Rock (2000s)

Justin Adams

• Soul Science [2007, World Village], B+(**)

Ryan Adams (1974– )

• Heartbreaker [2000, Bloodshot], B
• Gold [2001, Lost Highway], B
• Demolition [2002, Lost Highway], B
• Easy Tiger [2007, Lost Highway], C+

Against Me!

• New Wave [2007, Sire], B+(**)

Akron/Family [2005– ]

• Love Is Simple [2007, Young God], B

Lily Allen (1985– )

• Alright, Still . . . [2007, Capitol], A–

Animal Collective [2003– ]

• Strawberry Jam [2007, Domino], B+(*)

Arcade Fire [2004– ]

• Funeral [2004, Merge], B+
• Neon Bible [2007, Merge], A–

Archie Bronson Outfit

• Derdang Derdang [2006, Domino], B

Arctic Monkeys [2005– ]

• Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not [2006, Domino], A–
• Favourite Worst Nightmare [2007, Domino], B+(***)

India Arie

• Acoustic Soul [2001, Motown], B+

Art Brut [2005– ]

• Bang Bang Rock & Roll [2005, Downtown], A–
• It's a Bit Complicated [2007, Downtown], B+(**)

At War With Self [2000– ]

• Acts of God [2005–6, Sluggo's Goon Music], B

Babyshambles

• Shotter's Nation [2007, Astralwerks], B+(***)

Badly Drawn Boy [2000– ]

• The Hour of the Bewilderbeast [2000, Twisted Nerve], B
• Have You Fed the Fish? [2002, Artist Direct], B+
• One Plus One Is One [2004, Astralwerks], B

Band of Horses [2006– ]

• Cease to Begin [2007, Sub Pop], B+(*)

Devendra Banhart

• Cripple Crow [2005, XL], B+(**)

The Baseball Project [2008– ]

• Vol. 1: Frozen Ropes and Dying Quails [2008, Yep Roc], B+(***)

Be Your Own Pet

• Be Your Own Pet [2006, Ecstatic Peace], A–
• Get Awkward [2008, Ecstatic Peace], B

Daniel Bedingfield [2002– ]

• Gotta Get Thru This [2002, Universal], B+

Beirut [2006– ]

• The Flying Club Cup [2007, Ba Da Bing!], B

Bell Orchestre

• Recording a Tape the Colour of the Light [2005, Rough Trade], B+(***)

Beyoncé (1981– )

• Dangerously in Love [2003, Columbia], C

Big Lazy [2000– ]

• New Everything [2002, Tasankee], B+

Black Bonzo [2004– ]

• Sound of the Apocalypse [2007, The Laser's Edge], C–

The Black Keys [2002– ]

• Magic Potion [2006, Nonesuch], B
• Attack and Release [2008, Nonesuch], B–

Black Kids [2008– ]

• Partie Traumatic [2008, Almost Gold/Columbia], B+(***)

Black Lips [2003– ]

• Good Bad Not Evil [2007, Vice], B+(*)

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club [2000– ]

• Baby 81 [2007, Red Ink], B+(**)

Blitzen Trapper

• Wild Mountain Nation [2007, Sub Pop], B

Bloc Party [2005– ]

• Silent Alarm [2004, Vice], B+(***)
• A Weekend in the City [2007, Vice/Atlantic], B

Brakes [2005– ]

• Give Blood [2005, Rough Trade], A–
• The Beatific Visions [2007, Rough Trade], B+(***)

Brazilian Girls [2005– ]

• Talk to La Bomb [2006, Verve Forecast], B+(*)
• New York City [2008, Verve Forecast], B+(***)

Bright Eyes [2000– ]

• Cassadaga [2007, Saddle Creek], B+(***)

Broken Land

• Audio Postcard [2006, Broken Land], B+(**)

Broken Social Scene [2001– ]

• Bee Hives [2001–3, Arts & Crafts], B+

Dan Bryk

• Lovers Leap [2000, Scratchie], B

Burrito Deluxe

• The Whole Enchilada [2004, Luna Chica], B–

Blu Cantrell

• So Blu [2001, Arista], B

The Capricorns

• In the Zone [2002, Paroxsym], A–

The Chalets

• Check In [2005, Setanta], B+(***)

Kasey Chambers (1976– )

• The Captain [2000, Asylum], A–
• Barricades and Brick Walls [2001, Warner Brothers], A–
• Wayward Angel [2004, Warner Brothers], B+(**)
• w/Shane Nicholson: Rattlin' Bones [2008, Essence/Sugar Hill], B+(**)

Cody Chesnutt [2002– ]

• The Headphone Masterpiece [2002, Ready Set Go!, 2 CD], B+

Chrisette Michele (1982– )

• I Am [2007, Def Jam], B+(*)

Citay

• Citay [2005, Important], B+(**)

City High

• City High [2001, Interscope], B

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah [2005– ]

• Clap Your Hands Say Yeah [2005, Clay Your Hands Say Yeah], A–
• Some Loud Thunder [2007, Clay Your Hands Say Yeah], B–

Coyote Poets of the Universe [2004– ]

• Unmistakable Evidence! [2004–5, Square Shaped], B+(*)

The Cribs [2005– ]

• Men's Needs, Women's Needs, Whatever [2007, Warner Brothers], B+(**)

A Cricket in Times Square [2003– ]

• A Cricket in Times Square [2003, High Two], B+

Miley Cyrus (1992– )

• Breakout [2008, Disney], B–

Daughter [2003– ]

• Skin [2003, Aum Fidelity], A–

Kimya Dawson

• I'm Sorry That Sometimes I'm Mean [2002, Rough Trade], A–
• My Cute Fiend Sweet Princess [2003, Important], A–
• Knock-Knock Who? [2003, Important], B
• Remember That I Love You [2006, K], B+(***)
• Alphabutt [2008, K], B

The Deacons

• Brooklyn Towne [2004, Brooklyn Towne], A–

Deadstring Brothers [2003– ]

• Starving Winter Report [2005, Bloodshot], B

The Decemberists [2002– ]

• The Crane Wife [2006, Capitol], B+(**)

Deerhunter [2004– ]

• Cryptograms [2005, Kranky], B+(***)

Brigitte DeMeyer

• Nothing Comes Free [2003, BDM], A–

Dengue Fever [2003– ]

• Venus on Earth [2008, M80], B+(**)

Raheem DeVaughn

• Love Behind the Melody [2008, 1228/Jive/Zomba], B

DeVotchKa [2002– ]

• A Mad and Faithful Telling [2008, Anti-], B+(***)

Mike Doughty (1970– )

• Golden Delicious [2008, ATO], B+(*)

The-Dream

• Love / Hate [2007, Def Jam], B+(*)

Kevin Drew

• Spirit If . . . [2005–7, Arts & Crafts], B+(**)

Minnie Driver (1970– )

• Everything I've Got in My Pocket [2004, Zoë], B

Duffy

• Rockferry [2008, Island/Mercury], B+(***)

Matt Duke

• Winter Child [2006, MAD Dragon], B+(*)

Kathleen Edwards (1979– )

• Asking for Flowers [2008, Zoë], B+(*)

Mike Edison

• I Have Fun Everywhere I Go [2008, Interstellar Roadhouse], B+(***)

Electrelane [2001– ]

• No Shouts No Calls [2006, Too Pure], B+(*)

Electric Six [2003– ]

• Fire [2003, XL], A–

Ricky Fanté

• Rewind [2004, Virgin], B

The Felice Brothers [2006– ]

• The Felice Brothers [2008, Team Love], B+(*)

Fiel Garvie [1996– ]

• Leave Me Out of This [2003, Words on Music], B

Fiery Furnaces [2003– ]

• Widow City [2007, Thrill Jockey], C+

Fleet Foxes [2008– ]

• Fleet Foxes [2008, Sub Pop], B–

Foals [2008– ]

• Antidotes [2008, Sub Pop], B+(*)

Fond of Tigers

• Release the Saviours [2007, Drip Audio], B+(*)

Amanda Ford

• On Fire [2006, Alanna], B

Franz Ferdinand [2004– ]

• Franz Ferdinand [2004, Domino], B+(***)
• You Could Have It So Much Better [2005, Domino], B+(**)

Lars Frederiksen

• Lars Frederiksen and the Bastards [2001, Epitaph], B+

Nelly Furtado (1978– )

• Loose [2006, Geffen], B

The Go! Team [2004– ]

• Thunder, Lightning, Strike [2004, Columbia], B+(***)
• Proof of Youth [2007, Sub Pop], B+(**)

Gogol Bordello

• Multi Kontra Culti Vs. Irony [2002, Rubric], B+(***)
• w/Tamir Muskat: J.U.F. [2004, Stinky], B+(***)
• Gypsy Punks [2005, Side One Dummy], A–
• Super Taranta! [2007, Side One Dummy], A

The Good, the Bad, and the Queen

• The Good, the Bad, and the Queen [2007, Honest Jons/Virgin], B

The Gothic Archies

• The Tragic Treasury: Songs From a Series of Unfortunate Events [2006, Nonesuch], A–

Jackie Greene (1980– )

• American Myth [2006, Verve Forecast], B

Grenadier

• Hand Offensive [2004, Grenadier Music], B+

Tom Herman

• Wait for It [2004, Return to Sender], B+

Hil St. Soul [2000– ]

• Copasetik and Cool [2004, Shanachie], B+

The Hold Steady [2004– ]

• Almost Killed Me [2004, Frenchkiss], A–
• Separation Sunday [2005, Frenchkiss], A–
• Boys and Girls in America [2006, Vagrant], A–
• Stay Positive [2008, Vagrant], A–

Hot Chip [2002– ]

• The Warning [2006, Astralwerks], B+(**)
• Made in the Dark [2008, Astralwerks], B+(***)

Hot Hot Heat [2002– ]

• Elevator [2004, Sire], B+(*)

Interpol [2001– ]

• Turn on the Bright Lights [2002, Matador], C+

Iron and Wine

• The Shepherd's Dog [2007, Sub Pop], B+(**)

Jason Isbell

• Sirens of the Ditch [2007, New West], B+(*)

Jackie-O Motherfucker [2000– ]

• Flags of the Sacred Harp [2005, ATP], A–

Jesus H Christ and the Four Hornsmen of the Apocalypse

• Jesus H Christ and the Four Hornsmen of the Apocalypse [2006, Jesus Christ Rocks], A–

Jack Johnson

• On and On [2003, Moonshine Conspiracy], B

Jonas Brothers [2006– ]

• A Little Bit Longer [2008, Hollywood], B+(*)

Norah Jones (1979– )

• Come Away With Me [2002, Blue Note], B+
• Feels Like Home [2004, Blue Note], B–
• Not Too Late [2007, Blue Note], B+(*)

Junior Senior [2003– ]

• D-D-Don't Don't Stop the Beat [2003, Crunchy Frog/Atlantic], B–

Keane [2004– ]

• Hopes and Fears [2004, Interscope], B–

Kelis

• Kaleidoscope [1999, Virgin], B+
• Tasty [2003, Star Trak/Arista], A

Kem

• Album II [2005, Motown], B

Keren Ann (1974– )

• Nolita [2004, Metro Blue], B+(*)

Alicia Keys (1980– )

• Songs in A Minor [2001, J], A–
• The Diary of Alicia Keys [2003, J], B+(*)
• As I Am [2007, J], B+(**)

The Kills [2002– ]

• Midnight Boom [2008, Domino], A–

Kings of Leon [2003– ]

• Because of the Times [2007, RCA], B+(*)

Sonya Kitchell

• Words Came Back to Me [2006, Velour], B

KTU

• 8 Armed Monkey [2004, Thirsty Ear], B+

Late of the Pier [2008– ]

• Echoclistel Lambietroy [2008, Astralwerks, EP], B–

Amy LaVere

• Anchors & Anvils [2007, Archer], A–

Jens Lekman (1981– )

• Night Falls Over Kortedala [2007, Secretly Canadian], B

Sondre Lerche

• Duper Sessions [2005, Astralwerks], B+(*)

Jenny Lewis (1977– )

• w/The Watson Twins: Rabbit Fur Coat [2005, Team Love], A–
• Acid Tongue [2008, Warner Brothers], A–

Liars [2001– ]

• Liars [2007, Mute], B–

The Libertines [2002– ]

• Up the Bracket [2002, Rough Trade], B
• The Libertines [2004, Rough Trade], B+(*)

The Little Willies [2003– ]

• The Little Willies [2003–5, Milking Bull], B+(**)

Living Things

• Resight Your Rights EP [2003, DreamWorks, EP], B+
• Black Skies in Broad Daylight [2004, Loog/DreamWorks], A–

Los Campesinos! [2007– ]

• Sticking Fingers Into Sockets [2007, Arts & Crafts, EP], B+(***)
• Hold on Now, Youngster . . . [2008, Arts & Crafts], B+(***)

Courtney Love

• America's Sweetheart [2004, Virgin], A–

Lykke Li (1986– )

• Youth Novels [2008, Atlantic], B

Amy MacDonald (1987– )

• This Is the Life [2007, Decca], B+(*)

Make a Rising

• Rip Through the Hawk Black Night [2005, High Two], B

Jesse Malin

• The Fine Art of Self-Destruction [2003, Artemis], B+

Stephen Malkmus (1966– )

• Stephen Malkmus [2001, Matador], A–
• Steve Malkmus and the Jicks: Pig Lib [2003, Matator], A–
• Real Emotional Trash [2007, Matador], B+(***)

Man Man

• Rabbit Habbits [2008, Anti-], B+(**)

The Mars Volta [2002– ]

• Frances the Mute [2005, Universal], C

Fergus McCormick

• I Don't Need You Now [2007, CDBaby], B+(**)

Anne McCue

• Koala Motel [2006, Messenger], B+(*)

Menya [2008– ]

• The Ol' Reach-Around [2008, Menya, EP], B+(***)

The Mercenaries

• The Hanging Tree [2003, Melted Vinyl], B

Tift Merritt [2002– ]

• Bramble Rose [2002, Lost Highway], B

Mike and the Ravens

• Noisy Boys! The Saxony Sessions [2006–7, Zoho Roots], B

Rhett Miller

• The Instigator [2002, Elektra], A–
• The Believer [2006, Verve Forecast], B+(***)

The Moldy Peaches [2001– ]

• The Moldy Peaches [2001, Rough Trade], A–

Teedra Moses

• Complex Simplicity [2004, TVT], B+

Ms. Dynamite

• A Little Deeper [2002, Interscope], B

Musiq (1977– )

• Luvanmusiq [2007, Atlantic], B

Kate Nash

• Made of Bricks [2008, Geffen], A–

The National [2001– ]

• Boxer [2007, Beggars Banquet], B+(*)

New Estate

• New Estate [2003, W.Minc], B

The New Pornographers [2000– ]

• Mass Romantic [2000, Mint], B
• Twin Cinema [2005, Matador], B+(*)
• Challengers [2007, Matador], B

Nine Men's Morris [2004– ]

• It's a Wonderful Life [2004, Segue], C+

1990s [2007– ]

• Cookies [2006, Rough Trade], B+(***)

No Age

• Weirdo Rippers [2007, Fat Cat], B+(***)
• Nouns [2008, Sub Pop], A–

Noisettes [2006– ]

• What's the Time Mr. Wolf? [2007, Cherry/Universal Motown], B

Normal Love

• 2007 [2007, High Two], B

North Mississippi All Stars [2000– ]

• Shake Hands With Shorty [2000, Tone Cool], B+

Conor Oberst (1980– )

• Conor Oberst [2008, Merge], A–

Ollabelle [2004– ]

• Riverside Battle Songs [2006, Verve Forecast], B+(**)

Okkervil River [2000– ]

• The Stage Names [2007, Jagjaguwar], B
• The Stand Ins [2008, Jagjaguwar], B+(*)

The Oohlas

• Best Stop Pop [2006, Stolen Transmission], B+(**)

Panda Bear

• Person Pitch [2007, Paw Tracks], B+(*)

Panic! at the Disco

• A Fever You Can't Sweat Out [2005, Decaydance/Fueled by Ramen], C–

Katy Perry (1984– )

• One of the Boys [2008, Capitol], B+(*)

Peter Bjorn and John [2002– ]

• Writer's Block [2006, Almost Gold], B+(*)

The Pierces [2000– ]

• Thirteen Tales of Love and Revenge [2007, Lizard King], B+(***)

Pink (1979– )

• Can't Take Me Home [2000, LaFace], B+
• Missundaztood [2001, Arista], A–
• Try This [2003, Arista], A–
• I'm Not Dead [2006, LaFace/Zomba], A–

The Pipettes [2006– ]

• We Are the Pipettes [2006, Interscope], B

The Ponys [2004– ]

• Laced With Romance [2004, In the Red], B+
• Celebration Castle [2005, In the Red], A–
• Turn the Lights Out [2007, Matador], B

Ponytail [2007– ]

• Kamehameha [2007, Creative Capitalism], B
• Ice Cream Spiritual! [2008, We Are Free], B

Positive Flow [2004– ]

• Can U Feel It? [2004, Shanachie], C+

The Postal Service [2003– ]

• Give Up [2003, Sub Pop], A–

Lisa Marie Presley (1968– )

• To Whom It May Concern [2003, Capitol], B–

Pretty Girls Make Graves [2002– ]

• Good Health [2002, Lookout], B

Public Record

• Public Record [2006–8, High Two], B

Puttanesca

• Puttanesca [2006, Catasonic], B+(*)

The Raconteurs

• Consolers of the Lonely [2008, Warner Brothers], B

The Rakes

• Capture/Release [2005, V2], A–

The Raveonettes [2002– ]

• Chain Gang of Love [2003, Columbia], B+
• Lust Lust Lust [2008, Vice], B+(**)

The Reputation [2002– ]

• The Reputation [2002, Initial], B+
• To Force a Fate [2004, Lookout], B

Damien Rice

• O [2003, Vector], C–

Rihanna (1988– )

• Good Girl Gone Bad [2007, Def Jam], B

Rilo Kiley [2001– ]

• More Adventurous [2004, Brute/Beaute], A
• Under the Blacklight [2007, Warner Brothers], B+(***)

Josh Ritter

• The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter [2007, RCA Victor], B+(**)

RockDownBaby

• Love & Sex & Rock & Roll [2006, Life Force, EP], B+(**)

Carl Hancock Rux

• Good Bread Alley [2006, Thirsty Ear], B

St. Vincent

• Marry Me [2007, Beggars Banquet], B+(*)

Santogold [2008– ]

• Santogold [2008, Downtown], B+(**)

Sa-Ra [2005– ]

• The Hollywood Recordings [2007, Babygrande], B+(**)

Scissor Sisters

• Scissor Sisters [2004, Universal], B+

Jill Scott (1972– )

• Beautifully Human: Words and Sounds, Vol. 2 [2004, Hidden Beach], B+(***)
• The Real Thing: Words and Sounds, Vol. 3 [2007, Hidden Beach], B+(***)

The Service Industry

• Limited Coverage [2008, Sauspop], B+(**)

Shesus [2003– ]

• Loves You . . . Loves You Not [2003, Narnack], B+

Slow Train Soul [2004– ]

• Illegal Cargo [2004, Tommy Boy], B+

Starlight Mints

• Dream That Stuff Was Made Of [2000, SeeThru Broadcasting], B–

Marnie Stern

• In Advance of the Broken Arm [2006, Kill Rock Stars], B

Sufjan Stevens (1975– )

• Greetings From Michigan: The Great Lakes State [2003, Asthmatic Kitty], A–
• Illinois [2005, Asthmatic Kitty], A–
• The Avalanche: Outtakes and Extras From the Illinois Album [2005, Asthmatic Kitty], B+(***)

The Strokes [2000– ]

• Is This It [2001, RCA], A–
• Room on Fire [2003, RCA], B+

The Suicide Kings

• The Suicide Kings [2008, Blue Plate Music], B+(*)

Skye Sweetnam

• Noise From the Basement [2004, Capitol 81681l], B+

Teddy Bears

• Soft Machine [2006, Big Beat/Atlantic], A–

The Teenagers [2008– ]

• Reality Check [2008, XL], B+(*)

Tegan and Sara [2000– ]

• The Con [2007, Vapor], B+(**)

Tenacious D

• Tenacious D [2001, Epic], C–

Vienna Teng (1978– )

• Dreaming Through the Noise [2006, Zoë/Rounder], B+(*)

Bow Thayer

• Maintenance for Mood Swings [2006, Crooked Root], B+(**)

3 Tenors of Soul

• All the Way From Philadelphia [2007, Shanachie], B+(***)

This Moment in Black History [2004– ]

• It Takes a Nation of Assholes to Hold Us Back [2005, Cold Sweat], A–

Teddy Thompson (1976– )

• Upfront and Down Low [2007, Verve Forecast], A–
• A Piece of What You Need [2008, Verve Forecast], B+(**)

Thunderbirds Are Now! [2002– ]

• Justamustache [2005, Frenchkiss], B+
• Make History [2006, Frenchkiss], A–

Justin Timberlake [2002– ]

• Justified [2002, Jive], B+
• Futuresex/Lovesounds [2006, Jive/Zomba], B+

Tokyo Police Club [2006– ]

• Elephant Shell [2008, Saddle Creek], A–

Transplants [2002– ]

• Transplants [2002, Hellcat], A

Tuner

• Totem [2005, Unsung], B+(**)
• Pole [2005–6, Unsung], B

TV on the Radio

• Return to Cookie Mountain [2006, Interscope], B+(**)

The Twilight Sad [2007– ]

• Fourteen Autumns & Fifteen Winters [2007, Fat Cat], B+(*)

The Unseen Guest

• Out There [2005, Tuition], B+(**)

Vampire Weekend

• Vampire Weekend [2008, XL], B+(***)

Stoll Vaughan

• Love Like a Mule [2006, Shadow Dog], B+(***)

Von Südenfed [2007– ]

• Tromatic Reflexxions [2007, Domino], B+(***)

Martha Wainwright

• Martha Wainwright [2005, Zoë], B
• I Know You're Married but I've Got Feelings Too [2008, Zoë], B–

Kenny White

• Symphony in 16 Bars [2004, Wildflower], B+

Wide Right [2002– ]

• Wide Right [2003, Poptop], A–
• Sleeping on the Couch [2005, Poptop], A–

The Willowz [2004– ]

• The Willowz [2005, Sympathy for the Record Industry], B+(***)

Amy Winehouse (1983– )

• Frank [2003, Universal], B+(*)
• Back to Black [2007, Universal], B+(**)

The Wood Brothers

• Ways Not to Lose [2006, Blue Note], B+(*)

Xiu Xiu [2002– ]

• w/Larsen: ¡Ciaütstico! [2005, Important], B

Yeah Yeah Yeahs [2001– ]

• Fever to Tell [2003, Interscope], B+
• Show Your Bones [2006, Interscope], B+(***)

Yeasayer [2007– ]

• All Hour Cymbals [2007, We Are Free], B+(*)

Thom Yorke (1968– )

• The Eraser [2006, XL], B+(**)

Zwan

• Mary Star of the Sea [2003, Reprise], B–

Various Artists

• The Best Bootlegs in the World Ever [2002, No Label], A–
• Doctors, Professors, Kings and Queens: The Big Ol' Box of New Orleans [1927–2003, Shout! Factory, 4 CD], B+(***)
• Free the West Memphis 3 [2000, Koch], B+
• Future Soundtrack for America [2004, Barsuk], B+
• Go Contrary, Go Sing: Heroes and Zeroes of the North American Underground [1999–2004, Brooklyn Towne], A–
• Goin' Home: A Tribute to Fats Domino [(2007), Vanguard, 2 CD], B+(**)
• I Believe to My Soul [2005, Rhino/Work Song/Hear Music], B+
• Jamie Oldaker's Mad Dogs and Okies [2005, Concord], B
• The Neptunes Present . . . Clones [2003, Star Trak], B+
• The New Orleans Social Club: Sing Me Back Home [2006, Burgundy/Honey Darling], B+(**)
• Our New Orleans 2005 [2005, Nonesuch], A–
• Por Vida: A Tribute to the Songs of Alejandro Escovedo [2004, Or Music, 2 CD], B
• Rock Against Bush, Vol. 1 [2004, Fat Wreck Chords, 2 CD], B+
• Soul Satisfaction: A Collection of Nu-Soul Gems [1999–2004, Shanachie], C