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 the above songs are not my Top 10 Songs of 2008 for several reason. 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. And third, my most-played tracks in iTunes are not necessarily my favorite songs of 2008.

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!

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.

DRIVE-BY TRUCKERS Official Website | MySpace | eMusic | Insound | Amazon | CD Baby | Amie Street

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,” which can be downloaded for free at the band’s website here. 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).

[mp3] Drive-By Truckers - Goddamn Lonely Love

JOSH RITTER Official Website | MySpace | eMusic | Insound | Amazon | CD Baby | Amie Street

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.

[mp3] Josh Ritter - Here At the Right Time

CARISSA’S WIERD Official Website | MySpace | eMusic | Insound | Amazon | CD Baby | Amie Street

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.

[mp3] Carissa’s Wierd - Ignorant Piece of Shit

I’m getting a little frustrated. Lately, I can’t seem to find anything to obsess over (which might explain why I haven’t posted in ages).

So I’ve decided to hit the archives. My second Mini Mix highlights four bands I’ve enjoyed over the past few months but have failed to mention on my site. These bands have one thing in common: they all fly well below even the indie music radar.

VIDEOTAPE Official Website | MySpace | eMusic | Insound | Amazon | CD Baby | Amie Street

First started listening :: late August

Reasons for waiting to post :: Videotape’s album, My Favourite Thing, is a definite grower. At first, it sounds lazy and a little uninspired. But slowly, after repeated listens, the hooks start digging in. The waves of electric guitar start pulling at you. The sense of laziness remains but the music gradually comes to life. It’s pointless comparing Videotape to other bands because they don’t sound like anyone I know. If you enjoy the song posted below, check out the rest of the album - it’ll definitely grow on you.

[mp3] Videotape - Night Lights

THE TALLEST MAN ON EARTH Official Website | MySpace | eMusic | Insound | Amazon | CD Baby | Amie Street

First started listening :: late June

Reasons for waiting to post :: I honestly don’t know why it took me so long to write about The Tallest Man On Earth (aka Kristian Matsson), a young, talented singer-songwriter from Sweden. I’ve actually been listening to him constantly for the past few months. I think the reason for the delay is that I couldn’t pick a favorite track from his amazingly consistent catalogue of folk music. So naturally, I chose a couple. And while his music may sound a little like early Bob Dylan, it flows so effortlessly I could really care less.

[mp3] The Tallest Man On Earth - Over the Hills
[mp3] The Tallest Man On Earth - Where Do My Bluebird Fly

PORT O’BRIEN Official Website | MySpace | eMusic | Insound | Amazon | CD Baby | Amie Street

First started listening :: early June

Reasons for waiting to post :: I don’t think I fully appreciated Port O’Brien until I saw them live at Treasure Island Music Festival a month ago. Despite a stellar lineup (including Okkervil River and Fleet Foxes), Port O’Brien stole the show with their raw energy and passion. These guys rock pretty hard. Which is a little surprising given that their two studio albums, The Wind and the Swell and All We Could Do Was Sing, are pretty mellow. This versatility and range speaks to their talent as musicians and entertainers.

[mp3] Port O’Brien - Don’t Take My Advice
[mp3] Port O’Brien - My Eyes Won’t Shut

CRANES & CROWS Official Website | MySpace | eMusic | Insound | Amazon | CD Baby | Amie Street

First started listening :: late April

Reasons for waiting to post :: It took me a while to warm up to Paul Brandt’s vocals, which doesn’t make much sense because there’s nothing unusual about them. In fact, I now find his voice to be very comforting. Which is also how I’d describe the sound of their music in general. And unlike my initial qualms about the vocals, this actually makes sense: Cranes & Crows hail from Wisconsin, my home state. And like most people, I find the thought of home very comforting.

[mp3] Cranes & Crows - Wrecking Ball
[mp3] Cranes & Crows - So It Goes

What do you think of the new website?

I love it. It’s way better than the old site.
It’s OK. It might grow on me.
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Welcome to the new and improved Mike Went West! Version 2.0, if you will. I’ve spent that past month overhauling my website. In fact, I took my initial design to about 75% completion only to trash it and start over again. What you see is actually my second revision. It was a ton of work, but was also incredibly rewarding.

Needless to say, I love my new design. But that is beside the point. I want to know what you think. Please take a moment to respond to the survey below. For those of you who’ve already forgotten what my old site looked like, the image on the left should refresh your memory.

Also, feel free to browse the other tabs on my site. You might notice that some pages are still under construction. I’ll fill these in whenever I have spare time. The front page, however, should be fully functional. Please let me know of any bugs you discover.

Note: those of you still using IE 6.0 will experience problems viewing my site. More precisely, the layout will look like complete garbage. I recommend upgrading to IE 7.0 or switching to Firefox for optimal viewing.

You may also notice that my domain name has changed. I decided to switch the site over to mikewentwest.com to match the title of my blog. Please make sure to update your bookmarks!

So with the bulk of the redesign complete, I can finally write about music again. The fresh look should inspire me to post more frequently. Or at least that is the hope.

To celebrate this momentous occasion, I want to share one of my favorite songs from the past few weeks. The first time I listened to it I experienced a moment of déjà vu: I could’ve sworn I’d heard the song before but couldn’t quite place where. After some internet research, I finally figured it out. But instead of just telling you, I think I’ll let you figure it out on your own (if you really want to know, check the comments).

Anyways, the song is “How It Ends” by Devotchka Official Website | MySpace | eMusic | Insound | Amazon | CD Baby | Amie Street, a band from Denver that reminds me of Beirut. Or maybe it’s the other way around - Devotchka actually predates Beirut. Regardless, the song title is particularly fitting as I bid farewell to my old site. More importantly, however, the song itself is fantastic. Especially the violin ending.

[mp3] Devotchka - How It Ends

Before closing, I’d like to thank my roommate Eugene for all the help he gave me over the past month. I couldn’t have redesigned my site without his guidance. I’d also like to thank Danielle and Verna for the additional feedback they provided along the way. You guys rock!

For the past year or so, I’ve felt the overwhelming desire to move up north for the winter and live by myself in a cabin. Kind of like Bon Iver, but not really (mostly because I doubt anything as beautiful as For Emma, Forever Ago would result). Also, I’d want to go somewhere more mountainous and snowy than Wisconsin. Probably either Alaska or western Canada.

The reasons for this are multiple. First, I want to experience the full intensity of winter (I love cold and snow). Second, I want to gaze upon the Northern Lights in all their glory. And third, I want to see how I respond to prolonged periods of darkness and isolation.

So when a good friend suggested I read North Into the Night, a story about a guy who spends a winter alone in the Arctic, I happily obliged. At the very least, it would be an entertaining read, and might even help me prepare for my adventure.

Without giving too much of the book away, the guy nearly goes crazy after spending over 5 months in complete darkness and isolation. He sleeps for days on end and often loses control of his temper and sanity. Even though my proposed adventure wouldn’t be as intense, his story filled me with apprehension. Could I really go 5 months without seeing another person?

All of this got me thinking about the nature of isolation. After some serious reflection, I’ve come up with two kinds (though I’m sure there’s more). The first type of isolation, as described in North Into the Night, is largely physical; the author (Alvah Simon) ventured to a part of the world that few inhabit, so quite naturally he was alone. The second kind of isolation is best illustrated by the story told in Justin Townes Earle’s heartbreaking song “Yuma.” The isolation he portrays is mostly psychological; the (hopefully) fictional character feels completely alone even when surrounded by scores of people in a city.

I think psychological isolation is easier to sympathize with and understand. Most of us live in populated areas. Yet somehow the constant presence of other people doesn’t always fight back feelings of isolation and loneliness. Especially with the rise in popularity of iPods and personal music players. Just pop in those little white ear buds and the surrounding world disappears!

Anyways, if you like the song posted below, I highly recommend listening to the rest of Justin Townes Earle’s Official Website | MySpace | eMusic | Insound | Amazon | CD Baby | Amie Street EP Yuma, as well as his LP The Good Life. He has an amazing voice and a knack for penning gorgeous songs that perfectly articulate those universal feelings of heartbreak and loneliness. Which, coincidentally, sound amazing through the ear buds of an iPod.

[mp3] Justin Townes Earle - Yuma

I write this post from a strange and distant land: I am currently visiting the frozen, sunless wilderness known as Canada. Specifically, I am in Lake Louise, a gorgeous glacial lake nestled in the Canadian Rockies.

Despite the weak dollar, I recommend all Americans venture north of the border at least once before passing judgment upon their quirky neighbors. Canada truly is a unique place, not a “frozen, sunless wilderness” (at least not all the time).

On top of all the natural beauty, Canada also has a pretty amazing music scene. As many of you probably know, several popular indie rock bands call Canada home, including The New Pornographers, Wolf Parade, and The Arcade Fire.

What you may not know, however, is that Canada also hosts a solid alt country/folk scene. Canadianicana, if you will. This regional mix highlights a few of my favorite artists.

JULIE DOIRON Official Website | MySpace | eMusic | Insound | Amazon | CD Baby | Amie Street

Blessed with an amazingly expressive voice, Julie Doiron plays music that reminds me of early Cat Power (which is, coincidentally, my favorite Cat Power): dark and moody, somber and bluesy. Doiron’s best tracks feature just her voice, an electric guitar, and maybe some drums. Goodnight Nobody is my favorite album, though I have yet to explore her extensive catalog in depth.

[mp3] Julie Doiron - Snow Falls In November

KATHLEEN EDWARDS Official Website | MySpace | eMusic | Insound | Amazon | CD Baby | Amie Street

Kathleen Edwards (unfairly) had some big shoes to fill. After discovering (and becoming obsessed with) Sera Cahoone, I desperately tried to find similar female singer-songwriters to satisfy my insatiable appetite for quiet, thoughtful Americana. Luckily, I stumbled upon Kathleen Edwards. A little feistier than Cahoone, Edwards’ music is also more emotionally charged. The track posted below, however, is one of her mellower songs. To get a more complete taste of Edwards’ style, check out a stunning acoustic version of “Asking For Flowers” at Amazon (it’s free - download it here).

[mp3] Kathleen Edwards - Goodnight, California

HAYDEN Official Website | MySpace | eMusic | Insound | Amazon | CD Baby | Amie Street

Lyrics tend to take center stage on Hayden’s albums. Consider, for example, the following excerpt: “Women adored me / For the sad look in my eyes / Now they ignore me / For getting on with my life.” Simply amazing. And the music usually keeps pace. It’s been fun delving into some of Hayden’s older material; he has definitely matured and mellowed with age. The track posted below is off his latest album In Field & Town, which is his most concise and consistent to date.

[mp3] Hayden - Damn This Feeling

JUSTIN RUTLEDGE Official Website | MySpace | eMusic | Insound | Amazon | CD Baby | Amie Street

Justin Rutledge is an underrated singer-songwriter from Toronto. Though his latest album sometimes veers into the dangerous land of adult contemporary, his debut album No Never Alone is spectacular. Listening to “1855″ makes me wish I could travel back to a more simple time. And “Alberta Breeze” may very well be the theme song to my vacation.

“Now I try to keep a steady hand / ‘Cause I’m living in a shaky land / Lord I try to be an honest man / But it’s tougher than I ever planned“

[mp3] Justin Rutledge - 1855
[mp3] Justin Rutledge - Alberta Breeze

Last night was, in a word, amazing. Simply amazing. One of those experiences that rejuvenates your soul and makes the daily grind seem almost tolerable. My previous encounter with this feeling came a year ago when I saw Menomena at the Independent (and probably also this past winter while snowboarding).

Last night Sera Cahoone and Grand Archives Official Website | MySpace | eMusic | Insound | Amazon | CD Baby | Amie Street played at Slim’s in San Francisco and it was easily one of the best concerts I’ve seen. Both acts were exceptional. Sera opened the show with a set that couldn’t have been more perfect. Highlights included “Only As the Day Is Long,” “Baker Lake,” “Happy When I’m Gone,” “Couch Song,” and an incredible version of “You’re Not Broken.” Her vocals were spot-on and her backing band equally impressive (especially the guy on lap steel).

Following her set, she sat at the merch table and chatted with fans. I asked her to sign my copy of Only As the Day Is Long and happily purchased a t-shirt from her. I hope she starts headlining shows in the future. She is a phenomenal musician and songwriter.

It took me a little while to come down from my Cahoone-induced high, but when I did, I found myself in the middle of the Grand Archives’ set. I honestly would’ve been happy if they played “Sleepdriving” and nothing else, but I actually enjoyed some of their other songs more, especially “Torn Blue Foam Couch,” “George Kaminski,” and a raucous version of “Crime Window.” The true highlight, however, was a duet version of “Louis Riel” featuring Sera Cahoone Official Website | MySpace | eMusic | Insound | Amazon | CD Baby | Amie Street and Mat Brooke.

The show ended around 11:30pm but I wanted more. Unfortunately, this was the last stop of their tour, so I can’t tell you to go see them for yourself. Which is a true shame because they all looked like they were having a great time playing together. Instead of catching them live, I recommend reading my previous posts (here and here), downloading the songs below, and purchasing their albums if you enjoy. And then hope they decide to tour together again in the future.

[mp3] Sera Cahoone - Only As the Day Is Long
[mp3] Sera Cahoone - Happy When I’m Gone
[mp3] Grand Archives - Sleepdriving
[mp3] Grand Archives - Torn Blue Foam Couch

First of all, thank you for all the responses to my survey. I apologize for being a little melodramatic. I’m not going to shut down my blog. If anything, I’m going to redesign and (possibly) expand it. Hopefully over the summer when I have more time.

I also apologize for my recent lack of activity. I’ve been extraordinarily busy with school. Specifically, writing papers about engineered system failures and national public policy. Needless to say, it’s difficult to follow topics like those with what I typically address on my lowly blog.

To make matters even worse, I’ve been struggling with the following question. How do you write about something so inherently personal? Subjectivity is, after all, part of music’s appeal. A song can be technically flawless, but that doesn’t mean everyone (or anyone) will like it. Music that makes some people “want to kill themselves” may, to others, serve as a crutch or an escape.

And while most critics try to remain objective when writing reviews, they do so at the expense of making sense. For example, when was the last time you read an entire write-up on cokemachineglow? I usually just check the rating at the top and maybe read the first paragraph. I find these types of reviews to be helpful only after I’ve listened to the music (and formed my own opinions). Only then do I care about what other people think.

All this may explain the rise of the blog. People aren’t looking for objective and critical analysis, they’re looking for guidance (at least when it comes to music). The best bloggers tend to be the most personal: they describe not only the overall sound or mood of the music (the context), but also their personal reaction to it (the opinion). Most importantly, they provide samples so you can listen and try it out yourself.

The context is the trickiest part. It usually involves potentially dangerous labels and associations. Defining the music’s genre or listing similar artists, while most times overly constrictive and sometimes marginalizing, provides crucial guidance. In fact, a quick check of the previous posts on a blog usually tells the reader all he or she needs to know about the quality of the site.

By now you might be asking yourself, “Where the hell are you going with this?” As it turns out, nowhere in particular. I actually may have gone in a giant circle. I started writing this article with the purpose of conveying the recent difficulties I’ve encountered writing on my blog. To that end, this post may have helped me overcome these difficulties. We won’t know for sure, however, until the semester ends in two weeks…

Until then, enjoy a couple songs that perfectly fit my current mood of apprehension and self-doubt.

[mp3] Ane Brun - To Let Myself Go
[mp3] Nina Nastasia - Superstar

As it turns out, coming up with full length mixes is not only difficult but also takes up a lot of space on my server. Also, I’ve found that attention spans tend to be pretty short. So to address these issues, I’m introducing yet another project. I call it the “Mini Mix:” 4 or 5 songs revolving around a central theme.

This post is dedicated to my Aunt Judy, who passed away March 29 and will be dearly missed.

I apologize for the long hiatus, but the songs on my first Mini Mix should make up for my absence. They are nothing short of brilliant. Upon first listen, the songs are strikingly beautiful, packed with catchy melodies and gorgeous harmonies. Subsequent listens, however, reveal an overwhelming sense of sadness and despair. I think the word that best describes this mix is bittersweet (hence the title).

Appropriately, all these songs fit my current mood: happy on the surface, yet for some inexplicable reason tinged with a profound sadness on the inside. I think I will let the songs do the rest of the talking.

1. [mp3] Drive-By Truckers - Two Daughters and a Beautiful Wife
2. [mp3] Hayden - Home By Saturday
3. [mp3] Sera Cahoone - Only As the Day Is Long
4. [mp3] Jason Collett - Somehow
5. [mp3] Justin Townes Earle - Far Away In Another Town