We’re switching it up a bit on you for the next five tracks we loved from 2008.  The first five all came from albums we did not hit in our notable 2008 records list.  Today, we present our favorite tracks from some of those notable records.  There were some disagreements in the citizendick offices on these picks and we’d like to emphasize that all of these albums come with our seal of approval.  Listen to them all the way through, but enjoy these standouts in particular.  In the meantime, I’ll be putting a bag of frozen peas on my left eye (I was pulling for “Shake, Shake, Shake.”  Kevin punched me in the face.  We went with “Sitting.”)

(editor’s note: I started with parentheticals on the first song post.  I’m not sure that they make sense here, as it appears that I’ve a bit more to say on these songs, but I’m sticking with it.  Consistency is the soul of excellence.  Or whatever.)

• “Black River Killer” – Blitzen Trapper (On one hand, a country western gun-slingin’ ballad of outlawry, on the other, a rap-inspired anthem, in both hands, maybe our favorite song of the year.  Other folks will tell you that the title track is better here.  They are candy asses.)

• “Touch Me, I’m Going to Scream, Pt. 2” – My Morning Jacket (As mentioned in the notable albums list, this will absolutely melt your face off live.  My inclination is to include “Smokin’ from Shootin’” as well, since they bleed together on the record and they’re always paired live.  Either way, sit back with the last twenty minutes of this album and enjoy.)

• “Army of Ancients” – Dr. Dog (Hard to pick one song from this album; as mentioned below, there’s not a lot of filler on this record.  This makes it in on the strength of the background vocals, which are both cryptic and soaring.  Added bonus: if I search for “Army of” in itunes, the next song to play after this one is “Oliver’s Army.”  Hoo-ray!)

• “Sitting” – White Denim (We’re going to get all rock criticy on you for this one; brace yourself. Horn-infused, quick guitar bursts, with slow, haunting background vocals looming, it’s apparent that the layering of the track is fragmented but completely dependent on its pieces.)

• “South of France” – Harlem (How can a band that gleefully sings “I hate every book that      I’ve ever read” produce a song that sounds as smart as this one?  That, friends, is a rhetorical question for the ages.)

This list keeps on keepin’ on tomorrow!  Don’t forget to check out our next five songs! words words words words words words words words words words words