The Top Local Recordings of 2008

8. Tad Armstrong, “Scorpio Falling”

Hard-luck zingers populate the debut solo album from ex-Middletown vocalist Tad Armstrong.

“I could be so far away from here, getting a head start on the missing years,” he sings on “Nobody Waiting.”

With his hybrid tenor-baritone voice residing in an eternal sweet spot, Armstrong explores relaxed textures associated with alt-country, plus lively pop accents heard on opening track “Heartbreaker.”

Visit www.tadarmstrong.net.