Best & Worst 2008: Ann Powers pop music list

Black bohemians: Our president-elect has radically challenged America’s attitudes about race. The shift’s happening in music too -- on albums including “Dear Science” by art rockers TV on the Radio and the debut from the undefinable Santogold, in the newly minted pop stardom of M.I.A. via the single “Paper Planes” and through the unwavering success of Lil Wayne, whose tricksterism breaks down some heavy doors.  (Photo: Lil Wayne. Credit: Stefano Paltera / For the Times)

“Hercules and Love Affair” (DFA Records): New York DJ Andy Butler’s project captures all that’s beautiful about disco: lush dreaminess, sexual daring and underlying heartbreak.   (Jacek Bednarczyk / EPA)

Grown-people R&B: Leave the strippers and the carnival outfits to T-Pain. Eric Benet, Raphael Saadiq, Ne-Yo and Robin Thicke demonstrated how real men rock the ladies. Kanye West‘s “808’s and Heartbreak” proved that Auto-Tune can express adult emotions. And the return of the great trio Labelle showed all those pop princesses what it means to be a queen.   (Mark Davis / Associated Press)

Martha Wainwright, “I Know You’re Married but I’ve Got Feelings Too” (Rounder): The singer-songwriter who’s too often been stuck in the back row of her famously musical family made a gorgeous, hungry, sad, sweet album anyone who’s ever been recklessly in love should hear.  (Graham Denholm / Getty Images)

The Sub Pop Festival: This two-day celebration of Seattle’s premier music label, held in bucolic Marymoor Park, had memorable sets from Fleet Foxes, a reunited Green River, the still-powerful Mudhoney and many others. But the love circulating among artists, fans and the earthiest “music industry types” on the planet made it truly special.  (Photo: Fleet Foxes. Credit: Kevin P. Casey / For the Times)

Carrie Underwood singing “Just a Dream,” and Various Artists, “Body of War: Songs That Inspired an Iraq War Veteran”: It’s hard to deny the hope that greets the upcoming Obama presidency -- or the economic fears of year’s end. But both distract from the long sorrow of America’s ongoing military struggles. Underwood‘s single and the accompanying video, in which she transforms from bride to war widow, is top-notch tear-jerking melodrama. The album compiled by “Body of War” subject Tomas Young, a paralyzed vet turned peace activist, is gritty protest. Both vividly remind us that war is hell.   (Mark Humphrey / Associated Press)

Africa resurgent: Like Vampire Weekend? Try music from the continent itself and its diaspora. A few top picks: the desert blues of the French-produced duo Toumast; the cross-cultural “Soul Science” of Brit guitarist Justin Adams and Gambian riti player Juldeh Camara; the dazzling urbanity of veteran Senegalese band Orchestra Baobab; and the wackadoodle beauty of mixes by Malawian emigrant DJ Esau Mwamwaya.   (Photo: Vampire Weekened Credit: Jay Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

THE WORST

Katy Perry, “One of the Boys” (Capitol): Knock-off New Wave from a former Christian music artist trying to fashion herself into a hot sinner, this album is retrograde in every way: musically, politically and especially in its attempts to titillate. Perry makes Gwen Stefani seems like Gloria Steinem and defiles the memory of Bettie Page.

Related: Complete year-end music coverage on Pop & Hiss.   (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)