2008 was a great year to be a music fan. From Rock to Country to Folk every genre of music had a few gems come out during this year. Below you will find, in no particular order, a list of what I feel are the ten best
of 2008.
Paul Thorn- A Long Way From Tupelo
Paul Thorn's music has always been difficult to pin to a particular genre. His first album, Hammer and Nail was a straightforward southern rocker. From there he has flirted with folk, country, gospel, and soul. Thorn's latest album A Long Way From Tupelo finds him bringing it all together to form a complete package. From the opening song "Lucky 7 Ranch" with it's groovy guitar riff to the folksy gospel of "When the Long Road Ends", this is one of Thorn's most mature albums to date.
Todd Snider- Peace Queer
Folk singer Todd Snider has flirted with political messages in the past, most effectively in his song "You Got Away With It" from the Devil You Know album but has refrained from recording an entire political album. That restraint was broken with the release of Peace Queer. If the album title wasn't a clue to Snider's political leanings, song titles like "Mission Accomplished" should. Fortunately, Snider hasn't lost any of his trademark sense of humor, remarking on a recent tour stop that "I don't expect these songs to change anyone's mind. I didn't write them to change opinions. I wrote them because they rhyme." Peace Queer isn't Snider's best album but an average album from Todd Snider is better than most people's best any year.
Alice Cooper- Along Came a Spider
Hard rock's Prince of Darkness, after spending his last four albums flirting with 70's style garage rock and Nine Inch Nails style industrial metal, returns to his theatrical horror show roots with this concept album about a serial killer who cuts one limb off each of his victims. Drawing a thematic line to Steven, the main character from Cooper's masterwork Welcome to My Nightmare album, Cooper's songwriting is, as always, top notch and some guest sessions from Slash and Ozzy Osbourne bring some variety to the mix.
My Morning Jacket- Evil Urges
Paul Thorn- A Long Way From Tupelo
Paul Thorn's music has always been difficult to pin to a particular genre. His first album, Hammer and Nail was a straightforward southern rocker. From there he has flirted with folk, country, gospel, and soul. Thorn's latest album A Long Way From Tupelo finds him bringing it all together to form a complete package. From the opening song "Lucky 7 Ranch" with it's groovy guitar riff to the folksy gospel of "When the Long Road Ends", this is one of Thorn's most mature albums to date.
Todd Snider- Peace Queer
Folk singer Todd Snider has flirted with political messages in the past, most effectively in his song "You Got Away With It" from the Devil You Know album but has refrained from recording an entire political album. That restraint was broken with the release of Peace Queer. If the album title wasn't a clue to Snider's political leanings, song titles like "Mission Accomplished" should. Fortunately, Snider hasn't lost any of his trademark sense of humor, remarking on a recent tour stop that "I don't expect these songs to change anyone's mind. I didn't write them to change opinions. I wrote them because they rhyme." Peace Queer isn't Snider's best album but an average album from Todd Snider is better than most people's best any year.
Alice Cooper- Along Came a Spider
Hard rock's Prince of Darkness, after spending his last four albums flirting with 70's style garage rock and Nine Inch Nails style industrial metal, returns to his theatrical horror show roots with this concept album about a serial killer who cuts one limb off each of his victims. Drawing a thematic line to Steven, the main character from Cooper's masterwork Welcome to My Nightmare album, Cooper's songwriting is, as always, top notch and some guest sessions from Slash and Ozzy Osbourne bring some variety to the mix.
My Morning Jacket- Evil Urges
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