It's been a very interesting decade for music. It started off with Lars Ulrich taking on Napster and ends with some creepy looking chick named Lady Gaga being the most popular artist in the land. But while there have been plenty of lowlights over the past ten years (Nickleback, Boy Bands, Avril Lavigne just to name a few), there have also been some bright spots. And with that, I bring you my personal Top Ten Favorite Albums relased between the years 2000-2009:



10. Andrew W.K. I Get Wet (2001)
If you've ever wondered what it would sound like if someone in desperate need of Ritalin went off his meds and made an album, look no further. This album explodes right from the opening track and never lets up. It's a panzer assualt of guitars, keyboards, piano, and the hulking W.K.'s shouting vocals. But while you'd think the results would be unlistenable, it's anything but. W.K. proves that he's got a very keen ear for pop melody and catchy hooks, which makes tracks like She Is Beautiful and Party Hard not only loud but also sing-along worthy. And in case you were wondering, W.K. took a brick to his nose in order to get that picture for the album cover. Nobody can accuse the guy of doing things half-assed.

Best Tracks: Party Hard, Girls Own Love, Ready To Die, She Is Beautiful




9. Anthrax We've Come For You All (2003)
The last album to date featuring their best frontman John Bush (not counting the re-hash album Greater of Two Evils), Anthrax did something that most people thought they couldn't do anymore: make a solid album. While the band sticks to their metal roots on most of the songs, they also branch out a bit into 70's style arena rock on Taking The Music Back (featuring Roger Daltry) and even southern-tinged rock on Cadillac Rock Box (featuring the late Dimebag Darrel on guitar). While not at the height of their powers anymore, this album proved Anthrax still has some gas left in the tank.

Best Tracks: What Doesn't Die, Safe Home, Any Place But Here, Nobody Knows Anything




8. The Roots Phrenology (2002)
Before they became the house band on the worst show on late-night TV, The Roots were one of if not the most well respected hip-hop group in the land. Loved by both the bling-loving crunkers and the backpack-wearing heads, The Roots were the poster children for Hip Hop with substance. And they released a killer album in 2002 that infused hip-hop, R&B, soul, and even a little bit of rock. Hopefully Jimmy Fallon will cut them some slack every once in a while so they can make more albums like this.

Best Tracks: Rolling With Heat, Thought At Work, The Seed 2.0, Break You Off




7. The Darkness Permisson To Land (2003)
When these guys broke onto the scene from England, nobody was sure whether their over-the-top approach to rock was serious or ironic. In the end, it doesn't really matter because this album is one of the best examples of straight ahead hard rock since Back In Black. Though the band proved to be short lived due to frontman Justin Hawkins' leaving the group for rehab and forming his own band, nobody can take away this slice of rock gold.

Best Tracks: Get Your Hands Off My Woman, Love Is Only A Feeling, Love On The Rocks With No Ice, Holding My Own




6. Ghostface Killah Fishscale (2006)
While Method Man may be the most popular, ODB the most notorious, and The RZA the one hailed as the genius, the member of the Wu Tang Clan with the most artistic success outside of the group is arguably Ghostface. 1996's Ironman is still considered the best of the Wu Tang solos and he only bolstered his reputation with Supreme Clientele. But it was this album's raw depictions of the cocaine trade that has turned out to be his masterpiece.

Best Tracks: Kilo, The Champ, 9 Mili Bros., Big Girl




5. Tenacious D Tenacious D (2001)
Hands down the funniest album of the decade, Tenacious D's self titled debut also serves as one of the best musically as well. The album is stuffed back to front with the D's signature blend of rocking tunes and hillarious lyrics. Fuck Her Gently still gets my vote for Song of The Decade. While the luster was taken off of the group a little following 2007's Pick Of Destiny, this album still stands as proof that Jack Black and Kyle Gass can rock your fucking socks off.

Best Tracks:Tribute, Wonderboy, Fuck Her Gently, Dio, Rock Your Socks




4. Fu Manchu King Of The Road (2000)
This album is nothing but riffs. Big, fat, beautiful riffs that make you want to rock out like you too are a stoner from SoCal. How none of the songs on this album are included in any of the Guitar Hero games is beyond me. This album is made for air guitar. The boys in Fu Manchu have been around for 20 years now, even though most of you still probably don't know who the hell they are. To become initiated to them, do what I did and pick up this album. The Rock Gods will approve.

Best Tracks: King Of The Road, Over The Edge, Blue Tile Fever, Weird Beard, Hotdoggin'




3. Queens Of The Stone Age Songs For The Deaf (2002)
Josh Homme and Nick Oliveri decided that to follow up what had up to that point been considered their best album, 2000's Rated R, they needed to bring in some major help. So what did they do? They brought in Mark Lannegan from the Screaming Trees to play guitar and contribute to the songwriting as well as tasking Dave Grohl to man the drums. The result was nothing but great rock music from front to back. Oliveri was fired from the band shortly after the album's release and Lannegan and Grohl went back to their own gigs, but for one shining moment QOTSA was the best rock band on the planet and this album is the result.

Best Tracks: No One Knows, Hanging Tree, Song For The Dead, Gonna Leave You, Mosquito Song




2. OutKast Speakerboxxx/The Love Below (2003)
Many people, myself included, thought that there was no way in hell OutKast could top 2000's Stankonia. In 2003, they proved us wrong. Deciding to each do their own album and release it as a double album, Big Boi and Andre 3000 set the music world on fire. Big Boi's Speakerboxxx is filled with inventive Dirty South Hip Hop that takes the Crunk genre and tweaks it a bit to fit OutKast's quirky sensibilities. Andre 3000's The Love Below, on the other hand, takes everything from rock, lounge music, vaudville routines, and Nat King Cole style swing and blends it into a brew of pure Hip Hop genius. We're still waiting for the boys to top this one. Hopefully they'll find a way in the new decade.

Best Tracks:
Speakerboxxx: Ghetto Musick, The Way You Move, Bust, Flip Flop Rock, Last Call
The Love Below: Prototype, Hey Ya, Roses, Pink & Blue, Dracula's Wedding




1. The White Stripes Elephant (2003)
I'm a huge fan of the White Stripes and, as far as I'm concerned, all of their albums can occupy this slot. But if I could only choose one, it'd be Elephant. The album perfectly captures the best things about the band. Jack White's genius songwriting and master guitar work complemented by Meg White's unspectacular yet competent drumming. It's the Stripe's best work so far and it's easily my favorite album of this weird yet brilliant musical decade.

Best Tracks: Seven Nation Army, Hardest Button To Button, I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself, Ball And Biscuit