SCQ's Top 20 Albums of 2008

Let this be the sum of all expectations, hype, endurance and talent: SCQ's second (official) annual Top 20 Albums of the Year. 2008 has been a year of surprises, beginning under the humble guise of what I deemed a "hangover year" (due to the nonstop barrage of great 07 releases) but flourishing thanks to some intentionally sudden album drops and several new artists who hijacked my stereo when I wasn't paying attention.

To illustrate just how difficult accumulating this Top Albums list was, the final spot, my #20, was the last to be chosen from a shortlist of eleven records I couldn't settle between. That isn't to say that 2008 presented me with the best music I've ever heard, nor that this list was by far the most difficult to concrete (that honour goes to SCQ's Top 50 Songs of 2008). Simply, 2008 was a year of endless discoveries, a few of which have found their way into the SCQ Palace of Acclaim... a place so much cooler than any Hall of Fame.

Although the past few months have delivered albums that made this list especially fun and agonizing to manage, I'm happy to be through with it. With Christmas around the corner and several real-time responsibilities to meet, I can't deny how wonderful it'll be to return to SCQ in the untouched new year when I've nothing to consider but an empty chasm to clutter and decorate with the best that 2009 has in store. I might toss a few new posts in between now and then, but man, is it ever great to end the year where you want to be...

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!!

Love SCQ.