These past few years may have been more of a singles decade for pop music, yet a few underrated indie darlings and well-known seasoned veterans managed to fashion impressive long forms. Robyn and Annie created the best “Kylie” records ever, while Liz Phair’s divisive “sellout” album showed what Avril Lavigne would sound like with a head on her shoulders. Madonna and No Doubt geared up for the iPod generation by setting new precedents in track-by-track genre jumping. Conversely, cohesive and forward-thinking production allowed Andre 3000, Justin Timberlake and Nelly Furtado’s efforts to transcend the sum of their parts. So it’s fitting that Brian Wilson, the most visionary producer of all time, holds the best pop record of the decade for the second time since the ’60s.
10. Justin Timberlake ““ “FutureSex/
LoveSounds” (2006)
9. Nelly Furtado ““ “Whoa, Nelly!”
(2000)
8. Lilly Allen ““ “Alright, Still”
(2006)
7. Liz Phair ““ Self-titled (2003)
6. No Doubt ““ “Rock Steady” (2001)
5. Annie ““ “Anniemal” (2004)
4. Madonna ““ “Music” (2000)
3. Andre 3000 ““ “The Love Below”
(2003)
2. Robyn ““ Self-titled (2008)
1. Brian Wilson ““ “SMiLE” (2004)