by Shane Billings

Created on: May 03, 2010

These albums were the cream of the crop of 2008.  Put on your memory cap and travel back in time two years to rediscover these ten great albums!

10.  Dido, Safe Trip Home 

While it's true that I think Dido always sounds like she has a bottle of pills at her side, she is good at what she does.  She doesn't ever attain the heights of Sarah McLachlan, and she really does NOT change the tempo up much, but her voice is smooth and appealing, her melodies are decent and distinguishable (a huge feat in light of the fact that she seems utterly incapable of delivering a speedy song), and her lyrics range from really vivid ("Grafton Street") to somewhat pedestrian ("Don't Believe In Love").  So while I wasn't really eager to purchase this, her third album, I was definitely not disappointed, and I will continue to play it.

  9.  The Killers, Day & Age 

I have liked this band from the time their first album, Hot Fuss, dropped.  I was not disappointed like so many were when they traded in the 80s flash of that debut album for the grandiose rock stomp of follow-up Sam's Town, and I fully appreciate the attempt of this album to combine elements of the previous two while paving some new ground as well.  Their lyrics are always interesting, and it's worth pondering if Brandon Flowers is singing "dancer" or "denser" in first single "Human."  I will certainly be playing this one in the future and enjoying the opportunity to get to know it better.

  8.  Lucinda Williams, Little Honey 

Love Lucinda!  She is a multi-talented genius, and her albums never fail to impress.  She has also increased her output from the days of five-to-eight years between albums!  Her latest is more outgoing, energetic, and rock-influenced than 2007's exquisite West, and her guitar playing is at its most forceful since Car Wheels On A Gravel Road.  A duet with Tom Petty ("Jailhouse Tears") is one of the highlights of this record, which also sees her scaling new heights in terms of melody ("Little Rock Star") and lyrics ("If Wishes Were Horses").  

  7.  Keane, Perfect Symmetry

Keane's third album is another intoxicating brew of catchy melodies, lovelorn lyrics, somber tones, and dramatic flourishes.  The opening track and first single, "Spiralling," is absolutely fabulous and oh so addictive!  Their usual pristine balladry is on display to fine effect in "The Lovers Are Losing."  All eleven

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