BEST OF 2008 SO FAR

This is my second list of the year. I'll add to it each month, but eventually I will cap it. How big will the list get? I have no idea but probably not over 60. The list includes releases through April. The Truckers are still number one and it will take a great album to knock them off the pedestal. The highest debut is Hayes Carll at #3. Other notable debuts are Griffin House at #10, South Austin Jug Band at #11 and R.E.M.'s return to excellence at #16. There are also 2 notable jumps. Ashton Shepherd moves up to #8 as I have since purchased the full album and realize how truly great it is. Also, onfurther reflection, The Black Crowes are up to #18. Anyway as always leave comments and tell me what an idiot or genius I am. I've been called a lot worse. I have given my reason for the omission of the Kathleen Edwards previously. However, I keep hearing good songs from that album and may have to give in next month. So here it is:

1) Drive By Truckers - Brighter Than Creation's Dark
2) Tift Merrit - Another Country
3) Hayes Carll - Trouble in Mind
4) The Waybacks - Loaded
5) Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend
6) Shawn Mullins - Honeydew
7) The Whigs - Mission Control
8) Ashton Shepherd - Sounds so Good
9) Justin Townes Earle - The Good Life
10) Griffin House - Flying Upside Down
11) South Austin Jug Band - Strange Invitation
12) The Steeldrivers - The Steeldrivers
13) Gary Louris - Vagabonds
14) Allison Moorer - Mockingbird
15) The Raconteurs - Consolers of the Lonely
16) R.E.M. - Accelerate
17) Jim Lauderdale - Honey Songs
18) Black Crowes - Warpaint
19) Stephen Malkmus - Real Emotional Trash
20) Chatham County Line - IV
21) Mando Saenz - Bucket
22) The Weepies - Hideaway
23) Widespread Panic - Free Somehow
24) Jeb Loy Nichols - Days are Mighty
25) Shelby Lynne - Just a Little Lovin'
26) Carlene Carter - Stronger
27) George Strait - Troubadour
28) American Gun - The Mean and the Machine
29) North Mississippi All-Stars - Hernando
30) Twilight Hotel - Highway Prayer
31) Black Mountain - In the Future
32) Paul Thorn - Long Way from Tupelo
33) Rhonda Vincent - Good Thing Goin'
34) James McMurtry - Just us Kids
35) Jackie Greene - Giving Up the Ghost
36) Willie Nelson - Moment of Forever
37) The Hollyfelds - Saratoga
38) Malcom Holcombe - Gamblin' House
39) Jason Collett - Here's to Being There
40) Marah - Angels of Destruction