What Made Milwaukee Famous

Best Album(s) of 2008

I was a little late on the wagon for this one, but as soon as I heard it I fell apart.  Bon Iver’s For Emma, Forever Ago made me weep the first five times that I listened to it.  I still can’t figure out if it was because it was some of the greatest stuff that I’ve ever heard in my life or if I was just jealous.  Probably both.  I guess that Delta Spirit’s Ode to Sunshine technically came out last year.  But it got quite a few spins from me in 2008.  And will probably get almost as many in 2009.  Jamie Lidell’s Jim is brilliant.  And Dr. Dog’s Fate made me so proud to know those guys.

Favorite Song(s) of 2008

“Lady Luck” – Richard Swift.  Nothing comes close to this for me.

Your Personal Favorite On-stage Moment/Show of 2008

It’s kind of a toss-up.  We had really, really good crowds at Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza and the Austin City Limits Festival.  So, I guess it’s a 3-way tie.

Classic Album or Artist You Discovered This Year

There were two actually.  I feel like such a douche for not ever really exploring any of McCartney’s solo stuff beyond Wing’s Greatest Hits.  But I got turned on to Ram within the last year and I just lost it; couldn’t believe that I had spent so many years in the dark about it.  Same thing applied to Rumours when I listened to that album in its entirety. I’ve always been a Fleetwood Mac fan, but the Greatest Hits package only scratches the surface of how amazing they are. 

Best Film You Saw This Year

I was trying to mine out the one’s that I’ve watched on my Netflix account, but got nowhere.  I think the one that left me in a completely different place after watching it was The US vs. John Lennon.  I’ve always adamantly been a McCartney guy (or at least a poseur.  See above), when faced with the choice between him and Lennon.  But that movie really gives you insight into how much of an all-around artist that John Lennon was.  He was the genuine article.  Not saying that McCartney isn’t, too.  But, geez!  John was brilliant.  I haven’t watched There Will Be Blood yet, so that may be a close second. 

Favorite new gadget, technology, site or application you can't live without

OMG.  My iPhone.

Artist You Are Most Excited About In 2009 (any medium)

Dawes.  They’re decadent.  I so want to tour with them.

Your Latest Guilty Pleasure

HBO on demand.  But thank God that I already got through all of the Entourage and Real Time episodes for this year.  TV is such a time suck.

What should President Obama change first in 2009?

Exiling everyone involved with the Bush administration.  After tarring and feathering them, of course.

A Memorable/Humorous/Classic Moment on the tour bus/road in 2008

Oh, there were so many this year!  Hmmm… let me defer to the answer of the bonus question and you can pick.

*Bonus question – great YouTube or viral video you saw this year

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xllQNUHtXk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhUihWl-eWI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ljyqd6U9S8