STEVE ADAMS
Billboard contributor

1. Elbow, "The Seldom Seen Kid" (Fiction/Universal). Grand yet understated prog-rock mixing quirky, poignant lyrics with stunning arrangements.
2. The Verve, "Forth" (Parlophone). Unlikely reunion produces even more unlikely result: magic mostly intact.
3. The Stills, "Oceans Will Rise" (Arts & Crafts). Third long-player finds rejuvenated Montreal indie rockers rediscovering form of debut set.
4. Fleet Foxes, "Fleet Foxes" (Bella Union). Fabulous harmony-packed update of '60s folk-pop.
5. Kings Of Leon, "Only by the Night" (RCA). Followill brothers preaching stadium-sized garage rock with melodies and southern riffs.
6. Plover, "Plover" (self-released, plovermusic.com). Lovely low-key DIY effort from Neilson Hubbard, Glen Phillips and Garrison Starr.
7. John Mellencamp, "Life, Death, Love and Freedom" (Hear Music). Stripped-back and bleak, but best album in years from everyman songwriter.
8. AC/DC, "Black Ice" (Columbia). Back In Black Ice? Familiar riffs and big drums-like the last 28 years never happened. Almost.
9. Teddy Thompson, "A Piece of What You Need" (Verve Forecast). Folk-pop with instant melodies but hidden depths.
10. Ryan Adams and the Cardinals, "Cardinology" (Lost Highway). Another effortless set from über-prolific alt-country singer/songwriter.

MICHAEL D. AYERS
Billboard contributor

1. TV On The Radio, "Dear Science" (Interscope). Groovy.
2. Fleet Foxes, "Fleet Foxes" (Sub Pop). Sublime.
3. Laura Marling, "Alas I Cannot Swim" (Astralwerks). Poignant.
4. Blitzen Trapper, "Furr" (Sub Pop). Nostalgic.
5. Jolie Holland, "The Living and the Dead" (Anti-). Classic.
6. Beach House, "Devotion" (Car Park). Eerie.
7. Tift Merritt, "Another Country" (Fantasy/Concord). Real.
8. Islands, "Arm's Way" (Anti-). Ambitious.
9. Santogold, "Santogold" (Downtown/Atlantic). Fun.
10. Bon Iver, "For Emma, Forever Ago" (Jagjaguwar). Sweet.

AYALA BEN-YEHUDA
Billboard correspondent, Latin

1. Ximena Sariñana, "Mediocre" (Sei Track/Warner).
2. Alex*Cuba, "Agua del Pozo" (Caracol/EMI).
3. Calle 13, "Los de Atrás Vienen Conmigo" (Sony BMG).
4. Jenni Rivera, "Jenni" (Fonovisa).
5. Forro in the Dark, "Dia de Roda" (Nublu).
6. Kinky, "Barracuda" (Kin-Kon/Nettwerk).
7. Bajofondo, "Mar Dulce" (Surco/Decca)
8. Nation Beat, "Legends of the Preacher" (Modiba)
9. Akwid, "La Novela" (Headliners/Univision)
10. Amandititita, "Amandititita" (Sony BMG).

LARS BRANDLE
Billboard correspondent, Australia

1. MGMT, "Oracular Spectacular" (Columbia).
2. Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, "Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!!" (Mute).
3. The Presets, "Apocalypso" (Modular/Universal).
4. Empire Of The Sun, "Walking on a Dream" (EMI).
5. Elbow, "The Seldom Seen Kid" (Fiction/Universal).
6. Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu, "Gurrumul" (Skinnyfish Music).
7. Eddy Current Suppression Ring, "Primary Colours" (Aarght/Shock Entertainment).
8. Cut Copy, "In Ghost Colours" (Modular/Universal).
9. The Gin Club, "Junk" (Plus One Records).
10. Pendulum, "In Silico" (Warner Bros.).

FRED BRONSON
Billboard.com Chart Beat columnist

1. Duffy, "Rockferry" (Mercury). Gritty and soulful. I was hooked as soon as I heard "Mercy."
2. Sam Sparro, "Sam Sparro" (Universal Republic). Brilliant and innovative and even better than the buzz.
3. Sanna Nielsen, "Stronger" (Lionheart, Sweden). Could be the next Celine Dion if she can break out beyond her borders.
4. Jason Mraz, "We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things." (Atlantic). Always liked him but this album sealed the deal.
5. Lisa Miskovsky, "Last Year's Songs" (Universal, Sweden). This year's pick. Another artist with worldwide potential.
6. Will Young, "Let It Go" (19/RCA, United Kingdom). What happens when pop idols grow up and make music for adults.
7. Jon McLaughlin, "OK Now" (Island). Heartfelt from the heartland.
8. Amy Diamond, "Music in Motion" (Bonnier, Sweden). Third album and she's still not 18. But there's something about Amy that the whole world could love.
9. PlayRadioPlay!, "Texas" (Island). This year's Pure Pop for Now People winner.
10. Diana Ross & the Supremes, "Let the Music Play: Supreme Rarities" (Hip-O Select/Motown). From the vaults, 48 unreleased gems from their prime (and Primette) years. Like having four new Supremes albums released at once.

NICHOLA BROWNE
Billboard contributor

1. Metallica, "Death Magnetic" (Warner Bros).
2. The Gaslight Anthem, "The '59 Sound" (Side One Dummy).
3. Slipknot, "All Hope Is Gone" (Roadrunner).
4. Panic At The Disco, "Pretty. Odd." (Decaydance/Fueled by Ramen).
5. Scars On Broadway, "Scars on Broadway" (Interscope).
6. Weezer, "Weezer" (DGC/Interscope).
7. The Alkaline Trio, "Agony & Irony" (V2).
8. Cancer Bats, "Hail Destroyer" (Distort Entertainment).
9. Slaves To Gravity, "Scatter The Crow" (Gravitas Records).
10. Fall Out Boy, "Folie a Deux" (Island).

ALEXANDRA CAHILL
Radio & Records online editor

1. Fleet Foxes, "Fleet Foxes" (Sub Pop). Ambitious, otherworldly debut transcends nostalgia with "He Doesn't Know Why" and "Your Protector."
2. Deerhunter, "Microcastle" (Kranky). Alternates between hypnotic, lyrically perverse lullabies and extended bursts of noise, recalling My Bloody Valentine's "Loveless."
3. The Black Keys, "Attack & Release" (Nonesuch). The Akron, Ohio, duo collaborated with producer Danger Mouse on this visceral, self-assured set.
4. TV On The Radio, "Dear Science" (Interscope). Brooklyn band doesn't sacrifice artistic ambition to achieve instant appeal of "DLZ" and "Love Dog."
5. Blitzen Trapper, "Furr" (Sub Pop). Packed with several joyful, crisply executed tracks, including "God & Suicide."
6. Beck, "Modern Guilt" (Interscope). "Chemtrails" and "Gamma Ray" make it easy to forget that Beck made his debut in an irony-rich era dominated by Beavis & Butthead.
7. Gnarls Barkley, "The Odd Couple" (Downtown/Atlantic). Cee-Lo and Danger Mouse imbue emotionally complex tracks like "Going On" with a swinging '60s sensibility.
8. Glasvegas, "Glasvegas" (Columbia). With "Geraldine," vocalist Alan McGee provides comfort and inspires awe, like Frankie Avalon descending from the "heavens" in "Grease."
9. MGMT, "Oracular Spectacular" (Columbia). Apocalypse-obsessed, frequently shirtless duo craft progressive, highly addictive tunes.
10. The Subways, "All or Nothing" (Warner Bros.). Producer Butch Vig harnesses the British trio's unbridled enthusiasm on the amazingly loud "Girls & Boys."

JUDY CANTOR-NAVAS
Billboard en Espanol editor

1. Julieta Venegas, "MTV Unplugged" (Norte). The Mexican singer/songwriter shares her moment in the pop spotlight with diverse artists for an album that defines contemporary Latin song.
2. Calle 13, "Los de atrás vienen conmigo" (Norte). The Puerto Rican reggaetoneros pose as clowns in a circus that combines urban, electro and Latin beats with smart social satire.
3. Bebo Valdés & Javier Colina, "Live at the Village Vanguard" (Calle 54/Norte). The amazing story of Afro-Cuban jazz comes alive in the hands of the 90-year-old pianist on a historic concert album.
4. Soda Stereo, "Gira: Me Veras Volver" (Norte). The group that broke down the borders of Latin American rock makes history again on its record-breaking 2007 reunion tour.
5. Curumin, "Japanpopshow" (Quannum Projects). Sao Paulo singer and multi-instrumentalist Curumin's freestyle mix of funk, samba, soul, dance and dub is the now sound of Brazil.
6. Issac Delgado, "Asi Soy" (Machete Music). Havana's top salsero brings his smooth voice and sophisticated dance floor style to the U.S.
7. Aterciopelados, "Río" (Nacional). Iconic Latin alternative duo's musically expansive roots rock plea for the earth heralds a Nueva Canción movement for the 21st century.
8. No lo Soporto, "Avián" (BMG Argentina). Elegant power pop and dreamy electro-ballads from a Buenos Aires female trio to watch.
9. Buika, "Niña de fuego" (Warner Music Spain). The young Spanish lounge singer brings her bedroom voice and dramatic style to flamenco, boleros and jazz.
10. Dan Zanes, "Nueva York" (Festival Five Records) Zanes hosts a fiesta with some of New York's leading Latin bands, performing a set of rootsy Spanish songs for kids to sing.

TROY CARPENTER
Billboard contributor

1. Radiohead, "In Rainbows" (TBD/ATO).
2. Aimee Mann, "@#%&! Smilers" (SuperEgo).
3. Ron Sexsmith, "Exit Strategy of the Soul" (Yep Roc).
4. Vampire Weekend, "Vampire Weekend" (XL Recordings).
5. Supergrass, "Diamond Hoo Ha Man" (Astralwerks).
6. TV On The Radio, "Dear Science," (Interscope).
7. James, "Hey Ma" (Decca).
8. Margot & The Nuclear So-And-So's, "Animal!" (Epic).
9. Wire, "Object 47" (Pink Flag).
10. Super Furry Animals, "Hey Venus!" (Rough Trade).

KEITH CAULFIELD
Billboard senior Chart Manager/Analyst

1. Girls Aloud, "Out of Control" (Fascination/Polydor/Universal).
2. Madonna, "Hard Candy" (Warner Bros.).
3. Kylie Minogue, "X" (Astralwerks/Capitol).
4. McFly, "Radio:ACTIVE" (Super).
5. Booty Luv, "Boogie 2Nite" (Hed Kandi America).
6. Sugababes, "Catfights and Spotlights" (Universal/Island).
7. Pink, "Funhouse" (LaFace/Zomba).
8. Does It Offend You, Yeah?, "You Have No Idea What You're Getting Yourself
Into" (Almost Gold).
9. The Pussycat Dolls, "Doll Domination" (Interscope).
10. The Saturdays, "Chasing Lights" (Fascination/Polydor/Universal).

LEILA COBO
Billboard executive director of content and programming, Latin music and entertainment

1. Ricardo Arjona, "5to Piso" (Warner Music Latina). Okay, I confess I'm a sucker for Arjona. This set of stories, beautifully done, is a perfect marriage of substance and commercial appeal.
2. Luis Fonsi, "Palabras del Silencio" (Universal Music Latino). Fonsi's best album to date consolidates him as a songwriter and a star.
3. Laura Pausini, "Primavera Anticipada" (Warner Music Latina). An album that vacillates between nostalgia and joy, it is Pausini's loveliest -- and most personal.
4. Cabas, "Amores Difíciles" (EMI Latin). The Colombian singer/songwriter is in his best form, aptly blending styles but never losing sight of radio appeal.
5. Akwid, "La Novela" (Fonovisa). A gem of an album that mixes humor and depth. The best mix of regional Mexican and rap the brotherly duo has delivered so far.
6. Jenni Rivera, "Jenni" (Fonovisa). The banda diva really comes of age here on an album full of guts and personality.
7. Calle 13, "Los De Atrás Vienen Conmigo" (Sony BMG). You'd think irreverent rappers Calle 13 would run out of ideas. Not so. An album full of imagination.
8. Ximena Sariñana, "Mediocre" (Warner Music Latina). A memorable debut from what promises to be a strong female voice.
9. Locos Por Juana, "La Verdad" (Universal Music Latino). The Miami party band is finally getting its day in the sun. A unique sound and swing merits it.
10. Fonseca, "Gratitud" (Emi Televisa). Originally known for his "tropi-pop" sound, Fonseca took a risk with an album that explores many different sonic palettes. The result highlights an artist with depth and great potential.

DIANE COETZER
Billboard correspondent, South Africa

1. Bon Iver, "For Emma, Forever Ago" (Jagjaguwar). Achingly beautiful, at times eerily strange, ambient folk.
2. Santogold, "Santogold" (Downtown/Lizard King/Just Music). Biting lyrics and bracing beats make for a great musical romp.
3. Conor Oberst, "Conor Oberst" (Merge). That voice, those words, those melodies never fail to take hold.
4. Abdullah Ibrahim, "Senzo" (Schott Music/Gallo Records). South Africa's most-gifted reclaims his place.
5. Lil Wayne, "Tha Carter 111" (Cash Money). Irresistible, melodic hip-hop from the genre's most intriguing act.
6. Jim Neversink, "Shakey Is Good" (self-released). Frequently unnerving, always compelling South African alt-country.
7. Okkervil River, "The Stand Ins" (Jagjaguwar). Not perfect yet but Will Sheff and co. are well on the way to it.
8. Amadou & Mariam, "Welcome To Mali" (Because Music). Intoxicating release that reveals the limits of the "World Music" tag.
9. Emmylou Harris, "All I Intended To Be" (Nonesuch). Consistently a joy to listen to.
10. Flight Of The Conchords, "Flight of the Conchords" (Sub Pop). Because only they can sing about second-hand underpants and get away with it!

JONATHAN COHEN
Billboard senior editor

1. Ryan Adams and the Cardinals, "Cardinology" (Lost Highway). For everything there is a word / for everything but this.
2. Sun Kil Moon, "April" (Caldo Verde). I feel you near / like you are still here.
3. The Uglysuit, "The Uglysuit" (Quarterstick). So long, so long / we followed them for too long.
4. Wire, "Object 47" (Pink Flag). Were you just oblivious?
5. Goldfrapp, "Seventh Tree" (Mute). It's a long, long way to go / but I want to know.
6. Fleet Foxes, "Fleet Foxes" (Sub Pop). It will rise / soon enough.
7. My Morning Jacket, "Evil Urges" (ATO). It ain't evil, baby.
8. The Helio Sequence, "Keep Your Eyes Ahead" (Sub Pop). Tongue-tied and divided / sometimes the words just can't be found.
9. James Blackshaw, "Litany of Echoes" (Tompkins Square). Speechless.
10. The Verve, "Forth" (On Your Own). I get this feeling / that I've been here before.

Top Tunes: "Electric Feel," MGMT; "Livin' a Lie," the-Dream featuring Rihanna; "Rock With U," Janet Jackson; "Dreamin' of You," Bob Dylan; "Out of Our Hands," Gemma Hayes; "The Rat," Dead Confederate; "Mary Jo," Brazos; "One Pure Thought," Hot Chip; "Lump Sum," Bon Iver.

Super Shows: Pearl Jam, Beacon Theatre, New York (July 1); Dr. Dog, Bowery Ballroom, New York (Aug. 27); My Bloody Valentine, Roseland Ballroom, New York (Sept. 22); Built To Spill, Terminal 5, New York (Sept. 26); Shudder To Think, Webster Hall, New York (Oct. 4).

MARIEL CONCEPCION
Billboard.com associate editor

1. Jazmine Sullivan, "Fearless" (J). Sullivan's got a great voice and sings with lots of conviction. Her songs (which she pens herself) are super-relatable, capped off with top-notch production.
2. T.I., "Paper Trail" (Grand Hustle/Atlantic). This album was a great feat for T.I., especially considering "T.I. vs. T.I.P." wasn't what anyone hoped it'd be, and because of his upcoming jail time.
3. Young Jeezy, "The Recession" (Def Jam). Young Jeezy keeps steady delivering catchy tracks in his signature raspy voice. "My President" is my favorite track right now. Go Obama!
4. Ne-Yo, "Year of the Gentleman" (Def Jam). Not as euro-club as Ne-Yo claimed it to be, we weren't mad at him for giving us yet more Ne-Yo-ness.
5. Santogold, "Santogold" (Downtown). The songs are full of energy and production that actually makes you pay attention. Plus, she's got the flyest background dancers ever.
6. Lil Wayne, "Tha Carter III" (Cash Money/Universal). A milli sold. Need I say more?
7. Estelle, "Shine" (Homeschool/Atlantic). Most folks slept on Estelle's debut album, but this U.K. import's sassiness, combined with danceable, mid-tempo production, was a welcome alternative to the sappier R&B out this year.
8. Usher, "Here I Stand" (LaFace). I didn't fall in love with this album at first listen, but there are definitely some strong tracks here.
9. Lloyd, "Lessons in Love" (the Inc./Universal). I just can't knock Lloyd's out-in-the-open affinity for women. It makes me happy.
10. Raphael Saadiq - "The Way I See It" (Columbia). The obvious '60s Britpop inspiration along with the tinges of jazz, blues, swing, Motown, R&B and Stax, sounded fresh.

HILLARY CROSLEY
Billboard R&B/hip-hop correspondent

1. Al Green, "Lay It Down" (Blue Note). Great comeback. ?uestlove craftily updates Green's vintage sound.
2. T.I., "Paper Trail" (Grand Hustle/Atlantic). This was a make or break for T.I. since "T.I. vs. T.I.P." fell flat and he's facing prison time. Fortunately, he drew inspiration from his bad situation, resulting in chart-topping songs. No small feat.
3. Young Jeezy, "The Recession" (Def Jam). Back to what we love Jeezy for: great beats and sing-along hooks.
4. Estelle, "Shine" (Homeschool/Atlantic). Love her feisty attitude.
5. Santogold, "Santogold" (Downtown). culture will hail Santo in time. Trust.
6. Lil Wayne, "Tha Carter III" (Cash Money/Universal). Obvious.
7. Adele, "19" (Columbia). Wonderful voice, and she's a Brit that doesn't sound like Amy Winehouse. This is a plus.
8. Nas, "Untitled" (Def Jam). Nas' best album outside of "Illmatic." He exceeded expectations and made me proud to be a hip-hop writer.
9. Erykah Badu, "New Amerykah: 4th World War" (Universal Motown). Weird and full of foresight.
10. Jasmine Sullivan, "Fearless" (J). A wonderful talent bolstered by fantastic production from Jack Splash, Missy and Salaam Remi.

HAZEL DAVIS
Billboard contributor

1. Johnny Flynn and the Sussex Wit, "A Larum" (Vertigo/Universal). Old beyond his 25 years, Flynn produces heartbreaking and poetic folk.
2. Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip, "Angles" (Sunday Best). Bearded, wry, social commentary with an infectious beat; irresistible and side-splittingly funny.
3. Elbow, "The Seldom Seen Kid" (Fiction/Polydor/Universal). Everybody's favorite album of 2008 and a final recognition of the Manchester band's heartbreaking, anthemic greatness.
4. Girls Aloud, "Out of Control" (Fascination/Polydor/Universal). Remarkably, their fifth album. The "National Treasures" ditch the ballads and raise sparkly pop up a notch.
5. Laura Marling, "Alas I Cannot Swim" (EMI). Disturbing lyrics and Johnny Marr-style melodies from the Mercury-nominated teen.
6. Pete Molinari, "A Virtual Landslide" (Damaged Goods). Crammed full of ageless classics, this could have been written 50 years ago.
7. The Ting Tings, "We Started Nothing" (Columbia). Irritatingly catchy pop and whizzy production. Fresh every time.
8. Ida Maria, "Fortress Round My Heart" (RCA). A screamy, sweary, sweaty romp through life's trials. Everything you want in a debut.
9. Emiliana Torrini, "Me and Armini" (Rough Trade). Instrumental excitement and melifluous vocals from the pixie-faced Icelandic/Italian singer.
10. Chris Wood, "Trespasser" (Ruf). Timeless folk and modern parables delivered with velvet irony. Beautiful.

ANN DONAHUE
Billboard senior editor

1. Hans Zimmer & James Newton Howard, "The Dark Knight: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack" (Warner Bros.).
2. Kings Of Leon, "Only by the Night" (RCA).
3. Various Artists, "OMFGG -- Original Music Featured on Gossip Girl, No. 1" (Atlantic).
4. Duffy, "Rockferry" (Mercury).
5. T.I., "Paper Trail" (Grand Hustle/Atlantic).
6. U2, "Deluxe Edition Box Set: 'Boy,' 'October,' and 'War'" (Island).
7. Estelle, "Shine" (Homeschool/Atlantic).
8. Adele, "19" (Columbia).
9. Coldplay, "Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends" (Capitol).
10. The Ting Tings, "We Started Nothing" (Columbia).

THOM DUFFY
Billboard special features editor

1. "Yes We Can," the online video collaboration of will.i.am, filmmaker Jesse Dylan, and others, as premiered on ABC News Feb. 2. The slogan of the year - and the four years to come.
2. Nas, "Election Night," a timely Web-only track from a master rapper turned first-time voter, released Nov. 4.
3. Jackie Wilson, "Higher and Higher," as broadcast on the PA system of Grant Park, Chicago, Ill., Nov. 4.
4. Coldplay, "Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends" (Capitol).
5. Bruce Springsteen at Giants Stadium, New Jersey, July 23.
6. Bob Dylan at the Prospect Park Bandshell, Brooklyn, N.Y., Aug. 12.
7. Isaac Hayes at the Celebrate Brooklyn Festival, Prospect Park Bandshell, Brooklyn, June 12. One of the final great shows by the R&B pioneer who died Aug. 10.
8. Railbird, "Railbird" (self-Released via CD Baby). Led by inspired singer/songwriter Sarah Pedinott, the debut disc from great indie band is set to breakout.
9. Ethel, "TruckStop Tour." A series of collaborations between local musicians and students and an extraordinary jazz-blues-rock-classical string ensemble.
10. "1,000 Recordings to Hear Before You Die," by Tom Moon (Workman Publishing). The list to end all lists.

CHUCK EDDY
Billboard contributor

1. Jamey Johnson, "That Lonesome Song" (Mercury).
2. Ross Johnson, "Make It Stop! The Most Of Ross Johnson" (Goner).
3. Rose Tattoo, "Blood Brothers" (Wacken).
4. Rick Springfield," Venus in Overdrive" (New Door/UMe).
5. The Knux, "Remind Me in 3 Days..." (Interscope).
6. The Tonic Rays, "The Tonic Rays" (thetonicrays.com).
7. Woodbox Gang, "Drunk As Dragons" (Alternative Tentacles).
8. Carter's Chord, "Carter's Chord" (Show Dog Nashville).
9. Phil Vassar, "Prayer of a Common Man" (Universal).
10. New Bloods, "The Secret Life" (Kill Rock Stars).

GORDON ELY
Billboard contributor

1. Darwin Hobbs, "Free" (Liaison/Tyscot) Gospel soul man Hobbs delivers a knockout punch. Powerhouse vocals and indelible anthems deliver a deeply moving reminder of the bloodline of modern, American popular music.
2. David Crowder Band, "Remedy: Club Tour Edition" (sixsteps/Sparrow). A smoldering summation of the best-to-date from Texas rockers whose professions of faith are as compelling as their music.
3. Brad Paisley, "Play" (Arista Nashville). A handful of can't-miss hit singles -- of the music-and-words variety -- allow breathing room on what is largely a mind-boggling display of instrumental prowess and pizzazz. Lord have mercy.
4. Yo-Yo Ma & Friends, "Songs of Joy & Peace" (Sony Classical). Dave Brubeck, James Taylor, Alison Krauss and Diana Krall are just a few of the ever-eclectic, always extraordinary Ma's "friends," all 22 of whom elevate this into a Christmas album for the ages. Joy to the world, indeed.
5. Augustana, "Can't Love, Can't Hurt" (Epic). Revels in the time-honored tradition of a five-man rock band with great hooks, harmonies and songs that just get better with every listen.
6. young@heart chorus, "mostly live" (Rhino). No joking here at all. Thirty-five member chorus, ages 73 to 93, backed instrumentally by session pros, turns in haunting, compelling and ultimately joyful-beyond-words takes on classics from Stones, the Clash, the Police, Nirvana and more.
7. tie: Kurt Carr, "Just the Beginning" (Verity) and Jonathan Nelson, "Right Now Praise" (Integrity). Veteran luminary Carr, and hit songwriter Nelson each give exuberant testimony to the vibrancy and vitality of the contemporary church.
8. Patty Loveless, "Sleepless Nights" (Saguaro Road). Envelopes may have been made for stretching, but thank God for country music with straight-ahead steel guitars, cranked-up Telecasters, crying fiddles and a voice like an angel.
9. Bryan Wilson, "A Second Coming" (Bryan's Songs/CE Music). Former lead of Mississippi Mass Children's Choir finds life-after-child-stardom, with a soaring tenor and a strong collection of self-penned, jazzy gospel to wrap it around.
10. Hezekiah Walker & LFC, "Souled Out" (Verity). One of the earliest of the "new' gospel choirs, Walker & LFC find a soulmate in virtuosic producer Donald Lawrence, yielding the album of a lifetime.

TOM FERGUSON
Billboard deputy global editor

1. Mavis Staples, "Live -- Hope at the Hideout" (Anti-). Music's equivalent of an Obama election victory; old themes given new life.
2. Geraint Watkins, "In a Bad Mood" (Gold Top). The sideman cometh! The Welsh piano wizard finally finds his own voice.
3. Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, "Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!!" (Mute). Cave and band doing the resurrection shuffle. Powerful stuff.
4. Glasvegas, "Glasvegas" (Columbia). Not quite as good as they think they are, but "Daddy's Gone" suggests greatness beckons.
5. Elbow: "The Seldom Seen Kid" (Fiction/Polydor/Universal). Worthy Mercury Prize winners, with a song of the year contender in "One Day Like This."
6. Jackie Leven, "Lovers at the Gun Club (Cooking Vinyl). Another gorgeous addition to Leven's poetic, passionate canon.
7. Robert Forster, "The Evangelist" (Tag 5). The late Grant McLennan's shadow may hover, but this emotional set is most definitely Foster's handiwork.
8. Ryan Adams & the Cardinals, "Cardinology" (Lost Highway). Adams in his best band environment since Whiskeytown.
9. New York Dolls, "Live at the Fillmore East" (Sony BMG). R.I.P. Thunders, Nolan and Kane ... Johansen and Sylvain keep the flame alive.
10) The Fall, "Imperial Wax Solvent" (Sanctuary). Mark E. Smith in fine fettle on studio album No. 27.

CHARLES FERRO
Billboard correspondent, Copenhagen

1. Bob Dylan, "Tell Tale Signs" (Columbia). Good stuff that matches its predecessors-and he gets points for still being there.
2. D-A-D, "Monster Philosophy" (EMI/Medley). Hard rock with soft edges of wit.
3. The Raconteurs, "Consolers of the Lonely" (Warner Bros). I can't help it -- I just like what they do and how they do it.
4. The Hold Steady, "Stay Positive" (Vagrant). Reinforces their earlier material and piques the grey matter while delivering solid rock.
5. Volbeat, "Guitar, Gangsters & Cadillac Blood" (Target Distribution). This band delivers; no frills but some clever lyrics to boot.
6. Drive-By Truckers, "Brighter Than Creation's Dark" (New West). Updated southern tradition that's refreshing without compromising.
7. Tina Dico, "A Beginning, A Detour, An Open Ending" (A:larm/MBO). She's got a subtle way of touching the inner strings and hitting the right chords.
8. Metallica, "Death Magnetic" (Vertigo/Universal). If you're gonna play hard, play hard -- and do it with style nobody can match.
9. Infernal, "Electric Cabaret" (Border Breakers). Play-loud party music; this duo accomplishes what it set out to do.
10. Kings Of Leon, "Only by the Night" (RCA). Solid and catchy with hints of what they can do onstage.

GARY GRAFF
Billboard contributor

1. Firewater, "The Golden Hour" (Bloodshot). Tod A's world travels through the Middle East, India and Southeast Asia inform an album that's song-rich and sonically exciting.
2. The Black Keys, "Attack & Release" (Nonesuch). The minimalist Akron duo's inspired teaming with Gnarls Barkley's Danger Mouse brought some fresh fifth-album energy to the group at just the right time in its career.
3. Metallica, "Death Magnetic" (Warner Bros.). The kings of metal return, and while "comeback" may be too strong of a word, this still achieves the expected 'tallica standard that "St. Anger" missed.
4. Rodney Crowell, "Sex & Gasoline" (Work Song/Yep Roc). Crowell is typically pointed and passionate, but he benefits from yielding the production reins to Joe Henry and singing and playing in front of a hot backing band.
5. R.E.M. "Accelerate" (Warner Bros.). R.E.M. the way we've been saying we want them for years -- rocking, hooky and harder. We "Begin the Begin" again, but it's a little easier to understand Michael Stipe's lyrics this time.
6. Dr. John, "City That Care Forgot" (429/Savoy). The New Orleans Night Tripper is pissed off at the post-Katrina state of his hometown, and his vitriol drives these songs into a deeply felt state of funk that strikes an even more righteous groove.
7. Raphael Saadiq, "The Way I See It" (Columbia). Tony and toned, the multi-talented soul man goes old school in a modern way and gives us a taste of what Motown might sound like if it was still in Detroit today.
8. Was (Not Was), "Boo!" (Rykodisc). Eighteen years later, this collective with more talent than should be legally permitted still plays a thinking man's funk that shakes both the booty and the brain.
9. Kathleen Edwards, "Asking for Flowers" (Zoe/Rounder). The Canadian singer/songwriter's fourth album finds her in full bloom, crafting an 11-song set filled with literate and provocative lyricism, vivid characters and cinematically engaging scenarios.
10. Buena Vista Social Club, "At Carnegie Hall" (World Circuit/Nonesuch). This long-overdue release of the historic 1998 concert is as revelatory as the original album -- and all the more poignant because of how many of the performers are no longer with us.

CORTNEY HARDING
Billboard indies correspondent

1. Bon Iver, "For Emma, Forever Ago" (Jagjaguwar).
2. Santogold, "Santogold" (Downtown).
3. Fleet Foxes, "Fleet Foxes" (Sub Pop).
4. Daniel Martin Moore, "Stray Age" (Sub Pop).
5. Hold Steady, "Stay Positive" (Vagrant).
6. Vampire Weekend, "Vampire Weekend" (XL Recordings).
7. Gang Gang Dance, "St. Dymphna" (Social Registry).
8. Jamie Lidell, "Jim" (Warp).
9. TV On The Radio, "Dear Science" (Interscope).
10. Liz Phair, "Exile in Guyville -- 15th Anniversary Edition" (ATO).

JUSTIN HARRIS
Manager, Market Development for Digital

1. Coldplay, "Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends" (Capitol).
2. Vampire Weekend, "Vampire Weekend" (XL Recordings).
3. Bon Iver, "For Emma, Forever Ago" (Jagjaguwar).
4. Thrice, "Alchemy Index, Vol. 3 & 4: Air and Earth" (Vagrant).
5. TV On The Radio, "Dear Science" (Interscope).
6. Panic At The Disco, "Pretty. Odd." (Decaydance/Fueled by Ramen).
7. The Epochs, "The Epochs" (Rebel Group).
8. Fleet Foxes, "Fleet Foxes" (Sub Pop).
9. MGMT, "Oracular Spectacular" (Columbia).
10. Phantom Planet, "Raise the Dead" (Fueled by Ramen).

RON HART
Billboard.com contributor

1. Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, "Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!!" (Anti-). After 30 years of shape-shifting theatrics and guttural gothic blues, Cave unleashes the boogie out of his Bad Seeds and releases the finest album of his longtime band's legendary career.
2. Atlas Sound, "Let the Blind Lead Those Who Can See But Cannot Feel" / Deerhunter, "Microcastle" (Kranky). Not even two separate bands can contain the genius of this rising young star on the American rock scene. Blog on, brother Bradford. Blog on.
3. Nine Inch Nails, "Ghosts I-IV" / "The Slip" (The Null Corporation). One was a four-disc set of haunting instrumentals sold for only five bucks, the other was given away as a completely free download. And both add up to two of Trent Reznor's most satisfying releases since "The Fragile."
4. Pat Metheny Trio, "Day Trip" (Nonesuch). Flanked by a new trio, Metheny unleashed his finest trio album since his '75 debut, "Bright Size Life."
5. Portishead, "Third" (Mercury). Was Portishead's decade-in-the-making follow-up to their 1997 sophomore classic worth the wait? You bet your Barrow!
6. The Black Crowes, "Warpaint" (Silver Arrow). The Crowes fly high once again in 2008 with what is easily their best album since "Amorica."
7. Vampire Weekend, "Vampire Weekend" (XL Recordings). Somewhere Peter Gabriel and Lil' Jon are smiling at this sunny debut that brought the high life to the Lower East Side.
8. Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks, "Real Emotional Trash" (Matador). Just in time for the 10th anniversary of Pavement's split, Malk finally makes a solo album that can stand tall amongst the cream of his old band's crop.
9. Earth, "The Bees Made Honey in the Lion's Skull" (Southern Lord). Ry Cooder's "Paris, Texas" soundtrack for the doom metal set. Simply amazing.
10. Blitzen Trapper, "Furr" (Sub Pop) Finally, a "Big Pink" revival we can truly believe in.

KATIE HASTY
Billboard.com associate editor

1. Bon Iver, "For Emma, Forever Ago" (Jagjaguwar).
2. Vampire Weekend, "Vampire Weekend" (XL Recordings).
3. Bowerbirds, "Hymns For a Dark Horse" (Dead Oceans).
4. Lykke Li, "Youth Novels" (LL Recordings/Atlantic).
5. The Dodos, "Visiter" (French Kiss).
6. Devotchka, "A Mad & Faithful Telling" (Anti-).
7. The Acorn, "Glory Hope Mountain" (Paper Bag Records).
8. Sigur Ros, "Med Sud I Eyrum Vid Spilum Endalaust" (XL Recordings).
9. Marnie Stern, "This Is It and I Am It and You Are It and So Is That and He Is It and She Is It and It Is It and That Is That" (Kill Rock Stars).
10. Frightened Rabbit, "The Midnight Organ Fight" (FatCat).

LOUIS HAU
Billboard deputy editor

1. The Roots, "Rising Down" (Def Jam).
2. Alejandro Escovedo, "Real Animal" (Back Porch/Manhattan).
3. Randy Newman, "Harps & Angels" (Nonesuch).
4. Santogold, "Santogold" (Downtown).
5. Patty Loveless, "Sleepless Nights" (Saguaro Road).
6. Lizz Wright, "The Orchard" (Verve Forecast).
7. Tift Merritt, "Another Country" (Fantasy).
8. Al Green, "Lay It Down" (Blue Note).
9. Jeff Hanson, "Madam Owl" (Kill Rock Stars).
10. Don Dixon & the Jump Rabbits, "The Nu-Look" (Dixon Archival Remnants).

KAMAU HIGH
Billboard branding correspondent

1. Girl Talk, "Feed the Animals" (Illegal Art). To modify a Beastie Boys sample, if it's going to be that kind of party, Girl Talk is going to stick his d*ck in the mashed potatoes. And it's that kind of party.
2. Death Cab For Cutie, "Narrow Stairs" (Atlantic). Nerdy alt-rockers spend album telling audience they aren't good enough for them. Don't believe them.
3. Ferras, "Aliens & Rainbows" (Capitol). Piano rocker soars with tunes about disillusionment, tells girls to collectively put their pants on and just go home.
4. MGMT, "Oracular Spectacular" (Columbia). Space-age electronica that sounds good both in suburban supermarkets and alien ships.
5. Jem, "Down to Earth" (ATO). Welsh singer makes head-noddingly good pop tracks that sometimes demand to be danced to.
6. Sia, "Some People Have Real Problems" (Hear Music). Occasional vocalist for Zero 7 continues her reign of terror at better coffee shops everywhere.
7. Goldfrapp, "Seventh Tree" (Mute). Downtempo Brits show up at an afterhours club and proceed to play breathy electronica. People raise themselves from their stupors and pay attention.
8. Hot Chip, "Made in the Dark" (Astralwerks). Dance-y, synthy and poppy. Put on the headphones and shuffle your feet awkwardly to their fine beats.
9. Pop Levi, "Never Never Love" (Counter Records). Nutty miner of pop sensibilities takes layered harmonies and makes music perfect for that dialogue-free endless moment on "Gossip Girl" between Vanessa and Nate.
10. The Ranconteurs, "Consolers of the Lonely" (Third Man/Warner Bros.). Jack White and co. manage to make murder ballads compelling by serving the entree with slices of Led Zeppelin and a soupcon of the Beatles.

JESSICA LETKEMANN
Billboard.com editor

1. R.E.M., "Accelerate" (Warner Bros.).
2. Liam Finn, "I'll Be Lightning" (Yep Roc).
3. kd lang, "Watershed" (Nonesuch).
4. These New Puritans," Beat Pyramid" (Domino).
5. MGMT, "Oracular Spectacular" (Columbia).
6. Bell X1, "Flock" (Yep Roc).
7. The Helio Sequence, "Keep Your Eyes Ahead" (Sub Pop).
8. Death Cab For Cutie, "Narrow Stairs" (Atlantic).
9. Deerhunter, "Microcastle" (Kranky).
10. TV On The Radio, "Dear Science" (Interscope).

ROB LEVINE
Billboard executive editor

1. Bob Dylan, "Tell Tale Signs" (Columbia).
2. Beck, "Modern Guilt" (Interscope).
3. My Morning Jacket, "Evil Urges" (ATO).
4. Randy Newman, "Harps and Angels" (Nonesuch).
5. Rodney Crowell, "Sex and Gasoline" (Work Song/Yep Roc).
6. AC/DC, "Black Ice" (Columbia).
7. Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, "Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!!" (Anti-).
8. The Black Keys, "Attack and Release" (Nonesuch).
9. Coldplay, "Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends" (Capitol).
10. The Hold Steady, "Stay Positive" (Vagrant).

KERRI MASON
Billboard contributor

1. Nine Inch Nails, "The Slip" (The Null Corporation). Leaner, tauter and more explosive than all of post-"Downward Spiral" NIN.
2. Adele, "19" (Columbia). A debut that quivers with meaning in every note.
3. Estelle, "Shine" (Homeschool/Atlantic). Light-hearted soulfulness for grown-ups.
4. Portishead, "Third" (Mercury). Miles away from their two landmark '90s albums but still, somehow, Portishead.
5. Lady Gaga, "The Fame" (Streamline/Interscope/KonLive/CherryTree). A slick brew of electro, hip-hop, glam rock and power-pop.
6. Ne-Yo, "Year of the Gentleman" (Def Jam). Marvin Gaye-smooth with songs for days.
7. Labelle, "Back to Now" (Verve). Sounds more like 32 days have passed, rather than 32 years.
8. Janelle Monae, "Metropolis: The Chase Suite" (Bad Boy). An exciting new perspective on R&B.
9. Katy Perry, "One of the Boys (Capitol). Everything you could ever want in a mainstream pop-rock record.
10. Jazzanova, "Of All the Things" (Verve). A '60s throwback, expertly rendered.

JILL MENZE
Billboard contributor

1. Shearwater, "Rook" (Matador).
2. Bon Iver, "For Emma, Forever Ago" (Jagjaguwar).
3. Fleet Foxes, "Fleet Foxes" (Sub Pop).
4. The Music Tapes, "Music Tapes for Clouds and Tornadoes" (Merge).
5. Santogold, "Santogold" (Downtown).
6. Of Montreal, "Skeletal Lamping" (Polyvinyl).
7. Los Campesinos!, "Hold on Now, Youngster" (Arts & Crafts).
8. Jenny Lewis, "Acid Tongue" (Warner Bros.)
9. The Hold Steady, "Stay Positive" (Vagrant).
10. Deerhunter, "Microcastle" (Kranky).

GAIL MITCHELL
Billboard senior correspondent, R&B

1. Jazmine Sullivan, "Fearless" (J).
2. Esperanza Spalding, "Esperanza" (Heads Up).
3. Nikka Costa, "Pebble to a Pearl" (Go Funk Yourself!/Stax).
4. Lalah Hathaway, "Self Portrait" (Stax).
5. Lil Wayne, "Tha Carter III" (Cash Money/Universal).
6. Al Green, "Lay It Down" (Blue Note).
7. Labelle, "Back to Now" (Verve).
8. Estelle, "Shine" (Homeschool/Atlantic).
9. Eric Benet, "Love & Life" (Friday/Reprise/Warner Bros.).
10. tie: Jennifer Hudson, "Jennifer Hudson" (Arista) and Duffy, "Rockferry" (Mercury).

EVIE NAGY
Billboard associate editor, special features

1. Labelle, "Back to Now" (Verve). A long-awaited reunion that proves the trio's staying ladypower.
2. The Cure, "4:13 Dream" (Suretone/Geffen). A classically beautiful mess from Robert Smith.
3. Aimee Mann, "@#%&*! Smilers" (Superego). A fun and diverse songwriting success from a true indie role model.
4. Tracy Chapman, "Our Bright Future" (Elektra). Tracy's cautious optimism at its most arresting.
5. Nine Inch Nails, "The Slip" (The Null Corporation). Cannot. Stop. Thumping.
6. Erykah Badu, "New Amerykah: 4th World War" (Universal Motown). An R&B innovator speaks her mind.
7. The Pretenders, "Break Up the Concrete" (Shangri-La). Chrissie plays in the country, and it is good.
8. Pink, "Funhouse" (LaFace/Zomba). The recent divorcee dispenses shrewd pop payback.
9. Adele, "19" (Columbia). A new virtuoso makes her debut.
10. Of Montreal, "Skeletal Lamping" (Polyvinyl). Kevin Barnes channels Prince and Stardust. Points for, uh, originality.

ANDRE PAINE
Billboard global news editor

1. Elbow, "The Seldom Seen Kid" (Fiction/Universal).
2. Goldfrapp, "Seventh Tree" (Mute).
3. Bon Iver, "For Emma, Forever Ago" (Jagjaguwar).
4. Portico Quartet, "Knee-Deep in the North Sea" (Vortex).
5. Laura Marling, "Alas I Cannot Swim" (Astralwerks).
6. Santogold, "Santogold" (Downtown).
7. The Ting Tings, "We Started Nothing" (Columbia).
8. James Yorkston, "When the Haar Rolls In" (Domino).
9. The Dodos, "Visiter" (French Kiss)
10. Teddy Thompson, "A Piece of What You Need" (Verve Forecast).

DEBORAH EVANS PRICE
Billboard Christian/gospel correspondent

1. Third Day, "Revelation" (Essential).
2. Jimmy Wayne, "Do You Believe Me Now" (Valory Music Co.).
3. Tenth Avenue North, "Over and Underneath" (Reunion).
4. 3 Doors Down, "3 Doors Down" (Universal Republic).
5. DecembeRadio, "Satisfied" (Slanted Records).
6. tie: Alan Jackson, "Good Times" (Arista Nashville) and Trace Adkins, "X" Capitol Nashville).
7. Brad Paisley, "Play" (Arista Nashville).
8. tie: Randy Travis, "Around the Bend" (Warner Bros.) and Keith Anderson, "C'Mon!" (Columbia Nashville).
9. Brandon Heath, "What If We" (Reunion).
10. tie: Bart Millard, "Hymned Again" (INO Records) and the Afters, "Never Going Back to Okay" (INO Records).

WAYNE ROBINS
Billboard senior copy editor, special features

1. Malcolm Holcombe, "Gamblin' House" (Echo Mountain). Crafty and handsomely crafted songs from a wise and wizened North Carolina singer/songwriter.
2. Alejandro Escovedo, "Real Animal" (Back Porch/Manhattan). Brilliant and relentlessly rocking autobiographical survival tales.
3. Waco Brothers, "Waco Express Live & Kickin' at Schuba's Tavern" (Bloodshot). Bar band bash as progressive political rally.
4. Human Highway, "Moody Motorcycle" (Suicide Squeeze). From doo-wop to folk-pop, songs of self-discovery from a Canadian duo.
5. John Mellencamp, "Life, Death, Love and Freedom" (Hear Music). Eloquent ruminations on all of the above.
6. Randy Newman, "Harps and Angels" (Nonesuch). Mordant and occasionally hilarious songs about mortality and modern life.
7. Loved Ones, "Build and Burn" (Fat Wreck Chords). Blue-collar Philly rock band moves from punk to Springsteen, rage to hope.
8. The Ulgysuit, "The UglySuit" (Quarterstick). Psych meets prog, rendered with not quite naive wonderment by young Oklahoma band.
9. Vampire Weekend, "Vampire Weekend" (XL Recordings). Winsome suburban collegiate rock/Afro-pop buoyed by its blend of sincerity and irony.
10. Lucinda Williams, "Little Honey" (Lost Highway). No drama, just low-maintenance, high-quality rocking.

PAUL SEXTON
Billboard contibutor

1. Geraint Watkins, "In a Bad Mood" (Gold Top). The veteran Welsh keyboard sideman takes a delightful spin in the sun, excelling in everything from cajun to chanson.
2. T-99, "Vagabonds" (Nugene). A brilliant, bubbling cauldron of blues and swampy jazz, improbably exported from Holland.
3. Jackson Browne, "Time the Conqueror" (Inside Recordings). As erudite as ever, but never at the expense of a good tune.
4. Glen Campbell, "Meet Glen Campbell" (Capitol). Superb song choices and treatments; comeback of the year.
5. SugaRush Beat Company, "SugaRush Beat Company" (Sony BMG). Multi-national trio with the zip of Sly & the Family Stone plus 21st century smarts.
6. Stephanie McKay, "Tell It Like It Is" (Muthas of Invention). Funky soul from a latter-day Lyn Collins.
7. Lee Ann Womack, "Call Me Crazy" (MCA Nashville). Confirms Womack as mainstream Nashville's torch-bearer for songwriting tradition.
8. Elbow, "The Seldom Seen Kid" (Fiction/Polydor/Universal). Some 18 years after forming, their critical and commercial coming-of-age.
9. The Raconteurs, "Consolers of the Lonely" (XL Recordings). This and Last Shadow Puppets made '08 the year of the estimable side project.
10. Shelby Lynne, "Just A Little Lovin'" (Lost Highway). A Dusty Springfield tribute capturing her stirring soulfulness -- and Shelby's.

WOLFGANG SPAHR
Billboard German bureau chief

1. Udo Lindenberg, "Stark wie Zwei" (Starwatch/Warner Music). Some 37 years into his recording career, the German rock singer is back on track.
2. Metallica, "Death Magnetic" (Mercury/Universal). A tempest of pure rock.
3. The Cistercian Monks of Stift Heiligenkreuz, "Chant: Music for the Soul" (Decca/Universal). A fascinating contrast to most of this year's releases.
4. Annett Louisan, "Teilzeithippie" (105 Music/Sony BMG). A chanson singer every bit as good as the French.
5. Bushido, "Heavy Metal Payback" (Ersguter June/Sony BMG). A German rapper with a message.
6. AC/DC, "Black Ice" (Columbia). It's been a long time coming, but they've lost none of their might in the past few years off.
7. Polarkreis 18, "The Colour of Snow" (Vertigo-UDR/Universal). A band of newcomers achieving international standards on Geramny's alternative/electronica scene.
8. Sarah Connor, "Sexy As Hell" (X-Cell/Universal). Connor is another German voice ready for the global market.
9. Various Artists, "Cubano Aleman-Rhythmus Del Mundo" (Polydor-UDP/Universal). German stars like Xavier Naidoo, Ich+ Ich and Die Fantastischen Vier re-record their hits with Cuban musicians in Havana -- with magical results.
10. Amy Macdonald, "This Is The Life" (Mercury-UID/Universal). A new voice providing a breath of fresh air on the charts.

MARK SUTHERLAND
Billboard international bureau chief

1. The Ting Tings, "We Started Nothing" (Columbia). Pop wolves in indie sheep's clothing, or possibly the other way round. Either way, 2008 was way more fun for having them around.
2. Weezer, "Weezer" (DGC/Interscope). Aka "The Red Album," Rivers Cuomo's genius still sounds great in any color.
3. Glasvegas, "Glasvegas" (Columbia). Big, affecting, proper music from the year's most exciting alt-rock discovery. The new Oasis, anyone?
4. The Last Shadow Puppets, "The Age of the Understatement" (Domino). Alex Turner's Arctic Monkeys sabbatical may just be the best side project ever.
5. Those Dancing Days, "In Our Space Hero Suits" (Wichita). Five Swedish girls who sound like your favorite indie pop group playing 1960s girl groups' greatest hits. What's not to be totally smitten by?
6. Duffy, "Rockferry" (A&M/Polydor). The British voice of 2008.
7. Oasis, "Dig Out Your Soul" (Big Brother). Sounding angry for the first time since, ooh, they were turned away from the Groucho Club in 1996, probably, and all the better for it. The old Glasvegas, anyone?
8. Elbow, "The Seldom Seen Kid" (Fiction/Polydor). That rarest of beasts: a Mercury Prize-winning album that actually deserved it.
9. R.E.M., "Accelerate" (Warner Bros). The sound of a giant awakening from a 16-year slumber and knocking out a doozy of a garage rock album in about half an hour. Sometimes, fairy tales do come true.
10. Katy Perry, "One of the Boys" (Virgin). She made a record and I liked it. It felt so wrong, it felt so right. 2008 in a nutshell.

CHUCK TAYLOR
Billboard senior correspondent, pop; single reviews editor

1. Lucy Woodward, "Lucy Woodward Is Hot & Bothered" (Barnes & Noble). Penultimate disc of 2008. One-stop shopping for pop, soul & jazz; mirth, elegance & sensuality; across-the-board melodic idealism.
2. Jon McLaughlin, "Beating My Heart" (Island). All the joy that music conjures is captured in this uptempo pop pearl. Single of the year. He's right handsome, too.
3. Leona Lewis, "Spirit" (Syco/Sony). A global debut that stands alongside Whitney, Mariah, Celine. Vocal perfection, pistol-packing songs, ace production.
4. Delta Goodrem, Five-star live performance of 2008 at New York's Canal Room April 15, accompanying CD "Delta" (Decca/Mercury), as the millennial Olivia Newton-John finally reaches the States.
5. Sarah McLachlan, "Ordinary Miracle" (Nettwerk/Arista). Kids, don't mess with the master. Fragile, angelic, handsome, smart.
6. Adele, "Chasing Pavements" (Columbia). Among so many trendy old-soul vocalists, a talent for all time. Jaw-dropping intensity.
7. Celine Dion, "This Time" (Columbia). The world's greatest singer's most poignant moment from "Taking Chances." A shame that Sony was asleep at the wheel.
7. Danity Kane, "Damaged" (Bad Boy/Atlantic). With apologies to the almighty Rihanna's "Don't Stop the Music," the jam of the year.
8. Sarah Brightman featuring Paul Stanley, "I Will Be with You" (Manhattan). Volcanic bravado to absurd excess. Ain't it grand?
9. Matt Zarley, "Here I Am" EP (mattzarley.com). Artist's magic songwriting pen guides five superlative anthems. Wanna weep? "Had I Known" delivers.
10. iPod essentials: Val Emmich, "Get on With It" (No Code); Ryan Cabrera, "Say" (Papa Joe); I-Nine, "If This Room Could Move" (Ten Star/J); Ace Young, "Addicted" (acemusic.com); Idina Menzel, "Brave" (Reprise); Daughtry, "Feels Like Tonight" (19/RCA).

ROBERT THOMPSON
Billboard Canadian correspondent

1. The Hold Steady, "Stay Positive" (Vagrant). Tales of murder and tawdry sex, backed by great riffs. What more could one want?
2. Hawksley Workman, "Los Manlicious" (Universal Music Canada). Proving the prolific Workman could do more than sing pretty acoustic songs-he can also play some balls-out rock.
3. Steve Wynn, "Crossing Dragon Bridge" (Rock Bridge Music). Former Dream Syndicate frontman comes across as a modern-day Leonard Cohen. Remarkably pretty in places.
4. Okkervil River, "The Stand Ins" (Jagjauwar). Okkervil frontman Will Sheff continues to define his music, telling stories set to wonderful, timeless melodies.
5. Hey Rosetta!, "Into Your Lungs" (Sonic). Brilliant, lush music that should make this Newfoundland act better known within a few months.
6. Sloan, "Parallel Play" (Murderecords/Yep Roc). More focused than the rambling "Never Hear the End of It." More than 15 years since forming, Sloan remains Canada's best export since Labatt Blue.
7. Sun Kil Moon, "April" (Caldo Verde).
8. The Wedding Present, "Rey" (Manifesto). More than two decades into its career, the Wedding Present continues to deliver heartfelt songs of break-ups and despair.
9. R.E.M., "Accelerate" (Warner Bros.). Proved R.E.M. could stop being so precious and simply focus on writing solid songs again.
10. The Cure, "4:13 Dream" (Suretone/Geffen)

CHRISTA TITUS
Billboard copy editor

1. Alanis Morissette, "Flavors of Entanglement" (Maverick). Her clear-eyed reflection on a breakup's aftermath is completely Grammy-worthy.
2. Sixx:A.M., "The Heroin Diaries Soundtrack (Deluxe Edition) (Eleven Seven Music). Courageous memoir of addiction proves life is indeed beautiful.
3. Dir En Grey, "Urobros" (The End). Ever-changing Japanese band takes another shot at U.S. stardom with darkly mesmerizing album.
4. Joe Satriani, "Professor Satchafunkilus and the Musterion of Rock" (Epic). Guitar maestro immerses himself in deep grooves aplenty, narrating emotional instead of sonic depths.
5. 10 Years, "Division" (Universal Republic). Excellent, accessible rock with lyrics that probe at big-picture issues with an insistent finger.
6. Tantric, "The End Begins" (Silent Majority Group). A well-realized blend of post-grunge rock, crafty melodies and pop finesse, sans overt commercial pandering.
7. Sonic Syndicate, "Love and Other Disasters" (Nuclear Blast). Swedes mash up pop-enhanced productions with roughshod rhythms and their own bleeding hearts.
8. Bullet for My Valentine, "Scream Aim Fire" (20/20 Entertainment/Jive). Determined treatise is a joy ride of sleek, "Guitar Hero"-ready metal.
9. RPWL, "The RPWL Experience" (Tempus Fugit/Inside Out). Highly accessible psychedelia that invokes the vastness of the universe and man's interconnectedness.
10. Opeth, "Watershed" (Roadrunner). Reaffirms the quintet's style of transposing driving black metal with interludes tender enough for children's ears.


GARY TRUST
Billboard chart manager, adult contemporary, adult top 40

1. Karmina, "Backwards Into Beauty" (CBS). Led by hit "The Kiss," sister duo packs its seasoned-sounding debut with hooks and harmonies. Pure pop perfection.
2. Martha's Trouble, "EP" (Aisling). Pop/folk act is a favorite of WMVY on Marthaís Vineyard -- and not just for its name.
3. Alanis Morissette, "Flavors of Entanglement" (Maverick.). Artist's fifth consecutive top 10 studio set contains current single, the touching "Not as We."
4. Aimee Mann, "@#%&*! Smilers" (SuperEgo). Extra points for her July show at Boston;s Berklee College of Music, featuring a rare trip back to her '80s 'Til Tuesday chestnut, "Coming Up Close."
5. Mariah Carey, "E=MC2" (Island Def Jam). Related honorable mentions: David Cook's cover of "Always Be My Baby" and the Carey-led all-star charity single, "Just Stand Up!"
6. Plumb, "In My Arms" (Curb). Uptempo mix topped Hot Dance Airplay, then crossed to adult radio as a tender lullaby. Well-deserved success for the insightful singer/songwriter.
7. Stevie B., "Running for Miles." King of freestyle again showed his range on this love song, reminiscent of his '90s No. 1 "Because I Love You."
8. Peter Mayer, "Still in One Peace" (Little Flock). Parrotheads should seek out this rootsy collection from the Coral Reefer band member.
9. I-Nine, "Heavy Weighs the King" (Ten Star/K). Quartet topped this list last year with single "Seven Days of Lonely." In 2008, it released its first album, a melodic masterpiece.
10. Mary Chapin Carpenter, "Come Darkness, Come Light: Twelve Songs of Christmas" (Zoe/Rounder). Happy holidays!

KEN TUCKER
Billboard Nashville correspondent

1. Willie Nelson, "Moment of Forever" (Lost Highway). Willie has created so many classic albums that it's almost preposterous to suggest that this is one of his best ever -- but it is.
2. Lady Antebellum "Lady Antebellum" (Capitol Nashville). Not only is this one of the best new-artist debuts in recent memory, it's one of the year's best albums.
3. Sheryl Crow, "Detours" (A&M). Old-school-sounding Crow with a heightened consciousness of the world around her.
4. Heidi Newfield, "What Am I Waiting For" (Curb). The studio marriage of former Trick Pony lead singer Newfield and producer Tony Brown is a match made in heaven.
5. Sugarland, "Love on the Inside" (Mercury Nashville). Proof positive that Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush are on the cusp of superstardom.
6. Taylor Swift, "Fearless" (Big Machine). They're written by a teenager, but Swift's songs have broad appeal, and therein lies the genius and accessibility.
7. Lee Ann Womack, "Call Me Crazy" (Mercury Nashville). All hail the queen of country.
8. Dan Tyminski, "Wheels" (Rounder). Marked by fine picking, strong vocals and well-chosen songs, a stunning second effort.
9. Ashton Shepherd, "Sounds So Good" (MCA Nashville). There are debut albums, and then there are debut albums that serve notice that the landscape has changed.
10. Jamey Johnson, "That Lonesome Song" (Mercury Nashville). More Waylon and Willie than Rascal Flatts and Carrie Underwood -- a testament to raw and real.

PHILIP VAN VLECK
Billboard contributor

1. Niyaz, "Nine Heavens" (Six Degrees).
2. Buena Vista Social Club, "At Carnegie Hall" (World Circuit/Nonesuch).
3. Orchestra Baobab, "Made in Dakar" (World Circuit/Nonesuch).
4. Eliane Elias, "Something for You: Eliane Elias Plays and Sings Bill Evans" (Blue Note)
5. Bombay Dub Orchestra, "3 Cities" (Six Degrees).
6. Toumani Diabate, "The Mande Variations" (World Circuit/Nonesuch).
7. Sol Y Canto, "Cada dia un regalo" (MusicAmador).
8. Nicholas Payton, "Into the Blue" (Nonesuch).
9. Babylon Circus, "Dances of Resistance" (Mr. Bongo Records).
10. Karrin Allyson, "Imagina: Songs of Brasil" (Concord).

SUSAN VISAKOWITZ
Billboard contributor

1. Liz Phair, "Exile in Guyville -- 15th Anniversary Edition" (ATO). Fifteen years on, Phair's stunning debut is as immediate and essential as ever.
2. The Black Keys, "Attack & Release" (Nonesuch). Danger Mouse coaxes a sparkling but twisted beauty from shaggy Ohio blues.
3. Fleet Foxes, "Fleet Foxes" (Sub Pop). Glorious multi-part harmonies warm the soul like summer sunshine.
4. No Age, "Nouns" (Sub Pop). L.A. hasn't seen punk this primal, principled and persuasive in nearly 30 years.
5. The Breeders, "Mountain Battles" (4AD). The Deal sisters do what they do best: keep it real.
6. The Walkmen, "You & Me" (Gigantic). Reflecting its content perfectly, this is a passionately messy affair.
7. Ra Ra Riot, "The Rhumba Line" (Barsuk). As one of its song titles declares, "Dying is Fine" -- and so is this moving debut.
8. TV On The Radio, "Dear Science" (Interscope). Not as gutsy as its predecessor, but still packs a punch.
9. Man Man, "Rabbit Habits" (Anti). Wild-eyed, drunk and a little worn: the enticing stranger you can't help but take home.
10. Portishead, "Third" (Mercury). Trip-hop is dead. Long live trip-hop.

Honorable mention: Deerhunter, "Microcastle" (Kranky); Santogold, "Santogold" (Downtown); Frightened Rabbit, "Midnight Organ Fight" (Fat Cat); Ani DiFranco, "Red Letter Year" (Righteous Babe); Lil Wayne, "Tha Carter III" (Cash Money/Universal); Okkervil River, "The Stand Ins" (Jagjaguwar); Mogwai, "The Hawk Is Howling" (Matador).

RAY WADDELL
Billboard executive director of content and programming for touring and live entertainment

1. My Morning Jacket, "Evil Urges," (ATO). Ambitious, diverse, contemplative, fun.
2. Ashton Shepherd, "Sounds So Good," (MCA Nashville). This is country music, today.
3. Willie Nelson, "Moment of Forever," (Lost Highway). A relaxed and confident Willie (is there any other kind of Willie?) proves he still has some tricks up his sleeve.
4. Brad Paisley, "Play," (Arista Nashville). A true Nashville cat with a cooler-than-cool mostly instrumental album.
5. AC/DC, "Black Ice," (Columbia). A testament to the enduring strength of power chords played with vigor.
6. Johnny Cash, "At Folsom Prison," (Columbia). Forty years have not weakened the power of this definitive Cash representation. An illuminating treatment via boxed set.
7. Coldplay, "Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends," (Capitol). Moments of transcendent, melodic beauty and subtle power.
8. Drive-By Truckers, "Brighter Than Creation's Dark," (New West). The playing is stripped down but the songwriting has never been louder.
9. Kings Of Leon, "Only by the Night," (RCA). Repeated listening reveals a new level of maturity and discipline.
10. Patty Loveless, "Sleepless Nights," (Saguaro Road). Loveless lends her timeless vocals to these country classics.

JEN WILSON
Billboard contributor

1. Santogold, "Santogold" (Downtown). Best new artist release of the year; an electro/hip-hop/garage rock/indie mash-up.
2. Duffy, "Rockferry" (A&M/Universal). If this is the closest I'll come to living in the '60s soul era, I'll take it.
3. Adele, "19" (XL Recordings). Not everyone needs skimpy clothing and platinum blonde hair to succeed. With Adele, it's all about that voice.
4. The Presets, "Apocalypso" (Modular). There's a reason this electro-inspired duo collected three ARIA Awards recently. Ones to watch.
5. Vampire Weekend, "Vampire Weekend" (XL Recordings). "One (Blake's Got a New Face)" and "A-Punk" stand out on this impressive new wave debut.
6. Cajun Dance Party, "The Colourful Life" (XL Recordings). Well-structured and fun, especially closer "The Hill, the View and the Lights."
7. The Last Shadow Puppets, "The Age of the Understatement" (Domino). Proof positive that anything Arctic Monkeys frontman Alex Turner touches turns to gold.
8. Katy Perry, "One of the Boys" (Capitol). Everyone needs a bit of well-produced, slightly edgy but still relatively tame pop.
9. MGMT, "Oracular Spectacular" (Columbia). Slightly twisted pop. These kids wear their influences on their sleeves.
10. Kings Of Leon, "Only by the Night" (RCA). A nod towards the stadiums this band was destined to play.

MIKAEL WOOD
Billboard contributor

1. Coldplay, "Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends" (Capitol).
2. Girls Aloud, "Out of Control" (Fascination).
3. TV On The Radio, "Dear Science" (Interscope).
4. Lil Wayne, "Tha Carter III" (Cash Money/Universal).
5. Scars On Broadway, "Scars On Broadway" (Interscope).
6. Randy Newman, "Harps and Angels" (Nonesuch).
7. Ne-Yo, "Year of the Gentleman" (Def Jam).
8. She & Him, "Volume One" (Merge).
9. Juliana Hatfield, "How to Walk Away" (Ye Olde).
10. Al Green, "Lay It Down" (Blue Note).

LAVINIA JONES WRIGHT
Billboard contibutor

1. Dr. Dog "Fate" (Park the Van). The best Philadelphia export since the "Wiz Wit" cheesesteak, Dr. Dog found mainstream notice this year with this beautiful folk opus.
2. Fleet Foxes "Fleet Foxes" (Sub Pop). This shockingly gorgeous debut by the Seattle natives unlocked a subconscious desire in us for more vocal harmonies.
3. Portastatic "Some Small History" (Merge). A heap of rare and unreleased tape hiss, feedback, vinyl crackle, and nasally crooning from the man who revolutionized lo-fi.
4. Nada Surf "Lucky" (Barsuk). A set of picturesque, layery sonic tomes from Brooklyn's Indie Laureates.
5. The Kills "Midnight Boom" (Domino). An album so stripped down and angular that it's impossible to listen and emerge unscathed.
6. The Moutain Goats "Heretic Pride" (4AD). John Darnielle's homage to homicide and darkness contains some of his prettiest tunes yet.
7. The War on Drugs "Wagonwheel Blues" (Secretly Canadian). These gossamer, noise-coated folk-inspired songs are awash in an addictive mystery.
8. Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds "Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!!" (Anti-). Fourteen studio albums later Nick Cave is still unmatched in edge and energy.
9. The Black Keys "Attack & Release" (Nonesuch). Two guys make the noise of five and mesmerize with their genuine blues chops.
10. The Whigs "Mission Control" (ATO). Straight-up, down home southern rock that proves that something simple can be so good.