I only actually bought 14 albums last year - well, obvisouly I bought more than that (well, obvious to those who know my obsession with music 😛 ) but only 14 were from 2008.
In no particular order:
Noah and the Whale - Peaceful, The World Lays Me Down
The Killers - Day & Age
Damien Dempsey - The Rocky Road
Drever, McCusker & Woomble - Before The Ruin
Eoghan Colgan - Demos (I can't remember if I actually bought this; he may have given it to me for free - nice lad)
Ben Folds - Way To Normal
Murray Gold - Doctor Who soundtrack series 4
Joshua Radin - Simple Times
Ron Sexsmith - Exit Strategy For The Soul
Travis - Ode To J. Smith
The Rasmus - Black Roses
Rogue Wave - Asleep at Heaven's Gate
Jack Johnson - Sleep Through The Static
Espen Lind - Army of One
My favourites would absolutely have to be (in order)
1. Drever, McCusker & Woomble - Before The Ruin
The three Scots Kris Drever, John McCusker and Roddy Woomble (of Idlewild) got together for this one, originally intending to work on Roddy's second solo album (his solo work being a lot folkier than Idlewild) but ended up making this album together. Now, I'm not particularly into folk music, but Roddy's solo work really amazed me (also it got me into Idlewild - not the other way around! 😛). If I though his first album was fantastic, Before The Ruin just blew it out of the water! I could not get the cd out of my player for weeks, so if you're even remotely interested in folk music (it isn't even THAT folky) buy this! :biggrin:
2. Travis - Ode To J. Smith
Arguably my favourite band and Ode To J. Smith (their sixth studio album) is just awsome! In hindsight I think I was always a bit disappointed with The Boy With No Name, their previous effort - a fine album, but possibly a bit too poppy (don't ask me to elaborate on that - I can't!) So with this album I'm loving the return to their rockier roots. :biggrin:
3. Espen Lind - Army of One
His previous 4 albums rather poppy (again, I really can't explain what makes me think something is "pop") I was pleasantly surprised that he'd moved on to something more singer-songwriter and acoustic-esque. All the while keeping the great songwriting intact. :biggrin:
To be fair though, I've only bought the albums by The Killers, Ben Folds, Murray Gold, The Rasmus and Joshua Radin recently (the latter I've not listened to at all yet) so I've not had a chance to listen to them properly yet and they may intrude on the top 3 when I do. 🙂 I doubt it though - those are some awsome albums!
Edit: Wow, I do go on a bit sometimes, don't I? 😛