The literate leader of the Decemberists loves a lyricist who manages to balance sadness and humor. Click here for Colin Meloy’s pick for Best Lyricist from Rolling Stone’s Best of Rock 2008.

• Best of Rock 2008 Artist Picks: Colin Meloy

• Best of Rock 2008 Artist Picks

• Rolling Stone’s Best of Rock 2008

Though there have been some excellent reunions as of late, who else could top the relaunch of Led Zeppelin? Click here for more on Rolling Stone’s pick for Best Reunion from Best of Rock 2008, including photo galleries and past stories on the band.

• Best Reunion: Led Zeppelin

• Best of Rock 2008

The reformed anarchists of Florida’s Against Me! combine arena-sized pop punk hooks with ripped-from-the-headlines lyrics railing against oppression and the government. Click here for more on Against Me! from Rolling Stone’s Best of Rock 2008, including a stream of their excellent 2007 album New Wave.

• Best Punks: Against Me!

• Rolling Stone’s Best of Rock 2008

[Photo: Max Vadukul]

Filmmaker and theatrical metal maven Rob Zombie knows a thing or two about cinema soundtracks (dig his use of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Freebird” at the end of The Devil’s Rejects). But what soundtrack is his personal favorite? Click here for Rob Zombie’s pick for Best Movie Soundtrack from Rolling Stone’s Best of Rock 2008.

• Rob Zombie Picks Best Movie Soundtrack

• Rolling Stone’s Best of Rock 2008

Responsible for Justice’s amazing animated t-shirt clip for “D.A.N.C.E.” and Kanye West’s slick “Stronger” video, Jonas/Francois have made a powerful case for their spot as Rolling Stone’s pick for Best Video Directors. Click here for more on Jonas/Francois from Rolling Stone’s Best of Rock 2008, including a gallery of their essential work.

• Best Video Directors: Jonas/Francois

• Rolling Stone’s Best of Rock 2008

Whether it has been as Bright Eyes, in any number of side projects or under his own name, Conor Oberst is Rolling Stone’s pick for Best Songwriter. Click here for more on Oberst, including a playlist of key tracks showcasing his distinct and versatile talent.

• Best Songwriter: Conor Oberst

• Rolling Stone’s Best of Rock 2008

[Photo: Bill Sitzmann]

As the former axe man for Guns N’ Roses and now for Velvet Revolver, Slash knows a thing or two about playing the old six string. But who does he think is the best guitar player working right now? Click here for Slash’s pick for Best Guitarist as part of Rolling Stone’s Best of Rock 2008.

• Best of Rock 2008: Slash Picks Best Guitarist

• Best of Rock 2008: Artist Picks

• Rolling Stone’s Best of Rock 2008

The Mars Volta specialize in explosive soundscapes and wild, anarchic live shows full of doses of heavy metal, jazz, atonal noise and Latin influences. Click here for more on Best Prog-Rock Band the Mars Volta from Rolling Stone’s Best of Rock 2008, including a playlist of key tracks.

• Best Prog-Rock Band: The Mars Volta

• Rolling Stone’s Best of Rock 2008

[Photo: Ross Halfin]

The men from Linkin Park have played all types of festivals all over the world, but singer Chester Bennington’s favorite is a huge fest in Japan. Click here for Bennington’s pick for Best Festival from Rolling Stone’s Best of Rock 2008.

• Chester Bennington Picks His Favorite Festival

• Best of Rock Artist Picks

• Rolling Stone’s Best of Rock 2008

Metal music continues to evolve, with one foot in the realm of pummeling power and the other in arty far-reaching flourishes. Mastodon leads the pack of heavy bands who are pushing the envelope. Click here for more on Mastodon from Rolling Stone’s Best of Rock 2008, including music videos and a stream of their latest album Blood Mountain.

[Photo: Ryan Russell]

Though he has been a part of some excellent damn-the-man tunes as a part of Rage Against the Machine and as a solo artist, guitar virtuoso Tom Morello turned to the Great White North for his pick for “Best Contemporary Protest Song.” What Canadian band topped his personal chart? Click here for Morello’s pick.

• Best of Rock 2008 Artist Picks: Tom Morello

• Best of Rock 2008 Artist Picks

• Rolling Stone’s Best of Rock 2008

Combining rave culture, ’90s skate fashion and Japanese anime influences, designer Carri Munden (aka Cassette Playa) has dressed M.I.A., the Klaxons and a number of other artists with her neon-heavy clothes. Click here for more on Cassette Playa from Rolling Stone’s Best of Rock 2008, including a gallery of her recent fashion work.

• Best Costume Designer: Cassette Playa

• Rolling Stone’s Best of Rock 2008

My Morning Jacket are about to have the biggest year of their musical lives, and they arrived there the old fashioned way: by slowly building up a following with a blistering live show. Click here for more on My Morning Jacket from Rolling Stone’s Best of Rock 2008, including video of frontman Jim James discussing songs from the band’s new album Evil Urges.

• Best Breakthrough: My Morning Jacket

• Rolling Stone’s Best of Rock 2008

[Photo: Peter Yang at Dakota Studios]

The breakout guitar heroes of the year naturally got their jumpstart through Guitar Hero: DragonForce’s “Through the Fire and Flames” became a hit after appearing as the most difficult-to-play song on the hit video game’s latest version. Click here for more on DragonForce from Rolling Stone’s Best of Rock 2008, including clips of players conquering the killer tune.

[Photo: Gareth Cattermole/Getty]

When the final encore wraps, Fall Out Boy’s Pete Wentz isn’t interested in after-parties or dive bars. He’d rather hit up a spot that’s available in just about every city they play in: a twenty-four hour Wal-Mart. Click here for more on Wentz’s obsession with discounts.

• Best of Rock 2008 Artist Picks: Pete Wentz

• Best of Rock 2008 Artist Picks

• Rolling Stone’s Best of Rock 2008