User Pick: Kanye West, Graduation We'd really love to hate him, but when Kanye consistently drops great albums, it's hard to argue that his arrogance in unjustified. Read Blender's review!

1. Jay-Z, American Gangster
We've already admitted how much we enjoyed the movie that inspired this album, and the fact that Jigga is involved makes this pick a no-brainer. Get more Jay-Z at Blender!

2. Radiohead, In Rainbows
What's better than getting a great album that you can jam to all year? Getting said album directly from the band at whatever price you choose to pay. Take that, music industry! Read Blender's review!

3. The White Stripes, Icky Thump
Somehow, the novelty of a band that's really half a band hasn't worn off, thanks mostly to Jack's snarling blues-rock. But this doesn't rely simply on Mr. White's ax skills—two of the tracks featured bagpipes. That's ballsy genius, folks. Read Blender's review!

4. Amy Winehouse, Back to Black
Wine-O self-destructed repeatedly in the latter half of this year, but before all that, we enjoyed her throwback sound. The album still holds up pretty well—though now we just want to throw her back. Read Blender's review!

5. Feist, The Reminder
Despite her single being pushed down our throat in that fucking iPod commercial, we really enjoyed Feist's light and breezy approach to folk music (banjos rock!). Not to mention the refresher course it gave us on how to count. Read Blender's review!

6. Arcade Fire, Neon Bible
Though we have some qualms with the band's name (we don't even joke about that crap), this record—which no one thought could top their previous release—went to great lengths to prove that music might be our only savior in the world we live in. Fancy lyrics and muffled vocals have never said so much. Read Blender's review!

7. MIA, Kala
This straight-outta–Sri Lanka songstress—via, um, London—updated the image of the female MC with her funky '05 breakout album, Arular. The British beat-slinger/rhyme-spitter came back on the scene in '07, and won over even more fans with dancier beats and massive pop-friendly hooks. Read Blender's review!

8. Spoon, Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
Based on the bat-crap title of the record, we thought these guys had lost their marbles, but it turns out their marbles were just fine and capable of pumping out some of their best music yet. Now maybe when we go "ga ga" over a girl they'll think we're just being trendy. Get more Spoon at Blender!

9. Interpol, Our Love to Admire
If you're looking for fun and crazy music, you're in the wrong spot. But the Interpol boys are always worth a listen. Though you might feel like crying and hugging your mom afterward. Read Blender's review!

10. Wilco, Sky Blue Sky
In this effort, the band strays from its moody sadness in favor of a gentler sound of hesitant resolve. Yes, that all sounds very girly, but it's good for chillin'. Read Blender's review!