The Vote Is On For The Year's Best Music

from National Public Radio

It's an annual tradition this time of year: the critics' lists of the year's best movies, books and, of course, music. For the past few weeks, listeners have been weighing in on their picks in the All Songs Considered online poll for the best CDs of 2008.

Here, All Songs Considered host Bob Boilen previews the listeners' list so far and plays some of his favorites, including TV on the Radio, Blitzen Trapper and a new collaboration from David Byrne and Brian Eno.

Boilen says that in most years, the list is topped by well-established bands, each hitting its stride and making its third or fourth record. But that trend seems to be changing.

"This is an odd year," Boilen tells All Things Considered host Michele Norris. "I've never seen this before, but some of the bands that are at the top are all debut bands, bands that have put their first record out in 2008. And that's pretty remarkable."

Broadcast Dates

• All Things Considered, December 10, 2008