10 Things that WILL NOT be on my “Best of 2008” List, List.

We all know it is the time of listing things…best album, best song, best artist, best fish taco.  So, let’s not forget about the things that are NOT making the cut.  The items that just are not going to weezle, squeeze or bribe their way onto this blogger’s “Best of 2008” extravaganza.

As this is the first blog year for Slowcoustic, there is no rule of thumb or precedent for this, hence, let’s just get this started!

10.  Uber-hip Indie bands like MGMT, White Denim, Black Kids, Lavender RCKSTR (okay that last one is made up) – I just didn’t give them enough play this year, maybe next year.

9.  Ultra cool hip hop artists that are bridging hip hop to “indie” blogs – I just can’t do it with sincerity.

8.  That “I’m Fucking Matt Damon” song – although I did consider it.

7.  An album by someone who has died and hence included in honour of previous years of talent that is not clearly displayed on the most recent piece of work.

6.  An homage to Barack Obama – I get it, he will save the universe already.

5. FLEET FOXES!  HA, okay they will be, but they won’t be as high as you want them to be…

4. Bon Iver’s “For Emma, Forever Ago” – It was last year people!

3. “Max Payne” the movie – ouch!

2. A band absolutely nobody has heard of because they are so underground and amazing that only I know of them.

1.  Kanye West (because I don’t listen to Kanye West at all.  No, not at all, and nobody can prove anything).

And to send you off into this pre-festive time of year right, I give you the first (and probably only) “holiday themed” tracks offered on this blog.  And yes, even good bands do seasonal recordings, and Holler, Wild Rose! have done just that.  Regardless if you can appreciate these types of songs, even the cool crowd have to listen to these songs at this time of year.  You might as well have a version you might actually like!  While both fit in to the down-tempo arena as Holler, Wild Rose! does for the most part, they keep their eye on the ball.

You may remember H,WR! from their “Our Little Hymnal” album last year with one of my favourite songs for 2007 with “Thief in Our Bed” – check them out on www.backlightrecords.com and on MySpace if you have time!

~Smansmith