Why: Sometimes you hear music that makes you realize the limitless potential of musical ability. Because these two artists have no limits. They can make the acoustic guitar produce melodies which are unlike anything anyone else is producing.
9. Coldplay - A Rush of Blood to the Head (2002)
Why: Possibly the best title song of an album of all time. It's about revenge, arson, regret and despair. Or it could be an allegory for the state of the world. 'Start as you mean to go on'.
8. The Walkmen - The Rat (2004)
Why: Loud and super-fast. Lyrics that are half angry and half remorseful. A forceful hit of drums , bass and guitar played to a frenzy and dripping with raw emotion.
7. Keane - We Might As Well be Strangers (2004)
Why: Starts off softly and turns into a loud admonish. A topic everyone can relate to. Because everyone has people who just aren't around as much as they used to be.
6. Norah Jones - Don't Know Why (2002)
Why: Is she really jazz? The debate still continues. (I think she's more acoustic soul). But she makes beautiful music, none more so than the Grammy winning track off her debut album. The throaty, whispered lyrics and melancholy lyrics blend perfectly.
5.Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Maps (2003)
Why: The verses are extremely vague.But the chorus, that chorus made this song one of the best love songs of the decade. Sad,pleading and revealing; usually that kind of emotional transparency turns into a sappy pop song so it takes real skill to not fall into that trap. Still noisy and energetic but it's undoubtedly a ballad.
4.Eminem - Lose Yourself (2002)
Why: The most commercially successful rap song of all time.And it isn't junk. Irresistible beat with a smoother flow than we've come to expect from Em. Still dropping the lyrics but slow enough so we hear everything about the struggles of the life of Rabbit. It's as if Eminem channelled 'Born to Run'.
3. Coldplay - The Scientist (2002)
Why: A piano ballad about love and apology. Hopes and regrets, sadness and futility. This song captures it all; softly and beautifully.
2.Bruce Springsteen - The Rising (2002)
Why: When the country needs him, The Boss delivers. A story about a fireman climbing the tower on September 11th; surreal and desperate. Full of religious imagery, it's a song about coming through the hard times and rising above.
1. Outkast - Hey Ya (2004)
Why: A fusion of a whole lotta musical styles - funk, jazz, hip-hop, rock and rap, among others. High energy and completely electrifying. Most original song of the new millennium.
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