A list of music you may or may not enjoy from 2008: part 1 of 45

So I am currently in Arizona on vacation without a scanner or my own computer for that matter. I can't currently upload any art or comics I've been working on for a week but this gives me time to post something just as important to me as art; which would be music.
Basically, in no order or structure, here is 6 of my favorite albums of 2008. It was a good year for music and it's always nice to see what people where listening to. I could have gone to 10 or more even but I like to keep this list simple, short and sweet.

French kicks - Swimming

They have this amazing distant sound with intense reverb and heavy bass tones on this album. It has this haunting sound that doesn't leave and causes it to become involving in a way. Somewhat similar to the Walkmen but still unique on their own, this album was pretty amazing to me.

Why? - Alopecia

Yoni Wolf, lead singer and do'er most'er guy of Why? has always been a really interesting musician and put together a really fun trip hop album here. The album is mainly about personal problems and worries reflected in fun, psychedelic tracks that have an upbeat sound with grim lyrics. It's got a certain weird charm that's hard to deny.

Evangelicals - The Evening Descends

This entire album is a really cool concept itself. Basically it's like if you took a bunch of old 70's horror films and vignettes, mixed them with a bit of the Rocky Horror Picture Show and then had a band that sounds like Pavement on acid make music to it all. It's a fun, interesting trip altogether.

Shugo Tokumaru - Exit

Shugo Tokumaru has always been a really interesting musician and he really shines on this album. He plays all the instruments on this (which is around 40) and manages to make them all sound chaotic, delightful and cheerful. All the songs have an interesting dream like quality to them that kind of sticks with you after listening.

Miniature Tigers - Tell it to the Volcano

This is their first album, after releasing to EP's this year that were both excellent. The whole thing has a lot of straight forward songs with real catchy beats. As simple as the songs and sound are done, it's so well executed that it almost becomes complex. They remind me of early Weezer in a lot of great ways.

Thao - We Brave Bee Stings and All

The lead singer has a beautiful, unique voice and the guitar work throughout the whole album is quite amazing. A lot of the songs also seem to be on love and fractured relationships with inspiring lyrics and great mental imagery. She communicates that love is most definitely for the brave and you should always expect a few black eyes here and there when dealing with it.

I was considering adding Tv on the Radio's new album, "Dear Science," or even Coldplay's "Viva La Vida" but I wanted to go with ones that were just as great and flew under a lot of people's radar. Check this out if you get the chance, I promise they're all great and made with pure dedication (and possible magical musical unicorn witchcraft).

As for everyone else on odwwart, I hope you guys put together a list of some of your favorites and post it. It'd be nice and fun and help liven up this blog a bit since it's been kind of slow since the start of December. You could even do movies, books, pornography or favorite show dogs if you want!