25. Macy Gray, “Big” (Geffen): Murderous tales, working mom R&B anthems and Justin Timberlake. Who could ask for more?
Macy Gray, "Finally Made Me Happy"
Erasure, "I Could Fall in Love With You"
23. White Stripes, “Icky Thump” (Third Man/Warner Bros.): Jack White goes back to the catchy melodies and bluesy riffs of the White Stripes’ early days to add some classics to the catalog, especially the title track and “You Don’t Know What Love Is.”
White Stripes, "You Don't Know What Love Is"
22. The Cribs, “Men’s Needs, Women’s Needs, Whatever” (Warner Bros.): The Jarman brothers tame their wilder rock urges and experiment with the likes of Sonic Youth’s Lee Ranaldo with grand results.
The Cribs, "Men's Needs"
21. M.I.A., “Kala” (XL/Interscope): It’s the new-century lemons/lemonade tale. When the U.S. government gives you visa problems, you make a globe-trotting album drawing influences from the underclasses of Africa, Asia and Europe to build another hip-hop call-to-arms.
M.I.A., "Bird Flu"