Top albums of 2008

So 2008 has brought a lot of good music. I have compiled a list of my 25 favorite releases of the year. My music taste is most likely different than yours so you may agree or disagree with some of my choices. Please remember that these are MY choices and not yours. If you feel like I did not mention a certain album or feel the need to voice your own opinion... well then make your own list. Like I usually say... there was a ton of good music to choose from this year so here it goes...

25. National Product- Luna: Do you like bands like Taking Back Sunday and Senses Fail? Well this band has a great album for you. Teetering on the edge of Post hardcore mixed with Power pop this band has some great songs like... Collision... Love Me... and Paper and Ink.

24. Number One Gun- The North Pole Project: A great representation of how fantastic bands are on the record label Tooth and Nail. The band Number One Gun delivered and emotional and calming experience. Favorite tracks include... The Massacre... Wake Me Up... and Find Your Escape.

23. Gaslight Anthem- The 59' Sound: I had a hard time trying to think of a word that would describe this band or their album, but after much thought I think swagger best describes them. Try and think of bands like Murder by Death or a little Rise Against in there too. My favorite tracks... Great Expectations... Film Noir... Casanova, Baby!

22. Copeland- You Are My Sunshine: This band is a very relaxing listen. The lead singers voice is so brilliant and calming. Check out these fantastic tracks... Should You Return... To Be Happy Now... and The Day I Lost My Voice.

21. Senses Fail- Life Is Not A Waiting Room: This album rocks and is for any fan of Senses Fail or bands like Finch, Scary Kids Scaring Kids or Saosin. Check out tracks like... Lungs Like Gallows... Family Tradition... and Four Years.

20. Panic at the Disco- Pretty Odd: Say what you will about the band or the album but I enjoy it. It was a drift from their last album but they sure came up with some damn catchy songs. My favorite ones are...She's A Handsome Woman... The Green Gentleman... and Behind The Sea.

19. All-American Rejects- When The World Comes Down: I have heard a lot of bashing on this cd lately and frankly I don't get it. I think they really shine on this album with standout tracks like... I Wanna... Damn Girl... and Another Heart Calls.

18. Death Cab for Cutie- Narrow Stairs: The indie band delivers another gem this time with more pop coupled with the experimentation they always deliver. My favorite tracks... Bixby Canyon... No Sunlight... and Cath.

17.Rise Against- Appeal to Reason: Not much else to say about this album but what you come to expect from a band that has a history of fantastic albums. It still rocks and is politically charged. Check out tracks like... Collapse (Post Amerika)... Re-Education (through labor)... and Audience of One.

16. Jonezetta- Cruel To Be Young: This band has grown alot on this album and you can tell that they draw some influences from Coldplay. If you have not heard of this band or seen them live may highly recommend this fantastic cd. My favorite tracks are... Wide Awake... Paint and Picture... and Sick in the Teeth.

15. Jack's Mannequin- The Glass Passenger: Its no Something Corporate is what you can hear all the time from many fans of the lead singer of Jack's... Well of course its not... ITS JACK'S MANNEQUIN!!! And he truly delivers some emotional and powerful songs that evoke his struggle that he over came of cancer. Check out... Swim... American Love ... and Caves.

14. Children 18:3- self titled: The debut cd from these three siblings rocks! They have a bright future of Tooth and Nail records with crazy awesome songs like... LCM... Even Sleeping... and Ditches.

13. Weezer- self titled (red album): Classic Weezer is back!! Nuff said! Check out The Greatest Man That Ever Lived... Heart Songs... and Dreamin'

12. Gym Class Heroes- The Quilt: This CD is amazing for the fact that the band shows of their talent to hop between genres of music and pull it off oh so well! Check these tracks... Guilty As Charged... Like Father, Like Son... Live Forever (Fly With Me).

11. The Academy Is...- Fast Times At Barrington High: You cant go wrong with proved catchy pop punk music. Its tough not to sing along to every single song. If I had to choose a few favorites... About A Girl... Rumored Nights... Crowded Room.

10. Baysdie- Shudder: They are consistently writing great music that compels to the darker side in all of us. They also leave a feeling of hope that can be found in all their albums. Shudder comes as probably the most cynical of all their albums but yet profound at the same time. Check out... No One Understands... A Call To Arms... I Cant Go On.

9. Forgive Durden-Razia's Shadow: Its a musical about the darker side in all of us... well at least I think that's what its about... One thing I am sure of is the fantastic music and the great cast of characters. Check out these great songs... The Missing Piece... Life is Looking Up... and It's True Love.

8. Capital Lights- This is An Outrage: Debut album from a band on my favorite record label. They truly shine on this CD as masters of writing great pop punk. The entire album is solid. Check out these songs... Outrage... Remember The Day... Miracle Man.

7. Fall Out Boy- Folie A Deux: Its a very contagious CD. Every song will have you tapping your feet or singing along. Fall Out Boy make a fantastic 4th album and it may even be their best effort yet. Check out these toe tapping sing alongs... I Dont Care... Tiffany Blews... and w.a.m.s.

6. Alkaline Trio- Agony & Irony: They seem to have returned to their roots with great catchy music. The band reclaims their relevence in this day and age despite all the cookie cutter screamo and pop. Check out these fantastic tracks... Calling All Skeletons... Help me... I Found A Way.

5. The Hush Sound- Goodbye Blues: On their third album the band steps it up a notch with a different vibe. With masterful tracks that seem to have been influenced from piano pop to olden time saloon music, The Hush Sound kept me interested every second on the disc. One of the stand out performances is given by Gretched who seems to have found her voice here. Check out... The Boys Are Too Refined... Not Your Concern... Love You Much Better.

4. Forever The Sickest Kids-Underdog Alma Mater: Catchiest album of the year! You cant help but love every chorus and every hook. Seeing them live also increses their likeability( is that even a word?) Check out tracks like... Whoa Oh!( Me v.s. Everyone)... My Worst Nightmare... and Breakdown.

3. Anberlin- New Surrender: Anberlin is not number one?!?!? This is an incredible band. And New Surrender will certainly prove that. I have now seen this band 14 times live and have no intentions of stopping. New Surrender is a very radio friendly cd... but yet in my opinion holds true to what Anberlin is about. Fantastic lyrics, driving guitars and an energy that can emitt from any of their songs. Check out fantatsic songs like... The Resistance... Breaking... Dissapear... and Haight Street.

2. The Classic Crime- The Silver Cord: This is one of those albums that may have been looked over by many people that I know. Why this band has not hit it big is beyond me. This band has nore talent than 99 percent of the bands in modern rock today. The Silver Cord is not only exceptional but its truly a modern classic in my book. Check out songs like... Just A Man... Gravedigging... 5805... Abracadavers... and Sing.

1. Coldplay- Viva La Vida: If you have read my review of this album in one of my previous blogs you will know how impressed I am with this CD. The band managed to reinvent themselves in such a way that truly gave the meaning of music as an artform. Viva is not only a masterpeice but an example of what a band can do by finding new influences and recreating a sound for themselves. This truly was in my opinion the best album of 2008. Check out amazing tracks like Lost!... Yes... and Strawberry Swing.

Of course there were other terrific albums that came out that didnt quite make the cut....
Bands that deserve honorable mentions...
Family Force 5
Ivoryline
Funeral For A Friend
Hawthorne Heights
Shiny Toy Guns
Houston Calls
Phantom Planet
Run Kid Run
Search The City

Please take a listen to some of these bands if you have not already. There was alot of good music this year! This just happens to be what has caught my ear.