5. Immortal Technique - Revolutionary Vol. 2
Why: The New York rapper's second album boldly calls out every evil he perceives in the American framework. Pontificating against everything from the U.S. drug war to the government's role in 9/11, Immortal composes one of the most daring artistic works of the Bush era.
Best track:
4. Kanye West - 808s & Heartbreak
Why: Kanye's 2004 debut The College Dropout added a fresh sound to hip-hop. On 808s he challenges what the hip-hop genre (and music as a whole) can be - for better or worse. Not only does Kanye employ the 0ften-lauded Auto Tune voice processor and an 80's era drum machine on the album, he also throws in a number of unique mood-setting sounds including tribal drum beats and choir monks.
Best track:
3. The Flaming Lips - Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots
Why: An electronic opera lightyears ahead of our time. How far ahead? Ahead enough that I still don't know what its about and apparently neither does anyone else. Regardless, Yoshimi is complex and innovative. It's also very, very poignant. At least I think it is.
Best track:
2. Eminem - The Marshall Mathers LP
Why: Like Maya Angelou on steroids, Em uses near-perfect rhyme scheme and wordplay to verbally assault everyone from his mom, to his wife, to his fans, to every dopey celebrity in Hollywood. Also, I was in middle school when this came out and at the time I'd never heard anything quite so hardcore.
Best track:
1. The White Stripes- White Blood Cells
Why: Every generation has its landmark rock album (Led Zeppelin I, GNR's Appetite for Destruction, Nirvana's Nevermind). On their mainstream debut, the Stripes rocked harder and smarter than any other band, indie or otherwise. And in a decade that often saw technology replace traditional instruments, Meg and Jack White proved that a simple drum set and guitar could still speak volumes.
Best track:
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