End Of The Year List.

30. Kings Of Leon - Only By The Night
29. Hey Monday - Hold On Tight
28. Thrice - The Alchemy Index: Vols III & IV - Earth & Air
27. 1969 - Maya
26. Cold War Kids - Loyalty To Loyalty
25. Underoath - Lost In The Sound Of Seperation
24. Innerpartysystem - s/t23. Sing It Loud - s/t
22. Valencia - We All Need A Reason To Believe
21. The Reign Of Kindo - Rhythm, Chord, and Melody
20. She And Him - Volume 1
19. Jason Mraz - We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things
18. Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago
17. Relient K - The Birds And The Bee-Sides
16. Anberlin - New Surrender
15. Taylor Swift - Fearless
14. Paper Rival - Dialog
13. The Academy Is.. - Fast Times At Barrington High
12. Augustana - Can't Love, Can't Hurt
11. PlayRadioPlay! - Texas
10. Astronautalis - Pomegranate
Andy Bothwell has a certain edge to his voice that just makes you fall in love with it. He fuses hip hop with an indie/electric vibe that sounds great. Pomegranate is Astronautalis' third album. Each song tells a story using old fables as its focus, creating something very memorable. My favourite song off this album is "Two Years Before The Mast".

9. Copeland - You Are My Sunshine
Copeland is an indie rock band from Florida. You Are My Sunshine is Copeland's fifth album. The only downer to this album is that they used a drum machine for some of the songs and it is quite obvious if you know anything about music. A beautiful singer by the name of Rae Cassidy Klagstead guest vocals on three songs. My favourite song off this album is "Not So Tough Found Out".

8. Jack's Mannequin - The Glass Passenger
Jack's Mannequin is an alternative piano rock band from California. The Glass Passenger is their second album. This album was written after Andrew McMahon, the lead singer and brains behind JM, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Since then he has recieved a bone marrow transplant and recovered. This helped play an important role in the writing of the album and is very apparent as you listen. It inspires hope and shows the beauty of life. My favourite song off this album is "Swim". I also recommend checking out one of their b-sides from this album titled "Miss California".

7. Girl Talk - Feed The Animals
Girl Talk is a DJ (Gregg Gillis) who specializes in mashup style remixes. He uses samples of several songs to mix a new one. Feed The Animals is his fourth album. Throughout "Feed The Animals", Gillis uses 322 samples to make the album. If you're looking for an album to play for your dance party then this is the perfect choice. My favourite song off this album is "Give Me A Beat".

6. Hit The Lights - Skip School, Start Fights
Hit The Lights is a pop rock band from Ohio. This is their second album. But first with Nick Thomson on vocals. This band knows how to do pop punk just right and aren't afraid to take chances. If you're looking for something with a little more edge to it than this album is just right for you. This is the perfect album for summertime. My favourite song off this album is "Don't Wait".

5. House of Heroes - The End Is Not The End
House Of Heroes is a christian rock band from Ohio. This is their fifth album. They manage to blend pop rock beautifully with a kind of 70's rock feel. Tim Skipper's voice is absolutely amazing. The album never slows down, and it's left a lasting impression on me. Some people have said that House of Heroes is a mix of The Beatles and Relient K. My favourite song off this album is "Baby's A Red".

4. The Audition - Champion
The Audition is a pop rock band from Illinois. This is their second album. Danny's voice has obviously matured since "Controversy Love Company". This is yet another pop rock band that dares to take chances and head away from the cookie-cutter style. This album is more aggressive and has more energy, add Danny's soulful voice, and it comes out just perfect. It's something you can listen to year around. My favourite song off this album is "Basbhat".

3. Forgive Durden - Presents Razia's Shadow: A Musical
Forgive Durden is an indie rock band from Washington. Thomas Dutton had been working on this album, along with his brother, for two years, perfecting it. It features many, very popular, guest vocalists. It tells “the story of a world divided in two by the selfish actions of a powerful and egotistical, yet insecure angel. After generations of darkness, the world is eventually brought back together by the love and sacrifice of a couple brave enough to fulfill their destinies.” He succeeded in telling the story beautifully and you can't help but love it. My favourite song off this album is "The Exit".

2. Lydia - Illuminate
Lydia is an ambient indie rock band from Arizona. This is their second album. It takes a few listens to fully understand it. But it catches your attention and draws you in. Makes you eager to figure out what each song means. Lydia manages to mix several emotions into one song, almost like a short story. Again, this is an acquired taste type band, you either love it or hate it. The only thing is I miss Loren Brinton on drums, he has a certain style that I absolutely love. My favourite song off this album is "Now The One You Once Loved Is Leaving".

1. Butch Walker - Sycamore Meadows
Butch Walker is a solo artist from Georgia. This is his fourth album. I love this album the most because Butch just pours his heart out into each song, telling stories. Some songs have a bit of a country twang to them but its nice. If you're in a down mood this album is just perfect to listen to. My favourite song off this album is "Passed Your Place, Saw Your Car, Thought of You".


OTHER ALBUMS THAT DIDN'T MAKE IT BUT I STILL ENJOYED
Every Avenue - Sh, Just Go With It
Russian Circles - Station
Dear And the Headlights - Drunk Like Bible Times
Anathallo - Canopy Glow
Alive In Wild Paint - Ceilings
Carolina Liar - Coming To Terms
Danger Radio - Used And Abused
Kanye West - 808's & Heartbreak
Owl City - Maybe I'm Dreaming
Oh, Hush! - The Yellow Album
The Gaslight Anthem - The '59 Sound
Sigur Ros - Með Suð Í Eyrum Við Spilum Endalaust
Right Away, Great Captain! - The Eventually Home


TOP EPS OF 2008
10. Holiday Parade - To You, From Us.
9. Anarbor - The Natural Way
8. The Almost - No Gift To Bring
7. There For Tomorrow - s/t
6. Deas Vail - White Lights
5. Brighten - Early Love
4. A Rocket To The Moon - Greetings From...
3. This Providence - Brightest Lights
2. Ace Enders - The Secret Wars
1. VersaEmerge - Perceptions


HONOURABLE MENTION (Guilty Pleasures)
Why? - Alopecia
Phantom Planet - Raise The Dead
Forever The Sickest Kids - Underdog Alma Mater
The Cab - Whisper War
Katy Perry - One Of The Boys
Miley Cyrus - Breakout
Britney Spears - Circus
Demi Lovato - Don't Forget
Jonas Brothers - A Little Bit Longer


MOST DISAPPOINTING ALBUMS OF 2008
The Hush Sound - Goodbye Blues
The Maine - Can't Stop, Won't Stop
Panic At The Disco - Pretty. Odd.
1997 - On The Run
Cute Is What We Aim For - Rotation
Family Force 5 - Dance Or Die
Plain White Ts - Big Bad World
The Morning Light - s/t


BEST "NEW" BAND
A Rocket To The Moon
Nick Santino started this project just for fun but it's turned into something brilliant. It may be cookie-cutter pop rock but it's a perfect guilty pleasure. His live performance is absolutely phenomal to boot. This kid is going to go somewhere in 2009.


BEST LIVE SHOWS
"Spring '08 Tour" with The Audition, Every Avenue, The Morning Light, Kiros, and Hit the Lights.The Audition blow me away every time I see them. They always manage to keep your attention so you don't get bored. Kiros' also managed to earn themselves a new fan after this show. And Hit The Lights was impressive as this was their first tour since Nick became the vocalist. Kevin Mahoney from Hit The Lights had guitar problems continuousy through out the night but still managed to pull through and perform. He even continued playing after a string and his guitar strap broke during the last song.

InnerPartySystem.I had the honour of seeing them twice this year, once with Mindless Self Indulgence and again with 3OH!3. They put on such an entertaining live show it's hard not to love them. They keep you interested with an amazing light show that coordinates beautifully with the music.

"Uncle Fest Tour" with Relient K, Ludo, This Providence and House Of Heroes.I also had the honour of going to this tour twice. But at one of the dates only This Providence and House Of Heroes performed. Relient K put on such an amazing set I was completely blown away. Especially at Matt Thiessen playing piano while standing up, what an amazing feat in itself. Ludo had tons of energy and kept me interested during their set. This Providence didn't let me down and put on a great show, but they could have used a little more energy. House of Heroes surprised me though. If I hadn't seen them I probably would not have cared to take a second listen to their album and would've missed out on something great. The lead singer, Tim Skipper, is also quite hilarious and fun to talk to.


BEST MUSIC VIDEOS OF 2008
House Of Heroes - In The Valley Of The Dying Sun
Butch Walker - The Weight Of Her
Anberlin - Feel Good Drag
The Rocket Summer - Do You Feel


OVERRATED BANDS OF 2008
3OH!3
All Time Low
The Maine
Metro Station


UNDERRATED BANDS OF 2008
Lydia
Brighten
Valencia
Copeland
This Providence
House Of Heroes


BAND OF THE YEAR

1. Lydia They don't fail to disappoint me. Normally I have to see a band first live for me to name them as one of my favourites. But Lydia is one of the few bands that has captured my attention from the start. I love the female and male vocals together. I wish they would get more recognition but it will never happen because this band is an acquired taste. You either love them or hate them.


MOST ANTICIPATED OF 2009
This Providence
The Graduate
The Audition
Radiohead
Brand New
Manchester Orchestra
Say Anything
mewithoutYou
Glassjaw
Saves The Day
Two Tongues
Kevin Devine
Boys Like Girls
All Time Low
Holiday Parade


FAVORITE SONGS OF 2008
Ace Enders - Bittersweet Symphony
The Audition - Basbhat
The Academy Is... - Automatic Eyes
All American Rejects - Gives You Hell
A Rocket To The Moon - Fear Of Flying
Astronautalis - Two Years Before The Mast
Augustana - Fire
Bon Iver - Skinny Love
Brighten - Love On My Mind
Britney Spears - Mmm, Papi
Butch Walker - Atlanta
Butch Walker - Passed Your Place, Saw Your Car, Thought Of You
The Cab - One Of THOSE Nights
Cold War Kids - Something Is Not Right With Me
Copeland - Not So Tough Found Out
Danger Radio - You All Believe
Deas Vail - Last Place
Every Avenue - Chasing The Night
Fall Out Boy - I Don't Care
Forever The Sickest Kids - Whoa Oh (Me Vs. Everyone)
Forgive Durden - The Exit ft. Brendon Urie and Dan Young
Forgive Durden - The Oracle ft. Danny Stevens
Forgive Durden - It's True Love ft. Greta Salpeter
Hawthorne Heights - Four Become One
Hey Monday - 6 Months
Hit The Lights - Drop The Girl
Hit The Lights - Don't Wait
House Of Heroes - If
House Of Heroes - In The Valley Of The Dying Sun
House Of Heroes - Baby's A Red
Innerpartysystem - Die Tonight, Live Forever
Jacks Mannequin - Bloodshot
Jacks Mannequin - Swim
Jacks Mannequin - Miss California
Jacks Mannequin - Cell Phone
Jonas Brothers - Burning Up
Ludo - Go Getter Greg
Lydia - Hospital
Lydia - Now The One You Once Loved Is Leaving
Paper Rival - Are We Brothers?
The Reign Of Kindo - The Moments In Between
Relient K - The Lining Is Silver
Say Anything - Ahh..Men
Sing It Loud - Marionettes
Straylight Run - Ten Ton Shoes
Taylor Swift - White Horse
There For Tomorrow - No More Room To Breathe
This Providence - Waste Myself
This Providence - Sand In Your Shoes
Thrice - Daedalus
Valencia - Holiday
VersaEmerge - In Pursuing Design
VersaEmerge - Consider The Sea


BANDS THAT ARE GOING TO BLOW UP IN 2009
A Rocket To The Moon
Hit The Lights
VersaEmerge