> 2008 the year in review – best albums

Here is my list of the best albums for 2008*

Jon Foreman – Fall,Winter, Spring, Summer; Limbs & Branches
Love, loss, faith, despair; the realities of life under the gaze of God are all covered on these 4 ambitious ep’s that culminated in the collection Limbs and Branches.

Thrice – The Alchemy Index Vols III & IV; Air & Earth
The completion of the 4 ep series started with 2007′s Fire & Water. Two of the best songs on the year were found here (Moving Mountains & Come All You Weary)

House of Heroes – The End is Not the End
Long overdue,  the band with this album want to revitalize the genre if you give them the chance.

Anberlin – New Surrender
Anberlin successfully make the jump to a major label and take advantage of the resources of the label with out sacrificing their artistic vision, musically or lyrically

Cool Hand Luke – The Sleeping House
Excelling musically and artistically while also maintaining a thoroughly biblical base for their lyrics.

Seabird – Til We See the Shore
Perhaps the best debut album this year. This piano driven rock band was aided by the song Rescue being featured on the TV Show Pushing Daisies promos.

Family Force 5 – Dance or Die
While not straying far from the vision of their debut album, the 70′s and 80′s are looming in the background. Strong enough to land them a slot on the 2009 Alternative Press tour look for more of them in the coming year

Copeland – You Are My Sunshine
After being dropped from their label Copeland lands with Tooth & Nail and deliver their best album since Beneath Medicine Tree.

Denison Witmer – Carry the Weight
The songs were born out of time spent caring for a sick friend and asking if we really could find hope in this crazy world. Also his most accessible and poppy album’ to date.

The Myriad – With Arrows With Poise
Vastly different from their under-rated debut album, a change in musical direction only served to deepen the quality of this artistic gem. In addition to the high of winning the Mt Dew band contest, The band also experienced the low of having their drummer diagnosed with cancer.

Bon Voyage – Lies

Starflyer 59 – Dial M

It’s fitting that husband & wife team (Jason & Julie Martin) released two of the best albums of the year.

The Seventy Sevens – Holy Ghost Building
Easily their best album since 1989′s Sticks and Stones, Mike Roe & company put their own unique stamp on these mostly blues and gospel standards.

We Shot The Moon – Fear & Love
I thought the band would have a big hit with this album and breakout in a big way. They are already at work on some new material for next year so maybe in 2009….

-dbM

*I am being a little bolder this year, last year I called this list my favorite albums

> 2008 the year in review – vinyl

Vinyl came back in a big way in 2008 and with the addition of colored vinyl and mp3 downloads it makes it an attractive option for fans who want something more collectible from their favorite artist.

Still having a working turntable we got several items on vinyl in 2008.

Paramore’s Riot on white vinyl

Anbelin’s New Surrender on 2 lp’s one green, one gold/orange

Denison Witmer’s Carry the Weight on yellow vinyl

Anbelin’s Feel Good Drag (Tiger Cover) b/w A Perfect Touniquet

The Afters Never Going Back To OK b/w Ocean Wide

> denison witmer @ hope college – concert review

Denison Witmer played to around 100 fans in the packed and hot Dewitt Studio Theatre on the campus of Hope College. Playing without a set list he played a mix of old and new songs.

Some older song highlights were “Little Flowers” and “Finding My Feet Again” from his last full length ‘Are You A Dreamer’

Denison Witmer Hope College 9/20/08

Several songs were played from his upcoming album “Carry the Weight”. One song was described as a debate with himself as to merits of having hope. (which he assured us hope is still valid) Another new song “Beautiful Boys and Girls” is available now on itunes . The highlight from the new album was the song “Carry the Weight” which is available in several live versions (One being at Relevant Magazine).

Denison Witmer Hope College 9/20/08

His between song stories are always entertaining. The topics this time included: His new “non-artist” looking haircut, his meeting with James Taylor’s sister’s quasi-manager, and his “acoustic cardigan vibe”

The show ended with “Finding your feet again” with the last words acting almost like a blessing:

Go now the light of your God
Go now in the love of your God
Go now in the peace of your God
Go now in the joy of your God’

And we did!

If you ever wondered what your guitar needs to be tuned to to play some of Denison’s songs this is the list for you.

> denison witmer in concert @ hope college september 20, 2008

Hopefully we will see you at the Denison Witmer show at Hope College tonight.
Maybe he’ll even play some new songs off his upcoming album Carry the Weight. (due November 11, 2008) Here is a live version of the title track.
“Carry The Weight”

Denison Witmer
wsg Ordinary Neighbors

Sept. 20 @ 8:00p
Dewitt Studio Theatre
$5 w/ Hope ID
$10 for Public