Thursday, Jan. 07, 2010

Top of the Pops

Detailing the discs of the decade

Lists, lists, lists.

Everybody's making lists.

Lists are common-place this time of year when it's out with the old and in with the new, but the list-makers get an extra bump due to the closing of the first decade of the new millennium, the Naughts, or the 2000s, or whatever you want to call it.

With 2010 underway, we thought we'd get in on the action and assembled a crack panel of Myrtle Beach area music-lovers and industry insiders to craft our Discs of the Decade - the cream of the crop of full-length album releases from 2000-2009 in the pop, rock, hip-hop, R&B and other non-classical realms.

But our list differs a bit in that it's not a nice round number, such as 100, and it's also not in order of importance or prominence, so it's not really ranked, and we allowed the panelists to say as much, or as little, as they like about each release. Heck, some titles even appear more than once. Rather, like a good album, it represents an entire body of work, yet pieces can be extracted (such as a hit single) and enjoyed on their own.

Don't agree with our choices? Use the comment form below and add your two cents. Or 50 Cent, if you like.

Mason "Mase" Brazelle, on-air personality at WKZQ-FM, 96.1 and host of specialty shows "The Flight Tes" and "Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down"

His picks:

PJ Harvey - "Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea" (2000)

This is the most straight forward "I am PJ Harvey" album by far. It covers all of her bases from her arty/punk attitude on "Big Exit" to her sultry/dirty side on "The Whores Hustle And The Hustlers Whore." Not to mention that "This Mess We're In" with Radiohead's Thom Yorke might be the Duet of the Decade as well.

Johnny Cash - "American III: Solitary Man" (2000)

At this point you could tell that it was just a matter of time before we would lose The Man in Black, but he still "it." Sure everyone knows his cover of "Hurt" (as well they should...it is amazing) but I never thought anyone could make Nick Cave's "Mercy Seat" seem more realistic than Cave did himself. Cash also does an incredible version of U2's "One."

The White Stripes - "White Blood Cells" (2001)

There might be better White Stripes albums...but this album is all about Jack White becoming Jack White.

Prince - "The Rainbow Children" (2001)

This album is so deep in the pocket and full of funk goodness it will make you walk with a swagger after you hear it.

Flaming Lips - "Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots" (2002)

Not too shabby for the follow-up to "The Soft Bulletin." Sure, it might be a concept album but after seeing the Lips a few times on this tour I gotta tell you...it's better if you don't try to figure it out.

Johnny Cash - "Unearthed" (2003)

The Box Set of the Decade!

Kings of Leon - "Youth and Young Manhood" (2003)

A lot like how "White Blood Cells" made Jack White who he is today...this album did the same thing for these boys from Tennessee

Muse - "Absolution" (2003)

It's sad that Muse wasn't getting the stadium recognition the band deserved like it was getting in the U.K. when this album came out.

Steve Earle - "The Revolution Starts Now" (2004)

If you are a conservative Republican, you will NOT like this record. Earle has balls the size of Condi's....eyes. For those of us who were not happy with the way things were going in '04, he said everything we wanted to say. And a reggae love song about Condoleezza Rice doesn't hurt...I mean she was kind of hot.

Arcade Fire - "Funeral" (2004)

Finally, Canadians making up for decades of horrible music.

Green Day - "American Idiot" (2004)

I'm not a Green Day fan for the most part...this album was the kid's version of Steve Earle's "The Revolution Starts...Now"

Loretta Lynn - "Van Lear Rose" (2004)

The female Johnny Cash earned the indie-cred she deserved on this one. Of course having Jack White producing can't hurt. After The White Stripes dedicated "White Blood Cells" to Lynn, she invited Jack and Meg over for chicken and dumplings and showed Jack a box of old songs she had never recorded - as you might imagine, he flipped. So with help from what would become the rhythm section for The Raconteurs, Lynn and Jack White made one of the finest albums of the decade. From the drinkin' song "Portland, Oregon" to one of the saddest songs I have ever heard, "Miss Being Mrs." (a song about her late husband Doo) this album is pure country...the way it is supposed to be done.

Bloc Party - "Silent Alarm" (2005)

Morrissey - "Live At Earls Court" (2005)

I assume that live albums count here...well they do to me. I was never lucky enough to see The Smiths but I did see Moz once in Atlanta and here in Myrtle Beach (that still seems so strange to say) and this album really captures what being at a Moz show is all about. Sure he does a few chestnuts from The Smiths, but for the most part this one is not full of so-called "hits," which is why I like it so much. A lot of artists with his back catalog would maybe do a couple of songs from the album they are touring in support of (in this case "You Are The Quarry") and fill the rest of the show with the hits, but here Moz actually does a large part of the album and other more obscure songs from his catalog.

Rob Dickinson - "Fresh Wine For The Horses" (2005)

The singer from one of the most underrated bands of the '90s, The Catherine Wheel, (and cousin of Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden) released this one twice. Once on Sanctuary Records in '05 and again with a bonus acoustic disc in '08 on Universal (after Sanctuary folded) with a new song, "The End Of The World," which is the second best song on the album (after "My Name Is Love"). Hopefully you were one of the 50 or so people at the House of Blues that got to see him open for The Church a few years back.

New Pornographers - "Twin Cinema" (2005)

Another great Canadian band making up for decades of horrible music.

Muse - "Black Holes and Revelations" (2006)

While this album helped get Muse in the door of the U.S., the boys were still opening for bands like My Chemical Romance (which sucked for MCR as they got blown off the stage when I saw the tour in Charlotte, N.C.). This was the album where you said to yourself "oh...this is the band that is going to step into Queen's shoes...and do them justice."

Silversun Pickups - "Carnavas" (2006)

This debut album from L.A.'s Silversun Pickups really solidified their sound and made them indie darlings with the single "Lazy Eye." The only problem is that it does sound a bit like "1979" by Smashing Pumpkins and with a female bassist, too, they seemed to get that whole "oooh...they are the new Pumpkins" thing. I guess if having power on stage and great songwriting makes them the new Pumpkins then they will have to live with that. If you have only heard that one single, do yourself a favor and pick this one up...unless you don't want your mind blown.

Placebo - "Meds" (2006)

This is a band that just can't seem to break here in the States. Good (if not better) than Muse, Placebo is a three-piece like Muse and is HUGE in the U.K. like Muse. But as we know, the States aren't very accepting to VERY androgynous front men like Brian Molko, unless they are David Bowie or Freddie Mercury. From the title track that features The Kills/Dead Weather singer Allison Mosshart, to the duet with R.E.M.'s Michael Stipe "Broken Promise" to the final track "Song To Say Goodbye," this album doesn't take a breath.

Secret Machines - "Ten Silver Drops" (2006)

TV On The Radio - "Return To Cookie Mountain" (2006)

Amy Winehouse - "Back To Black" (2007)

Arcade Fire - "Funeral" (2007)

Band of Horses - "Cease To Begin" (2007)

You can't listen to this album without smiling...try it...I dare you.

Beastie Boys - "The Mix-Up" (2007)

Just some good old fashioned funk instrumentals.

Fountains Of Wayne - "Traffic And Weather" (2007)

Maybe the most perfect pop album of the decade...and I don't use the word pop in a bad way.

The Good, The Bad, And The Queen - "The Good, The Bad, And The Queen" (2007)

With front man Damon Albarn of Blur, bassist Paul Simonon of The Clash, guitarist Simon Tong of The Verve and 67-year-old drummer Tony Allen, this album doesn't sound like I thought it would. It sounds BETTER. It is a very slick, spooky album that never really takes off...and that is what makes it great.

Kaiser Chiefs - "Yours Truly, Angry Mob" (2007)

Nightwatchman - "One Man Revolution" (2007)

The alter-ego of Rage Against The Machine's Tom Morello really makes you want to go protest something, anything after one listen. All acoustic protest songs from one of the nicest guys in rock, makes you realize Morello not only talks the talk, but walks the walk.

The Polyphonic Spree - "The Fragile Army" (2007)

How can you go wrong with a 26-member band? I saw the Spree perform this album at South by Southwest in '07 in Austin, Texas, and if frontman Tom DeLaughter (former singer for Tripping Daisy) asked me to drink the Kool-Aid and join the cult, I would have.

Queens Of The Stone Age - "Era Vulgaris" (2007)

C'mon, man, do I need to explain this one?

Radiohead - "In Rainbows" (2007)

I think enough has been said about Radiohead.

The Stooges - "The Weirdness" (2007)

Airborne Toxic Event - "The Airborne Toxic Event" (2008)

Benji Hughes - "A Love Extreme" (2008)

My Morning Jacket - "Evil Urges" (2008)

The Raconteurs - "Consolers Of The Lonely" (2008)

R.E.M - "Accelerate" (2008)

OK, for all of you people who wrote R.E.M. off after "Automatic For The People," shame on you. In all fairness, R.E.M.'s last few albums haven't been the most exciting things in the world, but the seminal college band is still good (I am from Georgia, we have to say that). But on "Accelerate" the boys brought back the fire they had back in the "Life's Rich Pageant" days. If you have given up on R.E.M. go to iTunes and buy the first track "Living Well's The Best Revenge"...it will be $.99 well spent.

Flight Of The Conchords - "Flight Of The Conchords" (2008)

Supergrass - "Diamond Hoo Ha" (2008)

The Clash - "Live At Shea Stadium" (2008)

Another live album that changed the decade, as far as I am concerned. Recorded at Shea Stadium in Oct. 1982 while The Clash were opening for The Who, you can really hear the fire and passion of Joe, Mick, Paul and Terry (unfortunately this was after Topper Headon had left the band due to his taste for smack). If you want to know what The Clash was all about, get this album.

The Big Pink - "A Brief History Of Love" (2009)

Cage The Elephant - "Cage The Elephant" (2009)

{foliobull} The Gossip - "Music For Men" (2009)

Jarvis Cocker - "Further Complications" (2009)

Manchester Orchestra - "Mean Everything To Nothing" (2009)

Meat Puppets - "Sewn Together" (2009)

First Meat Puppets album in years that has sounded like late '80s/early '90s Pups.

Phoenix - "Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix" (2009)

Silversun Pickups - "Swoon" (2009)

Them Crooked Vultures - "Them Crooked Vultures" (2009)

Josh Homme on vocals and guitar, John Paul Jones (yes from Zeppelin) on bass and Dave Ghrohl on drums says it all. You will want to take your pants off after the first note!

The Von Bondies - "Love, Hate And Then There's You" (2009)

One of my Top 5 albums of the year. A shame it didn't break.

Julian Plenti - "Julian Plenti Is ... Skyscraper" (2009)

This is my favorite album of '09. Julian Plenti is actually the alter-ego of Interpol frontman Paul Banks. This isn't the most exciting album you will ever hear...but it might be one of the best. Very, very dark...as you might imagine from Interpol's frontman. This is one of those albums that need to be listened to from start to finish. Every time it comes up on my iPod shuffle, I stop the shuffle mode and listen to the entire album

Paul Peterson, of the Burgess Community, is a professor with Coastal Carolina University's Dept. of Politics

Here is his stab at some of the best CDs of the first decade of the 21^st century:

Diane Birch - "Bible Belt" (2009)

It is perhaps questionable to name a 2009 release the best CD of the decade, and I might feel differently about this a few years from now. However, "Bible Belt," the debut CD from Diane Birch, is a masterpiece. Birch reminds me, both as a writer and a singer, of Carole King, except that Birch has better vocal chops. If someone told me that this was the lost sequel to King's "Tapestry," it would not have been hard to believe. One great song follows another. There is not a substandard cut on the entire CD. Birch is from Oregon and her father is evidently a minister, hence the title. Some of the songs, including the gorgeous opening cut, "Fire Escape," have a gospel feel to them and some have some religious allusions. These songs, however, are Brill Building pop for the 21st Century, although they go deeper than the typical Brill Building fare.

Katie Melua - "Call Off the Search" (2003)

This is the first of three CDs released by Melua, a late twenties Russian-born woman who now lives in England. Melua is difficult to categorize. She is a bit jazz, a bit pop, a bit soft rock (not in the negative sense that term often conjures up), and a bit blues. Her CDs have sold more than 8,000,000 copies in Europe. She is a terrific singer and an excellent writer. Her writing has increased on each of her CDs, thus "Call Off the Search" has only two of her compositions. Six other songs were written by her collaborator, producer, and keyboardist, Mike Batt. The Meula compositions on this CD and her two subsequent releases show a writing style that is interchangeable with Batt's. "Call Off the Search" contains nice covers of Randy Newman's "I Think It's Going to Rain Today" and the early '50s Frank Sinatra classic, "Learning the Blues." Sinatra's rendition of "Learning the Blues" is up-tempo and brass-driven. Melua gives it a nice, slowed-down, bluesy version. I still prefer the Sinatra version, but I am certainly glad to have this unique take as well. Also highly recommended are Melua's other two CDs: "Piece by Piece" (2006) and "Pictures" (2009). I think, however, that "Call Off the Search" has the strongest collection of songs.

Catherine "Cat" Russell - "Cat" (2006)

Russell, who has been around substantially longer than either Birch or Melua, released this, her first solo CD, in 2006. Russell is the daughter of former Louis Armstrong musical director Luis Russell. By any measure, "Cat" is a stunning debut. She does a wide range of songs from traditional jazz to one of her father's compositions to the Grateful Dead to Sam Cooke. She brings great style and grace to all of these songs and they fit together in a seamless package. In particular, her rendition of Sam Cooke's "Put Me Down Easy" is a gem. Listeners will want to play this one over and over again.

Solomon Burke - "Don't Give Up on Me" (2002): The first decade of the century has seen the resurrection of the recording career of the legendary R&B man Solomon Burke. The Joe Henry-produced "Don't Give Up on Me" is the first of four CDs of new material released by Burke over the last eight years and is the best of the four and certainly one of the strongest CDs of the decade. It is also the finest album of Burke's career. Bob Dylan, Van Morrison, Tom Waites, and Elvis Costello all contributed songs for Burke to record for this Grammy-winning CD. In addition, Burke recorded Brian Wilson's "Soul Searchin'." As with any truly great CD, this one is loaded with great songs and performances. In fact, the subsequent three releases, "Make Do With What You Got" (produced by Don Was in 2005), "Nashville" (produced by Buddy Miller in 2006), and "Like a Fire" (produced by Steve Jordan in 2008) are all well worth the purchase. These CDs embody the essence of classic soul.

Bettye LaVette - "Scene of the Crime" (2007)

Solomon Burke was not the only recording career to be resurrected in this past decade. The less well-known, but equally powerful, LaVette also saw her recording career resurrected with "Scene of the Crime" and its predecessor, "I've Got My Own Hell to Raise" (2005). Both are top-notch, but give the slight edge to "Scene of the Crime." LaVette sings gritty blues and soul in a way that brings to mind a combination of Esther Phillips and Janis Joplin. Both CDs are loaded with great songs.

Buddy Miller - "Universal United House of Prayer" (2004)

When the great Americana music magazine No Depression ceased publication as a magazine, it honored Buddy Miller with the last cover in recognition of his great artistry in the Americana vein as a writer, singer, and producer. Miller seems incapable of making a bad CD. Every Miller CD is a treat. "Universal United House of Prayer" is arguably the best CD of his illustrious career, and is certainly one of the dozen or so best CDs of the last decade. This contains some of Miller's strongest writing, including, "This Old World" and "Is That You?" (written with his wife Julie). There is also a wonderful rendition of the Louvin Brothers classic, "There's a Higher Power." Think of Buddy Miller as a mature Gram Parsons.

Scott Miller and the Commonwealth - "Upside/Downside" (2003)

Miller and The Commonwealth is the first great rock band of the 21st century. This band has been compared to The Band, and there is much to be said about that comparison. One difference, however, is that Miller and the Commonwealth albums are more uniformly satisfying than Band albums (with the exception of the second Band album). Miller is an excellent singer and a song writer of wide-ranging talent. He can write catchy barroom songs such as "Drunk All Around This Town" and thoughtful, often moving songs that demand careful listening such as "Angels Dwell" (from Upside/Downside), "Daddy Raised a Boy (and Not a Man)," and "Heart in Harm's Way." Also highly recommended would be their debut CD, "Thus Always to Tyrants" (2001), "For Crying Out Loud" (2009), and the live collection, "Reconstruction" (2007).

Maria Muldaur - "Heart of Mine: The Love Songs of Bob Dylan" (2006)

What a great idea this CD is, having a singer as sultry and sensuous as the great Maria Muldaur sing a dozen of Bob Dylan's love songs. Although I am not sure that I would call "You Ain't Goin' Nowhere" a love song. Not only was this a great idea, but it was flawlessly executed by Muldaur and her supporting cast of musicians. Besides "Heart of Mine," this CD includes "Buckets of Rain," "To Be Alone with You," "Make You Feel My Love," and "You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go." Just thinking of Muldaur singing these songs makes the heart jump. And it will be jumping when you actually hear them. This is an altogether gorgeous CD.

Neil Diamond, - "12 Songs" (2005)

Neil Diamond has been at the forefront of American music for nearly a half-century. This last decade has seen Diamond produce some of the finest work of his career. Much of this is due to Rick Rubin, who produced "12 Songs" and its successor, "Home Before Dark." These two CDs remind us what Rubin did with and for Johnny Cash. Rubin produced the last five or so CDs of Cash's career, and they are among the best albums Cash ever recorded. Rubin returned Cash to a stripped-down sound, often it was just Cash and guitar. On "12 Songs" and "Home Before Dark," Rubin has done the same thing with Diamond. Diamond had been coasting for a long time (who could blame him) and his recorded work was spotty at best. These two CDs in many crucial ways take us back to the days when Diamond was recording with Bang Records. This is the Diamond of "Solitary Man" and "I'm a Believer." But there is a greater maturity to the lyrics. "12 Songs" includes such modern Diamond masterpieces as "Hell Yeah,' "Man of God," and "We."

Chris Hillman, - "The Other Side" (2005)

Chris Hillman is one of the giants in the history or rock from his stint as a founding member of The Byrds and The Flying Burrito Brothers. His time with The Desert Rose Band back in the 1980s saw him as a success on the country charts as well. Hillman, a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, also makes great solo CDs. Many of his musical sides are captured on "The Other Side." Although this is primarily a traditional country/bluegrass CD, Hillman and his band take a stab at the old Byrds' classic, "Eight Miles High." That, actually, is perhaps the least interesting cut on this otherwise outstanding CD. As the title of this CD implies, many of these songs are either directly or indirectly concerned with matters of God and the Holy Spirit. Eleven of the 15 selections of this CD are Hillman compositions. And that is a very good thing. Besides being a superb instrumentalist and singer, Hillman is an excellent writer. Think of the many great songs he wrote with Gram Parsons. Hillman has never been a highly visible performer and, thus, he is often underrated, if not ignored. But we are talking about the best CDs of the decade, not the most popular. There is genuine timelessness to "The Other Side."

Jerry Lee Lewis, - "Last Man Standing" (2006)

And who would have thought that Jerry Lee Lewis would have been the last man standing? Who would have thought that he would have outlived the other members of "the million dollar quartet": Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash and Carl Perkins? "Last Man Standing" is one of those CDs that usually turn out to be no good. We have, in this case, Jerry Lee doing a series of duets with other performers who, for the most part, are admirers of The Killer. Most of these endeavors typically have little interest beyond the first listening (think of the ghastly, but top-selling, Frank Sinatra duet albums several years back). But "Last Man Standing" works. Lewis, who never seems to have shown an interest in taking care of himself, is still in terrific voice on this CD. And the other performers generally do not get in the way of things. It really is a Jerry Lee Lewis CD. Highlights include "Before the Night is Over" with splendid guitar work from B.B. King and a duet with Rod Stewart on the old Jerry Lee country hit, "What's Made Milwaukee Famous." Stewart actually recorded this song back in the 1970s, so there is some rationale for this duet. But the best thing about this particular version is that the only instrumental accompaniment is Lewis on the piano. With Jerry Lee Lewis, as with many other performers, less is more. We don't need much more than Jerry Lee and a piano to make the night right.

Michael Wood, local concert promoter/booker and member of local acts Something About Vampires and Sluts and The Wet Teens

Here are his picks:

Fugazi - "The Argument" (2001)

This was the last album released before unfortunate departure of Fugazi, arguably the most important band in underground rock. This was an impressive endnote, however. They managed to blend their previous avant-garde-meets-explosive-rock style with more melody than seen in the past recordings. If you listen closely you'll even find some three-part harmonies, which one would never imagine from a band with the ex-front man of Minor Threat. Fugazi was one of the most inspiring bands I have ever heard. They broke new ground musically, and their integrity and dedication made an impact on many people.

Built To Spill - "Ancient Melodies of The Future" (2001)

Built To Spill - "You In Reverse" (2006)

Built To Spill - "There Is No Enemy" (2009)

The Postal Service - "Give Up" (2003)

The Postal Service is a recording project between Ben Gibbard (of Deathcab For Cutie) and Jimmy Tamborello (of bands Dntel and Figurine). They named their project after the fact that the recording was done long distance. What seemed to be a side project actually turned out to be a batch of amazing songs. With warm production, emotive vocals, and extremely catchy beats this is an album that has kept fans on their toes, just hoping for another release.

New Order - "Get Ready" (2001)

Modest Mouse - "Good News for People Who Love Bad News" (2004)

Modest Mouse - "We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank" (2007)

The Faint - "Danse Macabre" (2001)

Radiohead - "Kid A" 2000)

Radiohead - "Amnesiac" (2001)

Radiohead - "Hail to the Thief" (2003)

Radiohead - "In Rainbows" (2007)

Mountain Goats - "The Sunset Tree" (2005)

The Mountain Goats is mainly one man, John Darnielle, from North Carolina. He has been putting out lo-fi acoustic recordings since 1991. However, since the '90s he has turned the project into a full band, and put out heartfelt songs, both decorative in verb and warm in musical texture. Darnielle has a knack for storytelling, and "The Sunset Tree" works almost as an autobiography, telling stories of his abusive childhood. His stories are at times heart-wrenching, at times heart warming, but always heart-felt and well spoken.

Mountain Goats - "Get Lonely" (2006)

Mountain Goats - "Heretic Pride" (2008)

Arcade Fire - "Funeral" (2004)

Morrissey - "You Are the Quarry" (2004)

Morrissey - "Years of Refusal" (2009)

The Decemberists - "Castaways and Cutouts" (2002 )

The Decemberists - "Her Majesty" (2003)

The Decemberists - "The Crane Wife" (2006)

Samiam - "Astray" (2000)

Samiam - "Whatever's Got You Down" (2006)

The National - "The National" (2001)

The National - "Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers" (2003)

The National - "Alligator" (April 12, 2005)

Kanye West - "Graduation" (2007)

Sigor Ros - "( )" (2002)

Sigor Ros - "Takk..." (2005)

Sigor Ros - "Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust" (2008)

M.I.A.- "Kala" (2007)

Peaches - "The Teaches of Peaches" (2000)

Mates of State - "Our Constant Concern" (2002)

Mates of State - "Team Boo" (2003)

The Cure - "Bloodflowers" (2000)

The Cure - "4:13 Dream" (2008)

Bloc Party - "Silent Alarm" (2005)

The Hold Steady - "Separation Sunday" (2005)

The Hold Steady - "Boys and Girls in America" (2006)

Nine Inch Nails - "With Teeth" (2005)

Johnny Cash - "American III: Solitary Man" (2000)

Johnny Cash - "American IV: The Man Comes Around" (2002)

Sonic Youth - "Rather Ripped" (2006)

Elliott Smith - "Figure 8" (2000)

Elliott Smith - "From a Basement on the Hill" (2004)

I Am The World Trade Center - "The Tight Connection" (2002)

Ladytron - "Velocifero" (2008)

Bauhaus - "Go Away White" (2008)

Daft Punk - "Discovery" (2001)

DJ CED of Wilmington, N.C.'s Coast 97.3 and Myrtle Beach's Power 100.3, WSEA-FM

Here are his picks:

Aaliyah - "Aaliyah" (2001)

Musiq (Soulchild) - "Aijuswanaseing (I Just Wanna Sing)" (2000)

Outkast - "Stankonia" (2000)

Outkast - "Speakerboxxx/The Love Below" (2003)

50 Cent - "Get Rich or Die Tryin'" (2003)

The only album that you had to play every track in the club, or you would get beat up. Classic, hands down.

Ghost Face Killah - "Supreme Clientele" (2000)

Ludacris - "Word of Mouf" (2001)

Jay-Z - "The Blueprint" (2001)

One of my all-time faves. To me, it's Jay-Z's finest work. It's hard to out-do your debut album. From beginning to end, this album has my full attention.

Jay-Z and R. Kelly - "Best of Both Worlds" (2002)

Jadakiss - "Kiss the Game Goodbye" (2001)

Erykah Badu - "Mama's Gun" (2000)

Missy Elliott - "Under Construction" (2002)

Young Jeezy - "Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101" (2005)

The Game - "The Documentary" (2005)

Mary J. Blige - "The Breakthrough" (2005)

Li'l Wayne - "Tha Carter" (2004)

Li'l Wayne - "Tha Carter 3" (2008)

Eminem - "The Marshall Mathers LP" (2000)

Michael Jackson - "Invincible" (2001)

R.I.P. to the King. This album showed the soulful side of Mike. It was a side that was missing from his music for a while. Great album.

Little Brother - "The Listening" (2003)

Natives of the Carolinas. This album had the soul of Marvin Gaye and the hip-hop rawness of De La Soul. It was a new beginning in hip-hop on this one. Dope beats, dope rhymes - what more do ya'll want?

Jeff Roberts, a founding father of the South By Southeast Music Feast, and owner of Sounds Better Records in Myrtle Beach.

Here are his picks:

Various Artists - "O Brother, Where Art Thou" (soundtrack) (2000)

Nobody can say for sure - was it George Clooney and his perfectly Pomaded hair? Was it the screwball interpretation of The Odyssey? Was it the sirens sweetly singing down in the stream or that high-lonesome sound of the old-time music of the mountains? Whatever the ultimate reasons were, music listeners were hungry for something different and fresh. Who would have ever believed that would evolve into the rebirth of bluegrass and further evolve into the folksy, rootsy genre of Americana? Americana began as the refuge for singers, songwriters, musicians and bands that were just a little bit too twangy and country to be accepted in rock 'n' roll - or even worse, too strong and gritty to find a home in country music. Eventually, this umbrella expanded to include roots - rock, blues, bluegrass, jazz and even gospel. Essentially, everybody that was seeking a path and new possibility to popularity and success. For many artists, this new-fangled family of music worked really well. Consider Ralph Stanley, one of the originators of bluegrass music in the 1940s. Stanley made more money from songwriting royalties on "I Am a Man of Constant Sorrow" (the lead song from this soundtrack) than he made in the previous 50 years. His new-found fame became so enormous; he was honored with a Doctorate of Music from West Virginia (University). Hillbilly had become huge and everybody wanted on the bandwagon, literally. But it was the combination of diverse music that drew everybody in. Really old stuff from Ralph Stanley, Fairfield Four and The Whites, mixed together with Gillian Welch, Alison Krauss and the legendary Emmylou Harris. This soundtrack was crafted by the eccentric producer, T-Bone Burnett and his creation of The Soggy Bottom Boys for the final silly send-ups of "In the Jailhouse Now'' and "Man of Constant Sorrow." Let's all go back to Mississippi in 1922, down on the Delta, sit on the Big Rock Candy Mountain, and wait on the flood!

Bob Dylan - "Modern Times" (2001)

Bob Dylan - "Love and Theft" (2006)

Warren Zevon - "The Wind" (2003)

Johnny Cash - "American IV: The Man Comes Around" (2002)

Johnny Cash - "American V: A Hundred Highways" (2006)

Al Green - "I Can't Stop" (2003)

The White Stripes - "Elephant" (2003)

Norah Jones - "Come Away with Me" (2002)

Bruce Springsteen - "The Rising" (2002)

Bruce Springsteen - "Magic" (2007)

Kings of Leon - "Youth & Young Manhood" (2003)

Ryan Adams - "Gold" (2001)

John Mayer - "Room for Squares" (2001)

Drive-by Truckers - "Decoration Day" (2003)

The Roots - "Game Theory" (2006)

Lucinda Williams - "Essence" (2001)

Rod Stewart - "It Had to Be You: The Great American Songbook" (2002)

Willie Nelson - "You Don't Know Me: The Songs of Cindy Walker" (2006)

Van Morrison - "What's Wrong with this Picture?" (2003)

The Strokes - "Is This It?" (2001)

Kathleen Edwards - "Failer" (2003)

Tom Waits - "Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers & Bastards" (2006)

Michael Jackson - "Invincible" (2001)

Todd Snider - "The Devil You Know" (2006)

Bonnie Raitt - "Silver Lining" (2002)

Yo La Tengo - "I Am Not Afraid and I Will Beat Your Ass" (2006)