I have submitted a couple of Top 10′s to other blogs and voted in a couple of polls from folks that have asked (which was very nice and flattering, btw). The truth is, I have had a different Top 10 on almost each submission, depending on the blog/person requesting it and even what mood I was in, even though a great amount of research and recollection went in to each list that I submitted. I figure that instead of a standard “Best Of”, I would spend the next few days reviewing my years favorites. I’ll admit, part of this idea has been lifted from Songs:Illinios and the “Repost Series” they have been doing….
My Favorite Albums (No Particular Order):
The Truckers treated us all to the years first MAJOR release for 2008.
Mando Saenz came back and showed he was ready to rock.
In one of my first posts for Twangville, I rambled about Austin Collins latest album.
One of the true finds for 2008 (many other blogs agree, by the way) was Joe Pug and his Nation of Heat EP.
A new generation of Austin greats blossomed this year, chief among them were The Mother Truckers.
Reckless Kelly + Bulletproof = Awesomeness.
The new album from Carrie Rodriguez displayed one of the most affecting and memorable vocal performance of the year with “Rag Doll”.
Another of my top single tracks of the year is the title track on High on Stress’ Cop Light Parade.
Dallas’ The New Frontiers hooked up a great disc, right before they called it quits.
Here is my absolute favorite disc of the year!
God Bless Waylon Jennings and his timeless sound.
Along with Ashton Shepherd and Zac Brown, this disc from Joey + Rory was the best mainstream Country album of the year!
Those are the “album highlights” of what was discussed here this year, even though there were many more (Graham Lindsey, Owen Temple, The Atkinsons, The Middle Class, Back Porch Mary, etc..) Great releases by Lucinda Williams, Chris Knight, Jason Boland, Hayes Carll, Old 97′s, My Morning Jacket, 1100 Springs, The Hold Steady, Ryan Adams and even Coldplay also made this year pretty solid for me regardless of whether I talked about them a ton on the ol’ Knob.
Later, we’ll review other areas of interest from 2008!
5 Responses
I’ll have to check these out! I obviously agree with you on the Chambers/Nicholson and Joey + Rory projects. Maybe we’re just suckers for husband-wife teams.:)
You thought the Zack Brown album was decent? I haven’t been sure about it due to mixed reviews and what I find to be the stupidity of “Chicken Fried” (though it’s sonically interesting). It’s the sound of that song that made me go back and forth about the album. Maybe I should give it a try?
I really dig the ABB album, actually. I am with you, and on record as saying thtat chicken fried isnt good, but i love the whole vibe of the album. laid back, with southern cool and even a bit of 70′s california country vibe in my opinion…their success and unique sound (compared to the rest of top 40) gives me hope that the mainstream will hopefully continue to embrace acts that arent so cookie-cutter…
I’ll have to give it a try then. I like the laid back idea that you throw out there.
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