Top Albums of 2008

Here's my Top 10 for 2008 (previous lists: 2007, 2006), along with links to LaLa.com, where you can listen to each once, for free, legally. LaLa has become my favorite "try before you buy" resource for music.

1. Bon Iver, For Emma, Forever Ago: proving that winter quiet is, in fact, the new loud.


2. Kaki King, Dreaming of Revenge: a guitar virtuoso turned songwriter, I'm completely in love with her sound.


3. Rachael Yamagata, Elephants, Teeth Sinking Into Heart: I liked her debut EP well enough, but this album represents a huge step up into the singer-songwriter big leagues.


4. Kris Delmhorst, Shotgun Singer: a singer-songwriter (emphasis on "writer") who gets better every album.


5. The Mountain Goats, Heretic Pride: that's three great albums in a row from this amazing songwriter (now working with Kaki King!)


6. Jessica Lea Mayfield, With Blasphemy, So Heartfelt: like Mazzy Star meets Lucinda Williams (thanks, Tara, for turning me onto this!)


7. Nik Bartsh's Ronin, Holon: combine a small jazz combo with a Philip Glass attitude


8. Beck, Modern Guilt: as much about Dangermouse's production skillz as about Beck


9. Joan As Police Woman, To Survive: another beautiful, quiet, but not depressing, album


10. The New Mastersounds, 102%: imagine The Meters reincarnated as super-tight Englishmen.