Critics name ‘Dropout’ best album

It’s still four days before we’ll have the Grammy voters’ verdict on album and record of the year, but the nation’s pop music critics have already given us their choices. Rapper Kanye West’s thoughtful, dynamic “The College Dropout” was named album of the year in the Village Voice poll of 793 critics, while Scottish rock band Franz Ferdinand’s effervescent “Take Me Out” was judged best single record.

If West’s album goes on to win album of the year on Sunday’s Grammy telecast, it will mark the second consecutive year that critics and the record industry professionals who vote for the Grammys have agreed. Last year’s winner: OutKast’s “Speakerboxxx/The Love Below.”

In the Voice’s weighted point system, West easily outscored Brian Wilson’s “Smile,” 2,826 to 2,034. These artists claimed the remaining spots in the Top 10, in order: Loretta Lynn, Franz Ferdinand, Green Day, Arcade Fire, the Streets, U2, Modest Mouse and Danger Mouse.

In the single record balloting, “Take Me Out” was a Top 10 choice of 146 voters, edging out Jay-Z’s “99 Problems,” which was cited by 135 voters. Usher’s “Yeah!” finished third, followed by Modest Mouse’s “Float On,” Britney Spears’ “Toxic” and West’s “Jesus Walks.” The full list appears in this week’s Village Voice.