The Flaming Lips - The Soft Bulletin (1999)

The Soft Bulletin - http://www.megaupload.com/?d=QDH2VP62

This album is full of lush, multi-layered psychedelic arrangements and spacey lyrics. A masterpiece of studio engineering.

Favorite Tracks: Waitin' for a Superman (Is It Gettin' Heavy?), Race for the Prize (Sacrifice of the New Scientists)

Belle and Sebastian - If You're Feeling Sinister (1996)

If You're Feeling Sinister - http://www.megaupload.com/?d=LX3MCDIZ

A lush blend of folk-pop and 80s indie pop sensibilities, this album is full of whimsical characters and sweet melodies.

Favorite Tracks: Stars of Track and Field, Me and the Major

Air - Moon Safari (1998)

Moon Safari - http://www.megaupload.com/?d=B68P6UFD

The debut album of the Parisian chill-out superstars, Moon Safari, is aptly named. It features chilled out textures that make you feel like you are taking a relaxing ride on the moon. This is a great album to throw on after a rough night.

Favorite Tracks: Kelley Watch the Stars, Remember

A Tribe Called Quest - The Low End Theory (1991)

The Low End Theory - http://www.megaupload.com/?d=LME5TNDJ

The jazz-based beats are melodic but hard, and all the upright bass gives the front half of the album an intimate feel. But it's Q-Tip and Phife's deft rhymes that make each track sound like an interview, a confessional, or a career advice seminar, and make this album truly magical.

Favorite Tracks: Check the Rhime, Jazz (We've Got)

Eminem - The Slim Shady LP (1999)

The Slim Shady LP - http://www.megaupload.com/?d=HPEIYU38

Eminem's major label debut is nothing short of a breakthrough record. His deeply personal and at times hilarious lyrics are not only amazingly sharp but raw and introspective. Songs vary from his love of drugs to his resentment of his mother and drama with his girlfriend. Laced with dope beats from Dre and others this album is a true hip-hop masterpiece.

Favorite Tracks: Cum on Everybody, I Just Don't Give a Fuck

Radiohead - Hail to the Theif (2003)

Hail to the Thief - http://www.megaupload.com/?d=V5YFZF89

Featuring drum machines and distorted synths, HTTT is a step in the continued evolution of Radiohead. But, HTTT is also a step back from the complete and utter technological wizardry of Kid A and Amnesiac, and sounds a little more like the straight forward rock sounds of earlier Radiohead.

Favorite Tracks: 2+2=5, A Punch-Up at a Wedding

Neutral Milk Hotel - In the Aeroplane Over the Sea (1998)

In the Aeroplane Over the Sea - http://www.megaupload.com/?d=pbewjdcf

I first listened to this album a couple years back and liked it immediately. I had forgot about it as of late, but randomly came across it very recently. The low-fi psychedelic sound is unnervingly good. It's a shame that this band literally went nuts and called it quits because they made beautiful music.