Instead of doing a standard best of list for 2008, I decided to list the 10 things that most affected or inspired me this past year.
In alphabetical order:
1. The Divine Comedy

I was introduced to The Divine Comedy a couple of years ago but it was only this year that I really connected to Neil Hannon’s elegantly composed brand of pop music. There is something very modern about the music but also an over the top Baroque feeling about it. Filled with literary references, great humor and beautiful musical compositions, I’m officially a big fan.
The most recent album, Victory for the Comic Muse, was released in 2006 and contains plenty of knock out tracks but my favorites are the mesmerizing A Lady Of A Certain Age with acoustic guitar, and The Plough with devastatingly gorgeous string instruments.
For an older album check out Promenade from 1994, a concept album about two lovers who spend their day by the sea. The album opens with Bath, a song that slowly breathes its way to life using sounds of the ocean and repetitive strings before announcing itself as a pop song.
Listen to The Booklovers, probably my favorite song, it’s composed entirely of great fiction writer names throughout history. The album concludes with the emotional Tonight containing some of the most beautiful musical arrangements on the record.
2. The Drawing Project by Jason Polan

Drawing #239, Alan and Wayne by Jason Polan
The combination of a pop sensibility, minimalist execution and a wry sense of humor made The Drawing Project a must see each and everyday of its existence. Although it began towards the end of 2007, Polan put his project to rest in August of 2008 after giving away 250 drawings.
3. East of Eden by John Steinbeck

By far the greatest and most affecting novel I have ever read. Beyond epic in scope yet so universal in its themes of good vs. evil and the idea that we have the freedom to choose who we want to be in this world.
East of Eden is probably as close to the bible as I’ll ever get.
3. Fleet Foxes, Bowery Ballroom, July 9, 2008

Fleet Foxes illustration by Tomby
If you haven’t yet listened to Fleet Foxes Sun Giant EP or Fleet Foxes self-titled debut LP, you are definitely missing out on one of the most amazing bands to break out this past year.
Pick up both records and see them live next year, you won’t be disappointed.
4. Gustave Courbet at The Metropolitan

The Desperate Man (1844-45) by Gustave Courbet
If I only got to see the self portraits and nude paintings (including a NSFW Origin of the World) in this extraordinary exhibition of Courbet paintings, I would have had enough but there was certainly more to see in one of the best painting exhibitions I saw all year.
5. Ippudo - Japanese Ramen Noodle Soup
With their homemade noodles and deliciously pork-filled broth, Ippudo always has me ready for another bowl of Ramen. The wait for a table can be long but the food is affordable, served quickly, piping hot and ready to be eaten.
Try the Shiomaru Pork Ramen Classic.
6. Mickey Rourke’s Performance in The Wrestler

It would be close to impossible to argue with the insanity and ridiculousness of Mickey Rourke’s sensitive yet psychotic portrayal of “The Ram” in Darren Aronofsky’s The Wrestler.
One has to wonder if he was just playing himself but in the end it really doesn’t matter. Rourke brings it all the way, putting his whole life on the line like he’s got nothing left to lose.
7. Spiral Jetty, Great Salt Lake, Utah

Visiting Robert Smithson’s Spiral Jetty has been a goal of mine for a long time. I finally made it out there earlier this year while I was traveling and working my way through Colorado and Utah.
Needless to say, it was a transcendent experience to say the least, one that cannot be compared to any other art experience. The journey is long and the drive almost treacherous but once you get there and see the Jetty with your own eyes, one quickly realizes how powerful great art can be.
Built in the middle of nowhere with nothing around for miles except the Great Salt Lake and what feels like a desert landscape, the Spiral Jetty appears like an old world relic and ancient monument to nature.
Make the journey, spend the night, watch the sunset and catch the shooting stars, The Spiral Jetty is a magical and one of a kind experience.
8. Stellet Licht (Silent Light) by Carlos Reygadas

In a year with too many overhyped films (The Reader, Revolutionary Road, Frost/Nixon), it’s a shame that so little attention has been paid to Stellet Licht.
I’ve written about this previously and it’s finally being officially released here in New York City starting next week at Film Forum.
Don’t waste any time. See one of the best and most cinematic films I’ve seen in a long while.
09. William Eggleston: Democratic Camera at The Whitney

In all honesty, I’ve had enough of William Eggleston, but when an exhibition brings together so many incredible photographs and hangs them on a wall together, my eyes can’t help but take notice.
Gathered together in this exhibition are probably some of my favorite color photographs of all time. I must have counted at least 5 that I would take to a deserted island.
While I think that Eggleston is essentially repeating himself ad nauseum at this point and the newer large format prints in the show disappoint terribly (except the b+w 5×7 portraits, which sing), I still would recommend heading over to the Whitney for a fantastic and refreshing dose of color.
Also, check out five films that influenced the man.
10. Words Without Pictures

Created by the photography department at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and written by some of the best known thinking photographers and thinkers about photography, Words Without Pictures, continued to surprise and inspire me with each and every essay.
Read contributions by Mark Wyse, Walead Beshty, Sze Tsung Leong, Charlotte Cotton, Charlie White and Jason Evans.