Oh, I forgot, that’s because you are one.

I enjoyed both Iron and Wine’s The Shepherd’s Dog and Wilco’s Sky Blue Sky. I’m with you on those. I don’t think I’ve heard a single bit from any of the other releases. I may be wrong, though.

I usually can’t come up with a list encompassing a year’s worth of releases because I don’t get many albums hot off the shelves. I’m more likely to come across something that came out a few years prior.

Anyway, here are some picks of mine for what they’re worth:

Neurosis, Given To The Rising – Wet dreams, my friend, wet dreams.

Ted Leo And The Pharmacists, Living With The Living – Just because Ted Leo is a great songwriter and continues the fine line of protest-song writings.

Christian Scott, Anthem – The angst of New Orleans wrapped up in an amazing post-jazz slab of musical genius.

Sh! The Octopus, The Carrot Chase – Just blowin’ some sunshine up your arse, buddy. How can I not include an album that contains a song in which I’m mentioned in passing? Britney Spears could do it and I’d include her release, too. Truthfully, though, all bullshit aside, this is beautiful traveling music…

Bad Brains, Build A Nation – I was happier than a hog in a free-range pasture full of food when this came out. The album is not necessarily amazing, but, man, it still made me happy.

Dropkick Murphys, The Meanest of Times – Middle class struggles. Catholic schools. Honest-to-goodness every day Joe music with a punk edge. Holy shit. That’s all.