Before we dig in to the year end lists (Top 10 Singles and Top 10 Albums, at the very least, are on the way), I wanted to recap a bit on the better musical moments of 2008. One of them has to be what went on between Bon Iver and myself this fall; Cold, cloudy days with his painfully heartfelt guitar strums soothing my soul. I remember a comment I saw on another Albums of the Year list somewhere with Iver’s For Emma, Forever Ago curiously close to the top, “it’s just a dude with a guitar, how good can it be?” Very good, my friend. Very good.

30 seconds into the first track, “Flume” (above), I was already tearing up. I had to turn it off, and decided that it sucked. Finally, I came around and gave it another listen. Never have I enjoyed such a good pensive stare out the window on a rainy afternoon like I have to this Bon Iver record. Not sure it will make my top 10 albums for the year, but “Flume” will definitely be in the 2008 Playlist. This is the best winter album since Sigur Ros’ ( ). Bless this man.