Top 20 Albums of 2008 (So Far…)

Since the year is halfway over, now seems as good of a time as any to compile Hypeful’s Top 20 Albums of 2008 (So Far…). Why engage in such trifling ranking you ask? First of all, I have an OCD-love of ranking things. Second, this year has seen some really stupendous releases in its first half. With plenty of new discs on the horizon, I thought this would be a good chance to spotlight releases that may or may not make it onto my final 20 at year’s end.
The following list isn’t ranked, it’s just arranged in alphabetical order. Also, I left off Vampire Weekend’s disc, because I included the group’s Blue CD-R in my Best of 2007 list. Let me know if I overlooked any tasty albums in the comments! Now, on to to the list…

Albert Hammond Jr. - ¿Cómo Te Llama?
MP3:
Albert Hammond Jr. - “GfC”

British Sea Power - Do You Like Rock Music?
MP3:
British Sea Power - “Waving Flags”

Coldplay - Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends
MP3:
Coldplay - “Viva La Vida”

MP3:
Conor Oberst - “Danny Callahan”

Death Cab For Cutie - Narrow Stairs
MP3:
Death Cab For Cutie - “Cath…”

MP3s:
Dr. Dog - “The Ark”
Dr. Dog - “The Old Days”

MP3:
Fleet Foxes - “White Winter Hymnal”

Frightened Rabbit - The Midnight Organ Fight
MP3:
Frightened Rabbit - “The Modern Leper”

Gnarls Barkley - The Odd Couple
MP3:
Gnarls Barkley - “Who’s Gonna Save My Soul”

The Hold Steady - Stay Positive
MP3:
The Hold Steady - “Sequestered In Memphis”

The Last Shadow Puppets - The Age Of The Understatement
MP3:
The Last Shadow Puppets - “The Age Of The Understatement”

Mates of State - Re-Arrange Us
MP3:
Mates of State - “My Only Offer”

The Morning Benders - Talking Through Tin Cans
MP3:
The Morning Benders - “Waiting For A War”

Okkervil River - The Stand-Ins
MP3:
Okkervil River - “Pop Lie”

MP3:
Old 97’s - “Dance With Me”

MP3:
R.E.M. - “Man-Sized Wreath”

Sigur Rós - Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaus
MP3:
Sigur Rós - “Gobbledigook”


MP3:
The Walkmen - “In The New Year”
