As a music junkie, I find I'm often operating under the law of diminishing returns - it's getting harder and harder to get a genuine thrill. But 2008 kept my faith afloat with the acts that made their way in and out of town. New bands formed and made records. Others broke up. Fans saw bands they loved all their lives, and some discovered new favorites over the course of the year. It's excitement on low heat, but when you look back, there are undoubtedly musical events that will stick forever. Here, in no particular order are the shows that left a dent with me.

I went to John Fogerty's CMAC show in August with no expectations and was blown away by his charm, class, and way underrated guitar prowess. I mean, the dude pulled off "Eruption."

Thank God someone's keeping the arena rock torch lit. The Foo Fighters spoke loudly and carried big guitars at Blue Cross Arena in July.

Nick Lowe at the German House in October. I could have listened to this lyrical master for days. Armed with just his acoustic guitar, he captivated the crowd as if it was seeing Rockpile at gunpoint.

It was my third time seeing Chicago blues master Buddy Guy when he played Water Street in April. It was fun picking up on tricks and licks that artists have copped that came along after him have made their own. Go to the source, baby.

Warped Tour returned to Darien Lake in July. It continues to be my lifeline to what the kids are listening to, and it's the kids' lifeline to the stuff guys my age think they still need to hear.

Soul singing legend Bettye Lavette sang at the Lilac Festival in May with such an intense and contagious hunger that even the funnel cakes they dished out at Highland Park were barely a drop in the bluesy gutbucket.

US Bombs offered a sweaty and greasy set of unapologetic, unrefined, intense old school punk at the Bug Jar in February. The kids got schooled as the old timers reminisced.

Hauntingly beautiful Neko Case found an appropriate venue in Ithaca's State Theatre last January,  and was totally worth the drive.

This year also saw debut releases from Rochester bands like soul sensations Black August and strait-ahead rockers Strangest Angels. Established acts like Gregory Paul, Gifted Children, and The Isotopes put out new discs, Julia Nunes continued to break all kinds of video and music download records, and the doctor spanked the ass of new acts like Stone Believer, Sadie Ava, No Sheers Ted, and Velveteen Fox. Let's do it all again next year.

What were your favorite shows of 2008? Comment on the Music Blog at rochestercitynewspaper.com.