Paul Simon and producer Brian Eno teamed up for a surprisingly succesful collaboration that demonstrates than even into his 60's, Simon still has a brilliant gift for melody.
Bruce Springsteen reunited with the E Street Band for their first studio album of the millenium. Written in direct response to the events of September 11th, The Rising would resonate throughout the world and once again reaffirm Springsteen as a songwriter of unparalleled ability.
The second album from The Streets is a humourous and captivating concept album about a day in the life of a man who loses a thousand dollars and tries to get it back.
The Strokes carried the mantle of New York rock into the new millenium with Is This It, one of the greatest debut albums of this decade, or any other.
Completed following the death of Joe Strummer, Streetcore is a poignant send-off for one of rock's most iconic figures. Just try to keep a dry eye while listening to Strummer's take on Bob Marley's "Redemption Song".
With producer Rick Rubin at the helm, System Of A Down released two studio albums in 2005. Hypnotize came second and would be equal to, if not better, than Mesmerize.
While more than a few artists from the 80's found themselves with renewed popularity in the 2000's, Tears For Fears was one of the few that made an album this solid. Wearing their Beatles influences on their sleeves, Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith crafted twelve memorable pieces of pop perfection.
Producer-to-the-stars Timbaland struck gold on his own with 2007's Shock Value and proved he could craft as many hits for himself as he could for others.
Tegan and Sara took their craft to a new level with The Con, as they expanded their introspective folk leanings with help from members of Death Cab For Cutie, The Rentals, and AFI.
Working with producer Timbaland, 2006's Futuresex/Lovesounds helped Justin Timberlake make the move from boy band heartthrob to being a legitimate and innovative musical force.
Rooted in the blues, classic rock, and Indian influences, Derek Trucks was an unexpected guitar hero for the new millenium, but his abilties made him popular with fans and peers alike. In 2009, Trucks took what he'd learned as a member of The Allman Brothers Band and Eric Clapton's touring band and created a soulful slice of Southern blues with Already Free.
One of the most critically-acclaimed albums of 2008, Dear Science melded new wave and punk for the new millenium and certified TV On The Radio as bold purveyors of experimental funk.
The album that made country singer/songwriter Taylor Swift a mega-star. Swift's gift for hooks and catchy choruses helped songs like "You Belong To Me" and "Love Story" resonate with parents and kids alike.
After the critical and commercial failure of 1997's Pop, U2 had to dream it all up again… again. All That You Can't Leave Behind would be a return to the band's defining sound, making songs such as "Beautiful Day" and "Walk On" classics upon arrival.
Following the success of 2000's All That You Can't Leave Behind, U2 promised fans a rock album was up next, and rock is exactly what 2004's How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb did, thanks to singles like "Vertigo" and "All Because Of You". Other highlights include Bono's ode to his father, "Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own", and "City Of Blinding Lights".
A 3-CD collection from Tom Waits, featuring rare, unreleased, and brand new tracks. In a decade where Waits was producing some of the best work of his career, Orphans is at the top of the pile.
The story of one of the decade's enfant terribles begins here. Before his headline antics started to overshadow his musical talent, Kanye West took the hip-hop world to school with the release of his 2004 debut.
How do you become one of the hottest artists on the planet? If you're Kanye West, you craft an album that melds hip-hop ambition and electronic beats. There's no doubt Kanye graduated to the big leagues with his 2007 album.
The major label debut for The White Stripes found the duo of Meg and Jack White conjuring up an album of blues, pop and rock. With "Seven Nation Army", soccer fanatics around the world had a new chant to holler.
The White Stripes added piano and acoustic guitars to the duo's usual electric-guitar-and-drum mix. The results are otherwordly songs like "My Doorbell".
The creation of Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, Wilco's fourth studio album, was so fraught with tension and angst that they made a movie out of it. While the circumstances may not have been ideal, the end result was an album of eclectic beauty.
An album begun back in 1966 wasn't supposed to be one of the best releases of this decade. But Brian Wilson's revisited, rewritten, and reworked lost album, Smile, was a monumental achievement, for this decade or any other. Psychedelic Americana - unlike anything you've ever heard.
Forget the headlines and just enjoy Amy Winehouse's soul-infused second album, which helped usher in a new era of British female chart-toppers.
Equal parts AC/DC and Led Zeppelin, Australia's Wolfmother's self-titled 2006 debut featured massive drums and memorable guitar riffs. A shot in the arm for hard rock fans around the world.
With its sprawling guitars and ten-minutes-plus closing track "Kissing The Behive", Wolf Parade's second album was a tour de force that scored the Montreal band worldwide acclaim.
Who killed the Zutons? They did, on their catchy and clever 2004 debut album.
