Albums of 2004

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1. 1
   Talkie WalkieAir

   Talkie Walkie

   Air · 2004 · Electronic

   A warm, melodic downtempo peak. Dreamy and beloved. A high point.

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2. 2
   FuneralArcade Fire

   Funeral

   Arcade Fire · 2004 · Alternative & Indie

   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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3. 3
   IsaEnslaved

   Isa

   Enslaved · 2004 · Metal

   A progressive, atmospheric black-metal peak. Bold and acclaimed. A high point.

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4. 4
   Franz FerdinandFranz Ferdinand

   Franz Ferdinand

   Franz Ferdinand · 2004 · Alternative & Indie

   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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5. 5
   American IdiotGreen Day

   American Idiot

   Green Day · 2004 · Alternative & Indie

   An ambitious punk-rock opera of post-9/11 anger. Anthemic and huge. Their commercial and creative peak.

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6. 6
   AnticsInterpol

   Antics

   Interpol · 2004 · Alternative & Indie

   A sharper, hookier follow-up to the debut. Tuneful and assured. A strong second record.

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7. 7
   Our Endless Numbered DaysIron & Wine

   Our Endless Numbered Days

   Iron & Wine · 2004 · Folk & Singer-Songwriter

   A warm, fuller-band step from the lo-fi debut. Gentle and beloved. A standout.

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8. 8
   The Milk-Eyed MenderJoanna Newsom

   The Milk-Eyed Mender

   Joanna Newsom · 2004 · Folk & Singer-Songwriter

   A startling harp-and-voice debut of idiosyncratic folk. Singular and acclaimed. A cult landmark.

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9. 9
   The College DropoutKanye West

   The College Dropout

   Kanye West · 2004 · Hip-Hop

   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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10. 10
    The End of HeartacheKillswitch Engage

    The End of Heartache

    Killswitch Engage · 2004 · Metal

    A polished metalcore peak of melody and power. Heavy and beloved. A high point.

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11. 11
    Ashes of the WakeLamb of God

    Ashes of the Wake

    Lamb of God · 2004 · Metal

    A ferocious modern-metal peak of groove and precision. Heavy and acclaimed. Their best.

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12. 12
    Van Lear RoseLoretta Lynn

    Van Lear Rose

    Loretta Lynn · 2004 · Country & Americana

    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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13. 13
    Mm..FoodMF DOOM

    Mm..Food

    MF DOOM · 2004 · Hip-Hop

    A playful, food-themed art-rap peak of dense wordplay. Quirky and beloved. A cult favourite.

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14. 14
    MadvillainyMadvillain

    Madvillainy

    Madvillain · 2004 · Hip-Hop

    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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15. 15
    LeviathanMastodon

    Leviathan

    Mastodon · 2004 · Metal

    A Moby-Dick concept album of intricate, crushing progressive metal. Ambitious and ferocious. Their breakthrough.

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16. 16
    Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses)Slipknot

    Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses)

    Slipknot · 2004 · Metal

    A more melodic, dynamic peak that broadened their sound. Heavy and acclaimed. A creative high.

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17. 17
    Seven SwansSufjan Stevens

    Seven Swans

    Sufjan Stevens · 2004 · Folk & Singer-Songwriter

    A hushed, banjo-led record of faith and intimacy. Gentle and beloved. A quiet favourite.

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18. 18
    Hot FussThe Killers

    Hot Fuss

    The Killers · 2004 · Alternative & Indie

    A glossy, new-wave-indebted debut full of huge hooks, from 'Mr. Brightside' on. Instantly catchy. A 2000s staple.

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19. 19
    A Grand Don't Come for FreeThe Streets

    A Grand Don't Come for Free

    The Streets · 2004 · Hip-Hop

    A witty, kitchen-sink concept album of UK garage-rap storytelling. Clever and beloved. A British classic.

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20. 20
    ConfessionsUsher

    Confessions

    Usher · 2004 · Soul & R&B

    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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21. 21
    A Ghost Is BornWilco

    A Ghost Is Born

    Wilco · 2004 · Alternative & Indie

    A noisier, more experimental follow-up to Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. Bold and Grammy-winning. A challenging peak.

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