AbsolutePunk.net (Staff Compiled)

[Julia Conny]

We took all of the staff lists - assigned point values - and then compiled a list that represents the entire staff. We think the final outcome is quite diverse and represents the AP.net staff well. We don't wanna hear any "blah blah" shoulda been included. Instead - feel free to let us see your lists. Thank you for spending the year with us - we hope you've enjoyed everything we've done this year and hope next year brings you even more music.

The Best of 2008
30) The Hold Steady – Stay Positive
29) House Of Heroes – The End Is Not The End
27) Tiger Lou – The Loyal
27) Jamie Lidell – Jim
26) Conor Oberst - Conor Oberst
24) The Living End – White Noise
24) The Dodos – Visiter
23) The New Frontiers – Mending
22) Vampire Weekend – Vampire Weekend
21) Dear and the Headlights – Drunk Like Bible Times
20) Augustana – Can’t Love, Can’t Hurt
19) Sigur Rós – Með Suð Í Eyrum Við Spilum Endalaust
18) Kings Of Leon – Only By The Night
17) Coldplay – Viva La Vida or Death And All His Friends
16) Underoath – Lost In The Sound Of Separation
15) Astronautalis – Pomegranate
14) Why? – Alopecia
13) Death Cab For Cutie – Narrow Stairs
11) The Reign Of Kindo – Rhythm, Chord, & Melody
11) Copeland – You Are My Sunshine
10) Fleet Foxes – Fleet Foxes
09) Jacks Mannequin – The Glass Passenger
08) Valencia – We All Need A Reason To Believe
07) Bon Iver –For Emma, Forever Ago
06) Good Old War – Only Way To Be Alone
05) Fall Out Boy – Folie à Deux
04) City And Colour – Bring Me Your Love
03) The Gaslight Anthem – The ’59 Sound
02) Forgive Durden – Razia’s Shadow: A Musical
01) Lydia - Illuminate

There is a thread in the general forum (http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=746502) where lots of members are sharing lists.

[cory-182]

TYGB?

Its nice to see Gaslight in the top 3.

[Jackfrost50]

Now that I'm on winter break, I'm going to have to Zune Pass every album here that I don't own.

Glad to see City & Colour and Gaslight Anthem top 5, and Valencia top 10.

Good list by a good team.

[Garett Press]

I can proudly say I like every record on that list - good stuff this year staff. Good stuff indeed.

[llmp]

No Polar Bear Club? :(

Who the hell is Lydia? I seriously have heard absolutely nothing about this band. I guess I'll have to check them out.

I'll agree on Gaslight...and...umm....House of Heroes. Sigh.

For what it's worth, here's mine with reasonings/songs in my blog:

10. The Gaslight Anthem - The '59 Sound
9. The Loved Ones - Build & Burn
8. Able Baker Fox - Voices
7. Useless ID - The Lost Broken Bones
6. Iron Chic - Demo 2008
5. The Plastic Constellations - We Appreciate You
4. Have Heart - Songs to Scream at the Sun
3. LaGrecia - On Parallels
2. The Riot Before - Fists Buried In Pockets
1. Polar Bear Club - Sometimes Things Just Disappear

[buddyhenika]

no Houston calls?

[Blake Solomon]

just a quick note that it is VERY difficult to score high enough to get into the top 15 of this list. So don't pass over these albums, because it indicates a pretty much staff-wide liking for lots of these. And we know what we're talking about; our names are RED!

love you all, and love WHY?

[anamericangod]

no Houston calls?
Did you listen to the album?

[blindrider529]

wow Jamie Lidell? Surpirsed to see him on there! That's pretty awesome.

[Badgers08]

I feel like this is one of the best Top 30's in years

[lilRIPsta]

able baker fox : (

[loganmmm]

5) Counting Crows- Saturday Nights & Sunday Mornings
4) Ace Enders and a Million Different People- The Secret War EP
3) Good Old War- Only Way To Be Alone
2) Punchline- Just Say Yes
1) Forgive Durden- Razia's Shadow

[sidekicksuicide]

Julia needs to get more of you listening to Driver F
but solid list overall. good to not see Kanye

[ellingtonband]

lydia killed it this year! such an amazing band...

[Julia Conny]

I think this year's list is top notch.

[Clark]

Protest The Hero isn't even in the top thirty. Really? I love most of those albums, but Fortress is killer and deserves a spot among those.

[DTR]

Makes me happy to see Lydia at number 1.
I smiled a whole lot.
:)

[gabbbsters]

haha yes
copeland, and deathcab, and jacks.
excellent excellent

[LongDistanceDrunk]

This should be the first page one of The Best of 2008 thing since its all the staff's lists put together.

[Steve Henderson]

Thanks for reading, everyone!

Now, a shameless plug for my list:
http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=707942

[kemichels]

wasn't The Loyal released in like 05 or 06? I thought A Partial Print was the one from this year... Either way, both are way worthy.

[delvec19]

Man, I'm shocked there's no Thrice on this list. Alchemy Indexes 3 and 4 were awesome and their live cd was one of the best live cd's ive ever heard.

[Paul Tao]

This year's list is one of the more diverse in a long time.

[emkvetwin]

very solid list. the Reign of Kindo is the highest album i haven't heard, time to get on it!

[mogwaifearsatan]

I seriously haven't a fucking clue why Lydia is big or respected. They are the musical equivalent of a cardboard box. The rest of the list ain't bad though; good show.

[Steve Henderson]

I seriously haven't a fucking clue why Lydia is big or respected. They are the musical equivalent of a cardboard box. The rest of the list ain't bad though; good show.
I can understand someone not liking them (taste is subjective and all that jazz), but to say they are untalented is borderline retarded.

[Benny K]

I don't understand the hype around razia's shadow here. I mean, i respect him for writing it and putting it all together and creating something that hasnt been attempted before. But I cant listen to it for more then 15 minutes. bands like Forgive Durden and Gatsby's have so much musical talent but they seem to overcomplicate their music. i definetly could be wrong, thats just the impression i get.

I could almost compare Razia's praise and attention to Peter Jackson getting an oscar for the lotr trilogy; rewarding the on taking rather then the finished product

Good list tho.

[ringlord]

Illuminate as AOTY, that is bloody incredible and, I feel, well deserved. Besides This Town Needs Guns' 'Animals' I see pretty much my top 10 for the year in the list. There were many disappointments, but I feel some of my favourite LP's and EP's were released in 2008.

[Domenic182]

Very glad to see Why? on there.

[The Personist]

no Houston calls?
Not really AOTY material. I liked it a lot, but it wasn't THAT good. It was like the Lights And Sounds to Collection of Short Stories' Ocean Avenue.

[funkel]

Surprised that Folie A Deux made the list considering it's been out for a month at most.

[thehereaway]

Supprised Kay Kay or Portugal. The Man didn't get in the top thirty, a lot of people held those albums quite high this year i recon, me included.

Looking forward to checking out the stuff i've not heard of tonight

[Toner]

I don't want to complain about this feature because I love it but how come you guys have left out the artwork / description of each album and their end of year score this year?

[erinleighmc]

Yay Razia's Shadow!

[Anton Djamoos]

I don't understand the hype around razia's shadow here. I mean, i respect him for writing it and putting it all together and creating something that hasnt been attempted before. But I cant listen to it for more then 15 minutes. bands like Forgive Durden and Gatsby's have so much musical talent but they seem to overcomplicate their music. i definetly could be wrong, thats just the impression i get.

I could almost compare Razia's praise and attention to Peter Jackson getting an oscar for the lotr trilogy; rewarding the on taking rather then the finished product

Good list tho.
You don't think that LOTR was deserving of the Academy Award? I am pretty much the complete opposite of you because Razia's Shadow was my favorite album this year and Return of the King is my favorite movie, haha.

[ACA]

United Nations would have to be in my list.. but then again there's little hardcore featured on this site so I wouldn't expect something like that to make the cut (or a lot of other good hardcore records).

-ACA

[whyte39]

I'm kind of surprised Pompeii never landed on the list...But other than that I appreciate most of the albums listed.

[meghanlail]

It makes me happy to see Jack's so high on that list. :-)

[AlternateToLife]

Wow that's a pretty good list. Tiger Lou? Yes please.

[tommy's ghost]

Great list. I was just listening to Drunk Like Bible Times, that album kicks a lot of ass.

[ThatGirl]

i think Bon Iver might have been my number one of the year. I fell hard for that album.

[SlowDescent]

Conor should of been higher than 26. That album is brilliant...

[Kbm600]

The fact that Lydia is on top of this list simply proves absolutepunk has the best staff to offer.

[Remnants]

Where's the Tourmaline record? And no My Morning Jacket?

[Wisher]

woooo lydiaaaaa.

great list guys. lydia is right where they need to be. band of the year.

[jakeonaplane]

pomegranate is a great album

[Tristan Needler]

Oh my god, I think I've only heard two of those albums haha.

[mogwaifearsatan]

I can understand someone not liking them (taste is subjective and all that jazz), but to say they are untalented is borderline retarded.
Where did I say they were untalented? I said their music is like cardboard, because it is. I've listened to their records and seen them live with The Dear Hunter and Eye Alaska. They seem like nice dudes and chick, they know how to play their instruments, but I think their music is just about as bland, uncreative, and energy-lacking as you can get, and I think it sort of sucks when there were so many other bands (many of whom were recognized on the list) doing incredible, creative, energetic things things this year who lost their chance at a high-ranking spot because of frigging Lydia.

*awaits storm of RAAAAAAGE*

[Steve Henderson]

List is pretty bad guys. Don't want to be a huge jerk about it but it's significantly worse than last year and that wasn't so great either.
Hahaha, how can a list be bad or good? It is just the summation of what the individual staffers liked. I don't agree with most of it, but it is what it is.

[alltimelove]

No Hit the Lights? :(

[MarquisInSpades]

The List is pretty alright. Two big things though that are extremely important:

1. Lydia and The Hold Steady should be switched. I actually really like the Lydia album too, but the Hold Steady is saving Rock and Roll music (along with The Gaslight Anthem). They deserve the top of the list in addition because of the album is fantastic but their music in general just keeps getting worlds better when that doesn't even seem possible.

2. Bon Iver should switch spots with Forgive Durden because that album is one of the best in the last 5 years. He is/they are tremendously talented.

The top 5 should in my opinion consist of The Hold Steady, Bon Iver, The Gaslight Anthem, TV on the Radio's Dear Science LP, and Bloc Party's Intimacy LP. Runners up following in some of the rest of the top 10 spots would include the self-titled LPs from Crystal Castles as well as from Titus Andronicus and Vampire Weekend. A pretty decent year for music I'd say, but all of the bands I spoke of (with the exception of the Gaslight Anthem and Bloc Party ONLY because I have yet to see them--but will in March!) completely destroy any doubt concerning their music's awesomeness when you see them live. These bands I listed make good records but also have untouchable live shows. You've got to hand it to bands that can pull off both so well.

[elonman05]

The world makes sense again thanks to the staff putting Gaslight in the top 5. I have not stopped listening to that album since August. Flat out incredible.

[topher465]

Fall Out Boy at five? Terrible.

[zeropunk16]

Fuck yeah Lydia!

[katieissweet]

Good list staff.

[tommy's ghost]

A really by the numbers Fall Out Boy record in the top five? Over a band like Sigur Ros?

City and Colour the fourth best album released in the entire year? How on earth can you justify City and Colour ranking over Bon Iver?
*cough* opinion *cough*

[zubinmoosa]

Sweet list, but I just don't get Lydia :shrug:

[combatbaby]

Good to see Valencia & Jack's Mannequin in the top 10! I'll have to check out a lot of these releases I never got to.

[kwill063]

mmm i think Razia's Shadow and The '59 Sound
should've been 1 & 2. might have to have a full listen
of Illuminate considering there's so much hype about it.
siked that Why? is on the list.

[rhendershott]

Did you listen to the album?
hahahahahahaha

[fightoffyrdmns]

I feel like Lydia is an acquired taste, and an album you listen to that's exclusively dependent on your mood. Not like that's a bad thing, but I do understand why some people aren't a fan, especially since it's hyped so much.

I believe my album of the year is Colour Revolt's Plunder, Beg, and Curse, not too much that came out this year interested me. Anxiously awaiting Brand New, Saves the Day, Kevin Devine, Moneen, and Manchester Orchestra next year.

[Anton Djamoos]

A really by the numbers Fall Out Boy record in the top five? Over a band like Sigur Ros?

City and Colour the fourth best album released in the entire year? How on earth can you justify City and Colour ranking over Bon Iver?
I didn't listen to Bon Iver.

[Anton Djamoos]

I personally didn't really care for it much but virtually everyone else did from all music sites, to newspapers, to band members, to the fans. You it's pretty neglectful of you not to give it a spin.
How does that make it neglectful of me at all?

[Merkin]

I agree with the rest, I am lovin' the list.

[Anton Djamoos]

You're a music fan aren't you? Any music fan worth a damn should be checking out records regarded as highly as Bon Iver was.
It's regarded by those whose music taste doesn't really sync with mine.

[PDon11]

hahaha wow, what a terrible list, cmon AP.net.

[Undue Noise]

Great list this year. I like almost every album on that list.

[saysmydoctor]

Some people need to really grasp the concept of subjectivity.

[Garett Press]

I have to second the comments about overhyping Lydia. Nice band, but overrated. Still, I'm very cool with this list. If you think this list sucks you're missing out on 30 GREAT records.

[Anton Djamoos]

No, it's pretty much universal.
Haha, ok. I didn't listen to it, end of story. That's why I ranked every single album I did above it. I can't afford/listen to 100 albums per year like some people.

[Steve Henderson]

No, it's pretty much universal.
This is an ignorant statement. There is no such thing as universal when it comes to music, especially with something as different as Bon Iver.

If you are going to take up this crusade, why not lambaste us for leaving off TVOTR? That album has been much more hyped than BI.

[You Won't Know]

I feel like Lydia is an acquired taste, and an album you listen to that's exclusively dependent on your mood. Not like that's a bad thing, but I do understand why some people aren't a fan, especially since it's hyped so much.

I believe my album of the year is Colour Revolt's Plunder, Beg, and Curse, not too much that came out this year interested me. Anxiously awaiting Brand New, Saves the Day, Kevin Devine, Moneen, and Manchester Orchestra next year.
I agree with you. I think Lydia is very much the soundtrack to either a dark mood or at least subdued feelings. Illuminate is layered and intricate, lending itself not to a rush of energy, but rather something more along the lines of thoughtful brilliance.

I haven't heard your AOTY, although I want to and plan to (just got a new MacBook - I can download music again!). I also agree that this year was really a down year for established artists and that next year could be very much a boom year.

Think about it: Brand New, Glassjaw (probably not, but I can dream), Say Anything, Thursday, Manchester Orchestra, AFI, Taking Back Sunday, Chiodos. Whether or not they all hit it out of the park is not the point - rather, there will be a lot to listen to. Honestly, this is a like a list of my favorite bands.

For your Top 30, I agree with some of it and need to listen to more of it but I wonder, where the hell is Avalon? Ant put out a great record. And why is FOB so high? I'm trying so hard to like this record but the production just drives me fucking crazy. There is no longer the punk element in pop-punk for Fall Out Boy. Not that they were Black Flag, but there is just no rawness to the music, it's ridiculously polished. And I've liked everything from TTTYG to Infinity... so I'm not arguing the merits of "Saturday" still.

I'm still working on my top 10, but off the top of my head I know Lydia, Dear and the Headlights, Underoath, Anthony Green and Thrice (I'm cheating and putting their second half of the Alchemy Index) on there.

[Vermillion]

I don't like Lydia's vocals.


Am I alone on this?

[denissuxx]

1. I was very happy to see the number 1 :D

2. Fall Out Boy better than Jack's Mannequin? Hmm...

3. No Houston Calls :( (and no, i didnt think TEOAE was rubbish)

4. I really couldnt get into Razia's Shadow :(

[denissuxx]

I don't like Lydia's vocals.


Am I alone on this?
Yes.

[blebbio]

My top 10 is almost the exact same.

[Vermillion]

I don't know, I find his vocal range pretty samey and bland.

[JayPnay]

Man, I'm shocked there's no Thrice on this list. Alchemy Indexes 3 and 4 were awesome and their live cd was one of the best live cd's ive ever heard.
I'm very surprised that Thrice didn't make the list, as well. Earth and Air were a great cap-off to the masterpiece that is the Alchemy Index.

Anyway, very diverse list. I like it. Hurray to Lydia!

[denissuxx]

I don't know, I find his vocal range pretty samey and bland.
Yeah, but listen to the instruments (music has that too :shhh: ) and Mindy's vocals

[denissuxx]

Surprised that Folie A Deux made the list considering it's been out for a month at most.
Agreee

I really liked it acually (I say actually because FOB is kinda a guilty pleasure for me)

The first 9 tracks are immense though, after that.. its goes downhill a bit, lyrically and in catchiness

[Vermillion]

Yeah, but listen to the instruments (music has that too :shhh: ) and Mindy's vocals
And that's why I specifically mentioned the vocals. :P

[imemokillme]

REIGN OF KINDO! AHEAD OF DCFC! wow good call, these guys are really great and make me a little prouder of Buffalo. saw them open for As Tall As Lions a week ago and they were both phenomenal

[Alex182]

Great list. For me, I have like...a top 5

1. Copeland- You Are My Sunshine
2. Lydia- Illuminate
3. Kanye West- 808s & Heartbreak
4. Bon Iver- For Emma, Forever Ago
5. Now, Now Every Children- Cars
6. Good Old War- Only Way To Be Alone

[TheGuillotine]

Totally agree with Lydia and Forgive Durden being the top 5. Personally I just couldn't get into City & Colour.

I would have thought House of Heroes would have scored a bit higher, top notch album.

[Travis Parno]

i love all the love for Bon Iver!

-shuffles over on over to a Bon Iver friendly list (http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=706392)-

[shimmyshakes]

best list i've seen so far.

[TotalCollapse]

I'm so glad that Lydia has gone from unknown of to huge in less than a year. They deserve it and are amazing.
And the Underoath album was very good.

[HazeLitRise]

I was very surprised not to see joshua radin on here

[timb89]

cant agree on the living end.
their new cd wasnt terrible, but not top 25

[timb89]

No Polar Bear Club? :(

Who the hell is Lydia? I seriously have heard absolutely nothing about this band. I guess I'll have to check them out.

I'll agree on Gaslight...and...umm....House of Heroes. Sigh.

For what it's worth, here's mine with reasonings/songs in my blog:

10. The Gaslight Anthem - The '59 Sound
9. The Loved Ones - Build & Burn
8. Able Baker Fox - Voices
7. Useless ID - The Lost Broken Bones
6. Iron Chic - Demo 2008
5. The Plastic Constellations - We Appreciate You
4. Have Heart - Songs to Scream at the Sun
3. LaGrecia - On Parallels
2. The Riot Before - Fists Buried In Pockets
1. Polar Bear Club - Sometimes Things Just Disappear
WHO THE HELL IS LYDIA!
DUDE CHECK THEM OUT.... NOW!

[AussieBoy]

YEAH! Living End! repn the Aussies!

[josh8282]

Good Old War – Only Way To Be Alone

The only album on the list that I actually own.

[Charles777]

FOB has still got it

[ohitisjess]

hoh! jack's! :D

[Drew Beringer]

read my list thanks http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=706302

[Drew Beringer]

This is an ignorant statement. There is no such thing as universal when it comes to music, especially with something as different as Bon Iver.

If you are going to take up this crusade, why not lambaste us for leaving off TVOTR? That album has been much more hyped than BI.
TVOTR just missed my top 10. Good release, just didn't stick to me like Cookie Mountain did in 06 and didn't hit me like the other 10 albums did in 08.

People complaining about a list is dumb. It is a compiled list of over 20 people who all have unique taste. Different styles and genres hit people's emotions in a different way.

[Spenny]

Oh wow... I love every CD in the top 10, and most of the one's outside of it.

Good job AP staffers :D
And yeah, my personal AOTY is Razia's Shadow, but that's nice to see it made it in at number 2. I was hoping it wouldn't be passed over.

[3eb23]

i was disappointed with the new jack's mannequin cd. i'm surprised pretty much the entire staff loved the album from what i've seen.

[tait]

i like some and i don't like some. decent list.

[Tristan Needler]

read my list thanks http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=706302
Infraction for spamming.

[tacosunited]

sorry driver f :-(

[I am Mick]

I'm totally down with your top 3, from there on though I'm not so sure...

[FUCKDIRTYWIPES]

some good stuff, some terrible.

[Imperfektion]

Great list.

[Gleebo]

The Best of 2008
30) The Hold Steady – Stay Positive
29) House Of Heroes – The End Is Not The End
27) Tiger Lou – The Loyal
27) Jamie Lidell – Jim
26) Conor Oberst - Conor Oberst
24) The Living End – White Noise
24) The Dodos – Visiter
23) The New Frontiers – Mending
22) Vampire Weekend – Vampire Weekend
21) Dear and the Headlights – Drunk Like Bible Times
20) Augustana – Can’t Love, Can’t Hurt
19) Sigur Rós – Með Suð Í Eyrum Við Spilum Endalaust
18) Kings Of Leon – Only By The Night
17) Coldplay – Viva La Vida or Death And All His Friends
16) Underoath – Lost In The Sound Of Separation
15) Astronautalis – Pomegranate
14) Why? – Alopecia
13) Death Cab For Cutie – Narrow Stairs
11) The Reign Of Kindo – Rhythm, Chord, & Melody
11) Copeland – You Are My Sunshine
10) Fleet Foxes – Fleet Foxes
09) Jacks Mannequin – The Glass Passenger
08) Valencia – We All Need A Reason To Believe
07) Bon Iver –For Emma, Forever Ago
06) Good Old War – Only Way To Be Alone
05) Fall Out Boy – Folie à Deux
04) City And Colour – Bring Me Your Love
03) The Gaslight Anthem – The ’59 Sound
02) Forgive Durden – Razia’s Shadow: A Musical
01) Lydia - Illuminate
How the hell did you manage to spell ??) Innerpartysystem - Innerpartysystem wrong 30 times?

Also your spell check must be red lining ??)MGMT - Oracular Spectacular too. Please get a better spell check!

[already heard]

Who the hell is Lydia? I seriously have heard absolutely nothing about this band. I guess I'll have to check them out.



I had also heard little about them until Jason posted that the album was $1.99 on Amazon. It deserves AOTY status, it really is an amazing album, best $1.99 I ever spent.

[Sic Transit Zeb]

would liked to see Sigur Ros a bit higher but oh well

[Drew Beringer]

would liked to see Sigur Ros a bit higher but oh well
It's 4 on my list. :shrug:

[Julia Conny]

How the hell did you manage to spell ??) Innerpartysystem - Innerpartysystem wrong 30 times?

Also your spell check must be red lining ??)MGMT - Oracular Spectacular too. Please get a better spell check!
Because they didn't make the list. ;-)

I liked MGMT, but I thought Oracular Spectacular was fun and that's about it.

[Drew Beringer]

I don't get the Innerpartysystem hype.

[Gleebo]

I don't get the Innerpartysystem hype.
If nothing else they put out a better Faint album than the Faint did.

[Sic Transit Zeb]

It's 4 on my list. :shrug:
hahaha yeah i saw that. Good looking out!

and I don't get the innerpartysystem hype either

[Gleebo]

Where are you guys seeing all the Innerpartysystem hype? Outside of it being on the "breaking new artists" endcap at Target and a few mentions on AP.net I haven't really heard much about them. Did Rolling Stone or Spin pimp them at some point?

[Drew Beringer]

Where are you guys seeing all the Innerpartysystem hype? Outside of it being on the "breaking new artists" endcap at Target and a few mentions on AP.net I haven't really heard much about them. Did Rolling Stone or Spin pimp them at some point?
Nah, I have just seen them mentioned a lot in the forums every now and then. I don't read much music press such as Rolling Stone or Spin.

[Gleebo]

Nah, I have just seen them mentioned a lot in the forums every now and then. I don't read much music press such as Rolling Stone or Spin.
I quit my subscription to both of them for different reasons. Rolling Stone slaps an automatic 4 star review on anything released by Bob Dylan and The Rolling Stones (possibly without even hearing them) and its hard to take anything seriously that gives The Jonas Brothers a 3 and a half star review.

Spin just grabs ahold of 3 or 4 overseas bands and touts them as the next big thing. They are usually relatively successful already overseas and they act like they just got done watching them lay down their first demo tracks in their garage.

Oh and Thom Yorke may possibly be slipping them hundred dollar bills each time they mention Radiohead.

[cscwell107]

Yes! Valencia is in the top 10!

[ihavechappedlip]

No Classic Crime? Story of the Year? Burden of a Day?

Please listen to these bands.

[fadedmemories]

I'm surprised that Razia's Shadow ranked so high
I may have to check out City and Colour now.

[Moritz421]

I don't see what all the fuss is about The Gaslight Anthem. Album was very OK for me. Maybe the vocals turned me off.

[orlin]

Oh c'mon what about thrice the alchemy index air and earth was a awesome album and yet no where to be seen.

[saysmydoctor]

Yes.
I'm sure someone else out there dislikes Mindy White's voice.
Oh c'mon what about thrice the alchemy index air and earth was a awesome album and yet no where to be seen.
It was the worse of the two, in my opinion. I listened to a lot less.

[funtasticrich]

i'm gonna go through and check out every band i havent heard of. the gaslight anthem dont do it for me. just kinda meh

[xxragexlovexx]

RAZIA'S SHADOW.
YES YES YES.
I'm so glad that SOMEONE listened to this album and realized that it is absolutely fantastic. My pick for the album of the year hands down.

[kidwithhelmet]

A really by the numbers Fall Out Boy record in the top five? Over a band like Sigur Ros?

City and Colour the fourth best album released in the entire year? How on earth can you justify City and Colour ranking over Bon Iver?
Because it's an opinion, tard.

[Merkin]

No Matches or Senses Fail love?

[iseethesun123]

Fall Out Boy does not deserve to even be in the top 1000 releases for this year. But a lot of this list I agree with minus FOB and Coldplay

[circatbs]

Fall Out Boy does not deserve to even be in the top 1000 releases for this year. But a lot of this list I agree with minus FOB and Coldplay
I agree with that first part.


...and Lydia FTW!!!

[InaGreendase]

I believe this top 30 will share approximately 2 selections with Punknews' overall list.

[ship of fools]

Where's Britney?!?!

[cscwell107]

No Classic Crime? Story of the Year? Burden of a Day?

Please listen to these bands.

The Classic Crime and Story of the Year had really great releases. Ive never heard of Burden of a Day. Ill have to check em out.

[Montauk1222]

Fall Out Boy does not deserve to even be in the top 1000 releases for this year. But a lot of this list I agree with minus FOB and Coldplay

Haha seriously FOB's album was by far the most overrated one in my opinion, I was bored 3 tracks in and I've liked every other album they've released.

[Clark]

I guess everyone forgot about Alive in Wild Paint. Everyone on this site was hyping it up when it was released.

[dani1292]

The Glass Passenger should be higher on the list.

[TJ Wells]

A lot of indie on the list this year. Loving it.

[TJ Wells]

Disappointed She & Him didn't make the list, though.

[iseethesun123]

Haha seriously FOB's album was by far the most overrated one in my opinion, I was bored 3 tracks in and I've liked every other album they've released.
Boring is giving it to much credit even

[Steve Henderson]

I guess everyone forgot about Alive in Wild Paint. Everyone on this site was hyping it up when it was released.
It's on my list :shrug:

[Muf_N_Man]

Jeremy Larson should be on the list. He makes some of the most beautiful music out there. Plus, he arranges and plays all the instruments himself, the lyrics are solid, and his voice is amazing as well.

[LilRyan732]

I know this is supposed to be a punk website, but Fleet Foxes pwned anything these scene bands could ever release.

[J Me]

I have yet to understand the significance of Lydia. When the Album first came out i gave it consecutive listens over the next few weeks after it was released. It is boring, bland, and basically the same song over and over. Voice was good, but got old after repeated listens. The entire album just lost its repeat value instantly, and im surprised that this list has it Number one. I would have respected it if it were around the 12-16 rank area, but there were plenty of albums deserving number one. Sorry for the rant, just an opinion

[kevinisdying]

Good Old War is Number One.

[kathrynfaye]

I wish more people knew of the avett brothers! the second gleam EP was amazinggggg.

though it will never beat this december, illuminate was my AOTY too.
for those saying that they think lydia is too bland or calm, i would definitely suggest listening to their first release: this december, it's one more and i'm free

it's a diverse album with more highs, lows, and changes in dynamics than illuminate.
still, lydia is my favourite band, and i never get tired of listening to them.

[kathrynfaye]

I have yet to understand the significance of Lydia. When the Album first came out i gave it consecutive listens over the next few weeks after it was released. It is boring, bland, and basically the same song over and over. Voice was good, but got old after repeated listens. The entire album just lost its repeat value instantly, and im surprised that this list has it Number one. I would have respected it if it were around the 12-16 rank area, but there were plenty of albums deserving number one. Sorry for the rant, just an opinion
i think that depends. it's been on repeat for me since april, which proves that it really is subjective.
lyrics are a big factor for me though, and that's what really draws me to lydia.

[kathrynfaye]

I know this is supposed to be a punk website, but Fleet Foxes pwned anything these scene bands could ever release.
ahh i love fleet foxes!
not all of us are into that scene music =)

[soiledkleenex]

I guess everyone forgot about Alive in Wild Paint. Everyone on this site was hyping it up when it was released.
in my top 5... maybe top 3...

[theguilt engine]

gaslight anthem sucks

[Jumpoff]

Will never understand the Lydia love.

[Machu505]

Disappointing to see Lydia and Underoath on this list. And Fall Out Boy should not be that high.

[JunkBondTrader]

i thought the forgive durden album was terrible. my opinion. bored me to tears.

[saving jonathan]

Yeah, this years list is pretty sick stuff.

[krishasaheadake]

I don't get the appeal in Lydia's latest release. I enjoyed their first record but found this one boring.

[TheLoyalVox]

Really surprised not to see thrice on here... if my memory serves me correctly - Alchemy Indexes 3 and 4 came out in 2008.

[Poochemist]

If anyone has interest, you can check out my best of 2008 list here:

http://www.absolutepunk.net/journal.php?do=showjournal&j=3830

Here's just a taste:
10.) Rise Against- Appeal to Reason
9.) Lydia- Illuminate
8.) LaGrecia- On Parallels
7.) Alkaline Trio- Agony and Irony
6.) The Bronx- s/t (III)
5.) Sigur Rós- Med Sud Í Eyrum Vid Spilum Endalaust
4.) United Nations- s/t
3.) Thrice- The Alchemy Index III + IV (Air/Earth)
2.) Weezer- s/t (Red)
1.) The Loved Ones- Build and Burn

[nicoteen]

Protest The Hero isn't even in the top thirty. Really? I love most of those albums, but Fortress is killer and deserves a spot among those.
I totally agree. Fortress is one of the best METAL records I have heard in a long time

[jillieben]

Underoath definetly up there...and Death Cab, some good choices, I'm sad to see Coldplay there though

[newfoundmichael]

I'll agree with everything on here but Lydia. I only heard a few songs, but I didn't think it was AOTY material. La Dispute deserved a spot on this list as well.

[newfoundmichael]

gaslight anthem sucks
Wow, first person on this site to say that maybe?

[jtjt43]

I really enjoyed Lydia, Forgive Durden and City and Colour this year, great choices.

Saw Wolftron on a few lists and am quickly falling in love with it, surprised its not on this one

And I don't really understand the Gaslight Anthem hype, maybe i havn't given it a proper listen yet, will go back and give it another go

[ihavechappedlip]

The Classic Crime and Story of the Year had really great releases. Ive never heard of Burden of a Day. Ill have to check em out.
Sweet. Did you give 'em a listen?

[a speedo model]

Fall Out Boy is higher than Sigur Ros....Wow

[11:11]

Didn't Kings of Leon get a horrible review? Guess someone changed their mind.