BEST OF 2007: Top Albums #10-6 (Mavis Staples, Rufus Wainwright, Alicia Keys, Radiohead, Lily Allen) (Backstage Pass)

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10. Mavis Staples, “We’ll Never Turn Back” (Anti-): Wrapping her gritty-pretty soulful voice around a moving set of civil rights protest songs was not enough for Mavis Staples. Using flecks of hip-hop, blues and folk, she turned them into something new.

Mavis Staples, "Eyes on the Prize"

9. Rufus Wainwright, “Release the Stars” (Geffen): Amid the tales of old Hollywood glamor and social equality arguments, Rufus Wainwright finds in niche with these clever, high-drama tales that match his high-drama delivery.

Rufus Wainwright, "Going to a Town"

8. Alicia Keys, “As I Am” (RCA): This isn’t the usual diva soul dispatched from on high. In most of these songs, Alicia Keys is trying to lift herself up with everyone else, even as she talks herself into being “Superwoman” or hoping for the best in the irresistible anthem “No One.”

Alicia Keys feat. Junior Reid, "No One (Reggae Remix)"

7. Radiohead, “In Rainbows” (TBD/ATO): What gets lost in all the hubbub surrounding the pay-what-you-want model of “In Rainbows” is that it’s the most light-hearted Radiohead album in years. The stark, electronic landscapes have been filled with warmer bass notes and danceable rhythms and melodies that actually stick with you.

Radiohead, "Jigsaw Falling into Place"

6. Lily Allen, “Alright, Still” (EMI): Armed with snappy comebacks (“Knock ‘em Out”) and polished dance numbers (“Everything’s Just Wonderful,”) Lily Allen offered a brassy, hip-hop-leaning twist on British pop on “LDN.”

Lily Allen, "LDN"