The best CDs, songs and concerts of 2008…so far
Photo: Cover of Moby’s “Last Night” CD, one of the best releases of the year so far.
Music sales continued to fall during the first half of 2008 — no surprise there. But that doesn’t mean it wasn’t a great time for new music, songs and concerts.
In no particular order, here is the music that moved me most January-June, though I wonder how many of these names will hold up by year’s end.
And don’t even think about looking for Usher, Leona Lewis or Panic at the Disco on any of these lists.
Which albums, songs and shows made the biggest impressions on you?
CDs
Moby, “Last Night”
Lil Wayne, “Tha Carter III”
Radiohead, “In Rainbows”
Erykah Badu, “New Amerykah, Pt. 1: 4th World War”
Duffy, “Rockferry”
Vampire Weekend, “Vampire Weekend”
Coldplay, “Viva La Vida”
Raheem DeVaughn, “Love Behind the Melody”
Estelle, “Shine”
Ladytron, “Velocifero”
Raconteurs, “Consolers of the Lonely”
Mariah Carey, “E=MC2”
Lyfe Jennings, “Lyfe Change”
Sheryl Crow, “Detours”
Death Cab for Cutie, “Narrow Stairs”
Songs
Keyshia Cole, “Heaven Sent”
Adele, “Chasing Pavements”
Rick Ross, “The Boss”
Flobots, “Handlebars”
Nine Inch Nails, “Discipline”
Madonna featuring Justin Timberlake, “4 Minutes”
N.E.R.D., “Everyone Nose (All the Girls Standing in the Line for the Bathroom”)
Lil Wayne, “A Milli”
Kooks, “Always Where I Need to Be”
David Banner featuring Chris Brown and Yung Joc, “Get Like Me”
Natasha Bedingfield, “Pocketful of Sunshine”
Mariah Carey, “Touch My Body”
Ludo, “Love Me Dead”
Snoop Dogg, “Life of Da Party”/“Sensual Seduction”
“No Air,” Jordin Sparks and Chris Brown
Concerts
Radiohead, May 14 at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
Chris Brown, Jan. 31 at Scottrade Center
Alicia Keys, Ne-Yo, April 27 at Scottrade Center
N.E.R.D., March 9 at the Pageant
John Mayer, July 3 at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
Stone Temple Pilots, June 8 at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
Chris Rock, March 30 at the Fox Theater
Stevie Nicks, June 13 at Chaifetz Arena
Jill Scott, Raheem DeVaughn, March 26 at the Fox Theater
Wynton Marsalis, Feb. 9 at the Sheldon Concert Hall
Erykah Badu, the Roots, May 29 at Fox Theater
Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, Jan. 30 at Blueberry Hill’s Duck Room
Story of the Year, April 22 at the Pageant
Kid Rock, Feb. 16 at Scottrade Center
R. Kelly, Keyshia Cole, Jan. 6 at Scottrade Center
Kevin C. Johnson has covered the St. Louis' music and nightlife scene for the past decade. 
Why not Panic and Usher, when you have Mariah Carey?!