1. Neko Case – Fox Confessor Brings the Flood 
Neko Case has made an incredibly stunning, deeply moving album inspired by tales from her Ukrainian ancestors. The voice (you know the one) is still there, but gone is the sometimes annoying twang that used to be in its place. Case proves that she no longer needs her boyfriends to back her up; she is a singe woman at her best. In the title song she asks, “How can people not know what beauty this is?†After this album, listeners will know.
2. John Mayer – Continuum 
This accurately titled album really is the continuum of Mayer’s musical progression. With the studio follow-up to his live album with the John Mayer Trio, he returns with maturity and forceful passion. Mayer’s standouts like ‘Waiting for the Word to Change’ and ‘Stop this Train’ are lyrical and melodic gems that speak to a generation stuck in the middle.
3. My Chemical Romance – The Black Parade 
Despite the dramatics, strangeness and near psychosis of this album, there is, at the core, a solid concept album. The track ‘Mama’ is like a kind of ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ gone mad with rocking 70’s style bombast. The album is a punk musical that deals repeatedly with the themes of life, and death, and will have apocalyptic teens everywhere cheering. (read our review)
4. Justin Timberlake – FutureSex/ LoveSounds 
Timberlake’s follow-up to his debut album shows a creativity and innovativeness not often seen in popular music. The debut single ‘Sexyback’ really did bring sexy back this summer, ironic for someone who nearly destroyed pop with cliché and manufactured tripe. With a fresh, funky sound, the Timbaland produced track was a much needed boost to the played out pop charts.
5. Ben Harper – Both Sides of the Gun 
Harper’s choice to divide this album into two discs reflects his musicality precisely. He is both a lover and a fighter, and the division of soft ballads and rock balances these themes nicely. With lyrics varying from political to introspective, he proves once again his versatility.
And the Worst … Fergie – The Duchess 
First Fergie ruined the Black Eyed Peas, and now she is ruining the music industry. If mediocrity with a side of sex is enough to get a solo contract, she has the market cornered. She insists on ruining any original or innovative bone in the original BEP members’ bodies, and is now relegated to a cheap Gwen Stefani clone on her debut solo album. With gimmicky lyrics and crap rapping, this is officially the music industry going to hell in a hand basket.
