Julia Conny

[Julia Conny]

2008 was a rough year - economically (for all of us) and personally, but that's all going to change. With the optimistic quivers and chime of Fleet Foxes bringing me into the new year, things will be different. Lots of speed bumps, but luckily, I had a sublime playlist to bring me through it all. For that, I am grateful.

I learned to hate music a little bit more in 2008 - the crap bands and their undeserved success - but I grew to cherish the significance of a special band, song or album. I melted in the depths of Astronautalis and Bon Iver. I eagerly unwrapped a new Death Cab release. I found Baltimore gems that weren't within the pop-punk genre (Beach House and Wye Oak), and I interned for a grand club in the Washington, D.C. area. I got in trouble with the law. I started new projects, started booking at a new venue and joyfully continued living with my best friend and business partner, Jacqueline. WE GOT A NEW PRESIDENT. I put my puppy to sleep. I discovered Driver F and Vertigo Whales. I blogged. A lot. And crafted. A lot. I went on tour (sort of). I stepped up my game and then brought it back down again. I shut down a Starbucks, moved to a new one and readjusted. I was pleasantly surprised with Razia's Shadow after hating Forgive Durden live. I got Valentine's Day flowers from Eyeball Records and a Buddha statue from my mom for my 22nd. I grew up a bunch. My 2008 was a weird 2008, but it sounded damn good.


Top Albums of 2008
20. The Little Ones - Morning Tide
19. Good Old War - Only Way to Be Alone
18. Miniature Tigers - Tell It To The Volcano
17. Right Away, Great Captain! - The Eventually Home
16. Valencia - We All Need a Reason to Believe
15. Sigur Ros - Með Suð Í Eyrum Við Spilum Endalaust
14. The Gaslight Anthem - The '59 Sound
13. Wye Oak - If Children
12. Driver F - Chase the White Whale
11. City and Colour - Bring Me Your Love
10. Dear and the Headlights - Drunk Like Bible Times
9. Beach House - Devotion
8. Forgive Durden - Razia's Shadow
7. Pompeii - Nothing Happens for a Reason
6. Why? - Alopecia
5. Tiger Lou - The Loyal
4. Death Cab For Cutie - Narrow Stairs
3. Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago
2. Astronautalis - Pomegranate
1. Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes

Honorable Mentions
Colour Revolt - Plunder, Beg and Curse
Person L - Initial
Lydia - Illuminate
Russian Circles - Station
Paper Rival - Dialog
Tokyo Police Club - Elephant Shell
MGMT - Oracular Spectacular
Harrison Hudson - Blood, Sweat and Sweat

Top Loved 2007 Releases
3. The Rumble Strips - Girls and Weather
2. The Wombats - A Guide To Love, Loss & Desperation
1. Looking Glass Wars - The Musician

Biggest Disappointments
Annuals - Such Fun
Ra Ra Riot - The Rhumb Line
The Jealous Sound - Got Friends EP

Top EPs of 2008
5. You Me and Everyone We Know - So Young, So Insane
4. Looking Glass Wars - A Place in a Parlor
3. Fleet Foxes - Sun Giant
2. Mansions - Mansions
1. Imperial China - Methods

Top Songs of 2008
10. Valencia - "Listen Up"
9. Dear and the Headlights - "I Know"
8. Fleet Foxes - "White Winter Hymnal" / "Blue Ridge Mountains"
7. Death Cab For Cutie - "Cath"
6. Pompeii - "What Kind of Future"
5. You Me and Everyone We Know - "I Can Get Back Up Now" feat. Max Bemis
4. Kevin Devine - "Another Bag of Bones"
3. Astronautalis - "The Story of My Life"
2. Bon Iver - "Skinny Love"
1. Manchester Orchestra - "Badges and Badges"

Most Anticipated Albums of 2009
7. Two Tongues
6. Brand New
5. Kevin Devine
4. The Thermals
3. Weatherbox
2. Andrew Bird
1. Manchester Orchestra

Top Lyricist of 2008
3. Dean Stafford
2. Jonathan "Yoni" Wolf
1. Andy Bothwell

Top Record Labels of 2008
2. Favorite Gentlemen
1. Eyeball Records

Top Shows of 2008
5. Beach House @ Whartscape
4. Person L and Anthony Green @ The Ottobar
3. Virgin Fest @ Pimlico Race Course
2. Steel Train, Dear and the Headlights and Forgive Durden @ The Ottobar
1. Manchester Orchestra, Kevin Devine and All Get Out @ The Ottobar

Top Bands to Watch in 2009
3. Moving Mountains
2. All Get Out
1. Vertigo Whales

Top 10 TV Shows of 2008
5. Entourage
4. CSI: Miami
3. Top Chef
2. Gossip Girl
1. LOST

Top Films of 2008
5. Cloverfield
4. The Dark Knight
3. Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist
2. Wall-E
1. Ghost Town

Top Bars of 2008
5. Zen West
4. Mick O'Sheas
3. Fraziers
2. The Ottobar
1. Dudas

Best "Other" Music Website of 2008
Daytrotter (http://www.daytrotter.com/)
strikegently.com (http://www.strikegently.com)

Best Blogs of 2008
Craftzine Blog (http://blog.craftzine.com/)
dooce.com (http://www.dooce.com)
FAILblog (http://failblog.org/)
Jake and Amir (http://www.jakeandamir.com/)

Favorite Personal Blog Posts of 2008
10. What would I do without you, Blog? (http://www.absolutepunk.net/journal.php?do=showentry&e=92082)
9. And scene. (http://www.absolutepunk.net/journal.php?do=showentry&e=57481)
8. Wowzers! A peek into my Google Reader. (http://www.absolutepunk.net/journal.php?do=showentry&e=84902)
7. Draw on this table!! (http://www.absolutepunk.net/journal.php?do=showentry&e=33231)
6. The Most Epic Interview In The History of Interviews (http://www.absolutepunk.net/journal.php?do=showentry&e=83112)
5. It tasted fucking scary too. (http://www.absolutepunk.net/journal.php?do=showentry&e=60201)
4. I can't believe... (http://www.absolutepunk.net/journal.php?do=showentry&e=86892)
3. Andy Hull reads my blog. (http://www.absolutepunk.net/journal.php?do=showentry&e=106232)
2. And This Is What I Live With... (http://www.absolutepunk.net/journal.php?do=showentry&e=24244)
1. Unsigned Band Merch Hook-Up (http://www.absolutepunk.net/journal.php?do=showjournal&tag=unsigned%20band%20merch%20hook% 20up&j=1584)

[Julia Conny]

I love you all.

So much.

I'm getting all mushy.

[Garett Press]

Greattt stuff Con-artist.

And a big hellll yeah for the Miniature Tigers mention!

[Julia Conny]

Greattt stuff Con-artist.

And a big hellll yeah for the Miniature Tigers mention!
Totally fell in love with that album, thanks to you!

[Nathan Lint]

Julia! I was anticipating your list and it definitely didn't disappoint!

Here's to keeping in better touch in 2009.

[Julia Conny]

Julia! I was anticipating your list and it definitely didn't disappoint!

Here's to keeping in better touch in 2009.

Thanks boy. You and me, were like two peas in a pod.

[IamTheINDUSTRY]

pretty much love your list. did you not like new frontiers though? with some of those bands on your list, i'd think that would fit right in.

[Julia Conny]

pretty much love your list. did you not like new frontiers though? with some of those bands on your list, i'd think that would fit right in.

I did enjoy them a lot, but I didn't listen to Mending enough. They were great though. Sad that they called it a day.

[Jason Tate]

You and I share the love. Haha. I agree with a lot of this.

[imtimwhoareyou]

I still have you to thank for Pompeii pre-Assembly.



...Thank you.

[hockeyguitar99]

Good list. Pompeii, Fleet Foxes, Why?, and some many others on your list are fabulous.

[jdr2187]

Harrison Hudson! I think this is the frist time I've ever seen those guys mentioned on here!

[Julia Conny]

I still have you to thank for Pompeii pre-Assembly.



...Thank you.

It's my pleasure. Did you like Nothing Happens for a Reason?

[Julia Conny]

You and I share the love. Haha. I agree with a lot of this.

It was such a great year for music. Astronautalis ftw, that's for sure.

[Julia Conny]

Harrison Hudson! I think this is the frist time I've ever seen those guys mentioned on here!

They're great. The kind music that has bar swagger that I've always been into. I can toast my beer to that, ha.

[Julia Conny]

Good list. Pompeii, Fleet Foxes, Why?, and some many others on your list are fabulous.

Thanks! Although Blake totally gets credit for Why? I wouldve never listened if it wasn't for his constant and well-placed praise.

[Jason Tate]

It was such a great year for music. Astronautalis ftw, that's for sure.
For sure. I have him as my favorite lyricist this year as well. Glad to see the love!

[WhoSaidThat?]

Great list, Jules (if I can call you that).

[VIVALAMATT]

Fleet Foxes as number 1. FINALLY.

[KEB182]

love the looking glass wars promo.

the a place in the parlor EP is great, and free on their myspace

[hockeyguitar99]

Thanks! Although Blake totally gets credit for Why? I wouldve never listened if it wasn't for his constant and well-placed praise.
Haha, he hooked me on Why? also, but you got me on Pompeii, so thanks haha.

[Julia Conny]

Great list, Jules (if I can call you that).

By all means, a lot of people call me Jules.

And thank you!

[saysmydoctor]

I can't believe Astronautalis isn't number one for you. The review you had could be summarized with the word 'eargasm.'

[Julia Conny]

Fleet Foxes as number 1. FINALLY.

That record rendered me speechless on many occasions.

[Julia Conny]

love the looking glass wars promo.

the a place in the parlor EP is great, and free on their myspace

That band has infinite amount of potential. I really want to push them in 2009.

[Julia Conny]

I can't believe Astronautalis isn't number one for you. The review you had could be summarized with the word 'eargasm.'

My top five albums, give or take, couldve all been number one, really. Haha. But Fleet Foxes ... I just can't put into words how beautiful I think their music is and I was really on that kick when I made the list.

[WhoSaidThat?]

By all means, a lot of people call me Jules.

And thank you!
No prob.

[Steve Henderson]

:giverose:

Glad to spend another year alongside you.

[Ryzenfall]

That's cool that you ended up keeping Drunk Like Bible Times up there. From the review thread, you sounded disappointed a little, but it is a grower.

[xtheaudition]

good lists

[Domenic182]

Why? made your list. Good girl

[Praetor]

That RAGC album is so good. Way better than The Bitter End.

[Toner]

It's kind of proof of how important you have become to this site that this was the first list I read after checking Jason's.

The fact I only own 3 of the CDs in your top 20 makes me think I've missed out on a lot of good stuff this year though... I'm getting lost in all the myspace pages I've got open trying to check out all these bands I've never heard of!

[Eurotrash Drock]

juliaaa! very nice wrap up. im going to george mason in a few weeks. hopefully ill see you around dc/bmore

[jaimej]

Angels & Kings need to be on your list of favorite bars! But only on gay night hahaha. Love you! <3

[Julia Conny]

:giverose:

Glad to spend another year alongside you.

Hearts to you!

[Julia Conny]

That's cool that you ended up keeping Drunk Like Bible Times up there. From the review thread, you sounded disappointed a little, but it is a grower.

I'm really glad I ended up really liking the album. And I agree, it is a grower. After seeing them live for the first time this year, I realized I hadn't given the album enough of a chance.

[Julia Conny]

Why? made your list. Good girl

I can sometimes do good things.

[Andrew Love]

yes yes yes for the Manchester Orchestra love. I admittedly was only a "casual" fan before this year, but god I've grown to love them so much to the point where they are in my top 5 favorite bands. It was good reading your Let My Pride Be review and knowing someone else loves them as much as I do. Take care.

[Sic Transit Zeb]

Julia, you win.

[The Youth]

do you ever watch the black cab sessions?
if not it's right up your alley.

[c_rob2700]

3 movies ahead of Dark Knight.....
:bluesad:

[Brett3]

Glad to see Driver F on your list.

[theripped0ne]

dig it.
fleet foxes was on constant spin while walking through crowds and holiday mayhem in nyc.
i floated through the holidays with a smile.

[themostdeplete]

Top 10 TV Shows of 2008

1. LOST


typical choice, but i love you for it.

[aidAn]

I love seeing colour revolt and weatherbox on someone's list

[thiswokendream]

"10. Valencia - "Listen Up""

Definitely my favorite on the album. Glad to see Valencia show up on many top 08 lists.

[unprotected_sax]

person L!

nice, nice

and of course the Anthony Green/Person L show would be a top show!

[PassedOut]

Just wait, you are going to have to add a "Top 10 Rodeos" category to your list next year = )

I'm probably coming home tomorrow night. I miss you. HXC style.

[Spenny]

Yay for naming "Listen Up" one of your top songs of the year. It's my favourite song off of WANARTB, which is saying a lot, since it's full of great songs.

And I never knew about Fleet Foxes until about a month ago, but I love the album. Nice list.

[Julia Conny]

yes yes yes for the Manchester Orchestra love. I admittedly was only a "casual" fan before this year, but god I've grown to love them so much to the point where they are in my top 5 favorite bands. It was good reading your Let My Pride Be review and knowing someone else loves them as much as I do. Take care.
I hear ya on the MO love. I highly recommend watching the DVD from the What's Left Behind EP ... it gives such a great insight into Andy Hull as a songwriter.

[Julia Conny]

do you ever watch the black cab sessions?
if not it's right up your alley.
I'll check it out, thanks for the rec.

[Julia Conny]

3 movies ahead of Dark Knight.....
:bluesad:
Don't get me wrong, I though the movie was exceptional, but I'm not a fanboy. To me it was just a superhero flick.

[Julia Conny]

dig it.
fleet foxes was on constant spin while walking through crowds and holiday mayhem in nyc.
i floated through the holidays with a smile.
What a perfect soundtrack for holiday shopping. I introduced the album to my parents on the 8-hour drive home from my grandparents house, and we were all put in a dreamstate. It was euphoric.

[Julia Conny]

Top 10 TV Shows of 2008

1. LOST


typical choice, but i love you for it.
Hahaha, yeah, I'm pretty predictable when it comes to Lost. I'm obsessed like everyone else.

[Julia Conny]

Just wait, you are going to have to add a "Top 10 Rodeos" category to your list next year = )

I'm probably coming home tomorrow night. I miss you. HXC style.
Where is all this rodeo love coming from??! Hahahaha.

[TheBaroness]

Agree with The Jealous Sound EP being a disappointment

[Julia Conny]

Agree with The Jealous Sound EP being a disappointment
Thank youuu. It was a pathetic excuse as a release. Close to pointless, IMO.

[Ryzenfall]

I'm really glad I ended up really liking the album. And I agree, it is a grower. After seeing them live for the first time this year, I realized I hadn't given the album enough of a chance.

I saw them on the Steel Train tour. The first opening local band sort of destroyed the sound system for the rest of the night, but they were still great. Their performance of those songs made me like the album more.

Seeing Copeland live made me love YAMS too. Weird how that works. It's like they have some kind of hidden hypnotist on stage to lure the audience to adore their latest release.

[Steve Henderson]

Thank youuu. It was a pathetic excuse as a release. Close to pointless, IMO.
Have to feel bad for TMG on that one. They had the guys signed when they were high on the hype of their last album, and then they go and break up. TMG just had to cut their losses...hard to make a 3 song EP seem like anything substantial, though.

[imtimwhoareyou]

It's my pleasure. Did you like Nothing Happens for a Reason?

I am thoroughly shamed... I didn't pick it up when it was $6.00 at the Eyeball store... I'm still kicking myself, but I'll get it eventually.

Assembly was one of those for which I had downloaded a lot of the tracks (legally; I think they were up on Purevolume or something) but hadn't actually purchased it (I hate paying double-digits for CDs).

But it's one of those "albums I need to purchase" that keeps a permanent tab on my Firefox session... Hahaha.

[soundslikeredd]

ok.so lets see...i see manchester orchestra,cloverfield,fogrive durden,strikegently.com......


im in love..... lol :)

ur definitely the only person on here i have most in common!

[maniac R.O.D.]

i agree with this list more than any of the others. Good work!

[Julia Conny]

ok.so lets see...i see manchester orchestra,cloverfield,fogrive durden,strikegently.com......


im in love..... lol :)

ur definitely the only person on here i have most in common!
strikegently is amazing, I check it every day. I'll just let their streaming playlist go with my headphones on and play around with the interwebs for hours. Love it.

[saysmydoctor]

My top five albums, give or take, couldve all been number one, really. Haha. But Fleet Foxes ... I just can't put into words how beautiful I think their music is and I was really on that kick when I made the list.
I have never given Fleet Foxes a listen so I may have to. I'm surprised Lydia didn't crack your top 20. It was your review that got me to listen.

Here's to hoping another flawless year from Eyeball, who consistently never leave me disappointed.

[PassedOut]

Where is all this rodeo love coming from??! Hahahaha.
I was over at Rachel and Tommy's and we saw a commercial for a rodeo coming to Baltimore. We all decided that we need more cowboy extravaganzas in our life. So pretty much, its totally random ha.

[saving jonathan]

I first checked out this list while sitting in a ski lodge two nights ago, blazed out of my mind, via my friend's iPhone.
Sucked then, and it still sucks now.

jk.

p.s. I'm totally on to you and your suggestive blog titles to get some attention around here!

[streydogg]

Can't believe Razias Shadow was not mentioned. Cmon Now.

[streydogg]

K after reading it twice i saw it at number 8. You're lucky.

[streydogg]

Promise of Redemption????

[Spenny]

Wow, my first read I didn't even notice you mentioned Strikegently.
Great site. A bit too harsh on Fall Out Boy, but hey, an opinion is an opinion.

[mcdizzle88]

woooo valencia!!!

[Shaneplaysdrums]

yay for lost! - im re watching all 83 episodes right now to prepare me for season 5 :)