my neighbour knocked on my door. Expecting the worst, she had a six pack in hand and wanted to listen to the album with me. How cool is that? Septic Flesh brings neighbours together!

Mourdella - This Kill Is Mine

The fact that lead singer Jessica Juggz can shoot fire out of her nether regions doesn't qualify this album for one of my favourites of the year, but nine caustic punk tracks do. I destroyed an entire bookcase while listening to this in November.

The Trucker Hat Banjo Five - Lost In My Own Backyard (reissue)

The Trucker Hat Banjo Five electrified the Columbus music scene with their unique mix of bluegrass, hiphop, funk, punk, oi, jazz, and Bavarian chamber music in 1997. Unfortunately their first and only album was a limited 12,000 unit release. I'm pleased that Creamed Corn Records has reissued this classic album with all-remastered tracks and three bonus live tracks: "Hemmingway Did Not Die Here," "That's right, I'm WASTED," and "Solilo...I Don't Know How You Spell It."

Flight of the Conchords

See Jon's Top Ten below. After getting the recommendation, I have to agree that this is one of the best of the year. These songs aren't even parodies, they just capture a mood and are hilarious. Personal favourites include "Inner City Pressure," "Boom," and "Ladies of the World." Get your sexy bits out!

Nachtmystium - Assassins

If you bike to work in a big city, try singing along to this while doing so. No one will stay in your path, believe me. Favourite tracks include "Ghosts of Grace," and "Code Negative."

Yes, I know it's a web site and not an album, but I have never laughed more reading an intelligent metal web site. Period. Maybe it's because I'm a fellow Jew, but from the nebbish pseudonyms to the Intronaut blog, to the regular piss-my-pants funny posts every day, it's top quality.

Cynic - Traced in Air

Testament - The Information Damnation

Meshuggah - Obzen

Children of Bodem - Blooddrunk

Evergrey - Torn

Blotted Science - The Machinations of Dementia

Into Eternity - The Incurable Tragedy

Brain Drill - Apocalyptic Feasting

Guns n Roses - Chinese Democracy

Disturbed - Indestructible

Cynic - Traced in Air

Cradle of Filth - Godspeed on the Devil's Thunder

Ultra Vomit - Objectif Thunes

Sebastien Tellier - Sexuality

Alice Cooper - Along Came a Spider

Motley Crue - Saints of Los Angeles

Metallica - Death Magnetic

Opeth-Watershed

Yes, I'm aware that I A&R'd this one and I never list records with my name on 'em. "Watershed" is an exception. Akerfeldt remains rock's most astute librarian; The history of rock (Zep to Morbid) in seven songs. Transcendent.

Nachtmystium-Assassins

Along with the likes of Deathspell Omega and Negura Bungket, this is where black metal bends and breaks. Imagine if Syd Barrett chilled in Norway for a while. Psychedelic. Atmospheric. Vicious.

Storm Warrior-Heading Norte

Close as you can come to a perfect metal record. Early Metallica energy channelled into the riffs and melodies that these Krauts learned from the likes of Helloween and Hammerfall.

Septic Flesh-Communion

If nothing else, 2008 was the year where extreme music took and extreme left turn. After a few years off, these Greek deathmetallers came back with a record replete with an 80 piece orchestra ad 32 member choir, wildly varying vocals and a love of Lovecraft -- of H.P.,s variety -- that makes this a future classic.

Duffy-Rockferry

Is this what they call "Northern Soul"? Is this the best Dusty Springfield record this decade? I'd say so.

Amon Amarth-Twilight of the Thunder God/Eluveitie-Slania (tie)

Two sides of the Pagan/Folk/Viking universe. Amon Amarth keep their standard of bulldozing longboat paddling death metal high. With Johan Hegg leading the chants at the Great Hall of Feasting, you can't help pumping fists - hard. Eluveitie is a bit more subtle and a ton on the folkier side already proving themselves the most explosive live band of the pack with an axe-sharpening melding of near metalcore riffs and old-country intents.

Alkaline Trio-Agony & Irony/Gaslight Anthem-59 Sound (tie)

The two best quasi punk records this year. Skiba & Co. continue their fascination with morbid pop-punk while Gaslight make a serious bid to amp up The Boss -- that's Springsteen kiddies!

Bring Me The Horizon-Suicide Season

Surprising move from deathcore inadequacy for these pretty boy Brits. Noise. Filth. Fury. Smarts. Punk's not dead -- it just got a whole bunch heavier.

Norther-N

Running neck and neck with Children of Bodom for Finnish guitar supremacy. This one takes the edge. A clearing house for the Helsinki United including members of Wintersun and Ensifernum, "N" sharpens the cutting edge of this squad's songwriting chops.

Testament-Formation of Damnation

Once hailed as "The Next Metallica", these Bay Area bruisers just keep outdoing themselves. I'll put Eric Petersen's riffing on this one against anything on "Death Magnetic". Don't call it a comeback.-- now with Alex Skolnick back in the fold . Call it the masters returned to take a smidgen of what's due them.

Honorable Mentions

Abigail Williams-In The Shadow of a Thousand Suns, Alestorm-Captain Morgan's Revenge, All That Remains-Overcome, The Clash-Live at Shea Stadium, Cynic-Traced In The Air, Disfear-Live The Storm, Enslaved-Vertebrae, The Faceless-Planetary Duality, Grand Magus-Iron Will, Kingdom of Sorrow-Kingdom of Sorrow, Leviathan-Massive Conspiracy Against All Life,Lurker of Chalice, Satyricon-The Age of Nero, Slipknot-All Hope Is Gone, Unleashed-Hammer Battalion

And of course, the lucky ladies and gents in Cradle of Filth, Dragonforce and Within Temptation -- all of whom have had the pleasure of my working company.

Other Shit:

Comics: The Boys-Garth Ennis, The Chronicles of Wormwood-Ennis again! (so Black Jesus and The Antichrist go into a bar...)Captain America-Ed Brubaker (kill off Cap and you get the best shit since the Kirby days!) and yeah, I realize I'm late on this one but Death Note-Tsugumi Ohba

Movies: The Dark Knight, Iron Man, Mongol, The Orphanage

TV: Battlestar Galactica, True Blood

Books: Radio Silence: A Selected Visual History of American Hardcore Music by Anthony Pappalardo and Nathan Nedorostek, True Norweigan Black Metal by Peter Beste

Opeth - Watershed

Portishead - Third

Between The Buried and Me - Colors (Live)

In This Moment - The Dream

36 Crazyfists - The Tide and Its Takers

All That Remains - Overcome

Amon Amarth - Twilight of the Thundergod

Kataklysm - Prevail

Eyes Set To Kill - Reach

Armin Van Buuren - Imagine

Honorable Mentions

Although these albums didn't make the cut, I have thoroughly enjoyed and will continue to enjoy them.

The Parlor Mob - And You Were A Crow, Black Stone Cherry - Folklore and Superstition, Michael Jackson - 25th Anniversary of Thriller, Local H - 12 Angry Months, In Flames - A Sense of Purpose, The Haunted - Versus, Into Eternity - The Incurable Tragedy, Flight of the Conchords - Flight of The Conchords, Unearth - The March, Black Tide - Light from Above, Protest The Hero - Fortress, The Mars Volta - The Bedlam in Goliath, Satryicon - The Age of Nero, Made out of Babies - The Ruiner, Cradle of Filth - Godspeed on the Devils Thunder, Slipknot - All Hope Is Gone, Scar Symmetry - Holographic Universe, Nickelback - Dark Horse, Soulfly - Conquer, Robyn - Robyn, Gorjira - The Way of All Flesh, Children of Bodom - Blooddrunk

And this years guilty pleasure album goes to....
Britney Spears for "Circus". I really only like a few of the songs from this one..but thought I'd put it  anyway =)

Dillinger Four - C I V I L W A R

The Gaslight Anthem - The '59 Sound

Boris - Smile

Drag The River - You Can't Live This Way

Billy Bragg - Mr. Love & Justice

Rise Against - Appeal To Reason

TV On The Radio - Dear Science

Ryan Adams & The Cardinals - Cardinology

Girl Talk – Feed The Animals

Gnarls Barkley – The Odd Couple

Death Cab For Cutie – Narrow Stairs

Bon Iver – For Emma, Forever Ago

She & Him – Volume 1

Bloc Party – Intimacy

Fleet Foxes – Fleet Foxes

Anathallo – Canopy Glow

Phantom Planet – Raise The Dead

Honorable Mentions

11. TV On The Radio - Dear Science,
12. Gaslight Anthem - The 59' Sound
13. Sigur Ros - Með Suð Í Eyrum Við Spilum Endalaust
14. Low Vs. Diamond - Low Vs. Diamond
15. Lykke Li - Youth Novels
16. The Wombats - A Guide To Love, Loss, & Desperation

METALLICA - DEATH MAGNETIC

Is this too obvious a pick? perhaps.....but it's absolutely deserving.
No other album has kicked my ass this year as much as this one has...
This is the new Metallica album I've been waiting almost 20 years for!

That they made an album this strong and inspired 25 years after their debut is absolutely incredible and completely unprecedented (I challenge you to name 3 other bands that you can say that about......I cant!)

PROTEST THE HERO - FORTRESS

This album is totally insane....awesome playing, crazy arrangements, breakneck tempo and time changes...this is what Mr. Bungle would've sounded like if they grew up on equal portions of Dream Theater and Dillinger Escape Plan!

THE MARS VOLTA - THE BEDLAM IN GOLIATH

After being disappointed with their last one, this latest one is back on track with some very cool, more cohesive (by their standards) writing. And new drummer Thomas Pridgen is worth the price of admission alone for all you drummers out there...

BEARDFISH - SLEEPING IN TRAFFIC PART 2

These Swedish retro-proggers were on my 2007 top 10 list with their "Traffic Part 1" and they have done it again with the equally as great Part 2. If you dig early 70's prog stuff like Zappa, Genesis and Yes, you'll dig these guys....(if you're a close minded Blabbermouth-posting idiot, don't bother.....not that you would've anyways!)

For any doubters, look beyond the masks....these guys have made an absolutely amazing metal album with some great playing and a bit of Corey Taylor's more melodic side making its way into the sound without losing any of their edge and power.

My Progressive Nation tourmates never disappoint...I think every album they've released in this millennium had made my year-end list! They're one of my all-time favorite metal bands.... 'nuff said!

BLOODBATH - UNBLESSING THE PURITY / THE FATHOMLESS MASTERY

For the Opeth fans that dont like their melodic and progressive side (shame on you!) there are these two absolutely brutal side project releases with Mikael Akerfeldt's trademark death growls and Martin Axenrot's intense double bass drumming and blast beats that are tighter than a nun's vag.....

My favorite release so far from these guys who have really fallen into their own.
It's refreshing to see a young band who obviously take their playing and writing as serious as they do and keep the shredding alive in metal.

(And yes, this is the 3rd Roadrunner release in my top 10...and it is not due to any kind of shameless self-plugging or ass-kissing...they just happen to have the best metal roster around and are the best label on Earth...which is why we made them DT's home!)

STEVEN WILSON - INSURGENTES

The newset addition to my ipod in the past few weeks is this latest masterpiece from Porcupine Tree's leader and sonic genius. Some serious ear candy here....

CYNIC - TRACED IN AIR

The pioneers of Progressive Death Fusion are back with a sophmore release that took 15 years to come to fruition!

Eluveitie - Slania

This album was a life-changer. I must have played it 200+ times. A mixture of folk/pagan/viking/melodic/death metal with huge choruses, amazing instrumentation and playing. (Clueless) people might laugh about this style of metal....but Eluveitie created something monumental with Slania and refreshed the genre for another decade. Not just my album of 2008, but easily in my all time top 20 albums.

Amon Amarth - Twilight of the Thunder God

Can Amon Amarth go wrong? Another year, another insanely good skull crusher of a record from the original viking metal crew. Seeing them live at Irving in October cemented the instant power and appeal of (the title track) Twilight of the Thunder God, probably my single "song of the year". And definitely my video of the year.

Manowar - Gods Of War Live

Well this is kind of a 2007 release, but I only discovered it in 2008 and it has featured hugely on my daily playlists. This is one of the best live albums I have ever heard - the first 7 songs just land one KO punch after another, as well as re-define what was previously Manowar's weakest album, "Sign Of The Hammer" with amazing renditions of "Mountains" and "The Oath". Seriously heavy metal.

Grand Magus - Iron Will

Awesome mixture of power and doom - I thought their last record, "Wolf's Return", was a biggie...but "Iron Will" easily surpassed it. The title track, Iron Will, is a veritable monster with a punishing chorus that rewards with every listen. Another example of modern metal kicking serioous ass in 2008.

Satyricon - The Age Of Nero

These dudes are seriously evil. And the new record reflects a kind of brooding malevolence that cuts through the morass of regular black metal wannabes and delivers mightily. Certainly an album that requires multiple listens to truly "get it"...but once you do....whoa!

Judas Priest - Nostradamus

Priest go opera. But it works. At least, on the track "Alone", Halford takes that incredible vocal power and brings things back to 1982 "Screaming For Vengeance" levels. Yes there is some filler, but if you love the Priest you can live with it as you hunt down the many classics that reside within.

MASSIVE comeback from Trivium. One after another exploding riffs and monstrous choruses catapult this record to a new level for the band. Heafy really raised the bar this time, and made an album I kept going back to.

Black Stone Cherry - Folklore & Superstition

Hard rock, southern rock....just plain old rock 'n' roll.....hey I'm not one to get hung up about genres! (ha ha)....anyway, BSC made a killer album with "Folklore...", with tons more to sing-along to. I even compared "Peace Is Free" (favourably) to Foreigner's "I Wanna Know What Love Is"...but no one bought that...but I love it!

Flight of the Conchords - S/Titled

Hilarious - and worth buying simply for the Pet Shop Boys homage, "Inner City Pressure". And also my one non-metal/rock record in the top 10!

Unleashed - Hammer Battalion

Not as good as Midvinterblot, their 2006 masterpiece (in my opinion)....but still a crushingly heavy arsenal of brutal death metal blistering chaos...and yes, I carefully chose all of those words to describe this killer album.

Coldplay - Viva La Vida

Coldplay - Prospekt's March

Maximum the Hormone - Tsume Tsume Tsume

London Symphony Orchestra - Mozart's Requiem

Gojira - The Way Of All Flesh

Amon Amarth - Twilight of the Thunder God

Metallica - Death Magnetic

The Gaslight Anthem - The '59 Sound

Tori Amos Live in Montreux 1991&1992

Emarosa - Relativity

State Radio - Year of the Crow

Seventh Wonder

Mercy Falls came out this year, but their 2007 album Waiting In The Wings is what got me into these guys. They are truly amazing.

Torche – Meanderthal

The Gaslight Anthem – The ’59 Sound

Textures – Silhouettes

Alkaline Trio – Agony and Irony

Satyricon – The Age of Nero

Mirimar Disaster – Volumes

MGMT – Oracular Spectacular

Made Out of Babies – The Ruiner

All Shall Perish - Awaken The Dreamers

Metallica - Death Magnetic

Winds Of Plague - Decimate The Weak

Lil Wayne - The Carter III

La Coka Nostra - A Brand You Can Trust

Whitechapel - This Is Exile

Meshuggua - Bleed

Bleeding Through - Sister Charlatan

Other Media

Movies:
The Dark Knight
Zeitgeist
Across The Universe
In Bruges
New Rambo
Zeitgeist: Addendum

Books:
The King Of Lies - John Hart
Third Degree - Greg Isles
The 33 Strategies Of War - Robert Greene The Art Of Seduction - Robert Greene

TV:
Lost
Prison Break
Dexter
Desperate Housewives
The Office
Family Guy

The Black Crowes - Warpaint

Their first album in seven years and one of the best in their legendary catalog. Firmly rooted in the blues, this album has a little bit of everything. "Daughters of the Revolution", "Evergreen" and "We Who See the Deep" bring the expected rock while the tenderness of "Oh Josephine" and "There's Gold In Them Hills" can make you weep. This is everything you could ask for in a rock album in 2008 or in any year, these guys are straight up hall of famers.

The Raconteurs - Consolers of the Lonely

All the potential shown on Broken Boy Soldiers crystallizes on this album. These guys sound like a real band who's been writing, rehearsing and touring together now. Great songs, great guitar and great writing, it no longer sounds like "that band with Jack White and Brendan Benson" - now it sounds like The Raconteurs.

My homeboys from Red Bank NJ, this is a fucking rock and roll band folks! Two non-stop riffing guitars, a booming tight rhythm section and a singer with a huge range, what is this 1972? NO, it's 2008 and this is The Parlor Mob. From the wailing opener "Hard Times", through the hooky "Everything You're Breathing For" and the emotional "When I Was An Orphan", around the ass-kicking "Real Hard Headed" and wrapping up with the Zeppelinesque acoustics of "Can't Keep No Good Boy Down", this is a full album of rock like it used to be. All Killa, No Filla. What the world needs now is more bands like this one. Long Live the Mob!

The Clash - Live At Shea Stadium

I know you're not supposed to put live albums and compilations in these year end countdowns but fuck that, this album documents the live brilliance of one of the greatest bands in rock history. The Clash reached their pinnacle when I was about 12 and then broke up. I worshipped their albums in my teens and 20s and always hoped one day I'd see a reunion tour. Sadly, before they could cash in on such a reunion, Joe Strummer died. I always assumed, maybe because of the layered production of their albums, and probably also because of that punk aesthetic that says you can't be cool if you're too good on your instrument, that The Clash probably wasn't much of a live act anyway. Well, this album blows that idea to hell. The fatness of their sound, carried by bassist Paul Simonen, the quality of their vocals, their tightness as a unit, topped off with Stummer's fierce and hilarious stage banter, all combine here to blow your mind. Imagine what this performance would have been had their regular drummer not been denied a US visa for the tour. Ah well, at least we've got this and it's damned fantastic.

Portishead - Third

If you had told me 10 years ago that Portishead would be taking a decade off before re-inventing themselves for a third album... I'm not sure what i'm trying to say except that Beth Gibbons remains the sonic constant of the Portishead musical equation. Third is both familiar and altogether new at the same time.

Supergrass - Diamond Hoo Ha

I would love to have put the new Oasis album on this list. Alas, it is shit, just like everything else they've done since Morning Glory. So Supergrass continues to have the longest lasting period of quality output despite being one of the lesser known (in America at least) 90s Brit pop bands. Nothing extremely new and inventive here, just quality songs with great hooks, as usual.

Metallica - Death Magnetic

Ok, so maybe it's not as hard on the ears as St Anger. But to be honest, I just put this on my list so I can disparage it. Fuck You, Metallica. You guys have more money than god at this point, so do us all a favor and retire. Learn to play golf, buy a fishing boat, do something. This contrived angst from a bunch of skull-jockeyed 45 year old millionaires is beyond tiresome. You used to be the best. You aren't anymore. In fact, you haven't been in a long, long time. Now you're like an ex-girlfriend who fucked my buddy and won't stop giving me the eyes. You're trying way too hard and it's totally not attractive. You just ain't what you used to be. Go away.

It was incredible being part of a #1 Billboard debut this year. "Psychosocial" rocks. The title track shreds. "Sulfur" is a gem. I hope these guys keep it going for a long time to come, they are legit, totally metal AND very successful, a rare combination.

Guns N Roses - Chinese Democracy

What a piece of shit. First of all, calling this GNR is a disgrace. This is an Axl Rose vanity project that sounds more like showtunes than Appetite for Destruction. Secondly, 15 plus years in the works and this is the best you can come up with? Snore. Zzzzzzzz. Whoa, I think I fell asleep just thinking about this boring puddle of vomit. Dear Axl, please die already so we can talk about how cool you were when you were a rock star. Continuing to live is ruining your own legacy.

Nickelback - Dark Horse

Dark Horse makes the list as a token of my gratitude for allowing me to keep a steady job in a declining industry for the past 7 years. Thank you boys, here's to another 10 million units!

Kings of Leon- Only by the Night

Ryan Adams and the Cardinals- Cardinology

Radiohead- In Rainbows

Tommy Emmanuel- Center Stage

All That Remains- Overcome

Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds- Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!!

Augustana- Can't Love, Can't Hurt

In Flames- A Sense of Purpose

Nada Surf- Lucky

Ray LaMontagne- Gossip in the Grain

Martone - Clean

Meshuggah - Obzen

John Mayer - Where the Light Is

Coldplay - Viva La Vida

Jet Black Stare

Metallica - Death Magnetic

Greg Howe - Soundproof

There is no greater band in my opinion than Opeth right now... except maybe Wintersun, but they haven't done anything in a while. The newest Opeth installation Watershed, is absolutely amazing and worth every penny. Metalhead or rocker, or however you identify your musical alter ego, this is an album you should own.

This is the greatest band on earth... MINE! Hah. Well, true that the band is mine, I feel that it is justified that I put the album here because I listen to it all the time... not because I don't remember how to play the songs, but because it is a great CD to listen to. See for yourself!

Amon Amarth - Twilight of the Thunder God

I got into Amon Amarth very recently after seeing them live. All I can say is WOW. This band is badass and this years release is amazing. Ollie was telling me their live show is what their band is all about. Which makes it even better that the album is so amazing.

Judas Priest - Nostradamus

Judas Priest comes in at #4 for me because I'm in love with my top 3, but for surprising, these guys are #1. This is by far the most amazing thing I've heard from a band in a long time. When I talked to KK Downing about the CD, he was talking about Nostradamus like it was this baby they'd wanted to make for a very long time. You could tell he liked it as much as the fans.

Death Angel - Killing Season

Technical, fast-as-hell, brutal thrash with bigger balls than the stage can handle.  Killing Season is years in the making for Death Angel and one of the best thrash album in recent times, and watching them perform the tracks flawlessly live added icing to the already way-too-sweet cake!

Kiuas - The New Dark Age

Kiuas is another one that I saw live before hearing the CD. I thought they were great on stage and only days later their album came across my desk. The New Dark Age is in constant rotation. If you haven't heard Kiuas, I highly recommend checking them out.

Kalmah - For the Revolution

Kalmah's "For the Revolution" will rip your face off. They were the highlight of the Tuska festival in Finland for me last summer, and you NEED to know their name.

Honestly, I expected this album to suck pretty badly. My hope was that it could live up to what the hype was feeding us. Guess what? It's one of my favorite Max albums to date. There is an energy on this record that is unmatched in most other Cavalera projects. Don't get me wrong, I love all of the stuff leading up to CC, but god damn this shit is brutal!

Moonsorrow - Tulimyrsky

Don't be stupid. Listen to this record. When I sat down with Ville last year, he was telling me about his plans for this record and when I asked why Moonsorrow songs are so long, he gave me the best answer: The songs end when they are ready to end. The music flows until the song is done. Moonsorrow is a deeper... no... meaner version of what a lot of Melodic Metal tries to be. Moonsorrow sings in Finnish because they aren't trying to sell themselves to a worldwide audience; they just want to create good music. Tulimyrsky is awesome.

Zimmers Hole - When You Were Shouting at the Devil...We Were in League with Satan

You know how there are some bands that you step outside the norm... and you can't even identify why, but you just love it? - a guilty pleasure if you will. That is this album. I can't tell you why you should listen to it... I'm not even telling you that you should... I'm just telling you that for me, it's one of those bands.

Metallica - Death Magnetic

Cold Play - Viva La Vida

Gojira - The Way of All Flesh

Amon Amarth - Twilight of the Thunder God

Protest the Hero - Fortress

AC/DC - Black Ice

The Gaslight Anthem - The '59 Sound

Old '97's - Blame It On Gravity

Tindersticks - The Hungry Saw

She & Him – Volume 1

Ryan Adams & The Cardinals - Cardinology

Greg Laswell - Three Flights From Alto Nido

Bloc Party – Intimacy

Paul Westerberg - 49:00

Broken Social Scene - Presents: Brendan Canning, Something For All of Us

Accuresed - TUNNELN I LJUSETS SLUT

ripping Swedish punk

Alleged Satanic Ritual Abuse - The Way of All Flesh

Brutal Grindcore from Brooklyn.

Grid Link - Amber Grey

Jon Chang from Discordance Axis returns with grind to rip your face off

The Endless Blockade - Primitive

Grind from Canada with harsh noise tendencies

World Burns to Death - Graveyard of Utopia

Jack Control gets stabbed in the lung and comes back with more anger and aggression

Black Autumn - Rivers of Dead Leaves

German Black Metal

spazz/25 ta life 7"

it only took like 10 years for this record to come out and I needed it to finish my spazz collection

Envy/Jesu LP

awesomeness via Japan and the UK

Cult Ritual - 3rd

pissed off, that's it

Mammoth Grinder - Rage and Ruin

pissed off grind from Texas

Bat for Lashes - Fur and Gold

TV On The Radio - Dear Science

MGMT – Oracular Spectacular

Sigur Ros - Heim

Feist - Let It Die

Coldplay - Viva La Vida

Portishead - Third

Ray LaMontagne- Gossip in the Grain

Cold War Kids - Loyalty to Loyalty

Bad Brains - Build a Nation

Killer Bad Brains shit with a mix vibe of quickness and I against I.

Disfear - Live the Storm

Awesome technical metal with great guitar licks.

Gojira - The Way of All Flesh

A really good Gojira album with Logan Mader's killer sound, and kind of a Roots guitar vibe.

Gogol Bordello - Gypsy Punks

East European kings of punk with gypsy influence.

Turbo Trio - Turbo Trio

The Brasilian Prodigy, Portuguese lyrics about violence, an a musical vibe of "City of God."

Incite - Divided We Fail

Incites EP is really a leap forward musically, and Richies vocals are kick ass.

Agnostic Front - Warriors

One of the best hardcore releases of the year. A.F. is going strong after more then 2 decades. Much respect.

Amon Amarth - Twilight of the Thunder God

Killer heavy shit with a Nordic vibe, kinda like old Bathory. Awesome winter music.

Agoraphobic Nosebleed - Insect Warfare

Grind core to fuck shit up, enough said.

Hirax - The New Age of Terror

Classic thrash metal from Katon de Peua and gang, check out Unleash the Dogs of War.

Gojira - The Way of All Flesh

Into Eternity - The Incurable Tragedy

Bloodbath - The Fathomless Mastery

Ashes Divide - Keep Telling Myself It's Alright

Meshuggah - Obzen

Children of Bodom - Blooddrunk

Aborted - Strychnine 213

Malevolent Creation - doomsday x

Pestilence - Spheres

Believer - Dimensions (reissue)

Cynic - Traced in Air

Kiss - Ikons Box Set

Exodus - Atrocity Exhibition

Sparks - Exotic Creatures of the Deep

Testament - Formation of Damnation

Decrepit Birth - Diminishing Between Worlds

Guns N Roses - Chinese Democracy

Guns ‘N Roses - Chinese Democracy

Who cares what it sounds like as long as Axl's back?  Well, actually it sounds pretty darn good.  Axl clearly put the last 13 years of recording to good use and created an epic rock album with more than a touch of insanity lurking beneath the well-produced veneer.

The Sword - Gods Of The Earth

Achieving the seemingly impossible, The Sword outdo themselves on their second LP and grind out a retro-metal classic.

By far, this is the most accomplished and aggressive album by the 9 to date. 

Kingdom of Sorrow - Kingdom of Sorrow

What would it sound like if you mixed Crowbar with Hatebreed?  Exactly like this album and it's all good.

Hail Of Bullets – Of Frost and War

I'm not sure what rolling into Russia during WWII was like, but I now know what it sounded like: Vicious unrelenting death metal.  Hail Of Bullets debut catapults them into the canon of death bands to be reckoned with.

Amon Amarth - Twilight Of The Thunder God

Also a good example of death metal evoking great battles (Viking in this case), Amon Amarth's most recent smashes your skull with Odin's hammer and treats you to some melodies in the process. 

Lair of the Minotaur - War Metal Battle Master

Representing Chicago, Lair of the Minotaur take it up a notch with some heavy sludge.  Watch out, if you listen too closely you might be strangled by a bass string.

All That Remains - Overcome

Keeping metalcore relevant, the Masshole metalers delivered their most accomplished and listenable album in 2008.  Catchy tunes and heavy riffs is what this one is all about.

Soilent Green - Inevitable Collapse In The Presence Of Conviction

Somehow this band is still around (see the many disasters that have befallen them) and they keep sounding better.  Fire up the bong and let this one rip.

This was initially a tie between Soulfly's Conquer, but the presence of Igor on Inflikted tips the scales.  The brothers Cavalera are back and serve up, well, what you'd expect.  But it's still eminently satisfying.

I tend to exclude Roadrunner releases from my year end Top 10's but when you've got Nickelback teaming up with Mutt Lange...you're talking about a combination of forces unrivaled since Zan and Jayna used to knuckle-touch on Saturday mornings and do their Wonder Twins shtick. Mutt Lange's split from Shania Twain has freed him up to continue the Lord's work he started almost 30 years ago with AC/DC and Def Leppard. "Wonder Twin powers, activate! Form of Hell's Bells meets Jukebox Hero meets Bringin' On The Heartbreak meets Pour Some Sugar On Me meets Photograph meets How You Remind me. FAVORITE TRACK: Shakin' Hands.

Guns n Roses - Chinese Democracy

The anticipation for a new G'N'R album wore off a long time ago for me. Heck, I wasn't all that excited by the "Lose Your Illusion" double set. But after living with Chin-Dem for about a week now, I have to admit it's grown on me. Too much piano and not enough riffs but I can't deny the quality of many of the slower songs. FAVORITE TRACK: Sorry.

Metallica - Death Magnetic

Speaking of riffs, this album is all about RIFFAGE. Thank you, Rick Rubin! It's not the greatest Metallica album but it's better than anything they've done in almost 20 years. The songs and sound are pretty raw (in a Zeke kinda way!) and that's enough to make this record really refreshing. FAVORITE TRACK: The Judas Kiss.

That's it for me as far as albums go but I'll round out this list with some indispensable songs released this past year.

Bat for Lashes - Horse And I

I think I actually downloaded this song by mistake...but I‘m glad I did. Very atmospheric. Haunting female vocal that reminds me of Kate Bush.

Ben Folds with Regina Spektor - You Don't Know Me

This is just a real enjoyable, slow, bopping kind of track. Spektor's vocals are the perfect compliment.

Sia - The Girl You Lost to Cocaine

This track is different from Sia's more hippie-dippy type songs. There's a strong, pounding piano beat that backs up an equally strong vocal performance.

Motley Crue - Saints of Los Angeles

Classic Crue. Great to hear. If they had 9 more like this one, the album woulda been killer.

Pink - So What / Def Leppard - C'mon, C'mon

The lyrics are a bit naff on both but the stomp-along, glam beat that runs through both of them reminds me of Sweet, Gary Glitter and T-Rex.

Kevin Rudolf and Lil Wayne - Let It Rock

What would the follow-up to Van Halen's "1984" have sounded like if the entire band had been replaced by robotic clones. After listening to this track, I think the answer is obvious.

Roll the Tanks - Police Me

Makes me think of The Clash.

Cynic - Traced in Air

Meshuggah - Obzen

Cult of Luna - Eternal Kingdom

Sigur Ros - Með Suð Í Eyrum Við Spilum Endalaust

Gojira - The Way Of All Flesh

Mogwai - The Hawk Is Howling

Nine Inch Nails - The Slip

Underoath - Lost In The Sound Of Separation

The Birthday Massacre - Walking With Strangers

Amon Amarth - Twilight of the Thunder God

Mindless Self Indulgence - If

All That Remains - Overcome

Gojira - The Way of All Flesh

In Flames - A Sense of Purpose

Children of Bodom - Blood Drunk

Raunchy - Wasteland Discotheque

Testament - The Formation of Damnation

Ayreon - 01011001

A super epic symphonic metal opera about life on another planet with guest appearances by some serious metal heavyweights (Simone Simmons, Floor Jansen, Michael Romeo, Anneke van Giersbergen, Ty Tabor, and many more). Of course, it's #1!

Kamelot - Ghost Opera: The Second Coming

So what if it's a reissue? I can't get enough of this album. Khan's voice gives me goosebumps, and the awesome bonus tracks make me feel ok about buying the same album twice in two years.

The prog metal trailblazers never disappoint!

Gojira - The Way of All Flesh

Heff just turned me onto these guys recently and I can't believe I lived that long without Gojira in my life!! Thanks, dude!

Toadies - No Deliverance

Today we spell redemption T O A D I E S.

Straight up evil fucking genius!

Headlining the first Mayhem Tour, debuting at #1 on Billboard!! It's good to be a maggot.

Sharon is one of my favorite frontwomen, and to hear the band with a full symphony is so powerful. 

Ashes Divide - Keep Telling Myself It's Alright

I wouldn't expect anything less from an APC member.

Tarja - My Winter Storm

It's so wrong, but feels so right. But I still love Nightwish most!!! We cool??

Portishead - Third

Lil Wayne - The Carter III

MGMT – Oracular Spectacular

Metallica - Death Magnetic

Rise Against - Appeal To Reason

Kings of Leon - Only by the Night

One Day as a Lion EP

Story of the Year - Black Swan

Sigur Ros - Með Suð Í Eyrum Við Spilum Endalaust

OK, I love the band, everyone knows that but this record was just a stellar leap beyond expectations. I mean the song writing has just amazing growth and maturity and Bob Marlette's touch can be felt throughout the record. Easily my favorite record in quite some time and definitely of the year.

Shinedown - The Sound of Madness

In my opinion, one of the best bands out there today. The debut record was good, the last record was phenomenal and this record was actually a sneak attack for me. On first listen I thought it was just okay but as I listened more and more (and then more and more) I found myself in love with it. Brent's voice is just amazing and he is easily one of the best front men out there.

Slipknot records are always such a deep listen. There is the initial exposure and then what happens as you dig deeper. This one is no exception and it's a damn near perfect record. I love Gematria, Sulfur and Psychosocial but Gehenna is the only thing that drags down the record at all. It is interesting to watch this band grow and evolve, I hope they never stop changing and evolving.

Theory really needed time to grow into themselves. I loved the debut and the 2nd was a huge growth and should have been huge. The fact that it didn't somehow gave them the, I don't know, frustration (?) to write this one and it should be the one to take them to a whole new level. I think By The Way is just massive Hate My Life is a classic

Gutter Twins - Saturnalia

The reality is that anything from Mark Lanegan is instantly a favorite for me (ok, not the Isobel Campbell one but that is besides the point) and this is no exception. I think he is one of the true great artists that I have ever discovered. The combination of Mark and Greg Dulli creates a wonderful texture as they compliment each other beautifully.

Testament - The Formation of Damnation

The return of some serious old school thrash. I bought this based on the hype and excitement and was actually pretty damn psyched. I loved them back in the day and then faded away. Made me feel good to hear it.

Metallica - Death Magnetic

Aaaah, the REAL return of Metallica. Is it great? No, I am not actually sure if they have a true great record left in them but it kick's ass and it's the best thing they have done since the Black Album. I respect them for doing this (to be honest, they had to do it) and it's a worthy effort.

This one had to grow on me. I am not sure how quickly people will take to it but it's real kick ass rock from back in the day (it actually is very Kingdom Come-ish). It's rock from back in the day when Rock had atmosphere and texture.

AC/DC - Black Ice

Only one of the greatest bands to ever pick up a fucking guitar! And, it kicks ass too! No, it's not that drastically different but it's AC/DC, if it was it would probably suck! It's AC/DC making a great AC/DC record - what else could we ever ask for?

TIE: Nickelback - Dark Horse and Kings of Leon - Only by the Night

NB: I have more songs on this record that I am NOT in love with then any other Nickelback record. But, that being said, I love Burn it to the Ground, Just To Get High, If Today Was Your Last Day and This Afternoon enough and they are one awesome kick ass fucking rock band and I will always love and enjoy listening to Nickelback albums.

KOL: This band needed a few albums to grow and evolve and develop and have now finally delivered a prett damn solid album. It does kind of fade on my in the 2nd half bu the first half earns it its spot on this list

Honorable Mentions

KINGDOM OF SORROW - SELF TITLED - Just a solid ass kicking record. Listened to it a lot when it first came out.
MOTORHEAD - MOTORIZER - see the AC/DC description above - similar
BLUE MOUNTAIN - MIDNIGHT IN MISSISSIPPI - I will always love hearing their down home "comfort food" music
AIRBOURNE - I do love the band and the record and it was tough not putting them in the Top 10.

Katy Perry - One of the Boys

Eric Hutchinson - Sounds Like This

Jason Mraz - We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things

My Chemical Romance - The Black Parade is Dead

Sigur Ros - Með Suð Í Eyrum Við Spilum Endalaust

Juno - The Soundtrack

3oh!3 - Want

Jacks Mannequin - The Glass Passenger

TI - Paper Trail

Testament - The Formation of Damnation

Death Angel - Killing Season

Gojira - The Way Of All Flesh

Extreme - Saudades de Rock

Kings X - XV

Metallica - Death Magnetic

The Black Crowes - Warpaint

The Raconteurs - Consolers of the Lonely

Santogold

Roger Joseph Manning, Jr. - Catnip Dynamite

TV On The Radio - Dear Science

Ting Tings - We Started Nothing

Rodney Crowell - Sex & Gasoline

Robyn

Foxboro Hottubs - Stop! Drop! & Roll!

Scar Symmetry - Holographic Universe

In Flames - A Sense of Purpose

All That Remains - Overcome

Bullet for My Valentine - Scream Aim Fire

Children of Bodom - Blooddrunk

Protest the Hero - Fortress

Metallica - Death Magnetic

Shinedown - The Sound Of Madness

Hinder - Take It To The Limit

Motley Crue - Saints of Los Angeles

The Academy Is - Fast Times At Barrington High

Coldplay - Viva La Vida

Alkaline Trio – Agony and Irony

Weezer - Weezer (red album)

Metallica - Death Magnetic

Lil Wayne - The Carter III

Kings of Leon - Only by the Night

The Killers - Day and Age

Norma Jean - The Anti Mother

Avenged Sevenfold

Guns n Roses - Chinese Democracy

Jason Mraz - We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things

Coldplay - Viva La Vida

Duffy - Rockferry

TI - Paper Trail

Katy Perry - One of the Boys

Linkin Park

Shinedown - The Sound of Madness

Pink - So What

Lil Wayne - The Carter III

AC/DC - Black Ice

Bob Dylan - The Bootleg Series, Vol. 8 Tell Tale Songs

Brian Wilson - The Lucky Old Sun

Hank Williams - The Unreleased Recordings

Joy Division - Unknown Pleasures Collector's Edition

The Darjeeling Limited Original Soundtrack

J. Davis Trio - These Things Happen

Van Morrison - Keep It Simple

Gaslight Anthem - The '59 Sound

Their sophomore album and it kills.  It's like Springsteen meets the Bouncing Souls and it works so well.  Key tracks include "The '59 Sound," "Old White Lincoln," & Meet Me By The River's Edge" but every song on this one is a keeper.

http://www.myspace.com/thegaslightanthem 

Tim Barry - Manchester

I've been waiting a couple years for this follow up from Avail's front man and needless to say it does not disappoint.  Tim Barry has grown as an artist and though I hate to see Avail less, he has reintroduced the punk rock ethic and storytelling to folk and country the same way a certain man in black changed country forever.  Key tracks include "South Hill," "This November," & "Tacoma."

http://www.myspace.com/timbarryrva 

The Casting Out - The Casting Out

Full of melody with a pop sensibility, but still maintaining the hardcore roots this band derives from featuring members of Boy Sets Fire.  A huge surprise to me this year as the band BSF felt like they just left the scene and this 7 song EP shreds.  What it lacks in brutal intensity it makes up for in maturity and musical expansion, something I think Boy Sets Fire was moving towards, but never was fully realized, The Casting Out has the potential to start a new chapter in the scene.  Key tracks include "Quixote's Last Ride," "Awkward As We Came," & "Alone" (which has the same emotional intensity one saw in tracks like "Unspoken request" or "My life In The Knife Trade" from Boy sets fire's classic After The Eulogy.

http://www.myspace.com/thecastingout

Frank Turner - Love Ire & Song -

A great discovery for me this year, the UK singer/songwriter puts all his punk ethic into his acoustic guitar and not in that  pussy dashboard confessional kind of way.  When he sings you listen and by the end of this album you feel like your at a free for all sing-along at your local pub.  Key tracks include "Photosynthesis," "Long Live The Queen," & "Thatcher Fucked The Kids."

http://www.myspace.com/frankturner

Slipknot continues to be brutal, but expand upon their sound whether it be the Pantera-esque juggernaut of "Psychosocial," the prog riff laden "Butcher's Hook," the ballad driven "Snuff," or the full out hardcore assault of the title track this album has something for any metal fan.  They fully live up to their mantra "you cannot kill what you did not create."  They brought the riffage in a big way this year and I was happy to get it back. 

Nine Inch Nails - Ghosts/The Slip

So I'm cheating a bit here, but Trent put out 2 records this year and they were both equally deserving of my top 10.  Ghosts is a haunting instrumental masterpiece.  The tracks on Ghosts 3 & 4 are definitely my favorite as they get a bit heavier, more industrial, but who knew Trent Reznor could make the Marimba rock!!!  The Slip was also a great rock record, less industrial I thought, at least less than Year Zero which was also a masterpiece, but really just a straight forward rock record.  at least that is how it felt live.  Key tracks included "Head Down," "Echoplex," & "Letting You." The record was free so if you didn't get it you should now: http://theslip.nin.com/.

http://www.myspace.com/nin 

Flight Of The Conchords - Flight Of The Conchords

This show was brilliant and though it's more of a comedy album than anything the songs are as rocking as they are ridiculous.  Whether you are serenading a first date to "Ladies of The World," kicking out the jams to "Hiphopopotamus Vs. Rhymenoceros," or just sick of all the "Mutha'uckas" ucking with your shit then this album has got something you'll enjoy.  Season 2 starts in January, watch it, bitches.

http://www.myspace.com/conchords 

Rise Against - Appeal To Reason

A band that really just keeps their sound vital through classic punk melody with modern riffs.  The new album isn't quite as anthem heavy as their previous album The Sufferer & The Witness, but still shows growth from the band in songs like the anti war epic "Hero Of War," classic Rise Against anthems like "Re-Education (Through Labor)," and classic punk melody in "Savior."  The great thing about this record as the deeper you get into it the better the songs are which is usually the opposite.

http://www.myspace.com/riseagainst 

Does It Offend You, Yeah? - You Have No Idea What You're Getting Yourself Into

Chaos in electronics, goes from almost a hardcore themed electronic romp in "With A Heavy Heart (I Regret To Inform You)" to a pop ballad that sounds as good as anything The Killers ever did on "Dawn Of The Dead."  These guys were one of the best selected bands for the opening slot for Nine inch Nails this summer (though Boris and A Place to bury strangers where also phenomenal and should be checked out).  With all the hype I read on indie artists and mashup "artists" like Girl Talk, it's good to see that someone is trying to put out something that is new and original.

http://www.myspace.com/doesitoffendyou

She & Him - Volume One

I grew up on oldies radio, and this record was my guilty pleasure as it made me feel like I was listening to classics on the oldies channel.  Zoey Deschanel is easy on the eyes and I've been a fan since Elf/Almost famous, but how often does an actress put out a record that is quality.  Thanks for going against the trend and channeling Patsy Cline.  Check out tracks like "Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?," "Black Hole," & "I Should Have Known Better" (which has almost a hawaiian vibe).

http://www.myspace.com/sheandhim

Boris - Smile

Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds - Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!!

TV On The Radio - Dear Science

Deerhunter - Microcastles

Crooked Fingers - Forfeit / Fortune

The Muslims

Dillinger Four - C I V I L W A R

Gutter Twins - Saturnalia

Jason Mraz - We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things

Xavier Rudd - Darker Shade of Blue

The Verve - Forth

Eddie Vedder - Into the Wild

AC/DC - Black Ice

Fleet Foxes

Simple Plan

Coldplay - Viva La Vida

In This Moment - Dream

Guns n Roses - Chinese Democracy

Shiny Toy Guns - Seasons of Poison

Enya - ...And Winter Came

All That Remains - Overcome

Metallica - Death Magnetic

All Shall Perish - Awaken The Dreamers

Mudvayne - The New Game

Since I listened to nothing else from May to September, this earns a spot. Oh, and it's brutal, too. "Psychosocial" is the best melodic metal song since "Walk" by Pantera and

Twilight (the movie)

I often ignore hype. This exceeded the hype and I'm not the 14-year-old target demo! I want to be a vampire and hang out with Edward!

Everyman by Philip Roth

Picked it up in airport, read it twice on one cross-country flight.

Lewis Black - Anti

Not as good as "The White Album" or "The Rules of Enragement," but Lew's political astuteness and one-liners are quotable and hilarious. My fave comedian.

Kingdom of Sorrow

Doesn't sound like Hatebreed-meets-Crowbar, despite this project featuring the principals of Hatebreed and Crowbar. Jamey really pushed himself to do something different and succeeded. Love the thunderous riffing and the sludgy NOLA sound.

Testament - The Formation of Damnation

Satyricon – The Age of Nero

Blackest of the black... I don’t care who thinks this is "Hot Topic" black metal. It sounds evil to me.

Abigail Williams - In the Shadow of a Thousand Suns

My friends at Metal Maniacs told me this was a good one and whoa, I was blown away. There is some real grace, probably due to Ash's keyboards, among Sorceron's viciousness on this. This is an A+ effort on their part.

Revolutionary Road (film)

I went to a screening and wow... One of the most touching portrayals by an actor since Heath Ledger in Brokeback. One of the richest, most layered movies I've ever seen.

Children of Bodom - Blooddrunk

MMMMMM....guitars. Shred.

Oomph! - Monster

Hans Zimmer & James Newton Howard - The Dark Night Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

Sia - Some People Have Real Problems

Flight of the Conchords - Flight of the Conchords

Nine Inch Nails - The Slip

Death Cab For Cutie – Narrow Stairs

AC/DC - Black Ice

The Faint - Fasciinatiion

Sikamor Rooney

Fleet Foxes

The Black Keys - Attack and Release

Black Mountain - In the Future

Radiohead - In Rainbows

Dr. Dog - Fate

The Melvins - Nude with Boots

Half Eaten EP

Jay Reatard - Matador Singles 08

Shinedown - The Sound of Madness

This is their best record to date, great songs, sounds amazing, Rob Cavallo did a great job producing but most of all Brent Smith is the best singer in rock n roll period.

The Doors - The Very Best of the Doors

One of my all time favorite bands. 39 tracks with remixes from Paul Oakenfold and Crystal Method. I always tried to sing like Jim and even wore leather pants for a month straight. You won't catch me whipping my dick out on stage any time soon though.

Flight of the Conchords - Flight of the Conchords

One of the best shows on T.V. so fresh makes me want to be New Zealandish. Or at least be Murray their tour manager from the show.

Guns n Roses - Chinese Democracy

This isnt one of the best records of 2008 but i'm just looking to get on axl's good side so we can tour with them.

Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison

His voice is so full of sadness and yet his hair remains so coiffed. This great man might have copied my hairdo but how could I hold a grudge.

Staind - The Illusion of Progress

The illusion of Progress- their latest record isn't much different than the rest in my opinion but still great material. Here's a band where every member brings a style to the songs that is noticeable unlike other bands. That and Aaron smokes enough fuckn dope every night to kill a dog and still sings every note. Bastard!

John Mayer - Continuum Special Edition

His idol was Stevie Ray Vaughn and I thought on his first record he sang alot like him. But this record he's come into a more diverse style which I love, and i'm pretty sure he can shred if he really wanted to.

Joe Satriani - Professor Satchafunkilus and the Musterion of Rock

i'm pretty sure he still plays dungeons and dragons every friday night with steve vai and yngwie malmsteen but that OK cuz he's in my opinion the best guitar player on the planet.

Colbie Caillat

Her father might be able to make her record sound amazing but you can't buy a voice like hers. The first time I heard her voice I got a hard on and had to google her picture right away.

AC/DC - Black Ice

same old,same old! but if it aint broke don't fix it right. They were worried a little bout Brian's voice on this record but it turns out he still has the "JACK" (yeah,yeah I know that was bon scott)

Rock Star Club - The City Killed My Friend

The gospel according to Paul K., Chicago's finest.

Local h - Twelve Angry Months

That about sums it up?.  This will get played well into 2010...I'll stop when they stop.

Thecurrent.org

Greatest radio ever?.  Drive By Truckers into Marvin Gaye into Twilight Singers still my mix of the year...when I needed it most.  If I could drink this station I'd buy a brewery.

Cheap Trick - Live At Budokan: 30th Anniversary

If I dare quote Mr. Nielsen, "4 great guys, 3 great chords."

Two Cow Garage - Speaking In Cursive

If sweat and PBR had a baby? (seeing them perform "Camaro" from the last album live at the Hideout in 2007 was like the first time I threw up from jack daniels? - my eyes watered, my throat hurt, my stomach ached and I knew I had a friend for life).  SIC has many, many "Camaro" moments and more.

Supersuckers - Get It Together

"Im A Fucking Genius" is my song of the year. 20 years strong and no end in sight.  Buy 'em an anything and buy a record when they come to town.  They'll be there shortly.  Might be time to introduce Mr. Zander to Mr. Spaghetti.  Thats 50 years of rock right there.  We demand a Cheap Sucker World Tour '09.

Paul Westerberg - 49:00

Worth every penny?.  49 minutes, 49 beers, coincidence?

Harry Pussy - You'll Never Play This Town Again

Everything on one cd?  Come on.

Replacements- Reissues (Sorry Ma?, Stink, Hootenany, Let It Be )

Worth it.  Now I can take the 20 beer soaked cassettes that have the bonus tracks in one form or another on them out of the glove compartment of the '97 Pontiac Sunfire...well, maybe ill keep the tapes ?that smell, that Old Style smell?.

Motorhead - Motorizer/Lemmy The Movie trailer

I'm gonna treat the Lemmy movie like I would  a proper VH reunion with DLR and Michael Anthony?im going to the first date, cuz there might not be any more.  People are gonna burn stuff, riot, pillage, drink. Tthere will be anarchy. Then Lemmy will come and save us and declare he is the overlord ruling master, and you willl bow down.? Have you seen this trailer?  Holy shit. Gotta wait till sometime in '09, but save me a seat and leave room for my civil war uniform and sword.  49% motherfucker/51% son of a bitch. And the new record smokes. 

http://www.lemmymovie.com/

2009 Looking forward to...

Delilahs Chicago 16th Anniversary, Triple Rock Minneapolis 11th Anniversary, Double Down Las Vegas 17th Anniversary, Lawrence Arms at Reggies, finding some old friends/family, any Truckstop Coffee show or release, and getting back to Liars Club Chicago.  Too much to ask for a Triple Fast reunion?

Glen Campbell - Meet Glen Campbell

Fucked Up - The Chemistry of Common Life

Hot Chip - Made in the Dark

Mason Jennings - In the Ever

King Khan and The Shrines - The Supreme Genius of King Khan and The Shrines

The Night Marchers - See You In Magic

Oasis - Dig Out Your Soul

Shearwater - Rook

Sidestepper - The Buena Vibra Sound System

Sigur Ros - Með Suð Í Eyrum Við Spilum Endalaust

Grand Magus - Iron Will

Kings of Leon - Only by the Night

Volbeat - Guitar Gangsters & Cadillac Blood

AC/DC - Black Ice

Jud - Sufferboy

Bison B.C. - Quiet Earth

Metallica - Death Magnetic

Rise Against - Appeal To Reason

Kings of Leon - Only by the Night

Gutter Twins - Saturnalia

Local H - 12 Angry Months

Alkaline Trio – Agony and Irony

All That Remains - Overcome

Honorable Mentions

Metallica - Death Magnetic
Cavalera Conspiracy - Inflikted
Nine Inch Nails - The Slip
Reggie And The Full Effect - Last Stop Crappy Town
Black Stone Cherry - Folklore & Superstition
AC/DC - Black Ice

The Black Keys - Attack and Release

Eagles of Death Metal - Heart On

The Sword - Gods of the Earth

TV On The Radio - Dear Science

Bronx - V3: Bronx

Cold War Kids - Loyalty to Loyalty

Beck - Modern Guilt

Bison B.C. - Quiet Earth

Fucked Up - The Chemistry of Common Life

Stick to Your Guns - Comes from the Heart

I fucking LOVE this record, you should too.

Blacklisted - Heavier Than Heaven, Lonlier Than God

This band is killer and keeps getting better with every record.

The Gaslight Anthem - The '59 Sound

Have Heart - Songs to Scream at the Sun

Cold World - Dedicated to Babies Who Came Feet First

Gojira - The Way of All Flesh

H2O - Nothing to Prove