Here is my list of my top picks in music for 2008 … sadly, this wasn’t a great year for music. As I sat down to go over my fave releases of the year, I found that there wasn’t much to choose from. But, even tho the pickin’s are slim that doesn’t take away from the quality of the music that was released this year. Here, in reverse order are my fave albums of the year:

In the #10 position, Beyoncé’s I Am …:

Altho I didn’t love every single track on this album, much of it is really fun and very memorable. Honestly, for Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It) alone the album is a hit. I may not be totally on board with the whole Sasha Fierce thing but as long as Beyoncé keeps bringin’ the jams like the ones on this album, I think I can get used to it.

At #9, Jason Mraz’s We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things.:

I’ve been a minor Jason Mraz fan for a while now but this album really won me over to Team Mraz. I must admit, I didn’t really pay that much attention to him before he started blogging on My Space but once he got my attention, I was hooked. I’ve yet to listen in full to Jason’s other albums but if this one is any indication, I think I’m gonna like what I hear. Additionally, Mraz just published his own book of Polaroid photos … which wins my heart in other ways as well.

At #8 is Juliana Hatfield’s How To Walk Away:

Juliana always comes at us with great music and this album is proof positive that she’s still got it. For me, this album was an even better treat because I ordered it from her official website and it came packed with a bonus disc of demos that were recorded with the album. I really wish more people knew about Juliana … I think she appeals to so many people. I’m just glad that she continues to make music because discs like this one are always welcome on my iPod.

In the #7 position is the Ryan Adams and the Cardinals album Cardinology:

Ryan Adams releases music almost on a daily basis and, amazingly, it’s all good. While I wasn’t too crazy about Easy Tiger, I really loved Cardinology. My only regret is that the album is too short. I wish there were about 3 more songs on the disc but, knowing Ryan, I’m sure it won’t be long before we get a whole new disc of stuff to enjoy.

At #6 is the new Leona Naess album Thirteens:

I was SHOCKED when I learned that Leona Naess had released a new album months before I heard about it … but was very happily surprised. Thirteens is a great album of somber and poignant tunes … and comes with 13 bonus tracks that are still downloadable HERE. One can never have too much Leona Naess … the hits just keep on comin’.

After the jump, check out my Top 5 Fave Albums of 2008 including my fave of the bunch AND my list of Top 10 Singles of the Year …

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Trent Reznor updated the official Nine Inch Nails website with a couple photos of the physical copies of the new NIN album The Slip. As you should be well aware, The Slip is available for free download HERE (it will always be available for free download) but physical copies have been made for the rabid NIN fans (like me) who want to own a hard copy. The domestic version of the album will be released in numbered limited edition and Trent is showing off the first and last numbered copies of the album:

I can’t wait to get my copy. I’ve already received confirmation from Amazon that my copy of The Slip is on its way. I’m fairly certain I won’t be getting either of these two copies of the album but I’m geeked to be getting a limited edition version of the album (international copies of the disc will be unnumbered, non limited edition). NIN hit the road for their Lights in the Sky tour next month … and I can’t wait for that either! More NIN, Trent … gimme more!

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Trent Reznor has updated the official Nine Inch Nails website with the last of 3 rehearsal videos (click HERE to watch the video for 1,000,000 and click HERE to watch the video for Letting You) that were filmed recently and will be available on the bonus DVD that will come packaged with the retail version of their latest album The Slip, due out on July 22. Here is the rehearsal video for the song Echoplex:

Even tho The Slip is available for FREE DOWNLOAD I am very much interested in picking up the physical CD version of the album. Not only does it come with a bonus DVD of live material (there are at least 5 rehearsal videos on the DVD) but there is a rumor going around that there *may* be a “secret” bonus disc with extra material included as well. Amazon lists the album’s release as a 3-disc set — 1 CD, 1 DVD and another CD? At this point, nothing that Trent Reznor does would surprise me. Is it possible that he may throw in an extra disc of music for his loyal fans who choose to purchase an album he’s already giving away for free? Sure. Is it possible that this rumored bonus disc is merely the fabrication of overzealous fans? Absolutely. In any event, I feel that the release is deffo worth picking up … especially for completists.

Lastly, if you’re interested in tracking the NIN Lights In The Sky Tour via Google Earth, you can download a file HERE that will allow you to zoom in on each city the tour will be visiting and follow the band as they tour North America. Sounds fun. I think only geeks need apply but it’s a neat little option nonetheless.

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