Goodbye 2008, thanks for These Finds...

2008 had lots of interesting events, and I am sure you can find them all over, top ten's of everything. But there is only one place you can get Peltgrande's best music finds of 2008. Here they are, in no particular order:
BLITZEN TRAPPER

Download These:
"Furr" (title track)
"Dark River Killer"
-thanks to Chad Fields for introducing me to these mesmerizing and lyrical geniuses

FRUIT BATS

Download these for a delish taste of Fruit Bats:
"Union Blanket"
"When U Love Somebody"
Mouthfuls actually came out in 2005, I just ran across it a few months ago. They have actually had a hiatus as the main frontman, Eric Johnson, played with The Shins the last couple of years, but now The Fruit Bats are back touring.

DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE

Narrow Stairs is Death Cab's 2008 album, and is great, but if you haven't listened to them before start with Plans, also from 2005, which is even better. I just started listening to Death Cab this summer and fell in love quickly. Benjamin Gibbard, lead singer has a great voice and his lyrics keep you interested.
Download:
"I Will Follow You into The Dark"
"Carolina" (solo by Benjamin Gibbard)

VAMPIRE WEEKEND

A little uptempo from some of the above bands, which have been described as a mix of "suave sound that incorporates ska, New Wave and Afro-pop "...ok, I don't even know what Afro-pop is, but I like it. Download these:

"Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa", "Oxford Comma"

THE RACONTEURS

Consolers of The Lonely was one of my most listened to albums of 2008. I actually won it by calling into an XM radio station right when it came out. It's hard for me to even pick which songs to tell you to download. It's an album experience. But, if you need just a taste:

"Salute Your Solution", "Old Enough" and "The Switch and the Spur"

Here are a few other songs I recommend downloading:
He Doesn't Know Why by Fleet Foxes
Back in Your Head by Tegan and Sara
27 Jennifers by Mike Doughty
Ghost Town by Shiny Toy Guns
No Sex for Ben by The Rapture
Night Vision Binoculars by Wicked Man's Rest