Albums from a million-in-a-week selling rapper, a pair of U.K. soul singers and three New York rock bands are just some of the projects the Billboard staff singled out as the 10 best of 2008. Our critics were all invited to submit a list of their 2008 favorites. Rankings were then determined by assigning points on an inverse system -- where 10 points were given to a title listed at No. 1, and one point given to a No. 10 entry. In tallying the top 10 lists, only albums were counted for this overall critics' choice poll (singles and live shows appear in some lists, but weren't used to tabulate the final results).
See Each Critic's List



10. TIE:
Lil Wayne - "Tha Carter III" (Cash Money/Universal)
MGMT - "Oracular Spectacular" (Columbia)
Critics' Tally: 29 Points

Lil Wayne's "Tha Carter III," which sold more than 1 million copies in its debut week, and Brooklyn rock band MGMT's aptly titled "Oracular Spectacular" both drew raves from the Billboard staff. Correspondent Diane Coetzer calls Lil Wayne's set "irresistible melodic hip-hop from the genre's most intriguing act," while writer Alexandra Cahill says MGMT's opus is filled with "progressive, highly addictive tunes."

"THA CARTER III" BILLBOARD REVIEW:
He's the self-proclaimed "best rapper alive," has made more than 40 guest appearances since 1999 and has been the most hyped hip-hop artist in recent memory. But with help from A-list guest stars (T-Pain, Robin Thicke) and producers (Kanye West, Swizz Beatz), Lil Wayne backs up the boasts on the oft-delayed "Tha Carter III." FULL REVIEW

"ORACULAR SPECTACULAR" BILLBOARD REVIEW:
Joining fellow hotly tipped Brooklyn bands Vampire Weekend and Yeasayer, MGMT (pronounced "management") merits just as much attention for its psychedelic experimentation as it does for its melodies and hooks. FULL REVIEW