Rolling Stone has published its top 50 albums of 2008, with TV on the Radio leading the way. I definitely don't agree. Not to say that it was a bad album, but I wasn't impressed. Maybe I should take another listen...

So, who would I pick for my top 10 of 2008? What about the other music writers of Creative Loafing? Pick up the Dec. 31 edition to find out!

In the meantime, here's RS's top 10:

1 - TV on the Radio - Dear Science

2 - Bob Dylan - Telltale Signs the Bootleg Series Vol. 8

3 - Lil Wayne - Tha Carter III

4 - My Morning Jacket - Evil Urges

5 - John Mellencamp - Live, Death, Love and Freedom

6 - Santogold - Santogold

7 - Coldplay - Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends

8 - Beck - Modern Guilt

9 - Metallica - Death Magnetic

10 - Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend

Shiny Toy Guns

Season of Poison

Universal Motown; Release date: Nov. 4, 2008

The Deal: Shiny Toy Guns gets new singer and releases sophomore album Season of Poison.

The Good: Despite Shiny Toy Guns’ former vocalist Carah Faye Charnow’s departure and her replacement of Sisely Treasure to the band, the album isn’t bad although fans of Charnow might be disappointed. The disc is full of high frequency bouts of electronica-styled rock. Songs like “When Did This Storm Begin,” “Ghost Town,” and “Ricochet!” resemble the group Mindless Self Indulgence with a chaotic electro-punk feel. Throughout the album lyrics seem to be split pretty well between Treasure and Chad Petree. One of the most catching tunes is the softer, more pop-oriented "I Owe You A Love Song." The band's two vocalists blend well together on this track, which also reminded me a bit of the Swedish electronic indie rock band, The Sounds "Hurt You." Other noteworthy songs were "Ricochet!" and "Turned To Real Life."

The Bad: The song “Blown Away” didn’t blow me away at all, along with “Season of Love,” a softer track that seemed to linger on and on. “Poison," chimed in at eight minutes and 14 seconds. The song started off slow with strange electronic vocal elements and featured a dramatic instrumental chorus line, later to end with this distant organ music. The song was too long and unorganized. It didn't do much for me.

The Verdict: Shiny Toy Guns' new album is a combination between softer electro rock and sassy, distorted electro jams. It takes a couple of listens for some of the tracks to hook you, but right away "I Owe You A Love Song," "Ricochet!" and "Turned To Real Life" should do the trick. Check out the album or see the band live when they visit Charlotte for a performance at Tremont Music Hall on Sunday, Nov. 30.

Brown Shoe

Jackalope

Self-released; Release date: Sept. 30, 2008

The Deal: The California-based indie band Brown Shoe releases third album Jackalope.

Hey Monday

Hold On Tight

Columbia Records & Decaydance Records; Release date: Oct. 7, 2008

The Deal: The power pop Florida-based quintet Hey Monday releases its debut album Hold On Tight.

The Good: Hyper-fledged power pop dominates this album from start to finish. Starting off with “Set Off” the band lays out friendly hooks, resembling those of musical stars Paramore and Avril Lavigne. In addition Hold On Tight is sure to appeal to teenage listeners. With songs (“Arizona,” “Hurricane Streets”) about hitting the highway and not knowing where to go, the group offers lyrical optimism. The band’s first single “Homecoming” is cheerful, but serious with racing rock and a catchy chorus line. But this isn’t the only song of that nature. Most of the album’s songs like “How You Love Me Now,” “Obvious,” “Run, Don’t Walk,” are full of fast, jumpy rock-edged rhythms. Exceptions include the ballad “Candles” with a slower piano start and “6 Months” an acoustic track about love.

The Bad: Every now and then I thought Hey Monday should slow its music down. This is one of the only elements that sets the band apart from other pop rockers like Avril Lavigne. At times the steadfast rockin’ in Hey Monday’s music made it difficult to focus in on Pope’s vocal skills.

The Verdict: Check it out if you like power pop. The album won’t blow your mind, but it sure is jumpin’. After a couple listens you’ll start hearing what might be future radio hits and song hooks will pull you into the music.

The Verve

Forth

On Our Own; Release date: Aug. 19, 2008

The Deal: After splitting in 1999, British rockers The Verve release new album Forth. The album is the band’s fourth album, following 1997’s Urban Hymns.

The Good: The album begins with a strong track called “Sit and Wonder.” Quickly it becomes clear that The Verve has visited the depths of the soundscrapes this go around. It creates a blend of strange, transcendent sound additions - like on the album’s single “Love Is Noise.” What is that sound on the track? It sounds partially like a “woo-hoo” and partially like a gospel choir. Either way the combination is an extra to the songs already blooming rhythmic flow. Vocalist Richard Ashcroft’s voice is charming as he sings each track (He hasn’t lost his touch, that’s for sure). The track “Rather Be,” resembles “Lucky Man” off of Urban Hymns. “Judas and “Valium Skies” are proof of The Verve’s calm and melodic musical craftsmanship abilities, but others like “Noise Epic,” show a shift in the bands normal musical routine with an inconsistent and frantic song structure. The extra electronic vibes add a psychedelic element to the album. The Verve’s sound has risen with an experimental touch, but it isn’t lacking in rock hooks and captivating catches.

The Bad: Not much. Forth might have some going ‘Huh?’ because of all the new layers of unfamiliar sounds. But, give it a chance and the band’s new music elements will leave you flying inside.

The Verdict: Another worthy and brilliant effort by The Verve. This might just be the band’s best album to date. Forth is well-worth a welcome into the CD collection. Hopefully the band won’t wait so long for its next release.