25		White Stripes Elephant Jack sure packs a punch on the band’s fourth album, with tracks such as “Black Math” and “Hardest Button to Button” more than making up for the album’s weaker moments.
24		The Mars Volta De-loused in the Comoratorium After their three-song teaser last summer, my appetite was properly whetted for De-loused, an album that comes through in every way that had been promised. While maintaining the energy of ATDI, the band forges on with a prog and Spanish influence.
23		Jaylib Champion Sound Jay Dee and Madlib take the bling-oriented approach to contemporary hip-hop that typically irritates the crap out of me and make it unbearably alluring. Even a skinny white kid from Northern California feels like a badass while listening to this record.
22		The Darkness Permission to Land Freddie Mercury and Angus Young apparently made sweet, sweet love about 25 years ago and birthed these lads, like so many demon spawn in Cronenberg’s The Brood. Best is that these guys aren’t kidding, and almost brought back butt rock to the masses. “Giving Up” and “Love is Only a Feeling” are the best examples. A hilarious, staggering accomplishment.
21		Radiohead Hail to the Thief It’s pretty fucking amazing when a band is so good for so long that you feel you need no discussion of one of the year’s most forward-thinking albums.
20		The Rapture Echoes Dancepunk’s flagship act finally arrives. Credit is due to the much-heralded DFA production team, but Luke Jenner’s tortured/drunken wails run a close second. No soul? No problem. Just shake it, and “House of Jealous Lovers” will guide you.
19		Belle & Sebastian Dear Catastrophe Waitress “Piazza, New York Catcher” is clearly the masterstroke. But there’s lots of good tunes on this, the best Belle & Sebastian product in years: complex, initially off-putting tunes that eventually win you (several times) over, which, of course, have been B&S’s stock-in-trade since Tigermilk’s “The State I Am In.” And by the way, why did folks make such a big stink over Isobel’s leaving the group? Did she strike anyone else as, I dunno, overly twee? Maybe even fey? Anyhow, this is a neat album, because the title track sounds like an outtake from Forever Changes and it’s almost as good as “All the Things She Said.”
18		Ted Leo Hearts of Oak This man is the Chevy Truck of fucking rock music. Is there a more consistently marvelous songwriter alive?
18		Lightning Bolt Wonderful Rainbow I love Lightning Bolt but I've never been able to listen to their CDs. All that has changed with this one. They lay down 10 of their best songs ever with a better production to boot. Still won't compare to the live show though.
18		The Gossip Movement Yes, Beth can sing. Yes, Nathan is one of the most eccentric people around. All the hype is true. Don't get caught calling it "blues" or "garage" because this is straight up punk rock.
17		Viktor Vaughn Vaudeville Villain MF Doom is an odd one, and this release just pushes his boundaries even further with odd lyrical phrasing, seemingly out of place spoken samples and tight production. Despite all of this, Vaudeville Villain is one of his best pieces of work to date and shows that with each alter ego MF tries on, we're sure to expect something totally different.
16		Manitoba Up in Flames Dan Snaith’s musical career travels from the bedroom to the universe at large with this stunning bit of musical amalgam. It’s '60s pop, it’s electronic goodness, and it’s the kind of album that reminds you that art is truly boundless.
15		Broken Social Scene You Forgot It in People A dense yet sprawling masterpiece from Canada’s preeminent “music collective.” From the anthemic rock of “KC Accidental” to the offhand grace of “Pacific Theme,” this record really did have something for everyone.
14		Cat Power You Are Free So fucking gorgeous. I don't care if she rapes pigeons at her live shows, this is breathtaking.
13		Dizzee Rascal Boy in Da Corner He raps fast and with a British accent, so I understand about every 35th word, but fortunately Diz speaks the universal language of "HOLY FUCK MY FACE WHAT THE HELL HOT FUCK THIS IS THE BEST THING I'VE EVER HEARD."
12		The Decemberists Her Majesty Not quite showtoons. But taking orders from "the corporal of regimen five" is suspect if you ask me. This album could be the only release this year that would make your history teacher proud. It's amazing. Go buy it.
11		Matthew Shipp Equilibrium A strong year for Thirsty Year. Highlighted by super jazz pianist Matthew Shipp.
10		Aesop Rock Bazooka Tooth Quite seamlessly segues from good to great within the first few moments, as slow, chunky beats drag along behind Ace's witty verse. Hip-hop song cycle of sorts, complete with character sketches in the tradition of De La Soul is Dead but heavy-handed social critique like Edutainment. See pseudo-intellectual Prefix review.
9		Pretty Girls Make Graves New Romance Bigger than Liars if not the Strokes, brighter than the Rapture if not the Shins, PGMG had to deal with their share of that backlash bullcrap that typifies the (ahem) indie-rock (ahem ahem) scene in ’03. Their loss – The New Romance is loaded with emotions, fiery, complex, interesting emotions set to commensurately rousing music – loved the twin guitars, guys, keep it up. My favorite moment is when Zollo goes “We’ll! Have such a fabulous time!” on “Chemical, Chemical.” What’s yours?
8		Four Tet Rounds Kieran Hebden may be swamped by scientists for discovering astounding humanity in his mess of computer wares. IDM finally delivers on so much promise with unlikely but elegant blends of found sounds and harsh electro beats.
7		Yeah Yeah Yeahs Fever to Tell Putting out a record this spectacular when everyone is expecting you to put out a record this spectacular is almost as impressive as the album itself.
6		The Wrens This record was written with the bitterness that only years of obscurity, botched attempts and getting screwed over can accomplish. The pain in these songs is the universal tension of getting older and circumstances one can’t control. A simple, stark return from hiatus. Did people forget about this record? Why have I not seen this on other 'Best Of' lists? Fucking anthems.
5		The Shins Chutes Too Narrow James Mercer and Co. stripped down their sound significantly for their second round, which was a wise decision, as these songs, without the bells and whistles, show their impeccable songwriting, and captivating harmonies. Given the variety, from the layering of “Saint Simon,” to the twang of “Gone for Good,” the Shins have earned their place in the major leagues.
4		The Strokes Room on Fire More of the same from high fashion New Yorkers, and it's quite good. This one has a couple of road bumps, but delivers the same fiery guitar licks, underwater vocals and catchy melodies that Is This It? carried. Particularly fond of the single "12:51," and its flippant remarks regarding 40s. Pour a little on the curb, fellas.
3		The Unicorns Who Will Cut Our Hair When We’re Gone? Fluttering synths, detuned guitars and undoubtedly drug-fueled Canadians prove a volatile but enchanting brew that intoxicates you into arguing that a song called “Tuff Ghost” might be one of the year’s best.
2		OutKast Speakerboxxx / The Love Below Honestly. These doods are just toying with us now.
1		Prefuse 73 One Word Extinguisher When hip-hop (and henceforth nowadays, pop culture) appeared to nurture only the superficial and the vacant, this album single-handedly infused the genre with depth and vulnerability—without uttering a single word. Your brain can translate sound into emotion, but then, so can Scott Herren.