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Here’s a list of the top 10 albums of the 2000’s based on rankings in the “Best of the 00’s” album lists from NME, Pitchfork, and Rolling Stone. Perfect to get you started for the Top Albums Of The Decade (2000s) quiz.
1. The Strokes – Is This It (Aggregate Rank: 1, Points: 293)
The Strokes’ 2001 debut album Is This It redefined rock music for the new millennium. With its gritty guitars, laid-back vocals, and raw energy, the album captured the sound of a new generation. Tracks like “Last Nite,” “Someday,” and “Hard to Explain” became instant classics.
Produced by Gordon Raphael, Is This It blends elements of garage rock and post-punk revival, delivering a sound that’s both nostalgic and innovative. Its influence on the indie rock scene of the 2000s is undeniable, as it paved the way for countless bands to follow. A cultural milestone, this album remains a definitive work of the era.
2. Arcade Fire – Funeral (Aggregate Rank: 2, Points: 288)
Released in 2004, Arcade Fire’s Funeral is an emotionally charged album that resonates with themes of love, loss, and hope. The band’s lush orchestration and soaring melodies create a sound that is both intimate and epic. Songs like “Wake Up,” “Rebellion (Lies),” and “Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels)” showcase their ability to connect on a deeply human level.
Funeral was met with widespread critical acclaim and quickly became a cornerstone of indie music in the 2000s. Its innovative sound and heartfelt lyrics helped establish Arcade Fire as one of the most important bands of the decade, and its legacy endures as a masterpiece of modern music.
3. Radiohead – Kid A (Aggregate Rank: 3, Points: 287)
Kid A, released in 2000, marked a radical departure for Radiohead. Abandoning the guitar-driven sound of their earlier work, the album delves into electronic experimentation and ambient textures. Tracks like “Everything In Its Right Place,” “Idioteque,” and “How to Disappear Completely” reveal the band’s daring artistic vision.
Widely regarded as one of the most groundbreaking albums of all time, Kid A pushed the boundaries of what rock music could be. It received critical acclaim for its innovation and complexity, influencing a generation of musicians and cementing Radiohead’s reputation as musical pioneers.
4. Jay-Z – The Blueprint (Aggregate Rank: 4, Points: 272)
Released in 2001, Jay-Z’s The Blueprint is a masterpiece of hip-hop storytelling and production. Featuring iconic tracks like “Izzo (H.O.V.A.),” “Takeover,” and “Heart of the City,” the album showcases Jay-Z’s lyrical prowess and introspective themes.
The production, primarily handled by Kanye West and Just Blaze, combines soulful samples with hard-hitting beats, creating a sound that remains influential to this day. The Blueprint not only solidified Jay-Z’s status as a rap icon but also set a new standard for hip-hop albums in the 2000s.
5. LCD Soundsystem – Sound of Silver (Aggregate Rank: 5, Points: 263)
LCD Soundsystem’s 2007 album Sound of Silver blends dance-punk, electronic, and indie rock to create an album that is as thought-provoking as it is danceable. Tracks like “Someone Great,” “All My Friends,” and “Get Innocuous!” highlight James Murphy’s unique ability to fuse emotional depth with infectious beats.
The album received critical acclaim for its innovation and emotional resonance, earning a place as one of the defining records of the 2000s. Sound of Silver solidified LCD Soundsystem’s reputation as one of the most forward-thinking acts of the decade.
6. Wilco – Yankee Hotel Foxtrot (Aggregate Rank: 6, Points: 253)
Wilco’s Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, released in 2002, is an album that redefined the boundaries of alt-country and indie rock. Songs like “Jesus, Etc.,” “I Am Trying to Break Your Heart,” and “Ashes of American Flags” showcase the band’s experimental sound and introspective lyrics.
Despite a tumultuous production process, the album became a critical and commercial success, lauded for its emotional depth and innovative arrangements. Yankee Hotel Foxtrot remains a landmark achievement in modern music, representing the pinnacle of Wilco’s creative output.
7. The White Stripes – White Blood Cells (Aggregate Rank: 7, Points: 252)
Released in 2001, White Blood Cells by The White Stripes is a raw and energetic record that helped usher in a garage rock revival. Tracks like “Fell in Love with a Girl,” “Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground,” and “Hotel Yorba” highlight Jack White’s distinctive guitar work and Meg White’s minimalist drumming.
The album’s lo-fi aesthetic and infectious energy captured the spirit of rock’s roots while delivering a fresh, modern twist. White Blood Cells propelled The White Stripes into the mainstream and cemented their status as one of the defining bands of the decade.
8. Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Fever to Tell (Aggregate Rank: 8, Points: 246)
Fever to Tell, released in 2003, is a fiery debut from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Tracks like “Maps,” “Y Control,” and “Date with the Night” showcase Karen O’s dynamic vocals, Nick Zinner’s sharp guitar riffs, and Brian Chase’s driving drums.
The album’s blend of punk energy and emotional vulnerability struck a chord with audiences and critics alike, earning it widespread acclaim. Fever to Tell remains a standout album of the 2000s, highlighting the Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ unique and uncompromising sound.
9. Radiohead – In Rainbows (Aggregate Rank: 9, Points: 242)
Released in 2007, In Rainbows is a masterful album that combines Radiohead’s experimental tendencies with a newfound warmth and accessibility. Songs like “Nude,” “Reckoner,” and “Weird Fishes/Arpeggi” feature intricate arrangements and hauntingly beautiful melodies.
The album’s innovative pay-what-you-want release model made waves in the music industry, but it’s the music itself that continues to resonate with fans. In Rainbows is a testament to Radiohead’s ability to evolve and redefine their sound with each release.
10. OutKast – Stankonia (Aggregate Rank: 10, Points: 217)
OutKast’s 2000 album Stankonia is a bold, genre-defying work that blends hip-hop, funk, and electronic influences. Tracks like “Ms. Jackson,” “So Fresh, So Clean,” and “B.O.B.” showcase the duo’s creativity and lyrical brilliance.
Stankonia received widespread critical acclaim and commercial success, earning OutKast a Grammy Award for Best Rap Album. Its innovative production and infectious energy make it one of the most iconic albums of the 2000s, solidifying OutKast’s legacy as one of hip-hop’s most visionary acts.
