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January 2009

Album of the Year: TV on the Radio

It was the best of times and the worst of times for these anxious, angry, skeptical, visionary young men. Here's how the apocalyptic Dear Science helped turn TV on the Radio into one of the world's greatest bands.

The 40 Best Albums of 2008

By Spin Staff

From grizzled vets to surprising upstarts, our annual ranking of all the must-hear music.

The 20 Best Songs of 2008

By Charles Aaron

Whether embracing docile chamber pop or sampling gunshots, these songs racked up this year's highest play counts.

Rock Star of the Year: Lil Wayne

By David Peisner

Bucking fears that he was too prolific for his own good, Lil Wayne created one of 2008's true blockbusters. And now, after conquering the MC game, he's going off in a new, even weirder direction.

Jukebox Jury: Travis McCoy, Paul F. Tompkins Rate 2008's Hits

By David Marchese

The Gym Class Heroes frontman and Best Week Ever host listen to the year's biggest songs -- and reach their verdicts with utter conviction.

Voice of the Year: Fleet Foxes' Robin Pecknold

By Amanda Petrusich

With robo-vocals ruling the charts, the rise of Pecknold and his otherworldly pipes is nothing less than a small, hairy miracle.

Album Reviews

Rihanna

Rated R

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Tough love fails this tender Barbadian balladeer.
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The Bravery - Stir the Blood

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Synth-rock hams go from Hot Fuss to hot mess.
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Adam Lambert - For Your Entertainment

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A debut even Simon Cowell could love.
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50 Cent - Before I Self Destruct

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It's not the G-Unit leader's birthday anymore.
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Norah Jones - The Fall

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Don't know why she didn't do this before.
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Them Crooked Vultures - Them Crooked Vultures

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Three's company for Grohl, Homme, and Jones.
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Kid Sister - Ultraviolet

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House-music shout-outs overshadow rhyme skills.
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Wale - Attention: Deficit

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Post mix-tape acclaim, D.C. MC finally makes his case.
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Omar Rodriguez-Lopez - Xenophanes

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Mars Volta mad scientist edits his experiments.
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Dashboard Confessional - Alter the Ending

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King of emo-folk pain embraces two-state solution.
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Julian Casablancas - Phrazes for the Young

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New York's grooviest rocker spiffs up his sound.
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Weezer - Raditude

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Rock's most maddeningly hummable practical joke continues.
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Shakira - She Wolf

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Latin pop mami down for whatever, wherever.
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Robbie Williams - Reality Killed the Video Star

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The ego again requests clearance to land.
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