Amy Winehouse

Despite her troubles with addiction, British singer Amy Winehouse has soared to popularity and inspired a new generation of female singer-songwriters in the U.K. Young, female artists like Adele and Duffy have found success on the charts.

Part industry trade show, part fan feast, Austin's South by Southwest provides one-stop shopping for those looking for music discovery. Preview the four-day music marathon.

All Songs Considered's list of the 50 most important recordings of the decade continues, from Britney Spears to Amy Winehouse.

Guest DJ Mark Ronson chats with All Songs Considered host Bob Boilen and shares some of the songs that have inspired his own music over the years. Ronson is known for his horn-driven production work for artists like Amy Winehouse and Lily Allen. He also makes bold remixes of music by other artists like Coldplay and Bob Dylan. Ronson's most recent album is called 'Version.'

Tens of thousands of listeners voted in the All Songs Considered poll for the year's best CDs. It was tight for much of the race, but in the end, Radiohead's In Rainbows was an overwhelming winner as 2007's most popular album.

Writer and reviewer Will Hermes shares his favorite albums of the past year. Hermes is a frequent contributor to NPR's 'All Things Considered' and writes for 'Spin' magazine, 'The New York Times' and 'Entertainment Weekly.' He's also the co-editor of 'Spin: 20 Years of Alternative Music.'

The best albums of 2007 include a plethora of reliable favorites, whether they're treading new stylistic ground (Iron and Wine), returning to roots (Wilco) or merely holding steady (Spoon). And, of course, a few new favorites join the mix, too.

Here's a look at the 10 CDs from the past year that are virtually guaranteed to impress friends, relatives and potential lovers. You don't even have to listen to them — just put them in your collection and memorize what's written here.

Amy Winehouse is a young Londoner who draws on the musical past while telling tales about love and ex-lovers. She combines '60s R&B and soul, blues and jazz. With a stack of black hair, an athletic trainer's body and a unique personal style, her look is as arresting as her subject matter.

Amy Winehouse racked up award after award in the 50th edition of Sunday's Grammy Awards, including Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best New Artist. But Herbie Hancock's jazz tribute to Joni Mitchell pulled off a last-minute upset, winning Album of the Year.

Despite her troubles with addiction, British singer Amy Winehouse has soared to popularity and inspired a new generation of female singer-songwriters in the U.K. Young, female artists like Adele and Duffy have found success on the charts.

Writer and reviewer Will Hermes shares his favorite albums of the past year. Hermes is a frequent contributor to NPR's 'All Things Considered' and writes for 'Spin' magazine, 'The New York Times' and 'Entertainment Weekly.' He's also the co-editor of 'Spin: 20 Years of Alternative Music.'

Amy Winehouse is a young Londoner who draws on the musical past while telling tales about love and ex-lovers. She combines '60s R&B and soul, blues and jazz. With a stack of black hair, an athletic trainer's body and a unique personal style, her look is as arresting as her subject matter.