2009 Unstoppable

The title of this album proved accurate, as the Flatts' sixth studio album earned them yet another number-one album debut. Also notable in 2009: The band contributed two acoustic numbers ("Backwards" and "Bless The Broken Road") to the soundtrack to Hannah Montana: The Movie.

2008 Greatest Hits Volume 1

Rascal Flatts packed their first greatest-hits album with 13 smash singles, and, for a limited time, included three Christmas songs (newly recorded) to make the late October release a perfect holiday present.

2007 Still Feels Good

After performing with Carrie Underwood at the 2007 Grammy Awards, the band followed up with their fifth studio album in September. The record continued Rascal Flatts' hitmaking streak, spawning five singles which all hit within the top 15 of the Country chart (two reaching No. 1).

2006 Me & My Gang

Rascal Flatts broke crossover records with their fourth album--its first-week sales were the greatest of any album that year, and

2009 Relapse

Eminem took a hiatus from 2005-2008, causing some to speculate he was ending his solo rap career after a very successful six-year run. A greatest-hits album was released late 2005, after which Eminem announced he was not planning on retiring, merely taking a break to assess his future plans. In late 2008, his label finally confirms a new record is on the horizon. In early 2009, Eminem himself confirms he will be releasing two albums: Relapse amd Relapse 2, with the former hitting the streets May 15 and the latter scheduled for later in the year.

2004 Encore

Eminem lightens up his shock-factor tone a bit on this album; however, his parody of Michael Jackson in the song "Just Lose It" draws vocal criticism from many celebrities as well as a ban of the video by several outlets. Em also takes on then-President George Bush with the strongly negative single/video "Mosh," released right before the 2004 election.

2002 The Eminem Show

Eminem's fourth release went

2009 No Line On The Horizon

U2's current album comes five years after its last--due to various factors, including a scrapped start in 2006 and then a prolific burst of writing carrying it past its original planned 2008 release. In the works for summer 2009 is a worldwide tour. The band also sat down with Yahoo! for a three-part interview, talking about what it's like to play music in the biggest rock 'n' roll band in the world.

See Part 2 and Part 3 of our U2 interview, too.  

2004 How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb

The band maintains a traditional rock sound on its 11th release, with Bono going so far as to say it is their "first rock album." Singles "Vertigo" and "All Because Of You" helped the record gain both critical and fan approval.

2000 All That You Can't Leave Behind

u2's 10th studio album is notable for its return to a more traditional sound, after several releases exploring alternative and dance vibes. The band netted seven Grammy Awards for the album and its

2009 All I Ever Wanted--back on top

Kelly's fourth album, released in March 2009, lands at the top of the album charts its first week of release. At the beginning of the year, first single "My Life WOuld Suck Without You" hits the airwaves and is available for download. On January 28, 2009, Billboard announced that the single went from Number 97 to Number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, making the biggest leap to the top in the chart's history.
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2007 My December--controversy

Kelly's third album was written while on tour for Breakaway. Worn out with her busy schedule and feeling at a low point, she poured her feelings into her songwriting. Controversy ensued when rumors began to circulate that Clive Davis, the head of Kelly's label, was unhappy with the noncommercial, darker feel of the record and demanded significant changes. The label denied the rumors; however, Kelly maintained they were true. She fired her manager and canceled touring for the album. She further revealed in a

2007 Snakes And Arrows: Still going strong

After making their grand comeback in 2002, the band released another live album and a freewheeling EP of cover tunes (Feedback), followed several years later by their 18th studio offering. Peart says his songwriting for this record was based on his reflections on faith, and he further explores and reveals parts of his journey mourning his wife and daughter. A live album of the same name would emerge in 2008, and a compliation, Retrospective 3 is newly available this year.

2002 Vapor Trails: Comeback

Peart returns to the band, and Rush returns to the rock scene with their 17th studio album. Some of Peart's personal healing process seems to surface on this record, notably the song "Ghost Rider" which alludes to his travels across North America while in mourning.

1998 Different Stages: Personal Tragedy

In 1997, drummer Neil Peart's daughter and only child, Selena, tragically died in a car accident. His wife Jacqueline Would die of cancer

2009 Awards Galore...And Rock In The Works

Lil' Wayne starts off the year with a bang by winning four Grammy awards. He also announces he will be releasing his first Rock album this year.

2008 Tha Carter III

Initially planned for a 2007 release, Weezy's sixth album proves the charm for his career--it sold more than a million copies its first week of release, making it the first album since 50 Cent's 2005 album The Massacre to sell that amount in that timeframe. The record spawned numerous singles, including the No. 1 hit "Lollipop." Wayne and the release would garner a total of eight Grammy nominations that year, more than any other artist in 2008. He also announces a reunion with the Hot Boys--exact timing TBD--and performs onstage with Kid Rock at the Country Music Awards in November.

2005 Tha Carter II--Climbing Higher

Lil' Wayne is named president of Cash Money Records, and founds imprint Young Money Entertainment (he will step down from management of both labels two

2009 The Ballads--And beyond

Carey celebrates 2009 with the release of a compliation of her hit love songs, The Ballads. She also performs "Hero" at the Neighborhood Inaugural Ball after Barack Obama is sworn in as the first African-American president in history on January 20. Talk on the street hints at plans for her next studio album to come later this year.

2008 E=Mc2--Breaking records

Carey's 11th release debuts at No. 1 on the sales charts--her highest first-week sales to date--and, with her No. 1 lead single, "Touch My Body," Carey would beat Elvis Presley as the solo artist with the most No. 1 singles. Shortly after the release of her album, Carey marries boyfriend Nick Cannon.

2005 The Emancipation Of Mimi

Carey's "We Belong Together," co-produced by her long-time collaborator Jermaine Dupri, becomes one of the biggest singles in history. This album also includes "Shake It Off" and the set's debut track "It's Like That."

2002 Charmbracelet

Though Carey's

2007 Rock N Roll Jesus--First No. 1 Album

This release became Kid Rock's first album to go number 1 in his career. On this album, Kid Rock branches out from rap into other genres, including another foray into the country world. The uptempo Southern-rock hit "All Summer Long" gave him his first top 10 hit on the Country charts. He is nominated for two Grammys for this record.

2006 Kid And Pam Get Hitched--And Unhitched

During an upswing in their on-again, off-again romance, the couple threw a surprise wedding following rumors that Anderson was pregnant. The ceremony took place on a yacht near St. Tropez (two additional ceremonies--one in Beverly Hills, one in Nashville--followed). Five months later, the couple divorced.

2006 Live Trucker

This live release features Kid Rock's greatest hits from shows circa 2000-2004. Highlights include a duet with country star Gretchen Wilson, plus the late Joe C.'s last two performances on stage ("Devil Without a Cause" and "Early Mornin' Stoned