Let's see how far we've come...

So, rather try and write some huge post about everything that went on this year I figured I'd break up my reflection on 2008 in to short bite sized pieces. Let's start with music.

I don't buy a huge amount of music anymore - I don't listen to a lot of radio and so exposure to what's new, what's cool, or even what's been released by a favorite band is hard to keep up with.  I probably bought about a dozen albums in 2008 but my top three choices are:

Album #1
Chase This Light by Jimmy Eat World:  I've been a big fan of Jimmy for the last 7 years or so and this is by far their best album.  I also got to see them live back in the spring of 2008 and they put on a great show.



Album #2
One Cell in the Sea by A Fine Frenzy - I mentioned about seeing them back in November. This is a really good band; the lead singer has a great voice and the music is soothing without being boring. She reminds me kind of Tori Amos without quite the weirdness factor.



Album #3
Turbo Ocho by Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers - This is an album that came out of a marathon eight-day recording session in Mexico. I love almost everything that Clyne puts out and this is no exception. The DVD, which details the making of the album, is also very entertaining.

My brother-in-law Ben is a big fan of New Model Army and took me to see them a few years ago. While I'm not a huge fan myself, they're good and they certainly put on a very high energy show. I think the "Christmas concert in Colgne" is a bit of a yearly tradition for the band.

My friend Thomas and I went to see A Fine Frenzy  last night at the Gloria Theater in Cologne. I thought the show as excellent (the opening band was Jamie Scott & the Town which was also good).

In case you've never heard of A Fine Frenzy, I had not either until I heard a couple songs that were played at a colleague's memorial service (she passed away very suddenly last May). She was a huge fan and her friends who organized the service decided to use a couple of AFF's songs as background music.

Here's a clip from Youtube in case you're curious.

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