I will break away from my usual blog format and speak it from the mountain of  the Issue Oriented blog to inform everyone about my favortie records (and a few movies) of this past year. I have decided to keep it exciting and put this in NON-numerical order just for kicks.

The Gaslight Anthem – The 59′ Sound

It’s on everyone’s list for a good reason. Honest, catchy and filled with soul, this record was released at the right time; people were starving for just this record. What’s even cooler? This is only the tip of the iceberg for this band.

Thrice – The Alchemy Index Vol 3 & 4

Watching this band grow and develop into something that they always have wanted to be is extremely gratifying, and worth every penny invested into the band.  This and the Volume 1 & 2 releases will be timeless and keep people interested in the band for years to come.

Blacklisted – Heavier Than Heaven, Lonelier Than God

Everything intelligent hardcore should be in 2008. It is very clear that more bands should take a hint that listening to music beyond what is considered “hardcore” will broaden your horizons and help you hone your craft even more. Viva la Blacklisted.

North – What You Were

If you have seen any of my musical picks over the past few years it is clear that my love for bands like Neurosis and Isis is something that continues to grow. Fortunately this style of music has grown more popular and more bands have followed suit. Unfortunately this also means there are a lot of bands that simply suck doing this “thing”. Not the case for North. They do this genre justice and keep you wanting more.

Torche – Meanderthal

Pop metal at it’s finest. When I hear mainstream media (Spin and other huge outlets) praising this band, it makes me have faith in the musical community. This has everything a fan of Queens of the Stone Age or Foo Fighters could want. It’s about time they blow up.

Polar Bear Club – Sometimes Things Just Disappear

Easily the feel good record of my year. Any mood can be augmented by listening to this record. I hope this band follows in the footsteps of a band like The Gaslight Anthem on their way to the top. Fans of Hot Water Music, Small Brown Bike and anything good take note.

Death Cab For Cutie – Narrow Stairs

If Death Cab releases a record, it will most likely be in my year end list. This record took a while to grow on me, but it is now easily one of my favorites that they have ever done. Beautiful, haunting and eloquent. All that DCFC is known to be.

ASG - Win Us Over

My surprise of the year. This band came out of nowhere (North Carolina to be exact) and blew me away. Heavy stoner-type rock that is just a pleasure to listen to. Nothing complicated about it.

These Arms Are Snakes - Tail Swallower and Dove

While I tend to like this band live less and less, their records keep getting better and better. A weird combination of Fugazi, Frodus and Ink and Dagger this record pushes all of their limits even further and shows you can be both heavy and intelligent.

The Gutter Twins – Saturnalia

Uhhh…it’s Mark Lanegan. Yea, and his good friend Greg Dulli playing the most somber music you can hear. Golden.            

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MOVIES:

The Dark Knight
Plain and simple, one of the most stark and realistic representations of Batman.

Wall-E
Like the cartoon version of Idocracy.

Let The Right One In
Best take on the vampire movie I have seen since The Monster Squad.

Rambo
They threw a baby into a fire. Then John Rambo killed them all. ‘Nuff said.

Step Brothers
These two gentlemen should make movies together for the rest of their lives.

Tags: 2008