20. Taking Back Sunday - "Tell All Your Friends" (Victory)

I still remember when I first got this CD. It came with such high hopes I was almost expecting to be let down, but I picked it up one day and popped it in the CD player as I headed home. As I walked through the park and over MacDougal (literally, though I wasn't wearing clogs) I had to stop and sit to take it all in, and this was just the first track. It seriously rocked, it was incredibly catchy, and the lyrics were dying to be sung along to even if I didn't know the words. Very rarely does a CD come out that I like every single song. - AJ Naito

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19. Dolorous Canter - "The Alpha Project EP" (Schoolcraft)

Introduce yourself to Dolorous Canter. Their high energy blend of hardcore with emotionally driven melancholia is an incredible fusion resulting in a truly outstanding aural experience. In 28 minutes and 2 seconds, Dolorous Canter takes you on a musical passage that can be best described in one word - 'epic'. It is grand, loud, powerful, moving, emotional and most importantly, sincere and honest.

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18. Eminem - "The Eminem Show" (Interscope)

Whether you hate him or love him, there is no denying the impact Emimen has had on not only the world of hip hop/rap, but on the entire music and entertainment industry. When not criticizing mainstream America (in "White America"), he's taking his personal life out into the open ("Cleanin' Out My Closet"). His honesty and brash attitude have not only captivated fans of his genre but intrigued, mesmerized and angered the rest of the entertainment world. With the success of his first movie, there is no telling where he might go next. 2002's 'The Emimen Show' (powered by a driving first single in "Without Me") garnered not only commercial success, but acclaim from even his biggest critics.
17. Hot Snakes - "Suicide Invoice" (Swami)

Featuring members of Drive Like Jehu and Rocket From the Crpyt, Hot Snakes' 'Suicide Invoice' is a rollicking, loud and crunchy rock outing. From the fuzzy, distorted opening of "I Hate the Kids" to the high toned, catchy vocal and guitar work of "XOX" - certain flair permeates throughout the record. Its aggressive, acute approach epitomizes the band's desire to just rock and not worry too much about being innovative or new.
16. Jets to Brazil - "Perfecting Loneliness" (Jade Tree)

In defining the album in its entirety, one can say that 'Perfecting Loneliness' can be found somewhere in between 'Orange Rhyming Dictionary' and 'Four Cornered Night'. It is an earnest attempt not to recapture the certain flavor of the first record, but to continue developing and building that JTB sound. 'Perfecting Loneliness' is an intricate, yet simplistic record - a perfect accompaniment to their two previous efforts.

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