The 50 Best Albums of 2008

33

Ne-Yo YEAR OF THE GENTLEMAN Def Jam

Chivalry's not dead, ladies. In a natty Rat Pack fedora and crooning oaths of fidelity, Ne-Yo launched a one-man crusade against the thugification of R&B, bringing harmonically rich songcraft back to hip-hop soul, pouring classically shapely melodies over buttermilk-smooth beats. Well done, gent.

34

Stephen Malkmus REAL EMOTIONAL TRASH Matador

Pavement's wonky guitar hero finally unleashes some balls-out jams. His secret weapon is a great drummer: While Malkmus surrenders to his own private prog-rock Nirvana, former Sleater-Kinney member Janet Weiss keeps the band charging forward.

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