But I'm trying to take some comfort in written words

OMG this was so extremely painful.  Today's top ten lists brings us to music.  Categories are Alternative, Emerging artist, Electronica/ Instrumental, and best live shows.

Alternative was painful with tons of great stuff coming out this year.  Contenders are Andrew Bird, Wilco, Spoon, Smashing Pumpkins, The New Pornographers, Of Montreal, The Shins, Ryan Adams, Rob Crow, Radiohead, The National, Modest Mouse, MIA, Iron & Wine, Interpol, Great Lake Swimmers, Feist, Bright Eyes, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Band of Horses, Beruit, Arcade Fire, Arctic Monkeys, Son Volt, The Magic Numbers, Kings of Leon, Maria Taylor, The White Stripes, and Jens Lekman.  All of these artists have at least two albums out as of this year making them eligible.    So without dancing around here is the order:

1. Bright Eyes - Cassadaga
2. Arcade Fire - Neon Bible
3. Modest Mouse - We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank
4. Wilco - Sky Blue Sky
5. The Shins - Wincing The Night Away
6. Band of Horses - Cease To Begin
7. The National - Boxer
8. Iron & Wine - The Shepherd's Dog
9. Interpol - Our Love to Admire
10. Feist - The Reminder

Now time for the Emerging Artists.  These are bands with first time albums or recently signed to a more prominent record label.  Once again, tough choices with nominations including: Pela, Panda Bear, New Ruins, Miracle Fortress, The Loose Salute, Choir Practice, Marla Hansen, Cortney Tidwell, The Long Blondes, Lewis & Clarke, Handsome Furs, Ham1, Elvis Perkins, Dr. Dog, Dntel, Deerhunter, Bodies of Water, Deer Tick, Mobius Band, Yeasayer. Many more artists but these seem to really pop this year.

1. Yeasayer - All Hour Cymbals
2. Panda Bear - Personal Pitch
3. Elvis Perkins - Ash Wednesday
4. Dntel - Dumb Luck
5. Dr. Dog - We All Belong
6. New Ruins -  The Sound They Make
7. Handsome Furs - Plague Park
8. Lewis & Clarke - Blasts of Holy Birth
9. Mobius Band - Heaven
10. Miracle Fortress - Five Roses

whewwwwwwwww a lot of good stuff! And 2008 is starting to look good.  Be on the lookout for Bon Iver.

Now for electronica/ instrumental.

1. Explosions in the Sky - All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone
2. Six Parts Seven - Casually Smashed to Pieces
3. Holy F*ck - LP
4. The Octopus Project - Hello Avalanche
5. Black Moth Super Rainbow - Start A People
6. YACHT - I Believe In You.  Your Magic Is Real
7. LCD Soundsystem - Sound of Silver
8. Alias - Collected Remixes
9. Mexican Institute of Sound - Pinata
10. Songs of the Green Pheasant - Gyllyng Street

Okay home stretch.  No band can give you a real experience if they can't play worth a crap live.  So here are the best shows I saw this year.  Because of work and school I wasn't able to see as many shows as I typically do so this is the best I got to see.

1. Bright Eyes (twice - Nashville, Memphis)
2. Wilco (Memphis)
3. Modest Mouse (Nashville)
4. Smashing Pumpkins (Memphis)
5. Explosions in the Sky (Memphis)
6. Jeff Tweedy (Memphis)
7. Son Volt (Memphis)
8. Damien Rice (Memphis)
9. Bishop Allen (Memphis)
10. The White Stripes (Memphis)

Other notables: +/-, Band of Horses, Of Montreal, Gillian Welch, Owen, Six Parts Seven, Gogol Bordello, Say Hi to Your Mom, Dr. Dog

Shows I hope to catch in 2008: Radiohead, Iron & Wine, Feist, The National, Spoon, MIA, Explosions in the Sky

More lists coming! Hold tight!

Comments

[Carrie Ann]

I think your seeing bright eyes twice might have clouded your judgment. Although Cassadega was good, I would not say it was the best. That Panda Bear release was awsome. By breaking it down you have also given yourself a big break.

[Anderson McCoy]

New Ruins is almost finished with a new album with a full band. I heard they are being scoped by a few pretty big labels. i found the album on emusic. it is awesome. i got a chance to see them open for Deerhunter live a few months back in their home town. holy shit! they tear it up. i cant wait for the album.