Now that half of 2008 is in the bag we thought we would provide a little insight into some of our favorites so far. We chose five MP3’s per month from albums that we liked a lot when they were released, and subsequently still like a lot now. I found myself kind of surprised when I went back and looked at what month some of the albums were released. I think this is a testament to the staying power of an album, or it could just mean I have a piss poor memory.

Anyways many of these albums will probably be revisited when it comes time to compile the ol’ yearend lists. I guess it’s also a friendly reminder that while 2008 might not be quite as good as 2007 up to this point, it’s still a pretty damn good year for music.

Enjoy the music after the jump, and feel free to comment on any album you feel should have been included.

January

Thao Nguyen - Beat [Health, Life and Fire] (mp3) 
The Magnetic Fields - Three Way (mp3)
Black Mountain – Angels (mp3)
Evangelicals – Party Crashin’ (mp3)
Bodies of Water – Here Comes My Hand (mp3)

February

Hot Chip – Shake A Fist (mp3)
Lightspeed Champion - Dry Lips (mp3)
British Sea Power – No Lucifer (mp3)
Atlas Sound – On Guard (mp3)
Beach House - D.A.R.L.I.N.G. (mp3)

March

Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks – Gardenia (mp3)
Cadence Weapon – In Search Of The Youth Crew (mp3)
Why? – The Hollows (mp3)
Destroyer – Foam Hands (mp3)
The Dodos - Fools (mp3)

April

Portishead - The Rip (mp3)
Langhorne Slim - Rebel Side of Heaven (mp3)
Man Man –  Top Drawer (mp3)
Fleet Foxes –  Sun Giant (mp3)
M83 -  Graveyard Girl (mp3)

May

No Age - Teen Creeps (mp3)
Animal Collective - Water Curses (mp3)
Joseph Arthur - Rages of Bablyon (mp3)
Mates of State - My Only Offer (mp3)
Islands - The Arm (mp3)

June

Shearwater - Rooks (mp3)
My Morning Jacket – Evil Urges (mp3)
Silver Jews - Strange Victory, Strange Defeat (mp3)
Wolf Parade - Call It A Ritual (mp3)
King Kahn and the Shrines - Torture (mp3)