Frank Ocean wins album of year in critics poll of poll

Chart star Frank Ocean's debut release Channel Orange has won the album of the year in a definitive poll of critics.

The 25-year-old US hip-hop artist triumphed in the annual HMV "poll of polls".

The poll draws together the choices of UK music writers.

Ocean, whose album has so far made it to number two in the UK charts, was last week nominated for six Grammy Awards.

Second place in the poll goes to former White Stripes and Raconteurs front man Jack White with his album Blunderbuss, his first album under his own name.

In third position is Australian psychedelic rock act Tame Impala with their release Lonerism.

Different look

The highest ranked UK artist is Jessie Ware whose album Devotion is placed sixth.

Past choices include last year's Let England Shake by PJ Harvey and Arcade Fire's Suburbs in 2010.

HMV music manager John Hirst said: "It's no surprise that Frank Ocean has come so high up in many critics' top tens.

"Frank has also earned a great deal of credit in the way he has challenged hip-hop stereotypes. I think we're going to hear a lot more from him."

The openly gay star has drawn praise since the release of his album in July.

Mercury Prize winners Alt-J were placed in tenth spot with An Awesome Wave.

The UK's biggest selling album of the year, Emeli Sande's Our Version of Events only made it to number 46.

The top 10 in the 2012 HMV poll of polls:

1. Frank Ocean - Channel Orange

2. Jack White - Blunderbuss

3. Tame Impala - Lonerism

4. Grimes - Visions

5. Grizzly Bear - Shields

6. Jessie Ware - Devotion

7. Kendrick Lamar - Good Kid, M.A.A.D City

8. Beach House - Bloom

9. The Maccabees - Give To The Wild

10. Alt-J - An Awesome Wave