Dead Confederate ::: photo by Abbey

Here’s a few of the albums that kept me in espescially good company when I wasn’t listening to my locals. (Also, when it comes to this list, “non-local” includes everything outside of Washington State, including Portland.)

For what it’s worth, the number one and two albums are virtually a tie. I’ve gone back and forth between the two of them interchanging the top spot for the entire month of December. Today’s the day I decided to post and it’s a Dead Confederate Day, tomorrow may be more Bon Iver-y. But I could stand by either as the best of 2008 with conviction.

1. Dead Confederate - Wrecking Ball |myspace|
2. Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago |myspace|
3. The Black Keys - Attack and Release |myspace|
4. Dodos -Visiter |myspace|
5. The Notwist - The Devil, You + Me  |myspace|
6. The Raconteurs - Consolers of the Lonely |myspace|
7. Thao with The Get Down, Stay Down - We Brave Bee Stings & All  |myspace|
8. The Builders & The Butchers - The Builders & The Butchers |myspace|
9. Starfucker - Starfucker  |myspace|
10. Noah and The Whale - Peaceful, The World Lays Me Down  |myspace|
11. Ravens & Chimes - Reichenbach Falls  |myspace|
12. Land of Talk - Some Are Lakes |myspace|
13. The Shackeltons - The Shackeltons |myspace|

p.s. Just like Josh, my most listened to album of 2008 was The Avett Brother’s Emotionalism.

Here is my list of what I consider to the be the “best” releases I’ve heard this year, full albums and EP’s, local and not, self-released or with a label. Regular readers probably won’t find too much surprising but there are a few that we may have not featured very much, probably because I just didn’t have too much to add to the already existing narrative. Most notable among that list is my number one choice From Emma, Forever Ago, by Bon Iver, AKA Justin Vernon. Each listen of this debut LP proffers a new detail to my ear and generates a renewed catharsis within my soul.

Before I start opining any further and get out of control (we’re saving that for next week’s official Northwest-themed lists), here are my favorites from the past year…

Josh’s Top 25 Releases of 2008

1. Bon Iver - From Emma, Forever Ago |myspace|
2. Dead Confederate - Wrecking Ball |myspace|
3. The Moondoggies - Don’t Be A Stranger |myspace|
4. J Tillman - Vacilando Territory Blues (Digital Release Only) |myspace|
5. The Whigs - Mission Control |myspace|
6. The Dutchess and the Duke - She’s the Dutchess, He’s the Duke |myspace|
7. Wild Orchid Children - S/T EP |myspace|
8. Kay Kay And His Weathered Underground - S/T LP |myspace|
9. Starfucker - S/T LP |myspace|
10. Cut Copy - In Ghost Colours |myspace|
11. The Notwist - Devil, You + Me |myspace|
12. Noah and the Whale - Peaceful, The World Lays Me Down |myspace|
13. Land of Talk - Some Are Lakes |myspace|
14. Fleet Foxes - S/T LP |myspace|
15. The Dodos - Visiter |myspace|
16 See Me River - Time Machine |myspace|
17. Jake One - White Van Music |myspace|
18. Whore Moans - Hello From the Radio Wasteland |myspace|
19. The Pica Beats - Bring Back the Claws … |myspace|
20. Thee Emergency - SOLID |myspace|
21. Lightspeed Champion - Falling Off the Lavender Bridge |myspace|
22. The Saturday Knights - Mingle |myspace|
23. Army Navy - S/T LP |myspace|
24. Horse Feathers - House with No Home |myspace|
25. Crystal Stilts - Alight of Night |myspace |

The album I listened to the most that was actually from last year but didn’t discover until this year…

The Avett Brothers - Emotionalism |myspace|

You’ll notice TV on the Radio, Of Montreal, Portishead, and Deerhunter aren’t in there. Nor Lil Wayne. I’m sorry (but not that sorry) to say I’ve listened to all of these records and they just didn’t do it for me. Dear, Science is certainly an innovative record, but I didn’t connect enough to warrant the repeated listens of those listed above. Vampire Weekend’s record is another that fits that profile, a well realized album that unfortunately for me is without any lasting impact. And I’ve diligently searched for the quality in the Deerhunter album that has everyone shouting, but I’m just completely missing it.

Today you can buy the MP3 album of Bon Iver’s For Emma, Forever Ago from Amazon for 5 bucks. After my ringing endorsement, and at that price, you have no good reason not to go get it.