The Top Albums Of The 2000s: 30-21

Here continues our journey through the top 50 albums of the past decade.



30. Gnarls Barkley - St. Elsewhere

The notorious Cee-Lo and the mastermind Danger Mouse team up to blow minds with this past decades perfect mash between hip hop, electronica and pop. While this CD has a definitive sound, each song has a distinct drive to it and separates it from the crowd. Most kids have heard the radio hit "Crazy" but those who took the time to appreciate this album as a whole were well treated to a masterpiece. If you don't already cherish this album, start now.

1. Go-Go Gadeget Gospel
2. Crazy
3. St. Elsewhere
4. Gone Daddy Gone
5. Smiley Faces
6. The Boogie Monster
7. Feng Shui
8. Just A Thought
9. Transformer
10. Who Cares?
11. On-Line
12. Necromancer
13. Storm Coming
14. The Last Time



29. Common - Be

I know I praised Lupe for being my favorite consistent hip hop artist earlier this list but Common is on another level. Every song is a distinct hit and his rhymes are a lot smarter on this album than Lupe's. Teaming up with The Last Poets, making a colab appearance on The Chapelle Show with Kanye, and turning a court room scandal into a slow riding groove, that's amazing. Common isn't as much fun as other hip hop on this list but his use of soul backing tracks and his intelligence of syncopation and lyrics turn other rappers head over heels.

1. Be (Intro)
2. The Corner [ft. The Last Poets & Kanye West]
3. Go [ft. John Mayer & Kanye West]
4. Faithful [ft. John Legend & Bilal]
5. Testify
6. Love Is...
7. Chi-City
8. The Food [ft. Kanye West]
9. Real People
10. They Say [ft. John Legend & Kanye West]
11. It's Your World [ft. Bilal & Pops]



28. Feist - Let It Die

Leslie Feist decided to make an album that ventures on a flawless sentimental journey. Feist decided to rock our faces with her silence. I don't know if you guys really understand who seemingly perfect this album is and how its flow just creates our emotional attachment.

1. Gatekeeper
2. Mushaboom
3. Let It Die
4. One Evening
5. Leisure Suite
6. Lonely Lonely
7. When I Was A Young Girl
8. Secret Heart
9. Inside And Out
10. Tout Doucement
11. Now At Last



27. The Arcade Fire - Neon Bible

Like I said in the song series, Arcade FIre is breaking new grounds with production. This is a solid album but it's more influential technically which is what gives "Neon Bible" its place on the list.

1. Black Mirror
2. Keep the Car Running
3. Neon Bible
4. Intervention
5. Black Wave/Bad Vibrations
6. Ocean Of Noise
7. The Well and the Lighthouse
8. (Antichrist Television Blues)
9. Windowsill
10. No Cars Go
11. My Body Is A Cage



26. Eminem - The Eminem Show

This one goes out to all you haters out there. Eminem is legit and you're just jealous. His rhymes are taboo, he's in your face and that's the way he effing likes it. This is the record that set me on fire with Marshall and boy am I glad. You know you love the hits, now respect the rest.

1. Curtains Up (Skit)
2. White America
3. Business
4. Cleanin' Out My Closet
5. Square Dance
6. The Kiss (Skit)
7. Soldier
8. Say Goodbye Hollywood
9. Drips [ft. Obie Trice]
10. Without Me
11. Paul Rosenberg (Skit)
12. Sing For The Moment
13. Superman [ft. Dina Rae]
14. Hailie's Song
15. Steve Berman (Skit)
16. When The Music Stops [ft. D12]
17. Say What You Say [ft. Dr. Dre]
18. 'Til I Collapse [ft. Nate Dogg]
19. My Dad's Gone Crazy [ft. Jallie Jade]
20. Curtains Close (Skit)



25. Grizzly Bear - Yellow House

Grizzly Bear is everywhere. They've been around a while, "Knife" has been rocking mixtapes for a couple of years, they have a new record out this year - why are they such a hidden indie secret? Yes, people like Grizzly Bear but I've never met anyone who's like "AAAHHHH GRIZZLLYY BBEEARRR!!!!RYU@EW&(" Seriously though, this album is amazing. Folk meets rock in this romance of distant proportions. No matter how loud you turn your speakers up, you always feel like you're just not hearing it all - like everything is really far away. So turn this up and prepare to long for more.

1. Easier
2. Lullabye
3. Knife
4. Central And Remote
5. Little Brother
6. Plans
7. Marla
8. On A Neck, On A Spit
9. Reprise
10. Colorado



24. Kings Of Convenience - Riot On An Empty Street



1. Homesick
2. Misread
3. Cayman Islands
4. Stay Out Of Trouble
5. Know How
6. Sorry or Please
7. Love Is No Big Truth
8. I'd Rather Dance With You
9. Live Long
10. Surprise Ice
11. Gold In The Air Of Summer
12. Build-Up [ft. Feist]



23. Coldplay - X&Y

As far as bridge bands go, Coldplay is the king. Gangsters, hipsters, parents, everyone loves Chris Martin's smooth voice over the orchestral transmissions of Coldplay. This is their best album yet and by far. Granted, every album has its fair share of hits and every album is great, but this album, as a whole, blows.my.mind. It's melodic, keeps within itself and produces songs for the radio and for our hearts.

1. Square One
2. What If?
3. White Shadows
4. Fix You
5. Talk
6. X&Y
7. Speed Of Sound
8. A Message
9. Low
10. Hardest Part
11. Swallowed In The Sea
12. Twisted Logic




22. John Mayer - Continuum

So nobody digs cocky people less than I do. Even if you do deserve it. Hey John, don't you think you should let the musik speak for itself? Shut up and make another record.

1. Waiting On The World To Change
2. I Don't Trust Myself (With Loving You)
3. Belief
4. Gravity
5. Heart of Life
6. Vultures
7. Stop This Train Listen
8. Slow Dancing In A Burning Room
9. Bold As Love (Jimi Hendrix Cover)
10. Dreaming With A Broken Heart
11. In Repair
12. I'm Gonna Find Another You
13. Say (Reissue Only)



21. Elliott Smith - Figure 8

The.saddest.record.on.the.list. Hands.down. If you can live through the CD, I hope you'll pass it along to someone who is mentally stable.

1. Son Of Sam
2. Somebody That I Used To Know
3. Junk Bond Trader
4. Everything Reminds Me Of Her
5. Everything Means Nothing To Me
6. L.A.
7. In The Lost And Found (Honky Bach)/The Roost
8. Stupidity Tries
9. Easy Way Out
10. Wouldn't Mama Be Proud
11. Colorbars
12. Happiness/The Gondola Man
13. Pretty Mary Kay
14. Better Be Quiet Now
15. Can't Make A Sound
16. Bye



Be sure to come back for more of the list.
Monday, October 5th: 50-41
Tuesday, October 6th: 40-31
Wednesday, October 7th: 30-21
Thursday, October 8th: 20-11
Friday, October 9th: 10-1



Thanks to these guys for letting us jack their MP3s.
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