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It was an unusually strong year for great unknown artists. While bigger, more established bands continued to attract the most attention, smaller, lesser-known acts made the most memorable music of 2008. All of the great unknown artists featured here made music that was inspired, original and heartfelt.

Also: "Silver Fire" spreads in Southern California; Powerball jackpot winners include 16 county workers in New Jersey; and actress Karen Black dies.

Singer-songwriters dominate the list of All Songs Considered host Robin Hilton's favorite albums of 2014, but the pick that tops the list is a monstrous, breathtaking rock assault.

For lovers of jazz music, the year 2005 brought a wealth of reissues by critical artists from Jelly Roll Morton to John Coltrane. The music, the result of exhaustive archival and restoration work, adds new details to one of America's richest musical traditions.

TV critic David Bianculli says that he's encouraged by how far TV has come. He picks The Good Wife as the best show of 2014, having "the deepest roster of really strong regulars and guest stars."

Reports vary as to whether al-Shabab's Zakariye Ismail Ahmed Hersi turned himself in or was captured in a raid. The U.S. had placed a $3 million bounty on the leading Islamist extremist.

Albums are still events for us, even and especially as we shelter in place. Lido Pimienta, Fiona Apple and Sam Hunt released music that we held close to the chest.

In Iran's presidential election, former president Hashemi Rafsanjani and Tehran Mayor Mahmoud Ahmadinejad are set to contest a run-off election Friday. But one of the losing candidates has charged that the vote was rigged, prompting authorities to order a partial recount.

The best folk and roots music of the year, from quiet acoustic solo records to stomping shout-alongs, focused on community, elements of ancestry and stories that unite us.