Beta Band: Ewan Spencer

Here are the best-reviewed pop/rock CDs of the year

Pop/Rock

Aberfeldy Young Forever Grade: A-

Bjork Medulla Grade: A

Black Keys Rubber Factory Grade: A

The Blue Nile High Grade: A

Bobbie Gentry Chickasaw County Child: The Artistry of Bobbie Gentry Grade: A-

Brian Wilson SMiLE Grade: A

Buddy Miller Universal United House of Prayer Grade: A-

Candy Butchers Hang On Mike Grade: A-

Courtney Love America's Sweetheart Grade: A-

The Divine Comedy Absent Friends Grade: A-

Eagles of Death Metal Peace Love Death Metal Grade: A-

Earlimart Treble & Tremble Grade: A-

Elliott Smith from a basement on the hill Grade: A-

Faces Five Guys Walk Into a Bar... Grade: A-

The Fiery Furnaces Blueberry Boat Grade: A-

Grant-Lee Phillips Virginia Creeper Grade: A-

Helmet Unsung: The Best of Helmet (1991-1997) Grade: A-

Jim White Drill a Hole in That Substrate and Tell Me What You See Grade: A

John Cale HoboSapiens Grade: A-

Jolie Holland Escondida Grade: A-

Joseph Arthur Our Shadows Will Remain Grade: A

Kimya Dawson Hidden Vagenda Grade: A-

Los Lobos The Ride Grade: A-

Morrissey You Are the Quarry Grade: A

Mystic Chords of Memory Mystic Chords of Memory Grade: A-

Neko Case The Tigers Have Spoken Grade: A

Old 97's Drag It Up Grade: A-

Pinback Summer in Abaddon Grade: A-

The Ponys Laced With Romance Grade: A-

Rachael Yamagata Happenstance Grade: A-

Rachelle Garniez and the Fortunate Few Luckyday Grade: A-

Rockpile Seconds of Pleasure Grade: A-

The Secret Machines Now Here Is Nowhere Grade: A-

Snow Patrol Final Straw Grade: A

Ted Leo and the Pharmacists Shake the Sheets Grade: A

Tift Merritt Tambourine Grade: A-

Various Artists Hallucinations: Psychedelic Pop Nuggets From the WEA Vaults; Come to the Sunshine: Soft Pop Nuggets From the WEA Vaults Grade: A-

Various Artists Left of the Dial: Dispatches From the '80s Underground Grade: A-

Various Artists Por Vida: A Tribute to the Songs of Alejandro Escovedo Grade: A

Other genres