Best Albums of 2008 – The Definitive List

I am the first to admit that I am a pretentious weiner that likes to lament the current state of popular music.  However, in a year full of auto-tune, there have been many beacons of hope.  I now present to you the definitive list of the best music of 2008.  I have to be honest though.  I’m not sure whether I should have done a top 5 or this top 10.  For the next few weeks I will probably flip-flop my opinions as to which deserve the 6-10 rankings and which deserve to be “Runners Up”.  Nevertheless, here is my imperfect list.

Top 10 Albums of 2008

1. The Hold Steady – Stay Positive
2. Lucinda Williams – Little Honey
3. Fleet Foxes – Fleet Foxes
4. Kathleen Edwards – Asking for Flowers
5. Ryan Adams & The Cardinals – Cardinology
6. Ray LaMontagne – Gossip in the Grain
7. Ron Sexsmith – Exit Strategy of the Soul
8. Sigur Ros – Med Sud I Eyrum Vid Spilum Endalaust
9. Coldplay – Viva La Vida or Death & All His Friends
10. Bon Iver – For Emma, Forever Ago

Runners Up

• My Morning Jacket – Evil Urges
• Sandra McCracken – Red Balloon
• Punch Brothers – Punch

Other Notable Releases (that are as good if not better than some on the top 10 list, but due to not being “studio” albums, were not included)

• Bob Dylan – Tell Tale Signs: Bootleg Series Vol. 8
• Neil Young – Sugar Mountain: Live at Canterbury House 1968
• Over the Rhine – Live From Nowhere Vol. 3
• John Mayer – Where The Light Is

Reissue of the Year

• Whiskeytown – Strangers Almanac (Deluxe Edition)