For the past 36 years, Village Voice has released their year-end “Pazz & Jop” poll, a compilation of top albums as voted by over 800 music critics. And while some of their selections are on the pretentious side, they actually have a pretty great track record when it comes to naming the top album of the year.

Artists who’ve had an album in the #1 spot over the past few decades include Elvis Costello, Bob Dylan, Lucinda Williams, Joni Mitchell, Paul Simon, Talking Heads, Bruce Springsteen, Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder. In fact, I don’t see a weak pick in the history of the poll (you can see all the winners here).

Continue reading →