Rock 'n' roll was given another last-minute stay from death row in 2008, as established musicians such as R.E.M. and Coldplay regained relevance, and young bands such as Fleet Foxes and Vampire Weekend infused fresh blood into the verse-chorus-verse boilerplate.

Rap and hip-hop remained relevant, as Lil Wayne put out one of the best rap albums of the decade and T.I. placed a stranglehold on the singles chart for the latter part of the year. Rihanna, who released an album all the way back in 2007, also remained on top of the singles charts all year.

But this was the year of rock, best exemplified by another instant classic from the unpredictable Bob Dylan, who showed that he and his genre are not dead yet.

1. Fleet Foxes, "Fleet Foxes" » The album of the year from this Seattle quintet is unique and preternaturally beautiful. The band crafts gentle -- but never boring -- folk rock elevated by four-part harmonies that, at worst, sound like the Beach Boys and, at best, sound like a Gregorian choir. The songs, influenced by the California folk of the mid-1970s and medieval British baroque music, create a timeless masterpiece.

2. Bob Dylan, "Tell Tale Signs: The Bootleg Series Vol. 8" » The prolific output of the greatest living American songwriter is again amplified by this three-album collection of outtakes, live concert tunes and unreleased gems.

3. Lil Wayne, "Tha Carter III" » The most ambitious, and most highly anticipated, rap album of the year didn't disappoint, with New Orleans' Lil Wayne the ringmaster of an eclectic circus that is as bizarre, weird and fun as Fat Tuesday.

4. Kathleen Edwards, "Asking for Flowers" » With an eye for detail rivaling Lucinda Williams', this Canadian singer-songwriter uses influences of Whiskeytown and Ani DiFranco to write devastatingly vulnerable songs on this delicate country-rock album.

5. Red Rock Rondo, "Zion Canyon Song Cycle" » The best local album of the year comes from six Utah musicians who blend classical song structures with organic folk, telling a story about the state that is rich, evocative and loving.

6. Coldplay, "Viva La Vida" » The British quartet with the best drummer on the planet came closer to replacing U2 as the most ambitious band in the world with this release of a concept-heavy record that's still accessible and radio-friendly.

7. Vampire Weekend, "Vampire Weekend" » The Afro-pop and reggae-influenced pop rock band created songs that sounded like nothing else on the radio when the album was released in January, and in the months since, imitators still haven't matched the joyful, literate tunes.

8. Amanda Palmer, "Who Killed Amanda Palmer?" » The talented half of the punk-cabaret duo The Dresden Dolls unleashes a solo debut that is frighteningly intimate, a piano-driven album that sounds like the type of music that Tori Amos used to make.

9. R.E.M., "Accelerate" » While not a return to the heights of "Document" and "Monster," the trio has awakened from its slumber to become relevant again, both edgy and melodic.

10. The Verve, "Forth" » The most exhilarating half of any rock album released in 2008 opens this powder keg. Any respectable forthcoming "Guitar Hero" edition should include killer licks from the band's guitar whiz, Nick McCabe.