Occurred to me when I came over just now to burn your bandwidth listening to the B-sides player that I hadn't commented in this thread.   I did my usual click-happy link hopping - ended up somewhere out there on the web - and didn't make my way back. 
Love the list - both of my 2008 favorites are included.
Workplay's Pain In My Heart will always be on my short list because it made me decide to go to my first show last February . . which led to 7 more shows and a new addiction.  All my 8 shows had special moments  but  Northampton is my "best of 2008" - great show  - but seeing your reaction to Cortez ? - priceless ! - and worth every minute of the long drive.   
Wouldn't want to upstage Kired in the schmaltz arena and think I'd just be repeating myself anyway . .  . so will go with . .
 Congratulations on a great first year of this excellent site . .  
very grateful you do what you do for us and for the band . . 
truly hope doing TIS also makes you happy going forward . . 
and as always  - Thank you for the music.  
Here's to a fun and fabulous 2009 !!!!