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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So, I ended up staying in pretty much all day long yesterday … even tho both Darion and Jordan invited me out to hang with them last night I kinda crashed out on the couch and slept most of the evening/night away. Unfortch, tho, I woke up at around 10 and had a hard time falling asleep at bedtime. I was very happy when the UPS man delivered my copy of the deluxe version of JK Rowling’s new Harry Potter book Tales of Beedle the Bard. Because the deluxe version of the book is so opulent and pretty, I purchased both the standard version (to read) and the deluxe version (to put on my shelf and look at) and immediately read the whole thing (standard edition) in one sitting:

The book is a very quick read, it’s a nice little Harry Potter snack. JK has an uncanny ability to craft amazing stories and this book of Magickal fairy tales was a very fun read. It’s an absolute must-read for any Harry Potter fan. The deluxe version of the book is just insane … it looks very much like the handcrafted original version of the book that sold for $3.9 million at auction last year. Since Amazon.com bought the book, they were able to partner with JK to recreate the handcrafted original for sale to fans.

I also happened to stumble upon the (old) news that one of my favorite singers Leona Naess released her new album Thirteens a couple of months ago! How I missed this, I’ll never know:

I immediately downloaded the album from iTunes (which comes with a bonus track where she duets with ex-boyfriend Ryan Adams). I also found out that Leona is giving away 13 more songs online FOR FREE — one a week — so that fans can enjoy an entirely new “bootleg” album of music. FindThe13.com has been up and running for at least 4 weeks now … so to catch up, you can download the songs On My Toes (HERE), Hiccups (HERE), All Is Fair (HERE) and On MY Mind (HERE). I just love this girl … these new songs are amazing. I understand the album has been in the works FOR-EVER so it’s great that we’re finally able to hear them — I just wish I knew sooner.

Incidentally, Ryan Adams (Leona’s ex-lover & semi-current duet partner and just named contributing writer for BlackBook magazine) has released a demo version of his new songs Dear Impossible (HERE) and Sunflowers and Rain (HERE). His blog is amazing … fans should deffo be checking in every 10 mins. as he updates all the time. My copy of his new book of poetry Infinity Blues just arrived today … so I have a lot of stuff to read and listen to. Wee, the weekend!!