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 hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! And now that it’s the day after, it’s officially acceptable to talk about Christmas. So here it goes…

Apparently, it’s a tradition for musicians in the UK to pump out cheesy Christmas songs right before the holiday. The ridiculously-sappy Christmas movie Love Actually confirms this: part of the story revolves around a burned-out musician competing with a popular boy band for the top Christmas song. You can probably guess who grabs the No. 1 spot.

This tradition was further confirmed by the guys in Frightened Rabbit. Before their show at Bottom of the Hill a few weeks ago, I asked them about their Christmas song (”It’s Christmas So We’ll Stop”) and how it came to be. They joked about how they were just following tradition when they released it last Christmas.

If their song is a joke, it isn’t very funny — in fact, it’s actually a little depressing. On second thought, cynical might a better word to describe it. The song talks about how people are nice to each other only around Christmas time.

Like all good Frightened Rabbit Official Website | MySpace | eMusic | Insound | Amazon | CD Baby | Amie Street songs, “It’s Christmas So We’ll Stop” uses seemingly disjointed thoughts and images to convey a simple, yet powerful story or idea. When you add in a gorgeous melody that grabs you and refuses to let go, it’s easy to see why this is the greatest Christmas song ever.

[mp3] Frightened Rabbit - It’s Christmas So We’ll Stop

For the second greatest Christmas song ever, I highly recommend “Sister Winter” by Sufjan Stevens, which I wrote about last year. The original article can be found here.

I usually try to avoid comparing bands or musicians, but I feel like there’s no way I can talk about Will Johnson without mentioning Jason Molina. The similarities are just too overwhelming.

First, both men are prolific singer-songwriters. Each front or have fronted multiple bands: Will Johnson currently heads both Centro-matic and South San Gabriel Official Website | MySpace | eMusic | Insound | Amazon | CD Baby | Amie Street while Jason Molina led Songs: Ohia before morphing it into Magnolia Electric Co. In addition, both men have released several solo records. All told, Johnson has around 14 albums to his name while Molina has over 16 (all released over the span of about 10 years). I don’t know about you, but I’m impressed.

And second, both men write remarkably diverse music. Johnson uses Centro-matic to pump out straightforward indie rock and South San Gabriel to explore more down-tempo material. Molina wrote somber, bluesy numbers under the Songs: Ohia moniker before heading in a more “alt-country” direction with Magnolia Electric Co. Both musicians’ solo albums are sparse, haunting affairs.

Despite these overwhelming similarities, Will Johnson and his two bands aren’t as well known as Molina’s. Which is a true shame because Johnson is immensely talented. I especially like his output under South San Gabriel: it’s perfect late night music. Random weird sounds and plodding beats from drum machines complement Johnson’s odd delivery and gorgeous melodies. It all sums to create a lonely, yet strangely comforting landscape.

I’ve posted my favorite track from each of South San Gabriel’s three albums: “New Brookland” from Welcome, Convalescence, “Stupid Is As Stupid Does” from The Carlton Chronicles: Not Until the Operation’s Through, and “The Are and the Cusp” from Dual Hawks.

[mp3] South San Gabriel - New Brookland
[mp3] South San Gabriel - Stupid Is As Stupid Does
[mp3] South San Gabriel - The Are and the Cusp

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

In order to return my blog to its usual format, I need to clear out the backlog of music created by my summer hiatus. This post should bring you up to speed on some of my favorite albums released in the past few months. It won’t be poetic, but then again, housekeeping rarely is.

MY MORNING JACKET Official Website | MySpace | eMusic | Insound | Amazon | CD Baby | Amie Street

After the massive disappointment that was Z, I expected very little of My Morning Jacket’s latest album Evil Urges. After several months of listening, I can honestly say Evil Urges doesn’t suck. In fact, it’s pretty solid. The band continues to distance themselves from the sound they perfected on At Dawn, which, at least for me, is disappointing because that’s the sound I originally fell in love with.

I think, however, I’ve come to terms with their new direction. Seeing them live at the Greek two weeks ago definitely helped. These guys put on an amazing show. One of the many highlights that night was an incredible version of “Touch Me I’m Going to Scream Pt. 2,” the epic closing track on Evil Urges. The studio version of this song is posted below.

[mp3] My Morning Jacket - Touch Me I’m Going to Scream Pt. 2

THE WALKMEN Official Website | MySpace | eMusic | Insound | Amazon | CD Baby | Amie Street

On You & Me, The Walkmen not only perfect their sound but finally feel comfortable with it. And they sound as if they’ve just shaken off an epic hangover: their new album contains a sense of weariness and regret not present in previous albums. Maybe The Walkmen have grown up.

If so, it’s for the better. You & Me is their most consistent, and ultimately, their most rewarding album to date. Ironically, its consistency might also be its biggest turn-off. Songs sometimes bleed too much into each other. It takes repeated listens before tracks distinguish themselves. After nearly two dozen spins, I’m finally there. Right now, “On the Water” is my favorite track, but this will probably change on a weekly basis.

[mp3] The Walkmen - On the Water

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

Similar to The Walkmen, Shearwater sounds like they’ve finally figured themselves out. With the release of Rook, Meiburg and his band fully step out of the shadow of Okkervil River. I’m only disappointed it took so long.

There is a lot going on under the surface of Rook. The shear gorgeousness of the music often masks a strong undercurrent of anger and frustration. Which is part of the reason I like Shearwater so much: their ability to combine beauty and violence is striking. The title track from Rook, which is posted below, captures this balance perfectly.

[mp3] Shearwater - Rooks

SIGUR RÓS Official Website | MySpace | eMusic | Insound | Amazon | CD Baby | Amie Street

Sigur Rós has yet to release a disappointing album. With every new CD, they manage to explore new territory while at the same time maintaining their core sound (My Morning Jacket should take a lesson from them). The first few tracks on Með Suð Í Eyrum Við Spilum Endalaust, for example, can almost be described as joyous, which is definitely new territory for the band.

This mood, however, doesn’t last long. Soon the band retreats to familiar ground, slowing the flow of music to that of a glacier. “Illgresi,” the track posted below, resides on the slower second half of Með Suð Í Eyrum Við Spilum Endalaust and features the band at its simplest: a pretty acoustic guitar riff, some violin flourishes, and Jónsi’s plaintive vocals.

[mp3] Sigur Rós - Illgresi

After five months of constantly listening to Frightened Rabbit’s Midnight Organ Fight, I still find myself untangling its contradictions and unraveling its many layers. Which is quite amazing considering my hyperactive listening habits.

I’ve finally figured out why I like the album so much: it is, more or less, the soundtrack to my life. It simultaneously encompasses the good times and the bad, the highs and lows. Despite this contradiction, or maybe because of it, Midnight Organ Fight always inspires. It’s a strange phenomenon: the louder I play it, the better I feel.

Like most great albums, Midnight Organ Fight reveals itself in layers. It took nearly a dozen listens before I could distinguish individual songs. Had I written this review back then, my favorite tracks probably would’ve been “Good Arms vs. Bad Arms” and “Poke.” Now I can’t decide. My favorite songs seem to change every time I listen to the album.

Frightened Rabbit Official Website | MySpace | eMusic | Insound | Amazon | CD Baby | Amie Street hails from Scotland, a fact immediately confirmed by Scott Hutchison’s vocals. Thankfully, his accent is noticeable but not overwhelming. In fact, it often adds an extra dimension to the music. I love the way he stretches out random words and phrases. At times, his voice nearly buckles under the weight of emotion.

The lyrics inhabit the gray area between breaking up and getting back together (which helps explain all the contradiction). On “The Twist” Hutchison sings, “It’s the night, I can be who you like / And I’ll quietly leave before it gets light.” Later, he asserts, “I need company / I need human heat.” But then on “Keep Yourself Warm” he belts out, “It takes more than fucking someone you don’t know to keep warm.” So which is it? Anyone who’s ever inhabited this gray area knows it’s actually both.

Last but certainly not least is the music. The wailing guitars in “Good Arms vs. Bad Arms,” the hypnotic piano melody at the end of “The Twist,” the slow steady build in “Backwards Walk,” and the simpleness of “Poke.” It’s overwhelming at first, but with repeated listens the layers start peeling apart. Soon, you will find yourself coming back for even more of exactly the same.

[mp3] Frightened Rabbit - The Twist
[mp3] Frightened Rabbit - Backwards Walk

Download three more Frightened Rabbit songs for free here. I highly recommend “The Modern Leper” and “Head Rolls Off.”

2007 was a great year for music. New albums from Radiohead, Interpol, The National, Andrew Bird, Okkervil River, and Spoon all rocked hard. My discovery of The Acorn, Kings of Leon, The Everybodyfields, and Menomena, coupled with an impressive debut from Deer Tick, made the year that much more amazing.

So when it came time to assemble my annual Top 10 Songs of 2007 list, I just couldn’t chop it down to size. As a result I’ve decided to expand the list to 15 songs. Plus I’ve already blogged about 9 of the 15 songs on the list, so the 5 extra slots allow me to post some new mp3’s.

Continuing to break with tradition, I’ve decided to categorize the 15 songs into 5 separate categories based on their mood and style. Enjoy!

Songs I listen to when I am happy (aka pop songs):

[mp3] The Shins - Australia
[mp3] Okkervil River - Unless It’s Kicks
[mp3] Modest Mouse - Missed the Boat

Songs I listen to when I am sad (aka bawlers):

[mp3] Andrew Bird - Cataracts
[mp3] The National - Slow Show
[mp3] The Acorn - Glory

Songs I listen to when I party (aka rockers):

[mp3] Interpol - Rest My Chemistry
[mp3] Spoon - Eddie’s Ragga
[mp3] Kings of Leon - McFearless

Songs I listen to when I drive (aka rollers):

[mp3] The Everybodyfields - Aeroplane
[mp3] Deer Tick - Dirty Dishes
[mp3] Magnolia Electric Co - Nashville Moon

Songs I listen to whenever (aka great songs):

[mp3] Kings of Leon - On Call
[mp3] Radiohead - Reckoner
[mp3] Menomena - Rotten Hell

Get ‘em while they’re hot! Check the comments for additional lists…

I really tried to avoid relapsing into old habits, but as you can see I’ve failed spectacularly. I’d love to blame school for my latest absence, but it cannot bear full responsibility. I guess I’ve been waiting for inspiration to strike.

After a month of searching, I’ve finally found it. The song is “Car Windows” by The Main Drag, a band featured on cokemachineglow’s “No Big Hair” (surprise, surprise). Their latest album, Yours As Fast As Mine, reminds me in many ways of Okkervil River (download their free live EP here!). First, there is the album cover, which looks like a less scary version of Black Sheep Boy Appendix.

And then there is the music, which ranges from punk-rock anthems to soft sweet ballads. “Car Windows,” one of the slower tracks on the album, immediately steals your attention. The song starts with an acoustic guitar and the lyric “I think too much.” After about a minute, the song picks up some steam as drums and violins enter the mix. Near the two-minute mark, everything cuts out except the violins, which usher in a gorgeous crescendo.

The rest of the album isn’t as immediately engaging. Additional listens will hopefully reveal more favorites, similar to Devin Davis‘ Lonely People of the World, Unite! If not, at least I’ll have “Car Windows.”

[mp3] The Main Drag - Car Windows

Some of you may have noticed that the top banner of my site changed a few days ago. I figured it was time for something new and exciting. Let me know your thoughts!

As I mentioned on my previous post, I’ve been inundated lately with tons of good music. So much so that I’m quickly falling behind. I can take one of two corrective actions: either post everything I’ve been listening to, OR, be a little more selective. I’ve chosen the latter (mainly because I don’t have the time to post more than once a week).

Which hopefully means you get the cream of the crop. And this week’s crop features a couple of songs from two artists that haven’t gotten much coverage on my blog.

The first is a track by The Wrens called “Thirteen Grand.” A sad lament set to a catchy guitar riff, the song features the band at its softest, and coincidentally, its best. Check out The Meadowlands if you like what you hear.

The second song is “Baby That’s Not All” off Hello Starling by Josh Ritter. It’s a pretty little lullaby from an equally gorgeous album. Many thanks to my brother Andy who recommended this excellent track to me. Hey hermano!

[mp3] The Wrens - Thirteen Grand
[mp3] Josh Ritter - Baby That’s Not All