1Modest Mouse, The Moon and Antarctica (Epic) Although it is by no means a departure for the indie-rock trio, everything just came out so perfect. Issac Brock's teen-angst lyrics are new lessons in modern immaturity.
2
Matthew Shipp Quartet, Pastoral Composure (Thirsty Ear) Pianist Shipp has brought his avant-garde extrapolations more inside the jazz stratum, but in the outsider tradition; his sound is comparable in style and quality to Thelonious Monk or early Cecil Taylor.
3
The Black Heart Procession, Three (Touch and Go) The instrumentation is that of a rock band, the Black Heart Procession doesn't play rock music. The group's slow, subtle ominousness is amazingly compelling and wholly original.
4
Bright Eyes, Fevers and Mirrors (Saddle Creek) Bright Eyes main man Conor Oberst's brand of gut-wrenching, emotional folk is not just a bunch of sad songs; it paints a looming gloom full of despair, depression, and dysfunction.
5
Cave In, Jupiter (Hydrahead) While only hinting at its metal/hardcore roots, Cave In has developed into a Metallica/ Radiohead/Pink Floyd space-rock hybrid that is both elaborate and emphatic in volume and style.
6
William Parker & the Little Huey Creative Music Orchestra, Mayor of Punkville (AUM Fidelity) With the soul of Charles Mingus and the imagination of Sun Ra, Parker's big band has created a record that sways with both subtlety and clamor.
7
Outkast, Stankonia (Arista/LaFace) Praise to Outkast for remembering that hip-hop records are meant to be enjoyed, and not simply genre critiques. "B.O.B." is the best rap, rock, and techno track of the year.
8
Damon & Naomi, Damon & Naomi With Ghost (Sub Pop) This chillingly graceful collaboration between the former Galaxie 500 rhythm section and the Japanese psych-folk unit sounds like the sum of its parts, but equals much more.
9
Songs: Ohia, The Lioness (Secretly Canadian) The ever-prolific Jason Molina (who is S: O's only constant member) released two full-lengths this year, but it was this recording with members of Appendix Out and Arab Strap that showed off his songwriting (lyrically and musically) in paramount form.
10
Radiohead, Kid A (Capitol) Original tonality makes up for shoddy lyrics and lack of structure. It's dubious to dub this a classic just because it's Radiohead, but it's unjust to write it off because it's not equal to OK Computer.
