--A Ghost Is Born, Wilco

--Summerteeth, Wilco

--Mule Variations, Tom Waits

--Gold, Ryan Adams

--Final Straw, Snow Patrol

--Turn On the Bright Lights, Interpol

--Stankonia, OuKast

--When I Was Cruel, Elvis Costello

--A Rush of Blood to the Head, Coldplay

--Good News for People Who Love Bad News, Modest Mouse

--Our Endless Numbered Days, Iron & Wine


RUNNERS-UP:

--Give Up, Postal Service

--"Garden State" soundtrack

--Kid A, Radiohead

--All That You Can't Leave Behind, U2

--Long Knives, Rainer Maria