Best of the Decade - Music

Aerial - Kate Bush (2005) An epic double album 12 years in the making and one of the best albums ever. Combining electronica, rock, flamenco, classical and sampled bird sounds, it's a rich, multi-layered, emotional work. Worth the wait and then some.

The Fame/The Fame Monster - Lady Gaga (2008/09) Proving that an American artist still knows how to make hooky, dance music.

Vespertine - Bjork (2001) Dreamy, sampled soundscapes and some of her best songs - "Pagan Poetry," "Unison" and "It's in Our Hands" -- are all here.

Deep Cuts - The Knife (2003) Swedish brother and sister duo Karin Dreijer Andersson and Olof Dreijer's brilliant collection of electropop, including one of the best songs of the decade, "Pass This On."

Joe Sent Me - Vanessa Daou (2008) Jazz, pop, and poetry in this smokey, sexy album.

Before the Poison - Marianne Faithfull (2005) Collaborating with PJ Harvey and Nick Cave, a brooding collection of songs and one of Faithfull's best.

Lungs - Florence + The Machine (2009) If Kate Bush has an heir-apparent, it's Florence Welch and her driving, drum-machine heavy debut.

Back to Black - Amy Winehouse (2007) Before the antics, drugs and tabloid frenzy, Winehouse ushered in the British retro sound.

Stories from the City, Stories From the Sea - PJ Harvey (2000) Elemental rock and haunted lyrics courtesy of Polly Jean's vital voice.

Up - Peter Gabriel (2002) If you don't get emotional over "I Grieve" and "Sky Blue," you're a soulless zombie.

Also worthy of mention: Roisin Murphy's solo albums Ruby Blue and Overpowered and Goldfrapp's Supernature.