How do you identify our decade? 70s, 80s were easy but what is the right name for the years in the 21st century? We really never thought of it, since the century seemed so futuristic and far away... Well, it's here. And while movies are getting loaded with special effects and dramatic, if not violent twists, one constant remains in our days - and that is good music. No matter what the film is about, a good soundtrack can set the right tone and make you feel a certain way. Oscars have a specific award for the best music, but these are given within the year. Sometimes you need to look back to really truly tell what stands out in the decade. Below are our top 10 picks for the best soundtracks of the decade.

BROKEN FLOWERS (2005)

The track to this movie picks up on the funky jazzy beat of its main character. "There is an end" by Holly Golightly and the Greenhornes, with their quirky garage pop sound, sets the tone for the vibe of this film - low-key and worldly at the same time. Thankfully it's not their only track on this movie. There is great jazz by Mulatu Astatke, known for his blend of Ethiopean and American jazz sound, including the widely recognized "Yekermo Sew". Some 70s Marvin Gaye and darker heavy metal by Sleep add to the eclectic feel. I would describe this soundtrack as intoxicating - you just want to hear it over and over again.

WONDER BOYS (2000)

It's one of those tracks that can make you see the movie in your head just by listening. With legendary performers like Bob Dylan, John Lennon, Neil Young, Van Morrison, you will be in good hands. Dylan's "Things Have Changed", one of his 4 songs in the movie, is the soul of the movie and I think one of his best songs. The song choices in this film are just the right reflection on someone at the crossroads of his personal and professional life, someone who has to look deep inside to get the answers. Intense music and lyrics go perfectly with each scene. You may actually understand what the movie is about if you just listen to the soundtrack - a well made match. This is one for the ages...

JERRY MAGUIRE (1996)

There are so many great classic rock songs in this movie, which sets the stage for the characters who are working hard to have it made. This music goes perfectly with the dreamers and the doers. From the Who's "Magic Bus" to Bruce Springsteen's "Secret Garden", Paul McCartney's "Momma Miss America" and Neil Young's "World on a String". Then, there are the soulful Aime Mann's "Wise Up" that plays on both disappointment and hope. Bob Dylan's "Shelter from the Storm" to me is the heart and soul of this movie.

HIGH FIDELITY (2007)

John Cusack plays the main character in this movie - Nick, a music store owner, who lives and breathes music, from his giant LP collection to the mix tapes he creates to explain his moods to his girlfriends and himself. So not surprisingly, the track to this beautifully quirky film plays like one of the best mix tapes you've ever made. With music by the Velvet Underground, the Kinks, Stereolab, Stevie Wonder, Elvis Costello and others, it's just like walking into a cool music store. You just don't want to leave it.

ALMOST FAMOUS (2000)

Cameron Crowe tells his autobiographical story in this film that is based on music - with 50 songs on its track. And though the movie takes place in the early 70s, the songs are not your expected mix of classics (though many are present), but rather carefully selected originals (including an obscure the Who track). From Lynard Skynard, Led Zeppelin, David Bowie and Elton John, there are just too many to list. This is one of those great tracks that is a picture of a generation.

VANILLA SKY (2001)

This is an eclectic score for this psychedelic movie not everyone would get. And the alternative pop rock sound adds to the eccentricity of the plot. This Cameron Crowe movie just like his other 2 featured here (Jerry Maguire and Almost Famous) has the music that is completely organic to the story. No wonder, since Nancy Wilson of Heart arranged the score. There are several tracks by REM including an original for the movie titled "All the Right Friends", Radiohead, Monkees, Dylan, Heart, just to name a few. I really liked Sigur Rus from Iceland that set the tone just right after the crash scene. The original Paul McCartney track titled "Vanilla Sky" gets the sense of what the story is about but I felt that Peter Gabriel's "Solsbury Hill" best captured the essence of this film.

BOBBY (2006)

Truly evocative of his time, the movie was by Emilio Estevez is a nod to the era he remembered as a kid. Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, Mary J. Blige's music really gets the sense of tensions and struggle of the times when the country was faced with several tragedies. The 60s music really defined a generation of people seeking change, almost revolutionaries and I think to this day no other music is played more often than the soulful and heart-wrenching music of the 60s. Demi Moore is surprisingly good on the "Loui Loui" track, on par with her both sultry and sad performance in the film. "No One left but Bobby" best gets the core of the movie, deeply sad and introverted. In fact, there is nothing left to feel when Simon & Garfunkel's "The Sound of Silence" closes the film. This is one of the best movies made that year and the track is phenomenal.

AMERICAN BEAUTY (1999)

Thomas Newman lays a beautiful score for this suburban drama, particularly with the hauntingly sharp "Dead Already". The rest of the track is also a mirror into the world of suburbia with all its ups (like on Bobby Darin's "Don't Rain on my Parade") and downs (as in Eel's "Cancer for the Cure" or Elliott Smith's version of "Because"). Sadly a few great songs from this movie (Bob Dylan's "All along the Watchtower" and Annie Lenox "Don't let it bring your down") are not included on the soundtrack. But you will still go on this rollercoaster of emotions in the film well matched by the mix of classic, alternative and indie rock.

BABEL (2006)

Set on several continents, Babel was my Oscar pick for the best picture that year. From on-point acting by Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett to the great directing by Alejandro Gonzalez Inaritu, to the brilliant score by Gustavo Santaoalalla (also responsible for the unforgettable tune to the Brokeback Mountain), this film is an instant classic. I believe some directors have a really keen ear for music that is a perfect background for their story. Inaritu is one of such directors, previously capturing the heart of the movie with just the right score in Traffic. BABEL soundtrack reflects its global nature with music from Mexico, Japan and Morocco. "World Citizen" - the soul of this movie, really captures its pensive mood on where the world is going.

THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS (2004)

The mix of rock and folk songs are a perfect match to the toddling personalities in this family saga. The Ramones, Nick Drake, Elliott Smith and the Velvet Underground, among others, set the depressingly dark tone for this bittersweet drama. Wes Anderson directs another eclectic movie piece and he picks just the right score with Mark Mothersbough - innocent, poignant and charmingly sad.