Albums of 2004
The records from 2004 that made our lists.
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1Talkie WalkieAir
Talkie Walkie
A warm, melodic downtempo peak. Dreamy and beloved. A high point.
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2FuneralArcade Fire
Funeral
A grand, cathartic debut about grief and neighbourhood memory that helped define 2000s indie. The arrangements swell and crest with real emotion. One of the decade's most beloved records.
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3IsaEnslaved
Isa
A progressive, atmospheric black-metal peak. Bold and acclaimed. A high point.
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4Franz FerdinandFranz Ferdinand
Franz Ferdinand
A sharp, danceable art-rock debut built for the floor, home to 'Take Me Out'. Angular and fun. A 2000s landmark.
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5American IdiotGreen Day
American Idiot
An ambitious punk-rock opera of post-9/11 anger. Anthemic and huge. Their commercial and creative peak.
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6AnticsInterpol
Antics
A sharper, hookier follow-up to the debut. Tuneful and assured. A strong second record.
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7Our Endless Numbered DaysIron & Wine
Our Endless Numbered Days
A warm, fuller-band step from the lo-fi debut. Gentle and beloved. A standout.
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8The Milk-Eyed MenderJoanna Newsom
The Milk-Eyed Mender
A startling harp-and-voice debut of idiosyncratic folk. Singular and acclaimed. A cult landmark.
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9The College DropoutKanye West
The College Dropout
The debut that broke the gangsta-rap mould with soul samples, humour and middle-class anxiety. Warm and witty, it announced a major new voice in production and persona. Still his most likeable record.
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10The End of HeartacheKillswitch Engage
The End of Heartache
A polished metalcore peak of melody and power. Heavy and beloved. A high point.
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11Ashes of the WakeLamb of God
Ashes of the Wake
A ferocious modern-metal peak of groove and precision. Heavy and acclaimed. Their best.
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12Van Lear RoseLoretta Lynn
Van Lear Rose
A raw, Jack White-produced late-career triumph that introduced her to a new audience. Vital and acclaimed. A remarkable comeback.
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13Mm..FoodMF DOOM
Mm..Food
A playful, food-themed art-rap peak of dense wordplay. Quirky and beloved. A cult favourite.
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14MadvillainyMadvillain
Madvillainy
MF DOOM's dense, allusive rhymes over Madlib's dusty, short-loop beats, an underground touchstone with no choruses and no rules. Cryptic and endlessly rewinding. A cult masterpiece.
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15LeviathanMastodon
Leviathan
A Moby-Dick concept album of intricate, crushing progressive metal. Ambitious and ferocious. Their breakthrough.
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16Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses)Slipknot
Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses)
A more melodic, dynamic peak that broadened their sound. Heavy and acclaimed. A creative high.
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17Seven SwansSufjan Stevens
Seven Swans
A hushed, banjo-led record of faith and intimacy. Gentle and beloved. A quiet favourite.
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18Hot FussThe Killers
Hot Fuss
A glossy, new-wave-indebted debut full of huge hooks, from 'Mr. Brightside' on. Instantly catchy. A 2000s staple.
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19A Grand Don't Come for FreeThe Streets
A Grand Don't Come for Free
A witty, kitchen-sink concept album of UK garage-rap storytelling. Clever and beloved. A British classic.
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20ConfessionsUsher
Confessions
A blockbuster R&B record of slick production and dramatic storytelling, one of the best-sellers of its era. Polished and assured. His commercial peak.
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21A Ghost Is BornWilco
A Ghost Is Born
A noisier, more experimental follow-up to Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. Bold and Grammy-winning. A challenging peak.