My 2008 Music Awards:

music purchased and released between jan. - dec. 2008

Best Album: “Viva La Vida, Or Death And All His Friends” - Coldplay.
No album this year was more adventurous, more uncharted than this. It’s not
perfect, but it’s a nice, big step in the right direction. Coldplay must’ve realized
they can’t do “Clocks 3.0” and get away with it. “Viva La Vida” challenges nearly
every mark of conventional pop music: mutiple-personalities (“42” -a soft lament
turns prog rock then becomes anthemic rock ala U2 then finishing like the start),
stacking two songs on a single track, each strong in their own right, like a second
movement (“Lover’s In Japan/Reign Of Love”, “Yes”), building an entire song
with orchestral hits and marching band drumming, complete with sing-along
chorus (VivaLa Vida). The first song I heard, back when I still leery of the new
album was “Violet Hill”--such swagger, attitude! This was Coldplay? The
recording and production on the album is beautiful, complete, and detailed.
Instruments, both traditional and otherwise, sound mesmerizing. This was an
album that felt bigger than just a collection of songs, both in their connectedness
(sometimes on the same track) such as the opening “Life In Technicolor” and it’s
reprise at the very end, like instrumental bookends, closing a circle.

Runner’s Up:
“Dig Out Your Soul” - Oasis. Oasis continue the fantastic sound of the previous
album, “Don’t Believe The Truth”, all vintage and honest, and turn up the attitude
with the strongest collection of straight rock tunes since their debut. The drum
pounds, the guitars roar, the vocals reach, plead and snarl. As expected, it’s
Noel’s songs that stand out the most (“The Rapture”, “Falling Down”, “High
Horse” “The Shock of The Lightning”, etc.) though Liam’s “I’m Outta Time” is
very solid. Oasis has never hid their influences in the least, at times The Beatles,
The Stones, The Who--even sliding in John Lennon at the end of “I’m Outta
Time”.

“Narrow Stairs” - Death Cab For Cutie. From the first single, the syncopated,
feedback climax of “Bixby Canyon Bridge” to the gentle George Harrison-esque
closer “The Ice Is Getting Thinner”, this album is perhaps DCFC’s most guitar-
centric to date. Sure, there have always been guitars, but they were always
outnumbered and outgunned by keyboards and digital waves. Fortunately, all the
‘rocking’ doesn’t diminish the unique charm of the band and Ben Gibbards
beautiful, poetic lyrics are as solid as ever (“Your New Twin-Sized Bed”, “Long
Division”).
Best Live Album: “Live from Paris” - U2. Originally recorded in 1987
this concert was re-released this year to coincide with the 2oth anniversary of
“The Joshua Tree”. It’s U2 during the “Joshua Tree” tour, and aptly captures the
power of U2 in concert. The band is confident and energetic. Bono’s voice is
youthful and impassioned. Every song is both tremendous and intimate, from
the direct (“In God’s Country”, “Sunday Bloody Sunday”, “Bullet the Blue Sky”) to
the angelic and anthemic (“Bad”, I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For”).
Finally, a proper recording of the extra verse of “With or Without You”. This is
U2 stepping into super stardom. Another example of why u2 is the best band in
the last 25 years.

Runner’s Up:
”Where The Light Is: Live At Los Angeles” - John Mayer. John takes us through
three sets, acoustic (the early days), the John Mayer Trio (straight blues
exploration) and finally him and his band. Each set is unique in it’s own way and
the sound is perfect, the acoustics intimate and full (just listen to “Daughters”) ,
the electric guitar sweet and true, and the drums tight and playful. The
musicians are topnotch (Robbie McIntosih’s amazing slide, Steve Jordan’s
brilliant drumming, etc.). With John’s guitar playing it would be forgivable if his
voice wasn’t perfect, but it’s spot-on. I would’ve liked a couple more of his hits in
the final set, though.

“Live at the House of Blues” - Thrice. This recording demonstrates what makes
Thrice such a great band. Thrice covers all levels, emotionally and musically.
Power, anger, hope, loss all swirl in heavy rock, acoustic, and soft digital pieces
alike. I only wish there was just a little more definition between the instruments.

“Shine A Light” - The Rolling Stones. The biggest bar band in the world touts
their blend of blues, rock and country. This album proves they still have it, songs
both new and old that stand the test of time, continuing to sound fresh and
relevant (“Start Me Up”, “I Can’t Get No Satisfaction”), as do the band members
for that matter. They wear their age like a badge of honor, their tarnish
illuminated by the knowledge they have accumulated, providing license to
explore any avenue they see fit. Perhaps this encourages them to rock as hard as
ever. Guest spots by Buddy Guy, Christina Augilera, and Jack White demonstrate
the roots and influence the Stones have.

Best Released Single: “Free Fallin’ [Live]” - John Mayer. A

wonderful performance of a fantastic American song. The delicate balance of
fingerstyle and strumming, the perfect dynamic changes in attack, the tasteful
touches of 2nd and 3rd guitars. This fantastic cover has possessed me since from
the first time I heard it.

Runner’s Up:
“Falling Down” - Oasis. A moving, desperate plea for help delivered with
impassioned vocals surrounded by a stellar mix of guitars, piano, loops, drums.

“All Nightmare Long” - Metallica. A blistering heavy rock song with a monster
chorus. Extremely tight tempo changes, blazing leads and unconventional chord
structures make this the hardest song I couldn’t get enough of. And when
Hetfeild lays into the chorus, screaming: “We’ll hunt you down without
mercy/We’ll hunt you down all nightmare long” I can’t turn it up loud enough.

“Falling In Love In A Coffee Shop”- Landon Pigg. In the way a picture can capture
a moment forever, this song captures the feel of that moment marvelously. A
sparse blend of acoustic, piano, vocals, and atmosphere. Simple and sweet.

“TheRe-Arranger” - Mates Of State. Clever, layered, delicious pop music. You’ll

be tapping your feet and bobbing your head before you know it. Just try and
shake it off, I dare you.

Best Guitarist: John Mayer. Maybe it’s my sparked interest in learning

more styles of guitar, or a greater appreciation of music--like the blues, or the ‘57
reissue Stratocaster my Pastor gave me, but I thought John Mayer’s guitar work
on his live album: “Where The Light Is: Live in Los Angeles” was incredible. In
each persona--acoustic, blues, and pop--he shines. His solo’s and fingerwork are
at times breakneck and frantic, or soft and tender. The compounding, counter
melodies on “Slow Dancing In a Burning Room” are guitar storytelling at it’s
finest. I loved his rendering of Tom Petty’s “Free Fallin’”, changing the song’s
moveable third and making it the root note. He struts on the taunting, fuzzy
“Who did you think I was” and twists rhythm and lead on tracks like “Vultures”.
His ability to manipulate dynamics within a song, within a solo, are wonderful.
The man’s got chops, people.

Runner’s Up:
James Hetfield/Kirk Hammet. The dual attack of Metallica’s guitar is sharp and
tight as ever, thanks to a much anticipated return to form. Forget the loose, low,
and flabby playing that scored “St. Anger”; on “Death Magnetic” Metallica
channels “Master Of Puppets”-era sound and, thankfully, solos. Wicked fast with
dozens of ripchord changes and guitars that sound like guitars.
Best Guitar Tone: John Mayer. The acoustic is so real I swear my
ear is pressed to the soundhole, and the electric's sing and scream and dance. His
exudes Fender tone, blues and otherwise.

Runner’s Up:
Oasis. Superb amp tone, vintage tubes cranked way up. I love the stomping,
meaty tone of “The Rapture”, the jangly “ High Horse Lady”, the rock of “Bag it
Up”. The sound is neither glossy nor ‘pretty’ but real and honest. Well, the
acoustic on “I’m Out of Time” is actually quite pretty.

Augustana. Again, solid guitar tone, nothing fancier than a good guitar, a loud
amp, and a microphone. I love how it sounds live and still settles perfectly in the
track.

Biggest Disappointment: “Red Star EP” - Third Eye Blind.

Five years since the last album and they couldn’t put together 3 songs better than
these? Honestly, I was the biggest TEB fan and their debut album will always
hold a special place in my heart, but this is just shameful. “Red Star” comes
closest, but still misses. Stephan Jenkins lyrics lack their poetry and their spark.
The band just sounds happy to be playing anything.

Biggest Surprise: “Viva La Vida, Or Death And All His Friends” -

Coldplay. I honestly had no real intention of buying the album, let alone falling in
love with it. For more explanation, see above.

Runner Up:
“Death Magnetic” - Metallica. Seriously, I disliked the last one so much I had
written them pretty much off, not to mention they seemed to be doing the same.
Then uber-producer Rick Rubin stepped in and helped steer the ship back on
course, back to the past that is. Back to when they were defining what heavy
metal was. “Death Magnetic” isn’t without flaws, but it’s got some of the best
Metallica songs in the past ten years.

Best Live Act: “Foo Fighters”. Fantastic show highlighting both the
bands head nodding arena ready rock and sing-along glorious acoustic sides. A
loud (really loud) and athletic (Dave ran up and down a catwalk) rock show
complete with extended outros, reprises, and solo’s--even a try-not-to-smile solo
face-off between Dave and Chris. A tasteful acoustic set mid floor broke up the
rock and highlighted the band’s musicianship. Over two hours of music and
nearly every song a hit. A true rock show.

Runner’s Up:
“Oasis”. Brit-pop rock stars showcase their rock ‘n’ roll, pulling hits from the
early and most recent records. Undeniably catchy choruses rang true at the
arena, and an tender revision of “Don’t Look Back In Anger” was one of my
favorite moments in a show full of ‘em.

“Matchbox Twenty”. A surprisingly great show, every song strong and crystal
clear, and each musician shined. The rock songs rocked just a little harder; the
soft songs breathed gently. A brilliant acoustic band version of “Hang” was
breathtaking, especially with multiple harmonies. A fun, fun concert.