1. Who Is Jill Scott: Words & Sounds Vol. 1 – Jill Scott
The Gist: Philadelphia spoken word artist and poetess fills-in for Erykah Badu at Roots show then puts pen to paper and debuts mouth to mic.
The Result: Audial orgasm.
Download: “It’s Love” and “A Long Walk”
Watch: “Gettin’ In The Way”
2. Robyn – Robyn
The Gist: Swedish 2-hit wonder breaks free of contractual slavery and opens her treasure chest.
The Result: Pop eruption.
Download: “Be Mine!” and “Cobrastyle”
Watch: “With Every Heartbeat”
3. Healing Is Difficult – SiA
The Gist: Aussie acid jazzer fugues to London for solo career with a knack for the haunting.
The Result: Moody’s paradise.
Download: “Judge Me” and “Drink To Get Drunk”
Watch: “Little Man”
4. The May Street Project – Shea Seger
The Gist: Folksy rootsy Texan chanteuse accidently bumps into The Neptunes at their prime.
The Result: Blues bliss
Download: “Clutch” and “I Love You Too Much”
Watch: “Clutch”
5. Moon Safari - Air
The Gist: French mood gurus decide that vocals are the way to go.
The Result: Chill-out cataclysm
Download: “Sexy Boy” and “Kelly, Watch The Stars!”
Watch: “All I Need”
6. Back To Black – Amy Winehouse
The Gist: Jazz damsel ditches the pretty for the booze, bong and blow.
The Result: Heartbreak ubiquity.
Download: “Back To Black” and “Just Friends”
Watch: “Love Is A Losing Game (live)”
7. American Life – Madonna
The Gist: World icon forgets about profiteering for a hot minute and gets to music progression.
The Result: Folktronic epitome.
Download: “Nobody Knows Me” and “Intervention”
Watch: “Love Profusion”
8. Made Of Bricks – Kate Nash
The Gist: Brit snot-tot brings debut heavily-accented vocals on girl-worry ditties.
The Result: Pretty pantomime
Download: “Mouthwash” and “Nicest Thing”
Watch: “Pumpkin Soup”
9. Everybody Got Their Something – Nikka Costa
The Gist: Former balladeer child star and goddaughter of Frank Sinatra discovers big sounds.
The Result: Funk phenom
Download: “Everybody Got Their Something” and “Hope It Felt Good”
Watch: “Like A Feather”
10. The Invisible Band – Travis
The Gist: The wise person’s Coldplay get more melodic and less loud.
The Result: Melancholy greatness.
Download: “Flowers In The Windows” and “Side”
Watch: “Sing”
11. Stripped – Christina Aguilera
The Gist: Disney starlet breaks the cookie-cutter and lets it all hang out.
The Result: Pop sex
Download: “Impossible” and “Infatuation”
Watch: “Fighter”
12. Revolution In Me - Siobhán Donaghy
The Gist: Former Sugababe leaves meanies and plays around with forbidden instruments.
The Result: Naughty escapade
Download: “Faces” and “Twist Of Fate”
Watch: “Overrated”
13. Parachutes – Coldplay
The Gist: Gentle rockers start their career with pure emotional out-pourance.
The Result: Benevolent rockfest
Download: “Shiver” and “Yellow”
Watch: “Don’t Panic”
14. Whoa Nelly! – Nelly Furtado
The Gist: Canadian Lilith Fair girl brings back the ambient hippie.
The Result: Introspective epic
Download: “Well, Well” and “Legend”
Watch: “I’m Like A Bird”
15. Light Years - Kylie Minogue
The Gist: Disco diva gets over experimental period and gets back to pure pop pureé.
The Result: Gargantuan dance
Download: “So Now Goodbye” and “Please Stay”
Watch: “On A Night Like This”
16. Detours – Sheryl Crow
The Gist: Liberal singer/songwriter dives head-on into political commentary.
The Result: Anti-war anthems
Download: “Detours” and “Out Of Our Heads”
Watch: “Gasoline”
17. Kid A – Radioheads
The Gist: Britrock band makes record label happy and gets experimental.
The Result: Beautiful noise.
Download: “Everything In It’s Right Place” and “In Limbo”
Watch: “Motion Picture Soundtrack”
18. The Emancipation Of MiMi – Mariah Carey
The Gist: The Voice shows everyone what a comeback is all about.
The Result: Melisma madness
Download: “Stay The Night” and “Circles”
Watch: “Shake It Off”
19. Eye To The Telescope – KT Tunstall
The Gist: Newcomer straps it on and belts it out.
The Result: Acoustic heaven.
Download: “Suddenly I See” and “Under The Weather”
Watch: “Black Horse And The Cherry Tree”
20. Aaliyah – Aaliyah
The Gist: Soul sister gives us the last goodbye.
The Result: Black butter.
Download: “It’s Whatever” and “More Than A Woman”
Watch: “Rock The Boat”
Click below for the honorable mentions.
