CDs to look forward to this year

The beginning of each year is filled with a certain level of anticipation for music fanatics like myself.
This time last year, those of us in the know were eagerly awaiting new records from the likes of Bloc Party, Modest Mouse and Radiohead. However, 2008 seems less filled with fans foaming at the mouth for new releases, and more like a bunch of people trying to decide if they will even have to try and find a record store.
Only nearing the end of February, we have already seen some excellent albums hit the shelves this year, such as Hot Chip (Made in the Dark), Jason Collett (Here's to Being Here), the Ravonettes (Lust Lust Lust) and so on. It begs the question, "what else can we, the music-loving, music-buying public look forward to now?"
If you happened to pick up this month's edition of Spin magazine (the one with Britain's fabulous train wreck, Pete Doherty, on the cover), you may have noticed the "42 Most Anticipated Albums of the Year" article. I decided to sift through much of the shit, do some additional research, and compile 12 albums that you will need to buy this year.

Death Cab for Cutie - Narrow Stairs
Slotted for a May 13 release, Death Cab will follow-up the superbly sub-par Plans with their second major label release, and a nine-minute opening track called "Bixby Canyon Bridge".

Be Your Own PET - Get Awkward
Teenage punk never sounded this fun, nor this good. BYOP's self-titled debut was a jumping-off point that made a legendary band. Here's hoping their second outing doesn't show too much maturity, because that may not be as exciting.

Dr. Dre - Detox
This record has seen 37 different release dates, but this year, I can feel it. Dre's going to pull himself off the Bowflex long enough to finish the fucking thing, release half-a-dozen hits about smokin' weed and buy himself another four Lamborghinis.

The Cure - (title unknown)
The kings of depression return this year with a double-album of songs to smudge your eyeliner to. Hopefully it will live up to their impressive self-titled album from four years ago, or to their amazing records from 20 years ago.

Los Campesinos! - Hold On Now, Youngster...
Arts & Crafts' youngest band comes from nowhere near T.O., or even Canada for that matter. The youngsters from Wales turn musical obsession into musical creation, and have an album's worth of songs that, if you're not dancing to them, you must be in a coma.

Wolf Parade - (title unknown)
After countless "Best Of" nominations for 2005's Apologies to the Queen Mary, the Montrealers decided to form 412 other bands, release those albums (all of which were fantastic), and then tour endlessly. Maybe they saved something for their most successful act.

Q-Tip - Renaissance
The best member of A Tribe Called Quest hasn't released a record since 1999's Amplified. So with almost a decade to form Renaissance, as well as two albums Tip chose not to release, one can only imagine how good this is going to be.

Secret Machines - (title unknown)
Perhaps one of the most intense live bands on the planet, SMs return after losing their guitarist. New guitarist Phil Karnats should bring some new sounds to the three-piece to add to their already expanding repertoire.

Margot & the Nuclear So and So's - Animal!
This band has so much hype behind them that it's going to be tough for them to deliver without disappointing. But if their back catalogue is any indication, this year's major-label debut should be an incredible combination of folk and rock, and should include every instrument you can think of (including the kitchen sink!). Keep your ears open for the fantastically-titled "Hello Vagina".

My Bloody Valentine - (title unknown)
These feedback pioneers are the influence of almost every band coming out these days. It's been 16 years since the release of their now-legendary Loveless. If they record an album even half as good as that, the cult-like fans will be happy.Portishead - Third
Portishead recently announced the release of their highly-anticipated fourth album, which will also mark the first band activity since 1998's Roseland NYC Live. Third is set to hit stores in April, and Portishead is scheduled to perform at this summer's Coachella festival.

Tokyo Police Club - Elephant Shell
It's about fucking time this band released an LP. However knowing them, this LP will be shorter than half of a Weezer album. I'm going to go out on a limb and say 27 minutes of rockin'.