This list contains the new releases from this year that i liked the most. You can read about most of them.

1. Akasha by Isobella
2. Whatever You Love You Are by The Dirty Three
3. The For Carnation by The For Carnation
4. Elephant Shoe by Arab Strap
5. Goodbye Enemy Airship, The Landlord Is Dead by Do Make Say Think
6. Wasp Star by XTC
7. The Blossom Filled Streets by Movietone
8. Stars and Topsoil by Cocteau Twins
9. Lift Your Skinny Fists Like An Antenna To Heaven by Godspeed You Black Emperor
10. Mirror by Flying Saucer Attack

I think that it is important to point out that there are certain timeless works that i listen to a lot. The list changes slightly, but here it is for this year:

1. Victorialand by Cocteau Twins. This is my favorite album in the world to just sit and listen to. I listen to it a few times a week, and have done so for the past 10 years. And it's such a complex album, that i will listen to it for 10 more years.
2. Story of the Clash, Volume 1 by The Clash. I listen to this album constantly -- in the car, in the gym, at home. It is just the perfect pick-me-up.
3. Emergency and I by The Dismemberment Plan. I jumped on The Plan's bandwagon a little late -- in January of 2000 when i saw them play. Live, they blew me away. On album, they are very very impressive.
4. Crumbling The Antiseptic Beauty by Felt. I discovered Felt this year. This album was released in 1984, but it still features some of the sweetest guitar interplay that you have every heard. Stunning.
5. Darklands by The Jesus and Mary Chain. This is an awesome guitar album, and i really re-discovered it this year. Perfect for sitting alone on your porch on a sweltering summer evening with a nice cold beer.

I go to a lot of concerts. Not so many as Tracers, but still quite a lot.

1. The The on 27.May. For one brief shining moment when Matt Johnson was standing on stage slowly singing Uncertain Smile, the world was perfect. A truly great moment.
2. The Dismemberment Plan with Alkaline Trio at The Echo Lounge in January. This is before EvilSponge existed, but it was a great show by two truly wonderful bands, neither of which had i heard before.
3. Isobella/Mean Red Spiders on 18.November. I really enjoyed this show. Both bands were loud and great.
4. The For Carnation on 22.July. The For Carnation took the Echo Lounge and filled it with the most beautiful sound, creating a wonderful feeling of calm. It was something to see and hear.
5. Black Heart Procession on 9.November. Again, as they were playing life was perfect and nothing mattered except the sound.