Well, it seems like there weren't a lot of top 5's. But, for the record, here's mine:
5. The Hold Steady - Almost Killed Me (Frenchkiss)
Imagine AC/DC-style big rock riffing with a postmodern "Mark E. Springsteen" frontman. Clever lyrics and stupid guitars. Awesome!
4. Mouse On Mars - Radical Connector (Thrill Jockey)
MoM go pop! They've always been relentless innovators, but on Radical Connector they provide their take on club pop, and nail it.
3. Green Day - American Idiot (Reprise)
Surprising, because I'm sort of an indie snob, but I haven't listened to much more than I've listened to this since it came out. Perfect guitar pop and an exhortation to get out and
do something about our messed-up world.
2. The Go! Team - Thunder, Lightning, Strike (Memphis Industries)
Like an 80's TV cop show theme with Fatboy Slim providing the beats. It's impossible to listen without smiling.
1. Animal Collective - Sung Tongs (Fat Cat)
Soaring harmonies, weird samples, strummed acoustics, hardly a drum on it...somehow it all comes together into something totally abstract and wonderful that's hard to put a finger on, but that I can't help but be endlessly fascinated with. Nearly perfect.
Honorable Mentions: Cyann and Ben - Happy Like an Autumn Tree, Amusement Parks on Fire - s/t, The Arcade Fire - Funeral, Styrofoam - Nothing's Lost, The Earlies - This Was The Earlies, The Fiery Furnaces - Blueberry Boat, The Veils - Runaway Found, Trashcan Sinatras - Weightlifting, Trembling Blue Stars - Seven Autumn Flowers, Mum - Summer Make Good.
But like Bryce, my 2004 music experience has been delving into the past and doing a catch-up job. But fave 2004 release for me would have to be "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb" by U2 
