End notes

Matthew Lurie, Music writer

1. John Hollenbeck Large EnsembleA Blessing (Omnitone). Steve Reich and the Art Ensemble of Chicago have a heart-to-heart with Gil Evans in this bold reimagining of the big-band format.2. Kirk FranklinHero (Gospocentric). The nu-gospel star's seventh and best album is wide-eyed and deliriously funky R&B, with religion always serving the music and not the other way around.3. Jason MoranSame Mother (Blue Note). Guitarist Marvin Sewell injects a new roots sensibility into the ambitious Texas pianist's thrilling post-modern vision.4. SwitchfootNothing Is Sound (Columbia). This quartet of California Christians has emerged with a disc of detailed and lushly produced power pop.5. QuasimotoThe Further Adventures of Lord Quas (Stones Throw). Madlib's alter ego continues his crate-digging, psychedelic journey into the far reaches of his own consciousness.6. Kanye WestLate Registration (Roc-A-Fella). Not only does West avoid a sophomore slump, but he ends up taking as many chances musically as he does lyrically.7. Ying Yang TwinsUnited State of Atlanta (TVT). Ironic, salacious and pop-friendly, Southern hip-hop makes its most provocative statement yet.8. Ben MonderOceana (Sunnyside). This young New York guitarist fuses Bill Frisell, 20th-century classical and prog-rock with a level of compositional and technical command rarely heard.9. The PerceptionistsBlack Dialogue (Definitive Jux). Conscious hip-hop gets realistic about politics and its overwhelming white audience, while a cerebral Mr. Lif meets the yin to his yang in the backpacking set's equivalent of Bone Crusher, Akrobatik. 10. DeerhoofThe Runners Four (Kill Rock Stars). Sixties psychedelia and Genesis become more explicit in the sound of the most reliably inventive band in rock.

James Porter, Music writer

1. Bo DudleyOscar Boogie (Dud Sound). This eccentric Chicago bluesman (not to be confused with Bo Diddley) comes back to stay with an unslick sound.2. Carlos GuitarlosHell Can Wait (Nomad). This L.A. musician wears his heart on his sleeve like a cuff link, thoughtfully taking 1950s R&B around the bend.3. Hayden ThompsonRockabilly Rhythm (St. George). This local country singer hadn't recorded any rockabilly in 50 years or so, but he didn't miss a step with this album.4. Hacienda BrothersHacienda Brothers (Koch). Chris Gaffney and the Paladins' Dave Gonzalez erase the line between country and Southern soul.5. Low RentWhat Can't Be Said (Dubble-O). This roots-rock CD plays like the best album the Bottle Rockets never made.6. Louisiana RedNo Turn on Red (HMG). No fooling, this is some scary shit—but the best blues sometimes is.7. Sharon Jones & The Dap-KingsNaturally (Daptone). They said it couldn't be done, but Jones and company managed to make a true soul/funk album without getting all nostalgic about it.8. Tijuana HerculesTijuana Hercules (Black Piper). These raunchy Chicago psychobillies finally made a full-length album. The disc features Zak Piper, the Buddy Rich of Folgers coffee cans.9. The Fantastic L-Roy & His Bulletproof BandLeave Our Love Alone (self-released). You can't hate on a soul-blues man who interrupts the title track—a moving ballad—to bust out with a Louis Armstrong imitation.10. GreaseballsTombstone Wax (Pug). For a while, we were tired of neo-surf bands, too—but we changed our minds when we heard it done right.

Antonia Simigis, Music editor

1. FeistLet It Die (Cherrytree/Interscope). With her sparse, gentle arrangements, a Billie Holiday–esque voice and a gift for looping guitars, Leslie Feist has made something sublimely sweet.2. Various artistsRun the Road (Vice). Grime's the most exciting new genre of the year, and these British MCs, who layer lightning-fast rhymes over jungle beats, gave us our first taste.3. AnnieAnniemal (Big Beat/Atlantic). With a gift for neon-pink bubblegum poptronica, Norway's cutest new diva is the Kylie for the hipster set. 4. StiffedBurned Again (Outlook). Bad Brains bassist Darryl Jenifer is behind the boards for these Philly-via-Willamsburg punks, and singer Santi White does a better cop of Dale Bozzio than Gwen Stefani has ever accomplished.5. Various artistsCult Cargo: Belize City Boil-Up (Numero Group). These unearthed gems, which showcase the influences of American and Caribbean sounds on the country, capture the heat of early Belizean pop music.6. Sons and DaughtersThe Repulsion Box (Domino). Drawing from the seamy side of rootsy Americana, these Glaswegians spin dark tales with a Nick Cave feel to them.7. WilcoKicking Television: Live in Chicago (Nonesuch). Don't let his laconic image fool you: Whether he's wrapping himself a swirl of guitar noise or tinkering on piano, Jeff Tweedy is a force of rock nature onstage.8. Seu JorgeCru (Wrasse). Whether he's strumming bossa nova on his guitar or growling spoken word, this Brazilian star is far deeper than his Ziggy Stardust stint in The Life Aquatic.9. M.I.A. Arular (XL/Beggars). Get past Maya Arulpragasam's clichéd publicity peg (wow, a hot London/Sri Lankan rapper!) and her transglobal beats will entrance you.10. BrakesGive Blood (Rough Trade). Eamon Hamilton of British Sea Power loosens up for some blokes-in-the-pub punk with the occasional country twang.