THE 100 BEST ALBUMS of 2000-2009:

Dig Lazarus Dig (Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds) (2008):

rock’s grumpy rebel delivers redemption in style.

THE 100 BEST ALBUMS of 2000-2009:

Strawberry Jam (Animal Collective) (2007):

a grand, sweeping marriage of sunny Beach Boys sounds and persistent 21st-century freak/folk, Strawberry Jam is more ambitious than their previous work (high praise indeed). The electronic beats hinge on Tare’s lovelorn vocals but not once does he omit the sheer dazzling pleasure of sound. This is the listening experience that Animal Collective has come to represent best. Peacebone is the first blast of cool magic, imagining itself as a fantastic link between reality and the line of dreams. The album summons its craft through meticulous arrangements of its makers, Panda Bear, Tare, Geologist and Deakin. #1 suffuses a phalanx of creepy vocals with angelic harmoniesin a sublime blend. Cuckoo, Cuckoo is the uber experiment, drumming along with its harsh insistency.

THE 100 BEST ALBUMS of 2000-2009:

The College Dropout (Kanye West) (2004):

a stunningly blazing debut.

THE 100 BEST ALBUMS of 2000-2009:

Boy in the Corner (Dizzie Rascal) (2003):

Britain’s antithesis of hip/hop passes from Tricky to this kid with some serious flow