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The best albums of 2017 delivered both comfort and challenge — both salve and spur. (That also applies to the honorable mentions listed, any of which could easily have come off the bench.)

In our time, it's easy to shut your mind, driven by fear or misinformation. This year, NPR Music's pop critic found the antidote in music that encouraged exploring.

Some of the most memorable recordings of 2011 were not just collections of great songs. They were also about something.

The NPR Music critic and All Songs Considered contributor's favorite records of the year include the best of British rap, whimsical and melancholy electronic experiments and spellbinding dreampop.

NPR's pop critic and correspondent shares her favorite albums of this year.

NPR Music's pop critic says her favorite albums of this tumultuous year demonstrated the value of embracing fragility and vulnerability.

The band R.E.M. has released its first album in four years, Accelerate. Critics have been describing the disc as a "comeback," saying it's the band's best album in ages. Michael Stipe, Peter Buck and Mike Mills join Terry Gross for a conversation.

Join World Cafe for a countdown of the 10 most-played songs on public radio's rock stations this year.

WXPN's Blues Show host Jonny Meister counts off his 10 favorite blues albums of 2007, including harmonica player Bobby Rush, guitarist James Blood Ulmer and singer Marie Knight.

The songs, videos and musical moments that stopped the All Songs host in his tracks this week.