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9 Keane, Hopes And Fears
Proving music can rock without a guitar

Coldplay has made it cool again for piano driven rock/pop music. Their debut took the UK by storm and won us over as well. The disc is full of catchy and heartfelt indie-pop songs, all with bruised verses and soaring choruses. The delicate sounds of singer Tom Chaplin's voice brings the listener in and the production is terrific. The hook laden songs are just far too good to turn away from.

Best Songs: "Somewhere Only We Know," "Bend and Break," & "Your Eyes Open"

Purchase:

» Official Site

8 The Hives, Tyrannosaurus Hives
Showing they are more than a one-hit wonder

They were the IT band and were pegged as rivals to the Stokes when both broke big back in 2002. While The Strokes second CD disappointed, Tyrannosaurus Hives takes the band to new heights, proving they are much more than just matching suits. The guitar driven sounds just rips through you before you know what hit you and lead singer Howlin' Pelle Almqvist just jumps at you. The Hives are a blast of buzz and the addition of keyboards adds depth to a great sound.

Best Songs: "Walk Idiot Walk," "Abra Cadaver," & "Dead Quote Olympics"

Purchase:

» Official Site » 07/24/2004 - Photos

7 Kanye West, College Dropout
Rap's new golden boy

THE biggest name in rap in 2004 had to be Kanye West. The producer stepped in front of the mic and proves to be as talented if not more talented of an MC than a producer. West is not the typical rapper though as he orchestrates songs themes of strippers & women and weaves in great rhymes about god and college life. College Dropout is as explosive, contradictory, and complex as rap music gets.

Best Songs: "Jesus Walks," "Slow Jamz," & "Two Words"

Purchase:

» Official Site

6 Wilco, A Ghost Is Born
Proving that every album they put out is a must-lisen

How do you follow up a disc so loved such as Yankee Hotel Foxtrot? Well you turn it up a notch both in terms of songwriting and experimentalism. Ghost is a terrific disc. Though everything is turned up a notch, the hooks (yes, there are some) shine through as lead singer Jeff Tweedy continues to command over the band. Something different shoots out of the record with every listen and makes it a must.

Best Songs: "Spiders (Kidsmoke)," "Handshake Drugs," & "I'm A Wheel"

Purchase:

» Official Site

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2004 Year in Review

» 50 Best Photos

» Live Moments of 2004

» 10 To Watch in 2005

1. Rusted Root - Live
The quintessential live band gets it right on this double disc.

2. Jason Mraz - Tonight, Not Again: Jason Mraz Live at the Eagles Ballroom
The guest spot by John Popper makes this a must.

3. O.A.R. - 34th & 8th
New York City comes alive with the sounds of this great band.

4. North Mississippi AllStars - Hll County Review
Bonnaroo 2003 set becomes a true family affair.

5. Rolling Stones - Live Licks
Great compilation of the Stones' best tracks from their 2002/2003 tour.

5. John Lennon - Acoustics
Lennon's words come alive with a compilation of acoustic performances.

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» 50 - 40
» 39 - 30
» 29 - 20
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