The Year ender

Its new years eve so i decided to throw down on the five best albums of the year. Truth be told these are all hip-hop albums because rock hasn't produced something substantial since the late 90's. So here we go, in reverse rder for dramatic effect.

Honorable Mention

Felt 2 (Murs & Slug)- Tribute to Lisa Bonet
West Coast Album that was decent, but the subject matter keeps it on the honorable mention list.

Public Enemy- New Whirl Odor
PE has a place on any best of list. (I feel like i've said that before) Hip-hop desperately needs the conscious voice of Chuck D these days. I hope they keep dropping albums and find some better production

Lil Wayne- Tha Carter II
I downloaded this album chopped and screwed, which i can't stand. But still you can hear the skill of Weezy F Baby on the mic. Eventually i'll check this one out unchopped and screwed.

The List
5. Blackalicious- The Craft
Gift of Gab and Chief XL continue to cross musical boundaries. This is one of the more daring albums of the year. The only thing that keeps this album from being higher is that there are some lack luster songs, Powers is not a song that i like to hear repeatedly.

4. Kanye West- Late Registration
Musically this is the best album of the year. However Kanye West is not the best MC on the planet, but he doesn't have to be. No one says that the Chronic isn't a great album because Dre isn't a good MC. Kanye's raps don't detract from the album so it goes almost unnoticed. Add some stellar guest appearances to the production and you have the third best album of the year. The album has possible two of the best songs of the year, Diamonds are Forever and We Major.

3. Common- Be
There isn't a poorly produced song on this album, Kanye and Dilla craft excellent beats and Common is once again flawless on the mic. What holds this album back is its length, it needed one more track and one more verse on Testify. Some say this is a return to form for Common after Electric Circus, i think Electric Circus is underrated and misundedrstood, but whatever.

2. Little Brother- The Minstrel Show
Most soulful album of the year. Lyrically its a fantastic album, the only problem is 9th Wonder's production. The drums get boring at spots, now that's nit picking, but when you get to the top two spots that's what separates.

1. DangerDoom- The Mouse and the Mask
Most entertaining album of the year by far. There is no soft spot in this album in wither production or lyrics. If you haven't hear this album yet, stop what you are doing and go buy it. Now, don't wait, run don't walk to the store to pick this one up.

Non-hip-hop album of the year.
Green Day- American Idiot
Pointed social commentary combined with kick-ass punk.