1) Blizten Trapper –furr

The best raddest record of the year.

 

2) My Morning Jacket Evil Urges (June 10, 2008)

Rock and roll, fun and a song about a librarian, how could I not.

 

3) Haley Bonar | Big Star

I am glad all Minnesota artists are not bound for early artistic death.

 

4) re-release Whiskeytown's "Strangers Almanac" as a double-disc deluxe edition

Young drunk Ryan Adams runs a close second to Kevin Costner and slightly above Richard Dean Anderson in my heros book.  It is a re-release, but the new material alone makes it.  NOTE: I also may add Jeremiah Johnson to my heroes list even though he is a fictional character.  I can never make a final determination though because Christina thinks this beautiful film is boring, yet (yet!) she bought it for me.  Explain that to me please.

5) Josh Ritter - Live at the 9:30 Club

I realize re-releases and live albums are a bit faux pas on this blog.  Forgive me.  This is a hangover pick from last year's Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter.  Live he sounds pretty amazing (not that I would know of live music in North Aurorastan).  Don't believe me?  Check out this hyper linked text to another website with the information of which you do not believe in here, or here.

Honorable Mention for best church choral ensemble

Fleet Foxes  

 

Honorable Mention for artist most in need of Paxil

Bon Iver 

I do have a weak spot for this type of music I am just not sure I know how to "Suckle on the hope in lite brassiere"? 

 

Poopiest poop of the year

The Cardinals Cardinology listening to the free stream of this album when it came out was one of the worst decisions I made in 2008. 

 

Did Mason do anything this year?  If he did it also belongs here.

 

Special Bonus Rankings:

Best Internet Release of the Year

Jon La Joie Bootlegs & B-Sides

Worst Radio Programs

1) Weekend America

2) Day to Day (ha ha you're canceled, thank you economy)

3) Using a public non-profit news station's airtime (and website) to promote a "position" opposing light rail.   I am not a journalist but this seems a bit unethical.

4) Car Talk

Best Irish Whiskey
Jameson (I know you're 400 years old Bushmills, but you're simply not as smooth.)

Worst things
 Minnesota Department of Natural Resources- Killing sleeping bears, mismanaging the deer herd, million dollar game warden parties and taking 5 years to finish an environmental impact statement for Polymet.  They literally had to study deer herd migration patterns through an existing mine pit. 

Best Smile
Maarit's