KB's Blistering Top 10, sponsored by THE HOFF

Mendoza Line- 30 Year

Late entry, but one that stuck. An eclectic array of songs about ending relationships and reaching (cough) a certain age without amounting to much. The songs varied nicely sounding VUish one moment and Okkervil River-like the next. The recording is imperfect which adds to the theme of discord. (4.0)

Probot- (self titled)

Probot is not in Pygmy territory but I still can only take scant moments of it. I am unable to get emotionally connected whatsoever to speed metal. I did hear some variance here and there but it was strictly academic appreciation as one respects a smart fractal geometrist. (2.0)

Top Ten 2008

1. Ian Hunter- Shrunken Heads- Might be my favorite of the year. Great songs, great playing. Doesn’t sound 69 years old.
2. Two Cow Garage- III- Each one gets better and broader. Pray to the gods so they get heard.
3. The Blakes- The Blakes- Raw, indy, messy and hopefully will never sign with a major.
4. Sleeping In the Aviary- Oh, This Old Thing?- See the Blakes. It’s nice to have loud raucous, slightly unstructured rock that isn’t just commercialized noise.
5. Okkervil River- The Stage Names- Once again Will puts out disc of stories that aren’t typical and aren’t absurd
6. Mendoza Line- 30 Year Low- See above review.
7. Ike Reilly Assassination- We Belong to the Staggering Evening- Very under-acclaimed song writer. After a weak last release this one comes at you fast and doesn’t let go.
8. Dirty Sweet- Of Monarchs and Beggars- Best 70s album since 1979…. Fun songs about some ridiculous stuff.
9. Feist- The Reminder- Just when you think you got her figured, she veers. Quite interesting.
10. John Doe- In the Wilderness- Another great release from a semi-codger. Thoughtful but not wimpy.

I do have a couple that were close and will provide them upon further badgering so not to upset the honorable mention police.

Disappointments- Wilco, Tom Morello, Love Drug

For fun I looked at my picks since the inception of the group and highlighted those I can remember listening to this year, in their entirety.

2006

Bob Dylan- Modern Times

Subways- Young for Eternity

Artic Monkeys- whatever People say I am, that is what I am no

Neil Young- Living with War

Thermals- the Body, the blood, the machine

Todd Snyder- The devil in me

Hold Steady- Boys and Girls of America

Decemberists- The Crane Wife

Built to Spill- You in reverse

Jennifer O’Connor- Over the

2005

Beck- Guero

Kaiser Chiefs- Employment

James McMurtry- Childish Things

Death Ray Davies- Kick and a snare

Spoon -Gimme fiction

Neil Diamond- 12 Songs

Hold Steady- Separation Sunday

TSAR- Band-Girls-Money

The Sun- Blame it on the Youth

Giant Drag- Hearts and Unicorns

2004

Sonic Youth- Sonic Nurse

Loretta Lynn- Van Lear Rose

Social Distortion- Sex, Love and Rock and Roll

Hives- Tyrannosaurus Hives

Green Day- American Idiot

Two Cow Garage- With Our Backs Against the Wall

Luna- Rendezvous

Thermals- Fuckin’ A

Ambulence, LTD- LP

Medeski Martin and Wood- End of the World Party