National Top Ten
Raoul Hernandez
Fri., Jan. 9, 1998
2. U2, Pop (Island)
3. Loreena McKennitt, The Book of Secrets (Warner Bros.)
4. Erykah Badu, Baduizm (Universal)
5. Richard Buckner, Devotion + Doubt (MCA)
6. Volebeats, Sky and the Ocean (Safe House)
7. Whiskeytown, Stranger's Almanac (Outpost)
8. Old 97s, Too Far to Care (Elektra)
9. Yo La Tengo, I Can Hear the Heart Beating as One (Matador)
10. Hooverphonic, A New Stereophonic Sound Spectacular (Epic)
Honorable Mentions: The Geraldine Fibbers, Butch, Hovercraft, Akathisia, Tarnation, Mirador, Tindersticks, Curtains, Varnaline, Varnaline/A Shot and a Beer
Greg Beets
1. The Hi-Fives, And a Whole Lotta You (Lookout!)
2. Cornershop, When I Was Born for the 7th Time (Luaka Bop/Warner Bros.)
3. Bis, The New Transistor Heroes (Grand Royal/Capitol)
4. Negativland, Dispepsi (Seeland)
5. Allen Ginsberg, The Lion for Real (Mouth Almighty/Mercury)
6. Mike Watt, Contemplating the Engine Room (Columbia/Sony)
7. Various Artists, ...And Then There Was Bass (Tony Mercedes/LaFace)
8. Trans Am, Surrender to the Night (Thrill Jockey)
9. Various Artists, Music for TV Dinners (Scamp)
10. The Shazam, The Shazam (Copper)

Michael Bertin
1. Richard Buckner, Devotion+Doubt (MCA)
2. The Geraldine Fibbers, Butch (Virgin)
3. Old 97s, Too Far to Care (Elektra)
4. Radiohead, OK Computer (Capitol)
5. The Sea and Cake, The Fawn (Thrill Jockey)
6. Ron Sexsmith, Other Songs (Interscope)
7. The Backsliders, Throwing Rocks at the Moon (Mammoth)
8. Ben Folds Five, Whatever and Ever Amen (550 Music/Sony)
9. Lullaby for the Working Class, I Never Even Asked for a Light (Bar None)
10. Yo La Tengo, I Can Hear the Heart Beating as One (Matador)

Christopher Gray
1. U2, Pop (Island)
2. Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliot, Supa Dupa Fly (Eastwest)
3. Cornershop, When I Was Born for the 7th Time (Luaka Bop/Warner Bros.)
4. Old 97s, Too Far to Care (Elektra)
5. [tie] The Verve, Urban Hymns (Virgin)/Radiohead, OK Computer (Capitol)
7. Common, One Day It'll All Make Sense (Relativity)
8. John Fogerty, Blue Moon Swamp (Warner Bros.)
9. Alkaholiks, Likwidation (RCA/Loud)
10. Peechees, Games People Play (Kill Rock Stars)
Christopher Hess
1. Built to Spill, Perfect From Now On (Warner Bros.)
2. Yo La Tengo, I Can Hear the Heart Beating as One (Matador)
3. Son Volt, Straightaways (Warner Bros.)
4. Red Red Meat, There's a Star Above the Manger Tonight (Sub Pop)
5. Bill Frisell, Nashville (Nonesuch)
6. Poster Children, RTFM! (Reprise)
7. Pavement, Brighten the Corners (Matador)
8. Ben Harper, The Will to Live (Virgin)
9. Beth Orton, Trailer Park (Dedicated)
10. Superchunk, Indoor Living (Merge)
Andy Langer
1. Finley Quaye, Maverick A Strike (Sony 550)
2. Various Artists, Inner Flame: A Rainer Ptacek Tribute (Atlantic)
3. Wyclef Jean, The Carnival (Ruffhouse/Columbia)
4. Whiskeytown, Stranger's Almanac (Outpost)
5. Led Zeppelin, BBC Sessions (Atlantic)
6. Old 97s, Too Far To Care (Elektra)
7. Kool Keith, Sex Style (Funky Ass)
8. Joseph Arthur, Big City Secrets (Real World)
9. Baby Bird, The Greatest Hits (Baby Bird)
10. Ben Harper, The Will to Live (Virgin)

Margaret Moser
1. [tie] Loreena McKennitt, The Book of Secrets (Warner Bros.)/Rolling Stones, Bridges to Babylon (Virgin)
2. Various Artists, Celtic Music From Mountain Stage (Blue Plate)
3. Blur, Blur (Virgin)
4. John Fogerty, Blue Moon Swamp (Warner Bros.)
5. Etta James, Love's Been Rough On Me (Private Music)
6. Erykah Badu, Baduizm (Universal)
7. Fabulous Thunderbirds featuring Kim Wilson, High Water (High Street)
8. U2, Pop (Island)
9. Chemical Brothers, Dig Your Own Hole (Astral Works)
10. Prodigy, The Fat of the Land (Maverick)

Jay Trachtenberg
1. Steve Coleman & The Mystic Rhythm Society, The Sign and the Seal (BMG/RCA Victor)
2. Jack DeJohnette, Oneness (ECM)
3. Dave Douglas, Stargazer (Arabesque)
4. Ruben Gonzalez, Introducing...Ruben Gonzalez
(Nonesuch/World Circuit)
5. Joe Henderson, Porgy & Bess (Verve)
6. Charlie Hunter Quartet, Natty Dread (Blue Note)
7. Bob Marley, Dreams Of Freedom: Ambient Translations of
Bob Marley in Dub (Island)
8. The Herbie Nichols Project, Love Is Proximity (Soul Note)
9. Andy Statman Quartet, Between Heaven & Earth: Music of the Jewish Mystics (Shanachie)
10. Henry Threadgill, Where's Your Cup? (Columbia)