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.

Travis Becker's Top 5 of 2004.

1. Clutch - Blast Tyrant: Simply the best heavy band out there, and easily their best album to date. Only Clutch could make a pseudo-concept album about an alien called Worm Drink actually work. (samples / buy cd | review)

2. Chris Robinson - This Magnificent Distance: Light years beyond 2002's New Earth Mud. Ok, its a little hippieish, but you can't mess with songwriting like this, and finally a heavy song or two. (samples / buy cd)

3. Drive-By Truckers - The Dirty South: No one paints pictures like this band of what its really like to live in the South, sort of. Absolutely beautiful, and terrifying at the same time. A pint of everclear and this record and its tissue time. (samples / buy cd)

4. Alabama Thunderpussy - Fulton Hill: This should be the record that makes them famous. Great songs, a great new singer, and the fulfillment of what they've been trying to do with their sound since 97. (samples / buy cd)

5. (Tie)Electric Wizard - We Live: It's about as close to a pop singles record as they will ever make, but its still the sludgiest, slowest, heaviest record to come out since their last masterpiece, Dopethrone. (samples / buy cd)

5. (Tie)Steve Earle - The Revolution Starts Now: Bush won, making this record more relevant than anything else to come out this year, period. (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.