Bran Van 3000 -- Glee (Capitol, 1998)

This one is a bit of a cheat, given that Audiogram gave it an indie release in Canada the previous year. But it remains one of the weirdest major label releases of the decade. Before Montreal became a 21st Century artistic haven, and bands like Broken Social Scene made the term "musical collective" a household concept, Bran Van 3000 culture bombed the mainstream with their unique take on hip-hop, rock, dance and folk.

2001's Discosis is the better album, but that shouldn't discount the incredible genre mash-up that was this Montreal crew's debut. "Drinking in L.A." is worth the price of admission alone, and few records carry the sense of communal joy from its creators as the aptly titled Glee. Nor do they show an aptitude in as many genres as Glee. "Afrodiziak" is straight hip-hop, "Couch Surfing" could have been an Odelay-era Beck b-side, and "Mama Don't Smoke" is a touching ode to worrying mothers. Oh, and don't forget the lackadaisical indie rock take on "Cum on Feel the Noize."

If there's one criticism with the record, it's that some of the tracks feel more like incomplete sketches than songs. But the high points are so high and so plentiful that the inconsistencies are quickly forgotten on one of the most eclectic records of any decade.