For some reason, I think that Coldplay picture is hilarious.

STYLIN'!

I wonder who will make your list.

Here it is folks!

I'm sorry it's a bit delayed, but the yearly edition of Roger's 2008 festivities is very much underway. What do we have to look forward to this year? God, there is so much.

Theme #1 is familiar faces. Both Kanye West and The Killers had dominating performances on last year's year-end campaign, with Kanye taking home the #1 album and The Killers the #1 single for the third straight year. This year Kanye West took one of the biggest risks of his career by dropping the Earth-shattering "808s and Heartbreaks", while The Killers continued to confuse critics and fans alike, while simultaneously thrilling, with the release of "Day and Age". Those albums + their singles will have strong showings this year. Who is not around this year? Arctic Monkeys and Amy Winehouse, two UK talents who both had phenomenal year-end showings last year with 4 singles on the tally and a high-placing album, are nearly absent this year with the exception of a much lower Winehouse entry, and Alex Turner's contribution to The Last Shadow Puppets.

Theme #2: A shift in the UK tides. Last year, it was all about bands. We saw some exceptional showings from the likes of Kaiser Chiefs, Bloc Party, Snow Patrol, and yes, Arctic Monkeys. This year, all those bands (minus Monkeys), along with Keane, put out duds of albums with lead singles I tired of quite quickly. Who took their spots to represent the mighty United Kingdom? It was indeed the ladies. This was the year for UK-phenoms Leona Lewis, Duffy, Estelle, and Adele to breakthrough to North American shores. Leona, Duffy, and Estelle all hit #1 on my personal chart this year, with Adele hitting #2. Look for exceptional showings for these lovely ladies.

Theme #3: Consistent rock. Obviously, it was a HUGE year for Coldplay. And expect them to do very well with their album "Viva La Vida" and the three singles released so far from that album. The usual suspects, Weezer, Foo Fighters, Metallica, Radiohead are around. But maybe the biggest surprise? Kings of Leon. They released their most prolific single to date, the brilliant "Sex On Fire", not to mention an album that finally assured their status in the United States.

Theme #4: Pop is back (Friggin' Rihanna). Rihanna had another 3 big singles chart this year, and she continues to prove my theory of her hit-machine status. Also having a good year on the pop front were the likes of Britney Spears, who will have 3 singles on the year-end campaign, and not to mention OneRepublic, John Mayer and more.

So was that enough to get an appetite going? I hope so!
Because the Year-end campaign 2008 starts tomorrow!

We have the top 40 Albums of 2008, and the top 100 singles of 2008, with my annual "Close, But no Cigar" segment as well.

Enjoy lads and lasses.

can't wait <333

This list will be good.

Nice preview! Can't wait to see what your countdowns are like!

Nice detailing of what's to come.

Leona and Duffy <333

I just never really got into Adele that much and I don't like Estelle.

I wants backs the You Kay bands frum last year

no Kaisers

This is the one I've been waiting for.

Possibly one of the best threads I've been anticipate this year. Bring on the good stuff!

I love your weekly chart, so this should be good.

BOWWW

i'm sorry i missed it last year. this is actually the year end countdown i'm the most excited about. don't take to long to start.

can't wait for your list, Roger! always one of my favs during this time. nice setup, though personally I really loved the new Kaisers album.

So I doubt Human will take #1 this year. How much do you love Spaceman? That's the question. Need to get Sherlock on the case. Someone call Robert Downey Jr!

I definitely love "Spaceman". But it won't be on this year-end. Saving it for 2009 when it's released as a single.
Just a technicality thing

"Human" is going to do really well though, and so is the album.

Theme: Notable low showings for previous hit-makers. It is not to say these songs aren't "good", they are just very weak relative to the previous glory seen.

Who fell victim on my personal chart this year?

Fall Out Boy: previous hits in "This Aint A Scene", "Sugar, We're Going Down", and the #1 hit "Dance, Dance". Stalled at #18 on my chart this year with "I Don't Care".

Kaiser Chiefs: previous #1 hits in "I Predict A Riot" and "Ruby", fizzled with "Never Miss A Beat" at #15.

Snow Patrol: Scored four top 10 singles in "Chocolate", "Chasing Cars", "You're All I Have", and "Set The Fire", and bombed out at #21 with "Take Back The City".

All American Rejects: Three top 10's (including a #1) with "Move Along", "Dirty Little Secret", and "It Ends Tonight", and drops dead at #22 with "Gives You Hell".

The Kooks: Three top 10's with "Naive", "Ooh La", and "Always Where I Need To Be", and stinks at #15 with "Shine On".

Tomorrow! We begin the albums list. And why not go big from #40-31. See you then.

16/35 <333 Weezer + GC <333