50: The Strokes - Room On Fire (2003)
While a bit more subdued compared to 2001's Is This It, Room On Fire still packs a wallop in the form of melody. While fuzz guitar has reigned on every album the band has produced, vocalist Julian Casablancas takes center stage on this album and grows in leaps and bounds as a front man. Synthesizer also makes a surprise debut helping many of the tunes to fit perfectly into an old school Nintendo game. Top Tunes: (Reptilla, 12-15, You Talk Way Too Much)
49: D'angelo - Voodoo (2000)
"Hey there baby... I know what you want... and I got what you need... so stop fighting it and just let me touch yo' booty!" That's what I picture D'angelo saying based off his face on the cover. But if a sexy black man with a kick ass six pack isn't enough to get your motor goin', I dare you to listen to the first ten minutes of Voodoo - tried it? Need to change your underwear? Ok... Finished? Good. This record is over an hour of pure pillow talk. He's a modern Marvin Gaye minus the cocaine addiction - at least I think? Where is D'angelo now? He's been working on the follow up album for over 9 years now with no release date in sight - R&B Chinese Democracy anyone? Top Tunes: (Untitled (How Does It Feel),Devil's Pie, Feel Like Makin' Love)
48: Coldplay - A Rush Of Blood To The Head (2002)
The expectations set by "Yellow" are surpassed in spectacular fashion on Coldplay's sophomore effort. Chris Martin and his cohorts take their small English pub sound and expand it into arena ready brilliance. It was the last record the band produced where they didn't over think things and simply let the tunes work themselves out. A Rush Of Blood is the sound of one of the decade's most popular bands hitting stride and peaking in glorious fashion. Too bad everything since this point has been a desperate attempt to out do simplicity. Top Tunes: (Amsterdam, The Scientist, Green Eyes)
47: Arctic Monkeys - Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not (2006)
With a band name like The Arctic Monkeys it's hard to get an idea in your head of what this band would sound like. I suppose that's why Whatever People Say I Am is one of the freshest album I've heard this decade. The other reason being the sheer instant gratification this album gives you. Each song is a quick paced and perfectly timed for full impact. You can't define this album as rock, punk, garage or any other sub genre you so choose. It's simply it's own brand of groove. Top Tunes: (The View From The Afternoon, Red Light Indicates Doors Are Secure, A Certain Romance)
46: Loretta Lynn - Van Lear Rose (2004)
Loretta Lynn is one of the most iconic voices in country music and received a new lease on life, as well as a new audience, when Jack White served as producer on her unexpected coming of age album Van Lear Rose. With a strong mix of classic country arrangements, story telling and slick production on the part of White, this isn't just any country record - it's an autobiography. The coal miner's daughter getting played on VH1? ZOMG! Top Tunes: (Portland Oregon, High On A Mountain Top, Women's Prison)
45: Kanye West - Late Registration (2005)
Sure his ego is the size Chi-Town but Kanye West made rap as exciting and engaging as anyone this decade. Initially written off within the industry as just another producer wannabe rapper, Mr. West showed the world just how incredibly he could be on his debut The College Dropout. Late Registration is the sweetest victory lap for West as he glides from one jam to the next with ease. Old school r&b samples receive a modern face lift. You're welcome Ray Charles. Top Tunes: (Gold Digger, Touch The Sky, Hey Mama)
44: Band Of Horses - Cease To Begin (2007)
Band Of Horses is what The Shins should be but never seem to try hard enough to get out of mediocrity. Cease To Begin is a stunningly simple album rich in harmony and texture. You know why the band chose the album cover to be the moon on the water... because it's one of the best night drive albums you'll ever hear. Top Tunes: (Is There A Ghost, Cigarettes, Wedding Bands, No One's Gonna Love You)
43: Jamey Johnson - That Lonesome Song (2008)
Country has gone flashy over the last ten years. I don't like it and neither does Jamey Johnson. Sure he can't sell out Lucas Oil like Kenny Chesney or get his videos plastered all over CMT like The Rascal Flats or see his face stamped on lunch boxes like Miley Cyrus, but he has more musical talent and true to the bone country grit than in his little finger than more than half of all country performers around today. After a bitter divorce from his wife and his record label, as well as drug and alcohol addictions, Jamey Johnson composed one of the most honest albums of the last decade rich in country tradition and full of real world sadness. Never heard of Mr. Johnson? Neither has the entire world. Top Tunes: (The High Cost Of Living, In Color, Mowin' Down The Roses)
42: Them Crooked Vultures - Self Titled (2009)
Like a mighty blitzkrieg that lays waste to all in its path Them Crooked Vultures put other so called "rock groups" to shame with their eponymous debut filled to the brim with monstrous riffs and earth pounding rhythm. The fact that TCV is a super group (consisting of John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin, Dave Grohl of Nirvana and The Foo Fighters and Josh Homme of Queens of the Stone Age) should not be held against them. This isn't your usual super-gag or super-let down. This is a band who is on a mission to make your jaw drop and your head bang. Top Tunes: (Elephant, No One Loves Me And Neither Do I, Spinning In Daffodils)
41: The New Pornographers - Mass Romantic (2000)
You know you're in for a special treat from the get go on The New Pornographer's debut album. Not only do a man and woman fornicate on the cover in front of a ram at the foot of a mountain, but you hear a harpsichord within the fist ten second of pressing play. A harpsichord in a band with the word Porno in the band name.... It's all very strange I know but trust me you'll get used to it. Just let Neko Case and company wrap you in harmony. Top Tunes: (Mass Romantic, The Slow Descent Into Alcoholism, The Body Says No)
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