The Best Of 2008: Brian Pacris
Top 10 Albums
1. The Gaslight Anthem
2. The Loved Ones
3. Death Cab For Cutie
4. Al Green
5. Foals
6. Polar Bear Club
7. Murder By Death
8. Nada Surf
9. M83
10. Thursday / Envy
Favorite thing in 2008:
One of my favorite things that happened in 2008 was the reunion of the mighty Hot Water Music. In comparison to previous reunions I’ve recently seen (i.e. Texas is the Reason, A Tribe Called Quest), it wasn’t just a one-off performance locally. The first reunion show I caught was at Starland Ballroom in NJ – the trip down was a memorable experience in and of itself – playing DJ with my iPod on a party bus filled with SYN staffers and other NYC music industry folk. The second show, probably my favorite of the three, was with The Gaslight Anthem (my favorite record of the year) and Paint It Black during South by Southwest in Austin, TX. Watching the guy hanging off the rafters was insane! The third show I was able to see was their co-headlining gig with Thursday at Terminal 5 in NYC… two of my favorite bands on one bill. So amazing. My only regret about the reunion? Not catching them in Chicago, IL, as they performed with Lucero. Other Things I Liked: Entourage, Facebook / Twitter, Fringe, Guitar Hero: World Tour, Heroes, Lego Indiana Jones, Markiokart Wii, Obama’s Election!!! , Star Wars: The Clone Wars TV Series, Star Wars: The Force Unleashed, and True Blood.
What did you wish you did more of in 2008: Get more sleep. I don’t think I can get enough sleep.
What are you looking forward to in 2009? Now that I think of it, several things:
(1) The release of Thursday’s Common Existence on Epitaph Records. I’ve been listening to this record non-stop… and let me tell you, it’s definitely their best work yet. Can’t wait to start hearing other fans’ reactions to the record!
(2) Jimmy Eat World’s Clarity x 10 tour. Clarity is easily one of my favorite records of all time… and it’s been so long since I’ve heard them perform some of those songs that I’m probably going to lose my mind at the show at Terminal 5.
(3) More reunion tours! With Far playing shows in the UK and on the West Coast, I assume they will be making their way over to the East Coast. Not familiar with Far? Start with Water and Solutions. You’ll thank me for it later. Another tour? The Get Up Kids’ Something to Write Home About 10th anniversary tour. Another favorite all-time record…and if the energy is half as high as their farewell tour, it’s sure to be amazing.
…wow, after re-reading some of the stuff above…I’m so eeeeeem!”