TOP FIVE

Glass and Ashes – Self-Titled

Honestly, this band can do no wrong. They are the perfect punk/hardcore band, hands down. The crushing, scathing retribution this band seeks is eye-opening and mind erasing. Glass and Ashes takes chaotic punk rock, reckless abandonment and uncompromising screaming and douses it with the most memorable rock and roll hooks of this generation. I was talking to bassist Mike Carter at this year’s Fest, and though they’re on a bit of hiatus, I suggested they become a studio band and just crank out records. Who gives a fuck about touring when you’re this fucking good? Just give me more!

Man Man – Rabbit Habits

This one caught me by surprise, and the only reason I paid any attention was because of a video of them making their record on Pitchfork.TV. This is gypsy music. This is 50′s music. This is the dark underbelly of the Gilded Age (read: “Corporation Nation” by Charles Derber). This is art, and it’s better than your lamely coveted Of Montreal.

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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.

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Before I get into all this rabble rousing nonsense, I want to personally thank you for reading and visiting Late Night Wallflower this year. It’s been a great year for the site and we have some big things in store so please stick with us and continue being awesome. Onward!

Impending doom, failing economy, soaring unemployment rates and all, 2008 was a pretty awesome year in my mind. How so you ask? Well, first and most importantly, the Philadelphia Phillies won the World Series and I went into a state of europhia that I’m not sure I have left yet. The United States came to their senses and elected Barack Obama to replace Dubya. The Dark Knight slayed and owned the eyeballs of the world. The “pencil trick” scene; that’s all I gotta say about that. If Heath Ledger isn’t nominated for an Oscar, I’m declaring a full-on protest of the show. What else? Oh, of course, and there were a ton of great records released. So cheer up! Sure, there are plenty of reasons to feel depressed. Hell, with bands like Nickelback or All Time Low in existance, it’s hard not to want to break windows sometimes. Just read The Zombie Survival Guide and turn the volume up on some of these records. The end of the world might be a hoot after all.

ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds– Dig, Lazarus, Dig !!! (Anti-)
Going into this year, I was just a casual Nick Cave fan. Now at year’s end, I’m full-on obsessed with the man’s work. Hell, I think I have even mastered my impression of his voice. I think Lazarus is Cave’s masterpiece and his most complete and satisfying record. Like his Grinderman record from ’07, Cave continued on his cockrockin’ machismo kick, with ballsy tunes like “Today’s Lesson,” “We Call Upon The Author,” and “More News From Nowhere.” All of these songs just sweat bravado and unprecedented cool.

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Probably my utmost favorite album of the year is not something anybody I know that’s into punk, hardcore, or post-hardcore would truly like. Matter of fact, it would probably make people question my credibility and taste in music in general. Yet I see not guilt in something that I truly like, and see no real reason to have my tongue in my cheek as I write this. I can’t help but be rather defensive in describing my fandom of Journey’s 2008 album, Revelation.

What? Journey? You mean that band that’s so synonymous with corporate rock, aka, one of the big things punk rebelled against in the 70s? Yes, that one.

As much as I like Hot Water Music, face to face, and Wire, I consider myself a fan of music. Yes, there are styles I like more than others (and others I downright loathe), but at its core, music is notes and beats more than sociological implications.

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(No specific order!!!)

1. Title Fight-Kingston
2. Blacklisted-Heavier than Heaven Lonelier than God
3. Alkaline Trio-Agony & Irony
4. Mother of Mercy-Passing through the Fire
5. Cat Power-Jukebox
6. Cold World-Dedicated to Babies that Came Feet First
7. Foo Fighters-Echoes, Silence, Patience, and Grace
8. The Jealous Sound-Got Friends EP
9. Trapped Under Ice-Split with Dirty Money
10. Fucked Up-The Chemistry of Common Life
11. Ryan Adams-Cardinology

Other cool things: Phillies takeover in 2008, record release shows, seeing Breakdown at the Black N Blue Bowl, and Ryan Adams covering the Foo Fighters’ “Time Like These” on the BBC.