The Decade, Volume '01

And the hits don't stop here at Airbag Radio. This week we tackle the year that was 2001. The year that four unlikely cartoons from England burst onto the scene with a catchy little jingle known as "Clint Eastwood." That's right our pick for best album of 2001 goes to none other than Gorillaz.

All Pop, All Funk, All Brit, All Punk. Gorillaz self-titled debut defies all genres and categories and as a result can only be defined as great. The album's lead single "Clint Eastwood," featuring a ghostly Del on vocals, may in fact be the decade's best song. Masterminded by Blur's Damon Albarn, Gorillaz is as much a musical statement as an artistic one. In our world of manufactured pop icons and recycled celebrities, Gorillaz stand out as an ironic breath of fresh air. Four cartoons, a virtual band, standing head and shoulders above the "real" world. Beyond the irony, Gorillaz is pure fun. Give it a listen and you'll find yourself wishing you we're a cartoon too.

Four More

Jay-Z - The Blueprint

If Jay-Z wasn't already hip-hop's greatest rapper, he was after the Blueprint. This was the "Takeover!"

Radiohead - Amnesiac

The B-Side to the greatness that was Kid A. Amnesiac continues in the same vein with it's own unique mood.

System Of A Down - Toxicity

More metal from the early 2000's? Yes, but the difference is that these guys broke every rule you learned in your Music Composition class and still managed to take the world by surprise.

The White Stripes - White Blood Cells

Guitar + Drums = Everything You Need