"Frank" by Amy Winehouse

Eight months after unveiling "Back to Black," her first U.S. album, Winehouse is not exactly a household name. But between rock critics and the tabloid media, the talented and apparently troubled British singer/songwriter has generated more breathless press this year than many pop stars and presidential candidates.

The American debut of "Frank," the 2003 album that made her a sensation across the Atlantic, gives those who know Winehouse only for her Britney-esque antics a fresh opportunity to discover why music fans take her more seriously. The re-release actually shows more range, wit and distinction than "Black" did.

Winehouse still wears her inspiration on her sleeve, veering from the delectably light "(There Is) No Greater Love," which nods to Billie Holiday and Minnie Riperton, to the jazzy nouveau soul of "You Sent Me Flying" and the darker, more atmospheric "In My Bed," which respectively evoke Erykah Badu and Lauryn Hill. But Winehouse fuses her influences with such breezy authority that the songs never sound flagrantly derivative or stale.

— Elysa Gardner

"Girls and Boys" by Ingrid Michaelson

Michaelson is the latest mellow but vaguely quirky indie-pop artist to capture the attention of old and new media, thanks largely to a lot of TV exposure for her songs and the gently sunny single "The Way I Am."

Few of the other tracks on this CD have as much instant appeal, but Michaelson's understated vocals are well suited to her songs, which have a subtle prettiness that helps compensate for their lack of excitement.

— Elysa Gardner

"Joyful" by Ayo

The German-born singer with Nigerian and Romanian roots offers a unique brand of Euro-influenced, reggae-tinged soul. Her gentle vocals' quiet power is bolstered by spare arrangements prominently featuring a Hammond B-3 organ and her acoustic guitar. While the songs blend together at times, there's joy in hearing a singular talent finding her voice.

— Steve Jones

"Lazy Days" by Ana Egge

There have been concept albums about sensorily deprived children, the adventures of the singers' grandmother, and even one about a man composing a concept album, but North Dakota singer Egge might well be the first with a tribute to indolence. However, a lot of care and effort were clearly devoted to these covers of Belle & Sebastian's "Summer Wastin'," The Kinks' "Sitting in the Midday Sun," Ron Sexsmith's "Wastin' Time" and more. Egge draws unsuspected depths from most tracks and pulls off the difficult feat of making a Sandy Denny song her own.

— Ken Barnes

"The Boatlift" by Pitbull

The Miami rapper's third album delivers a steady stream of club bangers and smooth grooves. He gets help from Jim Jones, Twista, Lil' Jon, Don Omar, Yung Berg and Trina, but it's his own clever wordplay that stands out. Radio-friendly songs such as the Lloyd-assisted "Secret Admirer" should ensure that this boat floats.

— Steve Jones

"New Seasons" by The Sadies

This Toronto band has shown off its mastery of surf instrumentals, psychedelia and bluegrass on past albums, but wisely settles on a more unified sound this time. It's not quite country, not quite folk-rock, not really bluegrass, but a subtle Byrds-like amalgam, with an ageless undercurrent of the seductive sort of doom and gloom. The album is one of the year's best.

— Ken Barnes