1. Pop acts embraced the ukulele and dignified the saxophone. Rock bands  crafted weird, widescreen albums that still brimmed with solid, hummable  songs. And a few notorious recluses returned to the public eye. This  week, All Songs Considered is all about the year’s best releases and biggest  surprises.

    Pop acts embraced the ukulele and dignified the saxophone. Rock bands crafted weird, widescreen albums that still brimmed with solid, hummable songs. And a few notorious recluses returned to the public eye. This week, All Songs Considered is all about the year’s best releases and biggest surprises.