I didn’t actually see that many concerts in 2008, but the ones I did were incredible. So incredible that I’ve decided to spend an entire post reliving my favorite ones. This will effectively end my coverage of the best music of 2008. ‘Twas a great year, but I have a feeling 2009 will be even better!

MY MORNING JACKET
Greek Theatre, Berkeley, CA :: September 19, 2008

From the very start, I wasn’t feeling this show. A heavy mist blanketed the Greek as My Morning Jacket took stage. They quickly launched into newer songs like “Evil Urges,” “Off the Record,” and “Aluminum Park” — definitely not my favorites. I worried the rest of the show would be similar. I thought about leaving early: the risk of catching pneumonia outweighed any enjoyment I might get from staying for the entire concert.

Or so I thought. After 30 minutes, the mist began to lift and MMJ started playing some older stuff. Before I knew it, I was rocking out on my air guitar (like an idiot) to songs like “Phone Went West” and “Dondante.”

Never before has this happened to me at a concert. Not the air guitar. I do that more than I care to admit. No, what I’m talking about is the complete turn around in my attitude. Usually once I lose interest, I’m not coming back. Yet somehow MMJ brought me back. Not an easy task. Well done, boys, well done.

• My Morning Jacket – Tyrone

JUSTIN TOWNES EARLE
HSBG 8, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA :: October 5, 2008

This is the story about how Justin Townes Earle singlehandedly saved my first experience at the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival (or HSBG for short).

Getting to Golden Gate Park was quite the adventure, involving a Muni train packed to the gills, a cab ride cut short by insufficient funds, and a 15-block walk. When we finally arrived, we navigated through a sea of people to the stage where Iron & Wine was scheduled to play. We grabbed some overpriced (but delicious!) food and eventually found a spot to sit.

Despite a huge tree blocking my view of the stage, I was excited to see Iron & Wine play again. I became even more excited when Sam Beam took the stage for an entirely acoustic show. Sadly, my excitement didn’t last long. Sam listlessly stumbled through a set of music that should’ve been amazing.

After the disappointing first act, we again cut through a sea of people to the stage where Justin Townes Earle was playing. Thankfully, he was on a smaller stage. The sparse crowd made it much easier to find great seats. By the time Justin took stage, I felt a little better.

Over the course of the next hour my mood would only improve. Justin put on a remarkable show. Every song he played was a journey, transporting us to a simpler time and place. We were no longer in Golden Gate Park; we were somewhere in the south. Perhaps Tennessee or Georgia.

Throughout this journey, Justin effortlessly jumped between genres — from folk to rock to swing to blues. His bandmate Cory (aka “Swiss Army knife”) helped make it all possible. He played nearly every instrument under the sun. But he absolutely killed it on the harmonica. It was quite the sight.

But the true highlight of the show came at the end. Justin closed his set with an incredible version of “A Desolate Angels Blues.” The studio version of this song sends chills down my spine, especially the part near the end when everything cuts out except Justin’s vocals. But the live version was even better. The concert couldn’t have ended on a better note.

And that’s how Justin Townes Earle single-handedly saved HSBG 8.

• Justin Townes Earle – A Desolate Angels Blues

GRAND ARCHIVES w/ SERA CAHOONE
Slim’s, San Francisco, CA :: June 28, 2008

I already wrote about this concert here. Unfortunately, I can’t think of anything new to add to my review except for the following thoughts.

The timing of this show was perfect. My obsession with Sera Cahoone was beginning to fade and I hadn’t really given Grand Archives the attention they deserved. But witnessing both bands put on an amazing show rejuvenated my interest in their music.

I’m seeing Sera again at the end of this month (unfortunately, Grand Archives have been replaced by Fruit Bats). If it’s even half as good as the first time, we are all in for a real treat!

• Sera Cahoone – Happy When I’m Gone
• Grand Archives – Sleepdriving

According to iTunes, my 10 most played songs of 2008 come from only two albums: Frightened Rabbit’s The Midnight Organ Fight and Sera Cahoone’s Only As the Day Is Long. Which probably explains how these two albums found themselves at the top of my Top 10 Albums of 2008 list. But my most played tracks in iTunes are not my Top 10 Songs of 2008 for a couple reasons. First, it would be a little boring. Second, I would probably run into legal issues if I posted half the songs from those two albums.

With that said, I present my actual list below. The songs are ordered in a way that I think flows best. A zip file containing all 10 tracks is provided below for your convenience. Enjoy!

• 1. Drive-By Truckers – Two Daughters and a Beautiful Wife

  Starts the mix off on a sad note, though it’s hard to tell because it’s such a pretty song.

• 2. Shearwater – Rooks

  So intense and haunting, yet so gorgeous. Amazing guitar riff.

• 3. Sera Cahoone – Only As the Day Is Long

  Simple but powerful drum beat. Probably my favorite song of 2008.

• 4. Okkervil River – Lost Coastlines

  I loved this song the first time I heard it – very infectious and fun.

• 5. Frightened Rabbit – The Twist

  Another catchy song. Sounds best when played loud. Very loud.

• 6. Frightened Rabbit – Backwards Walk

  Amazing lyrics. Eases the transition to the slower songs that follow.

• 7. Grand Archives – George Kaminski

  Didn’t really appreciate this one until I heard it live – simply stunning.

• 8. Bon Iver – Skinny Love

  You can literally hear the emotion pouring from Justin Vernon as he belts out the chorus.

• 9. Justin Townes Earle – Far Away In Another Town

  Perfectly captures a sentiment I’ve always hoped to be true (but probably isn’t).

• 10. Sera Cahoone – Seven Hours Later

  Ends the mix on a sad note – bringing the whole thing full circle.

• Download entire mix

SHEARWATER
Rook

It’s official. With Rook, Shearwater has fully stepped out of the giant shadow cast by Okkervil River. This isn’t the first time I’ve said this, but it’s definitely true. It’s been fun watching the band’s progression. With each new release, Shearwater continues to put more and more distance between itself and Okkervil River. Hopefully, Rook is just one of many more albums to come from this incredible band.

• Shearwater – Rooks

GRAND ARCHIVES
The Grand Archives

This may sound a little strange, but Grand Archives’ self-titled debut is like an old friend. No matter how much time passes between contact, conversations continue as though you’d just talked to your friend yesterday. And the time you spend together only reminds you why you liked this person so much in the first place. Every time I listen to The Grand Archives, I wonder why I don’t listen to it more often.

• Grand Archives – George Kaminski

THE WALKMEN
You & Me

When I wrote about You & Me a few months ago, I said, “Right now, ‘On the Water’ is my favorite track, but this will probably change on a weekly basis.” As it turns out, I was right. My favorite song this week is “If Only It Were True.” I consider this to be the hallmark of a great album – one that reveals itself slowly in layers.

• The Walkmen – If Only It Were True

THE RURAL ALBERTA ADVANTAGE
Hometowns

Hometowns was a last minute addition to this list. If I had a little more time with the album, it probably would crack my top 5. But the mere fact that it even made the list stands as a testament to its amazingness. Normally I wouldn’t even consider an album I just started listening to 3 weeks ago, but The Rural Alberta Advantage is one of the best new bands I’ve heard in a long time. They definitely deserve this spot.

• The Rural Alberta Advantage – Don’t Haunt This Place

BON IVER
For Emma, Forever Ago

Technically first released in 2007, For Emma, Forever Ago was easily my most anticipated album of 2008. And it did not disappoint. Bon Iver (aka Justin Vernon) manages to do a lot with very little. He makes sounds with an acoustic guitar I didn’t think possible. He loops and layers his gorgeous vocals to haunting effect. It all adds up to one of the most original and innovative albums of 2008.

• Bon Iver – For Emma

THE TALLEST MAN ON EARTH
Shallow Grave

The most impressive thing about Shallow Grave is how effortless it sounds. There must be something in the water in Sweden. Using just an acoustic guitar and occasionally a banjo, The Tallest Man On Earth (aka Kristian Matsson) walks a narrow line between intensity and beauty. It’s an impressive debut from a talented singer-songwriter.

• The Tallest Man On Earth – Where Do My Bluebird Fly

SIGUR RÓS
Með Suð Í Eyrum Við Spilum Endalaust

I’m getting a little worried. I’m starting to hear Sigur Rós everywhere: commercials, TV shows, movie trailers, soundtracks. I guess I shouldn’t be too surprised. Their music is disgustingly gorgeous. And Með Suð Í Eyrum Við Spilum Endalaust is no exception. If anything surprises me, it’s that it took the TV and movie people so long to discover this amazing band.

• Sigur Rós – Illgresi

FLEET FOXES
Fleet Foxes

The first time I heard Fleet Foxes I got a little angry. They sounded eerily similar to early My Morning Jacket, which I did not appreciate. But because I was desperate for some classic MMJ, I decided to give them a try. I’m glad I did. The more I listen to them, the less they sound like MMJ. It took a little time, but Fleet Foxes’ soaring vocals and melodies definitely grew on me. Much more than I ever imagined.

• Fleet Foxes – Your Protector

SERA CAHOONE
Only As the Day Is Long

For the record, Only As the Day Is Long could’ve easily held down the No. 1 spot on this list. 2008 was the year I discovered the beauty of Americana/folk music and, without a doubt, Sera Cahoone was the highlight of this incredible genre. Sadly, I never featured her on my Artist Spotlight series as I originally planned. I just couldn’t find the right words (and doubt I ever will). Just know that Sera writes simple, gorgeous, heartbreaking music.

• Sera Cahoone – You’re Not Broken

FRIGHTENED RABBIT
The Midnight Organ Fight

There’s not much more to say about these guys that I haven’t already said. Maybe the only thing left to do is justify why they grabbed the top spot. On a typical album, I usually figure out my favorite track(s) within the first few listens. But on The Midnight Organ Fight, this didn’t happen. It is truly a complete album, which in the age of the digital single is a remarkable achievement.

• Frightened Rabbit – Head Rolls Off

I begin my coverage of the best music of 2008 by resurrecting an idea from two years ago. It’s called the “New to Me” list and it has nothing to do with music released in 2008. Instead, it gathers a few excellent bands that I discovered this year, even though they have been around much, much longer. You might also call it the “I’m Embarrassed to Admit It Took Me So Long to Discover These Bands” list.

JOSH RITTER

Last time I talked about Josh Ritter, I got a little carried away. I went on a mini rant about how Ritter, as a singer-songwriter, gets very little love from certain critics. Since writing that post, I’ve come to terms with the fact that not everyone will like the same music as me.

Despite a few lukewarm critical reviews, I really like Josh Ritter. Over the course of 5 albums, he’s changed his sound quite a bit. On Golden Age of Radio, my favorite Ritter album, he sounds like a twangy Dylan. On Hello Starling, he sounds like a folk troubadour. And on Animal Years, he sounds like an apocalyptic indie rocker.

Regardless of his sound, Ritter has maintained his knack for writing simple, affecting songs. To understand what I’m talking about, just listen to “Here At the Right Time,” the closing track on The Animal Years. It doesn’t get much better.

• Josh Ritter – Here At the Right Time

DRIVE-BY TRUCKERS

It’s crazy to think about how a simple action or decision can have huge consequences. At the trivial end of the spectrum, there’s the decision about which song to first listen to when you discover a new band. If you choose the wrong one, you might never listen to that band again.

That’s almost what happened to the Drive-By Truckers. A few year ago, after reading some glowing reviews, I decided to give the Truckers a try. I think I listened to “Puttin’ People On the Moon.” The song’s odd pacing and hostile tone turned me off big time. I probably stopped the track halfway through, shelving the band after hearing only two minutes of their music.

Earlier this year, the Truckers released Brighter Than Creation’s Dark and again I read some pretty good reviews. I decided to give the band one last shot. This time, however, I listened to “Goddamn Lonely Love.” What a difference a song makes: it’s way more mellow than “Puttin’ People On the Moon.” If you’re a fan of sad bastard music like I am, you will absolutely love it. After a while, you might even warm up to “Puttin’ People On the Moon” (as I have).

• Drive-By Truckers – Goddamn Lonely Love

CARISSA’S WIERD

Why is it nearly impossible to track down anything released by Carissa’s Wierd? I’d really appreciate it if someone could answer this question for me. I’ve only been able to track down Songs About Leaving, which isn’t even their best album. The rest I had to download “illegally.”

I put the word illegally in quotes because I seriously doubt I’m breaking any laws by downloading an album that is out of print (and therefore can’t be purchased legally). Please correct me if I’m wrong. Anyways, after a little searching, I found a blog where you can download the band’s entire catalog (here).

And while I love free music, I wish I at least had the option to purchase their albums. Carissa’s Wierd wrote some of the most beautiful music I’ve ever heard (though sometimes their song titles can get a little out of hand — see below for proof). Unfortunately, the band split up in 2003 after releasing only 3 albums. I guess they wanted to end on a high note.

Update (11/30/2011): the band has recorded two new songs “Tucson” and “Meredith & Iris.” In addition, their entire catalog is now available for purchase here or through your favorite digital retailer. Please consider legally purchasing their music if you like what you hear!

• Carissa’s Wierd – Ignorant Piece of Shit