Garett Press - AbsolutePunk.net

Ey yo! Happy end of 2008! I keep anticipating that year where music just sucks, but it never seems to come. Loved many a record this year - even if I only listened to some a few times, there was a lot of quality stuff and it was all a pleasure to hear. My rough list started out with 50 or so albums, sheesh! I'm very content with what I got it down to and I strongly recommend you check out everything here, because I have ridiculously good taste (JK!). Thanks for following the site and specifically Exclusives and Contests. If you've entered a billion contests and haven't won, drop me a line, we'll talk :o)

I tried to make this list interactive with links to myspaces, downloads, and videos. Check her out!

(P.S. Bon Iver first came out last year people! Heheh... but yes, it is $%&@ing incredible)

Albums of the Year
1. Shearwater – Rook
2. The Reign of Kindo - Rhythm, Chord, and Melody
3. Good Old War – Only Way To Be Alone
4. Forgive Durden – Razia’s Shadow **(Watch These!)**
5. Fleet Foxes – Fleet Foxes **(Watch This!)**
6. Dear and the Headlights – Drunk Like Bible Times
7. House of Heroes – The End is Not The End **(Watch This!)**
8. Miniature Tigers – Tell It To The Volcano
9. Nada Surf – Lucky **(Watch These!)**
10. Why? – Alopecia
11. Annuals – Such Fun
12. Phantom Planet – Raise The Dead
13. City and Colour - Bring Me Your Love **(Watch These!)**
14. Jamie Lidell – Jim
15. Copeland – You Are My Sunshine
16. Portugal. The Man – Censored Colors **(Watch This!)**
17. She & Him – Volume 1
18. Conor Oberst & The Mystic Valley Band - Self-titled
19. Girl Talk – Feed The Animals
20. Anathallo – Canopy Glow
21. Titus Andronicus – The Airing of Grievances
22. Vampire Weekend – Self-titled **(Watch These!)**
23. The Mars Volta – The Bedlam In Goliath
24. The Hold Steady – Stay Positive
25. Murder By Death – Red in Tooth and Claw
26. Tokyo Police Club - Elephant Shell
27. Brightwood – Wake
28. The Mountain Goats – Heretic Pride
29. Atmosphere – When Life Gives You Lemons…
30. The Helio Sequence – Keep Your Eyes Ahead

ExplanationShearwater's album is simply a prayer. The essence of heavenly mixed with the turmoil of indie rock. It will shake you. Good Old War never left my car stereo - so fun to sing along to. Forgive Durden cut right to the core of my Broadway musical-loving heart. The Reign of Kindo are unbelievable musicians and laid down some of the most intricate melodies of the year, with mathematical timing.

Honorable Mentions
Ludo - You're Awful, I Love You
Islands – Arm’s Way
The Dodos - Visiter
Mates of State – Re-arrange Us
M83 – Saturdays = Youth
La Dispute - Somewhere at the Bottom of the River Between Vega and Altair
Punchline – Just Say Yes
Augustana – Can’t Love Can’t Hurt
The Felice Brothers – Self-titled
Cut Copy – In Ghost Colours
Black Mountain – In The Future
Illustrate – The Stuff
Duffy – Rockferry
Frightened Rabbit – The Midnight Organ Flight
Joshua Radin – Simple Times

Most Dissapointing
Anthony Green - Avalon
Robin Thicke – Something Else
John Legend – Evolver
Ray Lamontagne – Gossip In The Grain
Anathallo - Canopy Glow
Jack’s Mannequin – The Glass Passenger
Death Cab For Cutie - Narrow Stairs
Houston Calls - The End of an Error

ExplanationMy R&B boys John and Robin both put out very solid records, but did not reach unfairly high expectations after amazing sophomore efforts. Ray Lamontagne is still beautiful to the bone, but he too couldn't come up with a comprehensive third effort. Jack's Mannequin had its moments, but again, potential definitely not reached.

Best EPs of the Year
1) Chris Bathgate – Wait, Skeleton
-This EP is ice cold and mesmerizing, a perfect winter listen. RIYL Bon Iver and stuff.
2) Fleet Foxes – Sun Giant
-Every bit as good as the full-length. Can they miss?
3) Deas Vail – White Lights
-This is the music only our genre can create. Listened to this constantly for weeks.
4) The Avett Brothers – The Second Gleam
-Avett Bros doing slow songs? *Fawns*
5) Dear Hunter – Random EPs
-My boy, masterful remixes, a joyous cover, and some soullll power.
6) Antony & The Johnsons – Another World
7) The Cool Kids – Bake Sale
-Hood + Stylish
8) New Found Glory - Tip Of The Iceberg
9) Stars – Sad Robots
10) Joshua Radin – Unclear Sky
11) You, Me, and Everyone We Know - So Young, So Insane **(Free Download!)**
12) Closure In Moscow – The Penance and the Patience
13) Polaris at Noon – The Pilot EP **(Free Download)**

Songs of the Year
Phantom Planet - "Leader" (Listen)
People In Planes - "Pretty Buildings" (Listen)
Miniature Tigers - "The Wolf" (Listen)
Q-Tip - "Gettin Up" (Listen)
Fleet Foxes - "Oliver James" (Listen)
House of Heroes - "In The Valley of the Dying Sun" (Listen)
Forgive Durden - "Genesis" (Listen)
Brightwood - "Swan Song" (Listen)
Atmosphere - "Puppets" (Listen)
Ray Lamontagne - "Let It Be Me" (Listen)
Kings of Leon - "Use Somebody" (Listen)
Socratic - "May I Bum A Smoke" (Listen)
Jason Mraz - "Beautiful Mess" (Listen)
Islands - "Abominable Snowman" (Listen)
Usher - "Love In This Club" (Listen)
Black Mountain - "Tyrants" (Listen)
MGMT - "Time To Pretend" (Listen)
Annuals - "Confessor" (Listen)
Conor Oberst - "NYC - Gone, Gone" (Listen)
All Get Out - "Water & God" (Listen)
Jack's Mannequin - "Caves" (Listen)
Weezer - "I Am The Greatest Man That Ever Lived" (Listen)
Joshua Radin - "You've Got Growing Up To Do" (Listen)
Jamie Lidell - "Another Day" (Listen)
Anthony Green - "I've Been Dying To Reach You" (Listen)
Duffy - "Mercy" (Listen)
City & Colour - "Forgive Me" (Listen)
Deas Vail - "Last Place" (Listen)
Dear and The Headlights - "I Know"
Kanye West - "Love Lockdown" (Listen)
Lil' Wayne - "3 Peat" (Listen)
Common - "Gladiator" (Listen)

Best Lyrics
Why?
Conor Oberst
Dear And The Headlights
La Dispute

Best Bob Dylan Impression
1) The Walkmen
2) Joe Pug
3) The Felice Brothers
4) Conor Oberst

Best Concert
The Avett Brothers (Pier Six, Baltimore) **(Watch This!)**

Band of the Year
Forgive Durden

ExplanationFor taking the two years to plan this concept, invoke the help of such high caliber guests, and deliver the most imaginative, risky, and enchanting concept record of the year. All the work paid off big time. This record is a trap door to a secret garden of musical delight. Hopefully this inspires other bands to be as courageous.

Best New Artist
1) Miniature Tigers
-Can't recommend these guys enough! Copeland + Death Cab For Cutie, you will love them.
2) Good Old War
3) Closure in Moscow

Next Big Thing...
The Brobecks

ExplanationMark my words! This band has the perfect combination of My Chemical Romance dark-pop and Muse-like riffage to turn heads. I've been waiting patiently to feature them, hopefully I get the chance soon - but don't wait - check it!

Best Web Tool
Foxytunes
-if you use Firefox or IE and read mp3 blogs, get this! It makes it so easy to just click any song or cycle through all the songs on one page. Changed my mp3 blog experience.

Best Online Videos
Just 2 Guys
The Kissing Family
-Brother Ali Freestyle
-Will & John C. Reilly:
Dark Knight Spoilers
Espys
Satisfaction Guaranteed
-Prop 8 Musical
-Making Music With John Mayer
-Yes We Can

Best Movies
Walk Hard (late 2007, but too phenomenal not to include)
Step Brothers **(Watch this!)**
Role Models (David Wain of Stella directed it, mad love)
The Dark Knight
Iron Man
Pineapple Express
Cloverfield

Best Musical Album
In The Heights: Original Broadway Cast **(Watch This!)**
-Rap and Latin music in a Broadway musical?! Yuppp. Sick.

Best Musical
Next To Normal (Arena Stage, Virginia) **(Watch This!)**
-A rock musical about depression, drug routines, and family. Devastating.

Most Anticipated in '09
New Found Glory
The Dear Hunter
The Brobecks
Coheed and Cambria?
Say Anything
Two Tongues
Saves The Day
Brand New
The Avett Brothers
Kiss Kiss
The Decemberists
Lupe Fiasco
Rx Bandits
Fun