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A critical look at 2008: Music — Utah had its fair share of first-rate concerts, huge dose of 'Idol'-mania

I will not comment on everything or everyone in this article but I will say that Metallica's Energy Solution Arena's concert was loud but it was sure great. Same with their new CD, "Death Magnetic." The rest of the concerts I went to this year were really good in one way or another; matchbox 20 with Alanis Morisette, Jimmy Eat World with Paramore, No Quarter; the Led Zeppelin Tribute Band, James Taylor, Sheryl Crow with James Blunt, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Australian Pink Floyd and Bar J. Wranglers. I'm not a fan of Country music but I went to Bar J. Wranglers with my Young Men's group in my ward and other leaders as a last minute activity and I appreciated it as a Christmas show and an all ages event. Coldplay and The Police were too expensive and I wasn't able to see this years Journey concert. I wouldn't go to Celine Dion but Neil Diamond would have been great. I have been so fortunate to see other great shows over these past few years, such as; Evanescence, Rush, Dream Theater, Eric Clapton, The Who, Lindsay Buckingham, 311, and I saw Def Leppard with Journey, Styx, and Foreigner at USANA. FANTASTIC!!!!

Neil Diamond is a stud....I missed that show too. Oh well...Neil Young is way better anyway....haven't seen him since '03

What about the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concert? I thought it was one of the best they have ever done. The guests were fantastic and the arrangements by Mac Wilberg were masterpieces. Just because they don't charge for the tickets doesn't mean they aren't worthy performers.

Neil Diamond? AC/DC? Coldplay?

Dude. Get past the Target/WalMart brands.

Ever heard of Vampire Weekend? Deerhunter? TV on the Radio? Maybe, as music critic, you should.

Or there's always (lately) perenial fav My Morning Jacket. Evil Urges was weird, but man, so much better than AC/DC shrieking.

Even Portishead shined this year.

Dig, Scott, dig! Don't settle for the mediocre!

Metallica's Death Magnetic is amazing. You got that right. But failed by following up with Jason Mraz. And a Christmas record? Man.