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Back in November, we spoke with the writer, cultural critic and TV host Touré about his recent book, “Who’s Afraid of Post Blackness: What It Means to Be Black Now.” He returns with a top-ten list filled with emerging artists, hip hop heroes and a few picks from the silver screen.

The last time that Time Out New York music editor Steve Smith joined us, he was defending music streaming services like Spotify in one of our Soundcheck Smackdowns. This time, he joins us without his metaphorical boxing gloves to share his top ten picks of the year, from an album of gender-bending arias to new music from an abrasive and avant-garde hip hop project.

Our Critics’ Week continues with a look at the technology and gadgets that had the biggest impact on the music world this year. New York Times technology reporter Jenna Wortham joins us to share her picks from 2011, which include a social media-based music startup and an ultra-portable wireless speaker.

Our look back at the year in music continues with Jasmine Garsd, co-host of NPR’s Alt.Latino program. She shares newsworthy moments and her favorite releases of 2011 -- including the single "Una Salida" from Mexican American singer Carla Morrison.

Time Out New York's theater critic David Cote joins us for a look back at the best in Broadway and theater for 2011, including the musical-comedy Book of Mormon.

This week’s year-in-review special continues with Siddhartha Mitter, a music journalist who contributes to the Boston Globe, MTV Iggy, MTV Desi and other outlets.

Dancer and historian Jennifer Homans - whose own book "Apollo’s Angels" made best-of lists in 2010 – joins us to share the top moments from the world of dance in 2011.

New York Times pop music critic Jon Pareles rounds out our week-long look back at the best of the year in music.

This week, we’ve been hearing best of the year lists from music critics. But as far as the music business is concerned, 2011 was the year of British singer, Adele. Her album, “21” was the year’s bestselling album, with 5.3 million copies sold. Another female artist, Lady Gaga, currently has the year’s No. 2 album with “Born This Way.” And when it came time for the Soundcheck staff to pick their favorite records, we all selected albums by women – though a bit less mainstream than Adele and Lady Gaga.

It was the best of sounds...it was the worst of sounds. We conclude Critics Week with a look at the biggest musical mistakes of the year with author and Grantland.com pop culture correspondent Andy Greenwald. And -- we ask you to weigh in.