Ok, probably not, but that's the kind of year 2008 is shaping out to be.

It's like the universe is trying to make 2008 the year I explode from flashback giddiness.

First the powers that be bring us Liz Phair re-issuing the uber-girlpower-eloquent Exile in Guyville (which we celebrated in grand style).

Then Liz came to Seattle and played the album in its entirety at the Showbox.

Earlier this week it was announced that The Breeders are playing Neumo's in November (an intimate venue by Breeders' standards).

Now I just found out that REM is celebrating the 25th anniversary of Murmur with a deluxe reissue. In short, the whole package will rock (from the press release):

The 16-song live performance boasts nine of Murmur’s 12 songs, including “Radio Free Europe”; three songs first heard on 1982’s Chronic Town EP; early renditions of two songs that would subsequently appear on the band’s second album, 1984’s Reckoning; “Just A Touch,” later heard on R.E.M.’s fourth album, 1986’s Life's Rich Pageant; and a cover of Velvet Underground’s “There She Goes Again,” which the group recorded in the studio for the b-side of “Radio Free Europe.”

Assembled in conjunction with R.E.M., Murmur – Deluxe Edition, the package also includes exclusive essays providing insight into the recording of the album by producers Mitch Easter and Don Dixon, as well as former I.R.S. executives Jay Boberg, Sig Sigworth, Carlos Grasso, Michael Plen.

Sure, I was hoping that the reissue would include a DVD of their first ten shows, an 180 gram vinyl version, full color screenprinted poster, and Michael Stipe's favorite chili recipe included in the package, but I'll be happy with the above (and keep looking for that chili recipe online).

With all this alignment of stars good news, wouldn't it be a perfect topper if they played the Crocodile's Grand Opening {which for reals really is happening, with or without REM} and played the album from "Radio Free Europe" to "West of the Fields" (and encore with a cover of "California Dreamin'" or "All I have to do is Dream")? 

OK, what other good news would make this the grandest flashback year of all time? Blur DJ night at the Baltic Room? Sing along with the Stone Roses at Nectar?

Does it really get any better than this?