Ah yes, the ultimate polarizing Top Ten Albums list. Does it look just like Pitchfork’s? Does it look like we’re trying too hard? Does it look like there was some sort of ugly indie/dance/folk/country/rock orgy that exploded somewhere near our dozen and a half contributors while they voted? We’re sure you’ll let us know. Here’s how we did it this year:

Stealing outright from the Onion’s AV Club, we contacted our most prolific contributors from the past year and gave them each 100 points. Each contributor could spend 1 - 15 points on 1 - 15 albums, in any way they wanted. For example, they could give 15 points each to six albums and discard the remaining 10 points. They could give 15 points each to four albums and 10 points each to an additional four. Or they could be more traditionally hierarchical, with 15 or so albums receiving a diminishing number of points. In the end, we totalled the points and also HOW MANY PEOPLE VOTED for the album, and ranked according to points and then votes. So, if two albums both received 30 points, but one got two votes and another got 30 votes, the 30-vote album would win.

You get it. Or you don’t care. Without further ado: