No matter how much the industry changed this decade, albums were always the best thing about this music game. The feeling of getting it, ripping the cellophane off, opening the booklet, pressing play, and reading the credits, I simply can’t compare it to anything else. It’s a standard for absolute pleasure.

According to my iTunes count, here are the 5 albums I listened to the most this decade:

1. THE BLUEPRINT Jay-Z. (Roc-A-Fella) 2001
Rap music in the 2000’s doesn’t get any better than this, point blank.

2. VOODOO D’Angelo. (Virgin) 2001
Perfect record, start to finish, no wonder why D never dared to release another one.

3. L’INCROYABLE VERITE Sebastien Tellier. (Record Makers) 2001
Best french album of the decade, please don’t argue.

4. LATE REGISTRATION Kanye West. (Roc-A-Fella) 2005
In confidence, this is the Hip-hop album I wish I produced. I love this record.

5. SPEAKERBOXXX/THE LOVE BELOW Outkast. (La-Face) 2003
Still trying to get over the initial knock-out.  The definition of creativity in music.

HONORABLE MENTION: SO FAR GONE Drake. (Young Money) 2009
It’s still early to say if it will go down as one of the best ever, but it sure is the one I listened to the most this year.

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OTHER PERSONAL FAVS OF THE NAUGHTS:

QUALITY by Talib Kweli.
† by Justice.
SHE’S IN CONTROL by Chromeo.
ORACULAR SPECTACULAR by MGMT.
THE RECESSION by Young Jeezy.

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BONUS TRACK: MOST UNDERRATED ALBUMS

TOUCH by Amerie.
SO MUCH FOR THE CITY by The Thrills.
ANY SOUNDTRACK by Jon Brion. (especially HUCKABEES)
FABRICLIVE #36 by James Murphy and Pat Mahoney.
UNDERGROUND KINGZ by UGK.

It ain’t over yet!

Mehdi.