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The Dark Knight is released to huge universal acclaim and box office takings.

1. Nas-Untitled
"Im over their head like a bulimic on a seesaw"
Originally entitled N*gger, Nas' 9th album was renamed Untitled. But not without a fight (see "You Cant Stop Us Now"). Nas still has the lyrical power and drive he had 14 years ago. He covers a wide range of topics on the album, including the hypocrisy and unfairness in the music biz (Hero, "If Nas can't say it, think about these talented kids
With new ideas being told what they can and can't spit"), and of course Fox News (Sly Fox, "What's a Fox characteristic?
Slick shit
Sensin'
Misinformation
Pimp the station
Over stimulation
Reception
Deception").
Queens get the money is probably my favourite, a breathless rap over a sweet piano loop. Although this is only the 3rd Nas album i've heard, I can onyl say good things about it. Nas is a true hip-hop great.
Best track(s): Nas-Queens Get The money
Nas-Hero (feat. Keri Hilson)
Metacritic (71)
2. The Hold Steady-Stay Positive
"Brooklyn based band The Hold Steady release their 4th album in 4 years, and the progression from 2006's Boys & Girls In America is huge.
Lyrically it's front man Craig Finn's strongest work, taking the tales of girls, booze and drugs ever present in their first 3 albums and contorting them into dark tales of murder and sleeping around. These clash perfectly with the (few) upbeat tracks, the likes of Yeah Sapphire and Sequestered In Memphis.
The Hold Steady have produced the most epically grim and also brilliantly upbeat album in years. It's hard to grasp Finn's real attitude towards life, there's moments of despair followed quickly by moments of immense positivity. His attacks on "the scene' in Slapped Actress are canceled out by the genius Stay Positive, where Finn essentially lists all the issues and then says "it'll be alright though".
This band deserves so much more press than they get, and this album proves that. With Kings Of Leon going stadium rock and The Killers going...well...jazz and disco, The Hold Steady are the band to save American rock music in the UK, "we gotta Stay Positive". thanks to Sean over at There's Affection To Rent
Best track: The Hold Steady-Stay Positive

Dishonourable Mention
JME's album was awful. Severely disappointing.