The Best Of 2008: Aaron

Favorite Record of ’08:
Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago

This is the record that spoke to me the most in ’08. Such a somber, beautiful album that runs the spectrum of human emotion. It literally matches any mood for me. I can take just as much away from it when I’m feeling blue as I can when I’m having the best day ever and loving life.

Other ’08 Faves:

Dillinger Four - Civilwar

I know how blasphemous this is going to sound, but I have to admit that I’m that guy who never actually listened to Dillinger Four before this release. Glad I finally woke up because this record is so damn good and I’m sure I’ll still be spinning it way into 2009.

Read more after the jump.

Off With Their Heads - From the Bottom

Gruff, pissed vocals over melodic, poppy, and upbeat punk rock. I don’t know why it works, but the juxtaposition of the whole “I hate my life and I want to fucking die” lyrical theme combined with super catchy music just gets me every time.

This Will Destroy You - Self-Titled

Up until this record, I couldn’t look at TWDY as anything but an Explosions In the Sky cover band. However, the band’s injection of some Mr. Beast-esque tasteful electronic textures finally made me come around. Original? Nah, not so much. Great instrumental rock songwriting and execution? Absolutely.

No Use For A Name - Feel Good Record of The Year

After all these years, I’m still a sucker for any 90′s Fat Wreck-esque punk rock. The genre to me is like pop music (albeit with much more substance of course). An insanely catchy record that, like the title suggests, makes you feel pretty damn good anytime you throw it on.

United Nations - Self-Titled

Not gonna lie, I wasn’t too psyched on these guys at first listen. But, that had little to do with the actual musical quality and more to do with the fact that the hype train and all the press I had read about them billed it as the 2008 version of Reversal of Man, Orchid, etc. (which I think is a little bit of a stretch). However, once I was able to get past the fact that this record was not what I had expected stylistically, I was able to enjoy it for what it was: a pissed, unrelenting hardcore record that slays from start to finish.

Murder By Death - Red of Tooth and Claw

While not the strongest album in their catalog, Red of Tooth and Claw is still a solid MBD record that continues to successfully expand on their apocalyptic-themed country rock hybrid. A criminally underrated band that will hopefully get the attention they deserve in 2009.

Verse - Aggression

Aggression is one of the most solid straight up hardcore releases of the year. Verse gets tighter with each release, and never fail to put out something that’s equal parts sincere, passionate, and pissed.

Trophy Scars - Bad Luck Demos

Ok, so maybe it’s cheating a little to put an album on here that technically hasn’t been released yet. Well, too bad! Please do yourself a favor and look into this band. They’ve been sneaking along under the radar for a few years now with their eclectic blend of metal, hardcore, and indie rock. Kind of like Tom Waits, Bright Eyes, The Blood Brothers and a touch of classic rock grounded up together in a blender. Love it or hate it, you can’t deny their originality. Here’s hoping that 2009 will be the year that people finally take notice of these guys.

Thursday/Envy - Split

While I was mostly looking forward to Envy’s side of this split, I was also pretty curious to hear how Thursday’s contribution would pan out as they were obviously up against some hefty competition from the Japanese screamo/post-rock giants. Much to my surprise, Thursday have stepped their A-game up in a SERIOUS way. They have a new creative hunger to them that I imagine is a direct byproduct of breaking free from their Island contract. Two thumbs up for both band’s contributions to this split.

Best Records of ’08 That I Just Discovered (but will be giving many more listens to) in ’09:

Defeater - Travels
H20 - Nothing To Prove

Records I Completely Slept on 5 Years Ago (but finally came around to) in ’08:

Backstabbers Inc. –  Kamikaze Missions
Burnt By The Sun - Soundtrack to the Personal Revolution

Records I Was Excited to Hear (but slacked and never listened to) in ’08:

Russian Circles - Station
Dear and the Headlights - Drunk Like Bible Times

Psyched to Hear in ’09:

William Elliott Whitmore - Animals in the Dark
Another Breath - The God Complex
La Quiete –  Anything and everything new! Pretty please! Fingers crossed.

Favorite Movie of ’08:

The Diving Bell and The Butterfly

Others I enjoyed:
Transsiberian
Slumdog Millionaire
Before The Devil Knows You’re Dead
Harold & Kumar 2: Escape from Guantanamo Bay

Best Shows Attended in ’08:

1) Modern Life Is War final show @ Moose Lodge, Marshalltown, IA
2) Bon Iver @ Town Hall, NYC
3) Denali reunion show @ Music Hall of Williamsburg, NYC.
4) Murder By Death/William Whitmore @ The Church, Philadelphia, PA.
5) Off With Their Heads @ some place in Williamsburg I can’t remember the name of.

Still the Best Show on TV in ’08:

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia

*Special thanks to LNWF editor Matthew for letting me come aboard to the site this year! Looking forward to contributing more in 2009!