10 Best Albums of 2008

Dear Science tops Rolling Stone's year-end best list with an album “that sounded the most like America in 2008." The top 10:

1. TV on the Radio, Dear Science: "Infernal visions of war and economic desperation," but "amid the fear and loathing" is "defiance."
2. Bob Dylan, Tell Tale Signs—The Bootleg Series Vol. 8: "One of Dylan's most consistently gripping albums."

3. Lil Wayne, Tha Carter III: "Most eagerly anticipated hip-hop album of the decade is also the best."
4. My Morning Jacket, Evil Urges: "Pledges loyalty to only one genre: itself."
5. John Mellencamp, Life, Death, Love and Freedom: "The darkest, most compelling Mellencamp album in years."
6. Santogold, Santogold: "The most ear-opening debut of 2008."
7. Coldplay, Viva la Vida or Death: "Expansive yet intimate enough to incite lighter-waving from London to Tokyo."
8. Beck, Modern Guilt: "Plenty of electricity and playful funk."
9. Metallica, Death Magnetic: "An unflinching examination of the big finish."
10. Vampire Weekend, Vampire Weekend: "Casual as a cardigan, willfully optimistic, ultratuneful and surprisingly danceable."

(More TV on the Radio stories.)