Top 10s are funny things... as has been pointed out to me as I've whittled down this list, the top 10 can change at any time, and is obviously wholly opinion. I started off going through the list of CDs I own, then added a handful more that popped into my head but that I never got a chance to purchase. Most of the people who looked at that list dismissed it and presented their own list full of indie artists I've never encountered. At any rate, I've pared those 47 from my original list down to 10 (plus or minus cheating by name-dropping other albums by the same artists), in no particular order:

Dave Matthews Band - The Lillywhite Sessions, 2001

Let's start the list with a CD that was never properly released. It was just leaked studio sessions of what was originally a scrapped CD, quickly replaced by what was released as "Everyday." Many of the songs were rerecorded and released on 2002's Busted Stuff, but I think the raw Lillywhite versions were better. 2009's Big Whiskey & The Groogrux King was also a close one for getting a DMB album on this list, but I think I'll stick with The Lillywhite Sessions.

DoubleDrive - Blue In The Face, 2003

Sadly, this band has long since dissolved, with members resurfacing temporarily in Dark New Day and then in other bands. As far as I can tell, between this and 1999's 1000 Yard Stare (missing the cut-off for this list by a month!), the only thing between DoubleDrive and much more deserved Nickelback-level stardom was lack of support by their labels. Both albums were great slices of modern rock, well written, full of hooks, and not sounding like a cookie-cutter version of whatever else was on mainstream radio at the time. I only got lucky and discovered them through an online sampler, but nobody else I've encountered seems to have heard of them so I don't think I was just in a blacked-out region. Do yourself a favor and track this one down.

Opeth - Ghost Reveries, 2005

While 2001's Blackwater Park was their breakthrough album, and is of course also a favorite in its own right, I'm going to give the nod to Ghost Reveries because it was what really got me into Opeth. Incredible songs, engrossing and never a dull moment even at their extended lengths.

Soilwork - Natural Born Chaos, 2002

I think this CD can probably be credited with getting me into extreme metal, along with Shadows Fall's The Art of Balance from the same year. Prior to that, I usually clicked through the Music Choice Metal stations and dismissed everything as just noise, but the combination of aggression and energy with the melodic sensibilities got me to stop and listen. They haven't really had any missteps since this, and on any given day I might choose 2003's Figure Number Five or 2005's Stabbing The Drama, but again this one gets the nod for being my entry point to their catalog.

Celldweller - Celldweller, 2003

This was probably my first introduction to the independent music scene, barring the girl I knew freshman year who made me listen to Dashboard Confessional. Okay, maybe this was just my introduction to good music in the independent music scene. Klayton, who has been involved with various other projects, really struck gold I think with his style in Celldweller, mixing trance and drum'n'bass with industrial metal.

Nine Inch Nails - Year Zero, 2007

I always kind of liked Nine Inch Nails, but I never really knew much of the back catalog. After hearing good things about Year Zero, I checked it out online...and immediately went out to buy a copy and listened to it every day for months. I'm not really sure what to say about it other than it's just that good.

Porcupine Tree - Deadwing, 2005

I'm going to go against my pattern and pick this as my top one for getting Porcupine Tree on the list. I was introduced to them by 2002's In Absentia, and I really enjoyed 2007's Fear of a Blank Planet and the 2008 companion EP Nil Recurring, but I think Deadwing is probably the best example of Steven Wilson and company firing on all cylinders.

Hombru - Ingredients EP, 2002

I wrote about this in a Favorites feature a few years ago. A trio I discovered on CD Baby whilst searching for music involving Chapman Sticks (which may be the coolest instrument since the electric guitar), Ingredients was 30 minutes of progressive sonic bliss.

Coheed & Cambria - In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth: 3, 2003

I'll admit, I wrote off Coheed & Cambria as a run-of-the-mill emo band when I first heard of them and heard promos for IKSSE:3 on MTV. After reading good things about them though, naming IKSSE:3 as one of the best progressive albums of the year, I went back and checked it out. They were right; this CD has a great variety of songwriting and musicianship, with catchy melodies and some memorable guitar riffs.

Gordian Knot - Emergent, 2003