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15. Annie Lennox, “Songs of Mass Destruction” (RCA): Though she spends most of her time outlining life’s heartbreaks and human failures on this album, Annie Lennox does it so beautifully in “Smithereens” or “Dark Road” it still seems positive.
Bishop Allen, "Click, Click, Click, Click"
13. Bjork, “Volta” (Elektra): Freaky as ever, Bjork rediscovers dance music as the best home for tales of “Earth Intruders” and creating new countries (“Declare Independence.”) Signing on Antony of Antony and The Johnsons for the gorgeous “The Dull Flame of Desire” was another inspired move.
Bjork, "Declare Independence"
12. Envy on the Coast, “Lucy Gray” (Photo Finish): The next breakout band from Long Island combines the rage of its predecessors, but adds a layer of pop ambition and grand vision to songs like “The Gift of Paralysis” to craft something completely their own.
Envy on the Coast, "Sugar Skulls"
11. Linkin Park, “Minutes to Midnight” (Machine Shop/Warner Bros.): It turns out Linkin Park is an even better rock band than the multi-platinum success of its rap-metal days suggested. “Minutes to Midnight” is simply one massive rock anthem after another, accomplished in well-crafted style.
Linkin Park, "Shadow of the Day"