2008 was a great year for music. Artists were stretching their boundaries, unafraid of commercial failure. It didn't matter who the audience was or what the genre was supposed to be, those are just labels. Songwriters poured their hearts onto compact disks and let the people hear them for what they are as artists. Although there are many
honorable mentions, below is the lit of the 10 best releases from
2008.


10. Metallica- "Death Magnetic." For many years, these thrash legends
have been the butt of ridicule for "selling out" by many die hard
metal fans, mostly for their bluesy "Load" and "Reload" records and
their 2003 documentary Some Kind of Monster. However, they have come
back from the dead with a brand new offering of the fast, aggressive
music that made them legends. "The Judas Kiss" and "Cyanide" are
notable tracks.
9. Kings of Leon- "Only by Night.” Kings of Leon have had a pretty
good run on the indie scene for the past few years, with a few decent
albums released and even some notable hits and venues played, including
Saturday Night Live. Their new album, "Only by Night" has totally set
a new standard for their brand of indie rock. Definitely the best
track would be the single "Sex on Fire.”
8. Jason Mraz- "We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things.” Jason Mraz has
had a few hits before with his unique brand of acoustic folk rock, but
none of his releases have been quite as successful- or musically
diverse- as his new offering, which features the hit single "I'm
Yours.” Other notable tracks would be "Coyotes" and his duet with
James Morrsion, "Details in the Fabric.”
7. Ligeia- "Bad News.” The Massachusetts metalcore act released their
debut album, "Your Ghost is a Gift" in 2006. It was a top notch album,
garnering attention for its originality in lyrics and tone, but they
completely "reinvented the steel" for their sophomore album, "Bad
News.” The album's lyrics are all derived from the perspective of a
"Bro", a college frat boy who wears polo shirts and plays a lot of
beer pong. All the songs feature lyrics about drinking and driving and
sexual encounters with many women. You could almost describe it as a
Ludacris album, but with guitars and harsh vocals. Standout tracks
would be "Johnny Cash" and the ballad "Heroin Diaries.”
6. Oasis- "Dig Out You Soul.” The tenured Brit rockers, best known for
their mega-smash hit, "Wonderwall", have finally released an album
that can stand up to the hype that fans have been building for years.
This new album is takes old songwriting formulas and gives them a
fresh sound, bringing back their Beatles-esque compositions and adding
new elements, such as using samples in "I'm Outta Time.” Overall, it
won't be garnering the band new fans, but old fans will finally rest
easy that Oasis finally released another solid effort.
5. Death Cab For Cutie- "Narrow Stairs.” Death Cab's new album is a
complete departure from their usually bright melancholic indie rock,
and it is undoubtedly their best effort so far. The album is very dark
and slow, for the most part. The lead single, "I Will Possess Your
Heart" is definitely the brightest point, but the album really shines
in "Cath" and  the closing song, "The Ice is Getting Thinner.”
4. The Acacia Strain4- "Continent.” The Deathcore giants have done it
again. Their latest offering haven't brought them any closer to
mainstream attention, but in the underground they have definitely
acquired the title "Breakdown Kings.” High points on the album would be
"The Combine" and "Balboa Towers.”
3. Kanye West- "808s and Heartbreak.” Kanye's newest release is a
complete 180 on his direction from his 2007 album, "Graduation.” While
"Graduation" showed Kanye's talent as a rapper, his latest effort
shows his talent as a singer/songwriter in an R&B setting. The single
"Love Lockdown" and "See You In My Nightmares", his duet with Lil
Wayne, are definitely standout tracks.
2. Coldplay- "Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends.” This is
London rockers' fourth- and unquestionably best effort to date. The
album is flawless; it covers more musical diversity than all of their
previous albums combined and manages to make it blend seamlessly.
Although only 47 minutes, the record never hits a low point and always
entertains. The title track, "Viva La Vida" and "Violet Hill" are
definitely the best tracks.
1. Lil Wayne- "Tha Carter III.” Did anyone have a doubt in their minds
that this wouldn't be the best album of 2008? First, it was the best
selling album of the year, featuring the best selling single of the
year, "Lollipop.” Second, it's Lil Wayne. This guy has been on every
hit rap single for the past 2 years and this album shows why. He is
truly the "best rapper alive", as the song of "Tha Carter II" would
suggest. His freestyles are outstanding, showing influences and ideas
much broader than that of the typical rapper. Lil Wayne has cemented
his status as a certified rap icon in 2008 and he intends to stay at
the top for as long as he can.”