Overall Scene Point Blank Top Five (So Far):

1. Blacklisted
2. Paint it Black
3. Cursed
4. Skin Like Iron
5. Murder by Death / The Hold Steady / Lemuria (Tie)

Individual Staff Lists

Bob

1. Cursed - III (Goodfellow)

Will this be their last record? Who knows? If it is, III: Architects of Troubled Sleep is one hell of a swan song.

2. Earth - The Bees Made Honey in the Lion's Skull (Southern Lord)

Patently unbelievable as it may be, Dylan Carlson and company have reinvigorated Earth and brought the outfit to a much wider audience than they were previously with the last two records. The Bees Made Honey in the Lion's Skull is further proof that Earth is blazing new trails, minds, and sometimes ears.

3. The Night Marchers - See You in Magic (Swami/ Vagrant)

All hail the current king of rock ?n roll. John Reis returns with some friends to give us all a healthy dose of fun rock ?n roll, the way that it was meant to be.

4. Playing Enemy - My Life As the Villain (Hex)

Another great swan song for a severely underrated outfit, Playing Enemy's My Life As the Villain might just be their best record.

5. Envy - Abyssal (Temporary Residence)

A stop gap measure? A teaser record? Abyssal is both and much more from Japan's Envy. We have only to listen.

6. Have a Nice Life - Death Consciousness (Enemies List)

Death Consciousness is easily one of the most surprising records of this year. Have a Nice Life's sold out debut is an ambitious double CD that is being lauded as one of the best records of the year by some. Who are we to argue?

7. Helms Alee - Helms Alee (Rome Plow/ Broken Press)

A great teaser of a record and possibly a sign of great things to come from Helms Alee, this self-titled EP does in less than twenty minutes what it takes Jethro Tull hours to not do. Ben Verellen and company give this as shot one in their already filling release schedule this year.

8. Able Baker Fox - Voices (Second Nature)

For those of us who loved the Casket Lottery and Small Brown Bike collaborative record, this is the closest that we will probably ever get to a sequel. It sounds simultaneously like those bands and unique at the same time and assuredly delivers on the promise that such a band has.

9. She and Him - Volume One (Merge)

Okay Okay, I know she is an actress and he almost has a side man reputation or a living in the shadow of Conor Oberst stigma; but somehow, She & Him's Volume One is a sickeningly sweet record that sticks in your head the way that songs from the AM Radio used to do.

10. Torche - Meanderthal (Hydra Head/ Robotic Empire)

Yeah, this sucker grows on you. Meanderthal is the Torche collective sharpening their razor pop hooks while still maintaining just enough of that bottom end to shake your ass.

Campbell

1. Cursed - III (Goodfellow)

Heaviest thing of the year, I'll call it right now. I was so bummed out to hear that these guys got robbed in Europe and then broke up as a result. I'm at least glad that they got this out before that happened; they're leaving a great name for themselves with this last release. Best track is "Friends in the Music Business."

2. Skin Like Iron ? Skin Like Iron (Independent)

I've loved this band since their demo, and this is the best stuff they've done yet. The higher quality recording works so well for them; the last two songs are perfect, slow and heavy instrumental jams. I'm glad to see this band continue to bust out recordings at this pace; I certainly hope they keep it up.

3. Various Artists - Enjoyed: A Tribute To Björk's Post (Stereogum)

Tributes are usually pretty mediocre, but this one is awesome. Who knew a free download from a label website would be this stacked? Final Fantasy and Bell do amazing interpretations, respectively, and it's different enough that you'll want to listen to it in addition to your weekly dose of Björk. You know you have a weekly Björk session.

4. Blacklisted - Heavier Than Heaven, Lonelier Than God (Deathwish Inc.)

I can never get enough of Blacklisted. I think this release gets even better than their first full-length, bringing back part of the sound from the first 7". The lyrics are darker, the instruments just as heavy, and I love that they're always touring. "All I know is the downside?"

5. Death Cab For Cutie - Narrow Stairs (Atlantic)

This album is still intriguing me after many listens. I was glad to hear Death Cab stray away from the poppy upbeat tracks of their last two albums, and put kind of a darker spin on their sound. Some of the songs remind me of the first couple albums, which is an interesting turn. I still hate that they played on "The O.C." but this might help me forgive them.

Cory

1. Blacklisted - Heavier Than Heaven, Lonelier Than God (Deathwish Inc.)
2. Atmosphere - When Life Throws You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold (Rhymesayers)
3. Paint it Black - New Lexicon (Jade Tree)
4. Murder By Death - Red of Tooth and Claw (Vagrant)
5. M83 - Saturdays=Youth (Mute)

Jason

1. Polar Bear Club - Sometimes Things Just Disappear (Red Leader)

Finally a new band to get excited about.

2. Blacklisted - Heavier than Heaven, Lonelier than God (Deathwish Inc.)

"'Heavy' - Marty there's that word again. In the future is there something wrong with Earth's gravitational pull?"

3. Lemuria - Get Better (Asian Man)

Sometimes people like me that view the world through a pissed cover windshield need some happy sappy poppy indie punk.

4. Paint it Black - New Lexicon (Jade Tree)

Although not as memorable at Paradise Dr. Dan can still do no wrong.

5. Able Baker Fox ? Voices (Second Nature)

A near 90's emo nerd's dream comes true.

Kevin

I cannot speak for my colleagues, but 2008 thus far has been one shitty-ass year for music. The following albums are not so much the top five albums so far this year, they are, in fact the only 5 albums I can recommend. I hope this latter half gets better.....

1. Diamanda Galás - Guilty Guilty Guilty (Mute)

I won't lie - any year this woman releases an album is a year i have one down, two-to-go in my top 3. Sheer blood-curdling brilliance.

2. The Gutter Twins - Saturnalia (Sub Pop)

With mere curiosity surpassing any expectations, this album flat out knocked me on my ass upon the first listen and I haven't gotten up since.

3. Secret Chiefs 3 - Xaphan: Book of Angels Vol. 9 (Tzadik)

Dear Mr. Spruance, please sign my tit. Love, Kevin.

4. Bar Kokhba - Lucifer: Book of Angels Vol. 10 (Tzadik)

Proof that true beauty can still be found in music.

5. Nine Inch Nails - The Slip (Independent)

I'm gonna be honest - I'd pretty much written them off after the triumvirate of mediocrity found in Reznor's last 3 efforts, but The Slip is indeed the shit.

Loren

1. Cadence Weapon - Afterparty Babies (Anti)

Canadian indie rap over electronic beats. Somehow this works, but I'm not sure how.

2. The Tim Version - Decline of the Southern Gentleman (No Idea)

Florida punk on No Idea with sing-a-long-until-you're-hoarse vocals. Most consistent record I've heard from them.

3. Off With Their Heads - From the Bottom (No Idea)

They've finally released a proper full-length. Lyrics of misery contrasted with positive energy.

4. The Hold Steady - Stay Positive (Vagrant)

The Hold Steady continues with more of the same: solid rock that tells an intriguing story.

5. Constantines - Kensington Heights (Arts & Crafts)

Rock as it's meant to be. Emotional, sometimes complex, sometimes simple. A couple of clunkers, but overall it's a good one.

Michael

1. Killing the Dream - Fractures (Deathwish Inc.)

Since their formation and the band's demo surfacing online Killing the Dream has been a favorite of mine. Fractures is no different. A visceral hardcore record with dashes of melody, Killing the Dream have presented the world with an album to pay attention to with both ears. It really doesn't get much better than this.

2. Murder by Death - Red of Tooth and Claw (Vagrant)

Murder by Death's marriage of dramatic country-tinged indie rock and intense imagery makes them one of music's most unique artists. Their latest full-length is their strongest and most cohesive effort to date. I don't expect much else to top this one.

3. Skin Like Iron - Skin Like Iron (Independent)

Skin Like Iron writes hardcore music that dares to reach beyond the typical boundaries of the genre; they're one of the best-kept secrets of hardcore. If there is one new band you take a chance on and look into it, it should be Skin Like Iron.

4. Blacklisted - Heavier than Heaven, Lonelier than God (Deathwish Inc.)

Blacklisted demonstrate why they're one of the most popular and revered bands in hardcore with Heavier than Heaven, Lonelier than God. Intense, great songwriting and honest, introspective lyrics equals some of the best hardcore ever. Now, if only it were a tad longer.

5. Paint it Black - New Lexicon (Jade Tree)

Evolution within hardcore usually sets you up for a lot of negative feedback. But Paint it Black took that chance experimenting with their sound and came out on top. New Lexicon is equally as aggressive as their previous ventures, but more dynamic in sound and message. Lets face it, Dr. Dan and company just know how to write quality hardcore.

6. This Will Destroy You - This Will Destroy You (Magic Bullet)

While most of the post-rock world continues to repeat what artists like Godspeed You! Black Emperor and Explosions in the Sky have already done, This Will Destroy took a chance and ventured in a slightly different direction. The results were fabulous and the band's sophomore effort doesn't disappoint one bit.

7. Hostage Calm - Lens (Redscroll)

Discovering new bands is so much fun. It's fine and dandy to listen to old favorites, but when you hear a new artist that catches your early, its truly awesome. Hostage Calm is that band for me in 2008. Fast and melodic hardcore with a 90's post-hardcore vibe. This one is worth keeping tabs on..

8. Russian Circles - Station (Suicide Squeeze)

After their dizzying debut, Russian Circles returned with their first full-length effort. While not as solid through and through as their debut, the full-length showcases the band's expansive influences. Lots of rockin' moments but plenty of mellow parts as well.

9. Polar Bear Club - Sometimes Things Just Disappear (Red Leader)

Like Hostage Calm, Rochester's Polar Bear Club is another new band that has me all excited. Polar Bear Club mixes melodic hardcore, punk, and traditional emo to perfection. Their debut full-length is one of the best surprises I've heard this year.

10. New Found Glory ? Tip of the Iceberg (Bridge Nine)

Many people may be upset with this EP, but I find it to be quite awesome. The original material is New Found Glory at its best, fast-paced bubble-gum pop-punk meets melodic hardcore. I'm sorry, but it's just too good to not like. And the covers, well, I for one love them, especially the Lifetime one - sorry Jason!

Scottie

1. Paint It Black - New Lexicon (Jade Tree)

The Philly foursome raises the bar for hardcore punk with the most intellectual, dynamic, and angered album since Refused's The Shape of Punk to Come. With equal nods to Public Enemy and Minor Threat, this is the sound of intelligent rebellion for the twenty first century.

2. The Hold Steady - Stay Positive (Vagrant)

Getting old isn't easy, especially when you're in a rock ?n roll band. The Hold Steady does it with tact, making their most musically diverse record while keeping all the allusions and arena riffs you expect. For the newbies: imagine if your college lit. professor fronted Thin Lizzy.

3. Lemuria - Get Better (Asian Man)

With the recent resurgence of 90's indie rock bands, it's a fair question to ask who are the new musicians taking influence from these groups? The answer is Lemuria and Get Better, their first full length, is worthy of a place in your music collection right next to Dinosaur Jr.'s Your Living All Over Me.

4. Mountain Goats - Heretic Pride (4AD)

With Heretic Pride, John Darneille keeps his title as one of, if not the most prolific independent artists currently performing. As he drifts further away from the lo-fi sensibilities that caught everyone's attention, his range in musicianship widens, adding breadth to not only his catalog, but his scope as well.

5. Teenage Bottlerocket - Warning Device (Red Scare)

Leather Jackets, Levi's, and black Converse all stars like it's 1993. The pop punk bandwagon has made its second coming and if Red Scare is the new Lookout then Teenage Bottlerocket is the new Screeching Weasel. Who took my bubblegum?

Shane

1. Sun Kil Moon - April (Caldo Verde)
2. Grouper - Dragging a Dead Deer Up a Hill (Type)
3. Samamidon - All Is Well (Bedroom Community)
4. Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago (Jagjaguwar)
5. Peter Broderick - Float (Type)
6. Paavoharju - Laulu Laakson Kukista (Fonal)
7. Devon Williams - Carefree (Ba Da Bing!)
8. King Darves - The Sun Splits for...The Blind Swimmer (De Stijl)
9. Throw Me the Statue - Moonbeams (Secretly Candian)
10. Torche - Meanderthal (Hydra Head)

Tohm

1. Men as Trees - Weltschmerz (Daijoubu)
2. Tides/Giant - Split (Level Plane/Teenage Disco Bloodbath)
3. Envy - Abyssal (Temporary Residence Limited)
4. This Will Destroy You - This Will Destroy You (Magic Bullet)
5. Kayo Dot - Blue Lambency Downward (Hydra Head)