With the year winding down, people are blindsided with lists upon year-end lists. Weekender is no exception. But since WE isn’t arrogant enough to tell you what the “best” albums of the year are, three of the section critics are here to tell you how their “favorite” records of 2004 stack up.

Collin Quick, Weekender Reporter

1. “Futures” – Jimmy Eat World. One of this year’s most anticipated albums didn’t let anyone down and takes the true Jimmy fans back to the “Clarity” days. Best Song: “The World You Love”

2. “How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb” – U2. Leading with the infectious “Vertigo,” Irish blokes come back strong and show the world how to rock. Again. Best Song: “Crumbs From Your Table”

3. “Love is Hell” – Ryan Adams. A depressing album with a cover of the Oasis classic “Wonderwall” can never go wrong. Best Song: “Love is Hell“

4. ”Franz Ferdinand” – Franz Ferdinand. Does it get any better than “Take Me Out?” Best Song: “Take Me Out”

5. “A Ghost is Born” – Wilco. Eleven minutes of pure distortion as an outro to a single? Can I have more, please? “Hummingbird” showcases Jeff Tweedy’s ability to write amazing lyrics. Best Song: “Spiders (Kidsmoke)”

6. “Send Us A Signal” – Brandtson. This punk-rock band’s fourth album of power chords and emo lyrics. “Over and Out” comes off strong with a dominating chorus and subdued verses. Best Song: “Mexico”

7. “Where You Want To Be” – Taking Back Sunday. Screamo vocals, pulsating guitar riffs and lyrics that tell off ex-girlfriends. “A Decade Under the Influence” leaves you screaming, “I’ve got a bad feeling about this” over and over again. Best Song: “New American Classic”

8. “To the 5 Boroughs” – The Beastie Boys. Three Jewish rappers make an album knocking President Bush. There’s democracy in action. “Ch-Check It Out” almost makes it fun to stutter. Best Song: “An Open Letter to New York”

9. “People Lead Enchanted Lives” – The Velvet Velvet. A trio of 18-year-olds release an album of clanging guitars and falsetto voices. “Ghost World” explodes with power coming off every second of the track. Best Song: “Too Bright”

10. “Drive” – Graham Colton Band. The highly addictive “Cigarette” makes one want to light up while the ballad-like “Killing Me” puts that same lighter in the air. Best Song: “Don’t Give Up On Me”

Kelly Johnson, Weekender Reporter

1. “You’re a Woman, I’m a Machine” – Death From Above 1979. This bass-and-drum duo from Canada pulverizes the listener with songs like the hilarious ode to sex, “Pull Out.” That “Romantic Rights” isn’t a cross-over hit is a crime against humanity. Best song: “Romantic Rights”

2. “Power” – Q and Not U. The third LP from this band shows the members furthering their unique sound once again. Songs bounce with furious energy and hum-ability. Best song: “Wet Work”

3. “Satanic Panic in the Attic” – Of Montreal. The first time you listen to the album, you think, “Wow, these are a bunch of talented musicians.” Then you find out it’s primarily one guy. Best song: “Lysergic Bliss”

4. “Tyrannosaurus Hives” – The Hives. This album has more energy than Dick Vitale eating a bucket of Pop Rocks. Best song: “See Through Head”

5. “Antics” – Interpol. Not as good as its first album, but the band shows they are here to stay with a very strong second outing. Best Song: “Evil”

6. “The Difference Between You and Me is that I’m Not On Fire” – Mclusky. As a three-piece, these guys deliver again with a powerfully funny and dirty rocker. Best Song: “Falco vs. The Young Canoeist”

7. “Talkie Walkie” – Air. “Alpha Beta Gaga” will stay in your head after a lobotomy. Best song: “Alpha Beta Gaga”

8. “Shake the Sheets” – Ted Leo and the Pharmacists. Consistently delivering memorable songs and albums, Leo does not disappoint with his latest. Best song: “The Angel’s Share”

9. ”The Futureheads” – The Futureheads. Quick, memorable songs packed tightly in an impressive debut album. Best song: “Robot”

10. “This Pen is a Weapon” – The Ghost. Final album from these Chicago rockers is a bittersweet gem. Best Song: “Banished and Loving It”

Derek Wright, Weekender Editor

1. “Good News For People Who Love Bad News” – Modest Mouse. Isaac Brock used the death of somebody close while questioning the existence of God for inspiration to his most embraceable work to date. Alongside “The Lonesome Crowded West” and “The Moon & Antarctica,” the band has its third masterpiece. Best Song: “The View”

2. “Antics” – Interpol. Taking cues from Joy Division, the New York foursome’s second album somehow surpasses its debut. Best Song: “Evil”

3. “Satanic Panic In The Attic” – Of Montreal. An experimental pop masterpiece with more than 30 instruments played by one person. Best Song: “Disconnect The Dots”

4. “Catching Looks” – Washington Social Club. An Elvis Costello-esque look at politics and post-punk aggression. Best Song: “Modern Trance”

5. “Franz Ferdinand” – Franz Ferdinand. Fashion savvy rock ’n’ roll about boys in nightclubs and extended vacations has never seemed as intelligent or catchy. Best Song: “Dark of the Matinee”

6. “Summer In Abaddon” – Pinback. With more complexity than its prior two releases, this duo layers delicate instrumentation upon catchy, atmospheric indie-pop. Best Song: “Sender”

7. “Blueberry Boat” – The Fiery Furnaces. The 13 songs sound more like 40, since each track makes several distinct changes on its way to becoming the year’s most intense listen. Best Song: “Mason City”

8. “Exhibit A” – The Features. Moog-driven rock hybrid rooted in both The Stooges and The Cure. Best Song: “Blow It Out”

9. “Tyrannosaurus Hives” – The Hives. Already possessing the world’s best frontman, the band expanded its horizons beyond the realm of typical garage. Best Song: “Antidote”

10. “Future Perfect” – Autolux. A space-rock band that inspired T-Bone Burnett to come out of semi-retirement to produce its artsy, lo-fi debut. Best Song: “Subzero Fun”