Ken Tucker

The Washington D.C.-based band is led by Elizabeth Nelson, who is also a published music critic. It shows — the music is packed with wordplay, jokes and an undercurrent of serious dread.

Given the ceaseless torrent of music being released, it's almost inevitable that worthy artists slip through the cracks. Rocker King Tuff and hip-hop's Brown deserve a special mention.

Every year, a sleigh-full of Christmas music gets released. Cher and the Cowsills came to prominence in the '60s, but they still possess the distinctive sounds that brought them their initial success.