The 50 Best Albums of 2008

23

Conor Oberst CONOR OBERST Merge

The Bright Eyes frontman headed down to Mexico to record this freewheeling ramble-tamble, and he came back with melodies so indelible, they sound like they were born in the dust left behind by country legends. Tracks like "I Don't Want to Die (In the Hospital)" feel like lost Hank Williams demos.

24

Girl Talk FEED THE ANIMALS Illegal Art

Gregg Gillis' wide-roving, fair-use-law-exploiting creations combine Jay-Z, Huey Lewis and Twisted Sister into megajams that electrify dance floors. But his juxtapositions also work as commentary: Gillis can find the pathos in gangsta rap and the funk in Mike and the Mechanics.

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