More 2008 album of the year lists coming out: SPIN, Rolling Stone (Metallica, GnR, and John Mellencamp in top 12!), and NME. The hear ya blog is starting their top 50 albums. Pitchfork is starting to list their 100 Best Tracks of 2008 and lists their 20 Worst Album Covers of 2008. Also, Advertising Age's Ad Songs of the Year and Most Questionable Ad Songs looks like fun.
My list of Best Albums of 2008 is planned for next Monday. I've been working my list for about 3 weeks now, re-listening to some things I've neglected for a while, listing my favorite songs of the year, etc. I'm no music critic, but I'm hopeful that my list will be a helpful resource for you as you look for music worthy of your time and money.
There's some new music on my radar...
First, Bifrost Arts (HT: Kevin Cawley's del.icio.us and Brent Thomas' tweet). This is a collective of sorts including Dave Bazan, Damien Jurado, Leigh Nash, Rosie Thomas, Denison Witmer and many others to produce an "Anthology of Hymns and Spiritual Songs, entitled "Come O Spirit!" (with songbook)." It sounds like a great idea, and it's confirmed by listening to the three tracks offered at Bifrost Arts' MySpace. Here's some helpful stuff from Isaac Wardell on the project. Brilliant.
Second, Laura Gibson. I watched Laura Gibson's Tiny Desk Concert this week and just loved it. Beautiful music. By the way, go see other Tiny Desk Concerts when you have time. All are great, including Shearwater, Dr. Dog, and others. So I looked for more Laura Gibson stuff online and found her free Daytrotter Session downloads from last year. Here more at her MySpace. Here's a video with some lyrics. Stunned and haunted by "The Longest Day" (also on the Daytrotter Session)...
Look, I don't know how long YouTube will keep this up, so watch it NOW. It's the great Bon Iver with "Skinny Love" on Letterman. If you haven't joined the Bon Iver bandwagon yet, it's time. Watch this to understand why...
Joe Thorn is in love with Casting Crowns, and pretty much anything in Contemporary Christian Music (JT hearts CCM). Here's a Casting Crowns Christmas song that is speaking to his heart lately. Merry Christmas Joe.
