Countdown to 2009! 10..9..8..

Tonight may be like any other night with a drink in your hand, gossip to chatter, and friends by your side. Yet tonight something different is going down, literally a giant crystal ball in Times Square, but more specifically the end of the year 2008! So now is the time we make resolutions that we'll (undoubtedly) break before Valentine's Day and sport champagne and silly eye glasses alike. Before you go out into the night to celebrate and/or make a fool of yourself, here is my own countdown of ten songs that have made 2008 all the more memorable to hear. Not a comprehensive "best tracks" list by any means, just those I consistently found myself playing time and time again - click the respective images for more info on buying their tunes:

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[10] The Chairs - Polly
       After posting about The Chairs debut EP, it was hard to ignore a new song that offered a promising glimpse of the band's future. I'm stoked about getting them to Lexington for a show and even more stoked to hear what good vibes they emit with more time and production.

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[9] Xavier Rudd - Edge Of The Moon
       If there was ever a time that I wanted to feel happy or match a mood with warm weather, "Edge Of The Moon" was always the song that was played. It's uplifting, free spirited, and everything you've come to expect from Xavier Rudd. Not to mention he puts on a ridiculous live set. At the passion and pace Rudd releases albums, I'm almost expecting something just as good to come along in 2009.

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[8] Project Jenny, Project Jan - Train Track
       This was a track that would, inevitably, lead to me spinning their entire album of short but oh-so sweet tunes. From the opening brass, jungle-like percussion, funky bass lines, rhythmic handclaps, and the lyrics pegging their commuting borough of Brooklyn - this song always had some part of my body dancing. This laptop duo's been around a couple of years but really picked up steam in 2008.

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[7] Conor Oberst - I Don't Want to Die (In the Hospital)
       Shedding the Bright Eyes moniker and trading up for a solid folk-rock sound, Oberst created a hell of a track driven by a pitch-perfect saloon piano and his (always) solid lyricism. This groovin, near rockabilly track hit a chord with the common 21^st century fear/stipulation of living your final hours in a depressing hospital room.

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[6] The Black Keys - Oceans & Streams
       I couldn't have been more satisfied with Attack & Release, specifically the handful of songs that shed their traditional rock sound for a more Memphis-styled blues tone. Probably had something to with writing a record for Ike Turner until he passed away. Either way, the musical duo fused a dark rock sound and crooning vocals with a chilling organ to create a track that not only rocks, but longs for better days gone by.

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[5] Bon Iver - Skinny Love
       I'm not sure if I'll ever get over the feeling of first hearing this song; haunting as it was beautiful and demanding as it was sensitive. "Skinny Love" has the ability to be stroking your head gently and lovingly one verse and walloping you across the face with an emotional backhand the next. This song is moving no matter how many times I've played it this year.

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[4] Daniel Martin Moore - It's You
       Representing Kentucky's folk side better than anyone of recent memory, Martin Moore's "It's You" is one of the most thoughtful tracks I listened to all year long. With warm, beautiful lyrics and the blending of a hushed guitar and piano - I couldn't be more hopeful for the career of this emotive singer. Add in an ending featuring Petra Haden's violin work and it's extremely hard denying the charm of this song.

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[3] Fleet Foxes - He Doesn't Know Why
       Starting with vocal melodies that Fleet Foxes have all but come to be known for by now, "He Doesn't Know Why" is the perfect blend of instrumentation that isn't too much and vocals that almost wrap the song in an echoing blanket of sound. The best part? Halfway through (1:43 mark), the song breaks down into a 1950s-esque vocal highlight before ending in a flurry of pianos and harmonies.

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[2] TV on the Radio - Family Tree
       From the first echoing piano chord I was intrigued, a lack of frenetic instrumentation and common Afro-beats almost made me listen more intently. Much like other tracks, TVOTR still created their own world within "Family Tree" with haunting strings and devastating lyricism (Oh take my hand sweet/Complete your release/Unbury your feet/And married we'll be). The song evolves unforced, naturally procuring a background yearning for a crescendo until a beat rhythmically drives the tune into your ears before slowly fading away. It's the gem of Dear Science in my opinion.

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[1] Passion Pit - Sleepyhead
       "And everything is going to the beat.." I've played this track more than any other released in 2008 and I still feel like I'm enjoying it for the very first time when it comes on. It's contagious with yelping Animal Collective-like vocals, deep beats, superb mixing, and that dance-like-crazy synth breakdown. It clocks in under three minutes, is on a debut EP, and has me looking forward to what Passion Pit can come up with to top such a solid, solid song.. and better yet, release.

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When you're counting backwards from 10 tonight, you now have a great track that could go along with every second! Hope you have a safe and happy New Year - drink a toast to fine music a pop a bottle for me! See you in 2009..

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