Veteran Reader critic Peter Margasak finishes counting down his 40 favorite records of the year—the top ten include Henry Threadgill, Joanna Newsom, and Yarn/Wire.
Seven Reader writers tackle a dozen new releases, including Cannibal Ox's long-awaited comeback album, Jack DeJohnette's love letter to Chicago-born jazz, and Ata Kak's oddball Ghanaian electro-rap.