It happens every year. Fifty or more worthy CDs will cross my desk by artists that are largely unknown to most music fans. Perhaps two dozen of them will truly stand out. This is the time to give the best of these "sleeper" CDs a chance to shine, with my picks for the best overlooked CDs of 2008.

Who knows, perhaps you'll find a new favorite album somewhere on this list.

1. James Hunter: "The Hard Way" -- The guitarist/singer takes an inventive approach to blues on his latest CD, lending a Motown-ish feel to the title song, blending in Jackie Wilson/Sam Cooke-styled soul on "Hand it Over," sprinkling in a bit of ska on "Carina" and putting a bit of New Orleans bounce into "Don't Do Me No Favours." The stylistic creativity is matched by accomplished songwriting and strong, but not showy, playing.

2. Okkervil River: "The Stand Ins" -- On the band's sixth CD, Okkervil River crafts a winning mix of earthy pop ("On Tour With the Zykos" and "Calling and Not Calling My Ex") and brisk rockers ("Pop Lie"). With rich melodies, a sound that feels timeless and a songwriter in Will Sheff who seems to be improving with each album, there's every reason to expect that Okkervil River won't be overlooked much longer.

3. Low Vs Diamond: "Low Vs Diamond" -- One of the year's most auspicious debuts, "Low Vs Diamond" introduces a band whose sound brings together hints of robust alternative country, the epic grandeur of U2, and gutsy no-nonsense rock (think Tom Petty or Bruce Springsteen) into a taut, evocative and tuneful package. A quick factoid: Low Vs Diamond was signed by the same scout who discovered the Killers. Based on this CD, Low Vs Diamond may well be the better find.

4. The Switches: "Lay Down the Law" -- There's nothing overly original to the Switches's glammed-up brand of energetic rock. But the band's second CD, "Lay Down the Law," is packed with so many high-powered, hook-ridden guitar riffs and catchy vocal lines that it is an easy pick for power pop album of the year.

5. Dead Confederate: "Wrecking Ball" -- This debut CD reveals a band that plays an industrial-strength brand of Americana, frequently at a dirge-like pace. That may not sound all that appealing, but the combination of huge guitars, strong melodies and the deliberate and tense tempos (which on songs like "It Was a Rose" explode into slamming instrumental segments) makes for a powerful and dynamic sound. (Also, seek out Dead Confederate's self-titled five-song EP. It features the stellar and brisk rocker "Shadow The Walls.")

6. Greta Gaines: "Whiskey Thoughts" -- On her third CD, "Whiskey Thoughts," Gaines delivers a big helping of hard-boiled country-rock, adding some appealing swagger to rockers like "L is For Loser" and a tough but tender touch to ballads like "Falling James." This album will go over well with fans of the more rocking side of artists like Lucinda Williams or Steve Earle.

7. Sharon Little: "Perfect Time For a Breakdown" -- A little bluesy, a little rocking, and a whole lot of soulful, this sophomore effort from Little suggests she could be making strong impressions for years to come. The songwriting is at times exceptional (especially on "Try," "What Gets in the Way" and "Spaceship") and has just the right amount of grit to provide an ideal canvass for Little's smoldering vocals.

8. Reckless Kelly: "Bulletproof" ¬ -- Arguably the strongest of the band's five albums, "Bulletproof" finds Reckless Kelly rocking harder than ever and playing down the country element of earlier CDs. The shift in sound suits the band well, as this consistently strong effort features its share of stellar tracks.

9. Honeyhoney: "First Rodeo" ¬ -- The first sign of promise for "First Rodeo" is the involvement of Jude Cole (an accomplished songwriter in his own right) as producer. Then it becomes apparent that this duo of singer Suzanne Santo (an actress whose credits include roles on "Law & Order" and "Blind Justice") and guitarist Ben Jaffe have no problems writing quality material, either. The songs range from affecting acoustic-rooted pop ballads to frisky roots rock. Expect Honeyhoney to saddle up for many more rodeos in the years ahead.

10. Electric Touch: "Electric Touch" -- The band's energetic, guitar-fueled brand of pop comes with enough sass -- along with plenty of killer hooks -- to make itself heard within a crowded genre that boasts big sellers like Fall Out Boy and the Killers and a host of worthy, but lesser-known groups.