I was attracted to the quiet and the subtle in 2008: The harmonies of Fleet Foxes, the fiery gentleness of Bon Iver and the African kora of Toumani Diabate held me together and kept me company. We all need and want different things from music at different times, and gentility won out for me this year.
It's sort of silly for anyone to try to narrow down a definitive list of the year's best music, but it's a lot of fun. Hopefully, reading all these lists provides a chance to find out about something you haven't heard and see if it fills something inside. Give a listen to the music highlighted below, and in the comments section, tell me what you think. In light of my selections, I'd love to hear recommendations for music you think I'd like.
Click here for more entries in the Best CDs of 2008 series.
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