10. DJ Shadow - The Private Press
          This is one of the albums that proved that there is still life in the world of electronic music. DJ Shadow, an admitted  vinyl collecting addict, follows up his first album, Entroducing (one of the greatest albums ever) and his work with Unkle incredibly. This is the kind of album that Moby wishes he could still afford to do. Shadow takes incredibly obscure samples and manages to create something that goes beyond mere music to creates moods. And "Mashin On The Motorway" is the single greatest agressive driving song ever.

9. Spoon - Kill The Moonlight
        Britt Daniel made the mistake of releasing the last Spoon album, "Girls Can Tell" right before the "new rock" trend started and The Strokes became millionaires. With Kill The Moonlight, he has made an excellent album that happens to sound like garage rock, as opposed to all the  album made to sound like garage rock of late. Rather than simply getting by on straightforward rock and distortion affects, he expands his range by using experimental akward  timing and drum machines, and it pays off wonderfully in songs such as "Stay Don't Go".

8. The Walkmen - Everyone Who Pretended To Like Me Is Gone
        New York has been producing incredible music lately, and The Walkmen are a fine example of this sudden influx of great bands from the big apple.  Their singer sounds like Bono back when Bono still gave a crap.  You may have heard their song "We've Been Had" on the Saturn commercial with all the swingsets. Yeah, you've seen it. They use a piano on nearly every track, and it gives a sort of serene, sometimes creepy feel to the music. Great stuff.

7. RJD2 - DeadRinger
        A lot of people have called RJD2 a flat out ripoff of DJ Shadow. I don't see how, really, besides the fact that they are both amazing producers. But where DJ Shadow creates moods, RJD2 leans more towards the Hip Hop genre, with songs featuring rappers like Copyrite and Blueprint from Def Jux records (the best label in underground hip hop today, piss off Rawkus). This album makes for great headphone music.

6. The Flaming Lips - Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots
       Wayne Coyne is a genius. A mad genius perhaps, but a genius. This record is not as good as thier last record, The Soft Bulletin, but is definitely more experimental. There is an overwhelming sense of lightheartedness and hope that permeates through Coyne's glitchy music and playful lyrics. Whether or not you like the concept of Yoshimi, the music is undeniably forward thinking and thought-provoking.
 
    next 5 tomorrow, i promise