London, Dec 31 : Elbow''s "The Seldom Seen Kid" has been chosen as the best album of 2008 by music critics in the UK, according to an aggregate poll of polls.

The survey was conducted by retail chain HMV which took into account votes from media critics as well as the firm''s staff and online customers.

The Mercury Prize-winning album was nominated by 18 out of the 35 outlets polled, with Portishead''s Third coming second on 17.

Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds'' Dig, Lazarus, Dig came third, followed by Fleet Foxes and Vampire Weekend, reports the BBC.

Their self-titled debuts came fourth and fifth respectively.

TV on the Radio and MGMT also featured in the top 10, as did Bon Iver, Glasvegas and Hot Chip.

"The poll reflects an excellent, eclectic year in music," HMV rock and pop buyer Damian Evans said.

Evans added: "Fleet Foxes, Vampire Weekend, MGMT and Bon Iver have really made their mark with wonderful debut albums, underlining how vibrant the music scene is right now.

"Established artists such as Portishead and Nick Cave have also returned to great acclaim, although I suspect few people would dispute that Elbow have given us the album of the year."

POLL OF POLLS

1) The Seldom Seen Kid - Elbow

2) Third - Portishead

3) Dig, Lazarus, Dig - Nick Cave

4) Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes

5) Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend

6) TV On The Radio - Dear Science

7) MGMT - Oracular Spectacular

8) Bon Iver - For Emma Forever Ago

9) Glasvegas - Glasvegas

10) Hot Chip - Made In The Dark (ANI)