We decided to do something a little different this year for our 'Best of' roundup. Instead of a master list compiled of submissions from our contributors and writers, we wanted to give our writers a chance to pick their own Top 5 list of the best of the year in music. Over the next three weeks we will be unveiling our writers' picks for the best of 2004.

Every day we will be posting a new Top 5 list from one of our writers, selected at random. At the conclusion we will reveal the master list. We also want to let you take part and will be accepting nominations for a readers' choice list.

Chuck G's Top 5 of 2004.

1. Magna-Fi - Burn Out The Stars: Hard rock for the masses...I thought that was an outdated concept? Magna-Fi revive the notion with a five-finger fist of catchy arena-rock choruses and techno-babble production. "Where Did We Go Wrong" propelled it; "Beautiful" and "Down In It" sustain it.

Guilty Pleasure: "This Life"
Could've Done Without: My friends disagree with me wholeheartedly, but "TV Killed Me."
(samples / buy cd | review)

2. The Used - In Love And Death: You won't think of Bert McCracken only as Kelly Osbourne's ex after radio and MTV has their way with this material. Forward-thinking and sensible screamo band prove there can be more than 3 chords in a punk song. This album hits on all cylinders.

Guilty Pleasure: "I'm A Fake."
Could've Done Without: "Listening"
(samples / buy cd | review)

3. Brides Of Destruction - Here Come The Brides: Nikki, Tracii and company throw together a demo's worth of material and make it more relevant than the last 4 or 5 Crue or Guns records combined. Hit the jackpot with flaunty, flailing London LeGrande...distinctive vocals beat back all that bass and guitar. Can't wait for an actual album.

Guilty Pleasure: "Revolution."
Could've Done Without: There's only NINE songs...they're all winners to some degree.
(samples / buy cd | review)

4. Green Day - American Idiot: Ambitious concept album from the punk/pop gutter. Billy Joe and boys become Meatloaf and Jim Steinman for a spell and throw punk rock a curve. Green Loaf? Meat Day? Whatever...just enjoy.

Guilty Pleasure: "Boulevard of Broken Dreams."
Could've Done Without: "American Idiot"
((samples / buy cd | review)

5. U2 - How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb: More of the "...Leave Behind" ilk, but that's what happens when you have a 25 year-long catalog, everything sounds derivative. Mature rock album that's much more mellow than advertised, but the boys from Ireland deliver on the single, "Vertigo."

Guilty Pleasure: "Scraps From Your Table."
Could've Done Without: "Yahweh"
(samples / buy cd)

Check back tomorrow when another member of the antiMusic staff checks in with their top 5 list.

Wait! Be sure to submit your nominations for the Readers' Choice list.