Six months have zoomed by on the '08 calendar, and at least six local albums per week arrived on my desk in that time. Most are still there. The discs on this annual semiannual list are the ones that were impressive enough to make the leap to the car stereo, home stereo or home computer and withstand heavy listening. At least half of the titles on this alphabetical tally could be recommended to anybody who likes music, not just kids in too-tight T-shirts or the bar staff at the Turf Club. On the other hand, Muja Messiah, Vampire Hands and even Atmosphere's hit album (No. 5 in Billboard!) are definitely -- thankfully -- not for everyone. The best music rarely is.

1. Atmosphere, "When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold"

A nontraditional hip-hop album in many ways, Slug's and Ant's first full-fledged album in three years was also their first with live musicians, and the first where they worked side-by-side during recording. The results are as varied as the drink specials at Slug's favorite Uptown bar. (Rhymesayers)

2. Haley Bonar, "Big Star"

Yep, best one yet from the young indie-folk starlet. Where her ice-queen voice was the selling point on previous outings, her more mature writing style and the semi-polished arrangements are equally big stars here. (Afternoon Records)

3. Brass Kings, "Washboard Rope Guitar"

Steve Kaul is another local master of the resophonic guitar, but on his trio's second album he proves to be much more. Kaul's modern, blue-collar acoustic-blues epics, such as "Tin Man" and "Killing Time," are rife with authenticity and vivid storytelling.

4. Gary Louris, "Vagabonds"

Stripping away the twang, fuzz and poppier melodies of his old band, the Jayhawks frontman did not add much new to his largely acoustic and rustic solo debut -- just atmospheric pedal-steel guitar and a little gospel-style harmony. (Rykodisc)

5. Muja Messiah, "Mpls. Massacre, Vol. 1"

The hardcore rap vet is starting to live up to his own hype. Serious tunes like the seethingly political "True Lies" bump up with playful romps like "Amy Winehouse" (which samples Rihanna instead of Amy) and the clever remake of M.I.A.'s "Paper Planes." (Black Corners)

6. Roma di Luna, "Casting the Bones"

Husband/wife team Alexei and Channy Moon Casselle's edgy, starry-night country/folk music is nicely filled in with softly plunked banjo, pretty violin and pristine electric guitar parts. But their intimate, evocative songs are still the attraction, along with Channy's uncanny voice.

7. Tapes 'N Tapes, "Walk It Off"

The weathervane indie tastemakers who made TNT a suddenly hot commodity in 2006 just as hastily dismissed the follow-up to "The Loon," but it's as clever and more powerful than its predecessor. (XL Recordings)

8. Vampire Hands, "Me & You Cherry Red"

This subversively rhythmic art-punk quartet has already started to mellow on its second album -- and somehow that resulted in a harder-hitting, scarier record. One of the most fascinating and innovative local bands of recent memory.

9. Irv Williams, "Finality"

If this really is the local sax legend's final album, then consider it one mightily graceful bow. He lends his elegant, tender style well to the standards, but the real prizes are originals such as "Debra's Dream," a lullaby-like ballad inspired by his daughter.