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As part of my Decades project, I counted down my own favorite albums of the year then explored other notable releases with which I was less familiar.

The year 2004 was a great one for women artists, with three making up my top four. That includes Loretta Lynn, whose excellent Van Lear Rose is no longer available via streaming due to copyright issues.

Originally published: 2022 | Song of the Day posts featured: 19

My top nine albums of 2004:

#1. Tambourine – Tift Merritt

#2. Happenstance – Rachael Yamagata

#3. Want Two – Rufus Wainwright 

#4. Van Lear Rose – Loretta Lynn

#5. How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb – U2

#6. The Delivery Man – Elvis Costello

#7. Retriever – Ron Sexsmith

#8. Hopes and Fears – Keane

#9. American Idiot – Green Day

Other notable albums of 2004…

Genius Loves Company – Ray Charles

Breakaway – Kelly Clarkson

Franz Ferdinand – Franz Ferdinand

Feels Like Home – Norah Jones

Good News For People Who Like Bad News – Modest Mouse

Love. Angel. Music. Baby. – Gwen Stefani

A Grand Don’t Come For Free – The Streets

Confessions – Usher

A Ghost is Born – Wilco

Smile – Brian Wilson