The 50 Best Albums of 2008

19

Erykah Badu NEW AMERYKAH: PART 1 (4TH WORLD WAR) Universal Motown

Amerykah is a hip-hop update of Funkadelic's brain-melting sonic stews. Odd sound effects, wobbly bass lines, woozy tones that bubble up through the mix, shape-shifting beats — a foreboding backdrop for Badu's parables on racism, poverty and apocalypse.

20

Kings of Leon ONLY BY THE NIGHT RCA

The Followills finally reach the "young manhood" promised in the title of their 2003 debut. And their newfound confidence comes through with layered guitar interplay and production drama — it's a brighter, fuller Southern rock. They've broken the grip of their influences without losing their roots.

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