Best Music of the Decade: 2000s

For anyone out there that has debated what is the top music of the decade, this blog series was created for you. I am going to take a look at each decade from the 60s to the 00s, and pick out the top one (or three) rock albums from each year of that decade. This is obviously only my opinion, and holds no weight in an argument, but I am posting it just the same. All of these albums are 5 star albums that significantly impacted music history in small ways (Sum 41) and massive ways (The Beatles). Feel free to comment, and remind me of someone I left out, or a comment I need to edit and I will do my best to change the post. Now sit back and enjoy the best albums of the decade, and make sure you click on any album to listen to a sample:

The 2000s

2000

Green Day: Warning (This band never quits. They were on the list in the early nineties, and are on it again a couple more times. They just refuse to let punk die)








(click album to listen to clip)



Eminem: The Marshall Mathers LP (Ems first major album to hit the masses, immediately assaulting the ears of parents across the country. But you can't deny the guy has some incredible rhymes...for a white guy)
(click album to listen to clip)


2001

Sum 41: All Killer No Filler (These Canadians never hit it huge, but they have produced some excellent music. Depending upon what song you hear, there are hints of Rage, the Beasties, Oasis, and yes Blink 182 in their music. A fun group that doesn't take themselves too seriously, this is their best album to date)









(click album to listen to clip)




Tenacious D: Tenacious D (I thought Jack Black was an actor? Well he is but he can also play a mean guitar. This album is very musically talented, tainted with Blacks constant humor. Good album whether you wanna rock or wanna laugh)
(click album to listen to clip)


Green Day: International Superhits! (Here we go again. Green Day with another rocking album, that is also very long. If you like this band and are missing this one, than you now have a task on the to do list; but make sure you realize only some of this is new, as much is a compilation album from past hits)
(click album to listen to clip)


Dropkick Murphy's: Live on St. Patricks Day from Boston, MA (So we havn't included but one live album in this entire list, as usually bands are best represented by their studio works. But this album needs to be as it represents a couple advantages...first it shows you how this little Irish band can rally rock in real life, plus it acts as a sort of compilation album that allows you to see a summary of their work to date. Added to this is the fact that you get bonuses like traditional folk Irish songs, set to punk of course, as well as covers of such bands as CCR. Great album that makes you wish you had happened to be in Boston on St Pattys day the year they recorded this)
(click album to listen to clip)



Jack Johnson: Brushfire Fairytales (What can I say about mr Johnson. He surfs, plays the guitar, stands in the rain...I mean if I had his voice that would be me! Of course I don't so I am sitting here writing a blog no one will read, while he travels the world playing very groovy, modern day James Taylor type music)

(click album to listen to clip)

2002


Beck: Sea Change (The Loser is back, and this time he comes with a very focused agenda. Known for his kaleidoscope albums that joined multiple genres in one sound, Beck focuses in on one type of music, and it works to provide him his best album yet. This is a classic piece of music in an era fairly devoid of classics. And it is an album that sounds much different than most on this list, as it is much more mellow than those joining it here)
(click album to listen to clip)



Eminem: The Eminem Show (If the Marshall Mathers LP was Ems knock on the door of the music industry, this album is a kick the door off the hinges type intro. Basically there is no weak point to this album, just steady hit after steady hit. His best album so far by a mile)

(click album to listen to clip)




Dropkick Murphys: Blackout (the only band that counts when you are looking for good Irish punk rock, this album is their tightest one to date. For a band rooted in good old punk, they display a huge range of abilities on this album from classic pub sing alongs to hard rocking tunes rife with riffs. For any self respecting Irish rockers, this is a must listen as it represents the homeland well. Personally this is my favorite Murphys album so far)
(click album to listen to clip)


The Red Hot Chili Peppers: By the Way (Very consistent album by the Chilis, with my only complaint being it is a bit short. Still as enjoyable as any of their other albums)
(click album to listen to clip)


Coldplay: A Rush of Blood to the Head (Still relatively new to this author, enough requests in response to this blog initiated some research, which was made easier by the fact that I unknowingly had them on my Ipod. In my opinion this album is their finest work, with such standouts as In My Place and God Put a Smile Upon Your Face. If you are looking to expand upon the genre I have focused so much on in this blog, then Coldplay may just be what you are looking for as they have less in common with the Sum 41s or Yellowcards of the world and maybe a bit more with the Radioheads)
(click album to listen to clip)





Sum 41: Does this look Infected? (Sum 41 maintains their sound well and puts out another solid album that comes fairly close to sounding as solid as their release the year before. If you do not know this band, then that album is the place to start, but if you are a fan of their sound, then this album will satisfy you very well. Fun album, from a group that does not take itself too serious)
(click album to listen to clip)







2003




Yellowcard: Ocean Avenue (Hopefully those of you reading this know about this band. They are quite possibly the best band to form this decade, and yet I meet more people than not, who have never heard them. If you want an intro into the yellowcard world, then start here. Fantastic album!)








(click album to listen to clip)



Ben Harper: Diamonds on the Inside (Another stunning album by one of the most popular underground performers of the last decade, odds are if you like Ben Harper, this one will be your favorite. This album is unique in that you not only have the Marley or Phish type sound, but you get some that are very reminiscent of Lenny Kravitz with a funk rock style, while some sound of the dark continent complete with African soundscapes. Very enjoyable record that, like Beck, will add a bit of variety to your 2000s playlist)
(click album to listen to clip)



Pearl Jam: Lost Dogs (Just in case you had forgotten, Pearl Jam is still there. And this album is solid. Its not as good as Ten, or even as their 2006 album, but is still a great listen)








(click album to listen to clip)




Anthrax: We've come for You All (Anthrax is still around if you hadn't noticed and they are making really good music. And the thing is, this is music only old fans would like, but was one of the bands my 17 year old nephew liked the best when he came to visit this year and listened to my collection. Very good album that deserves a listen. Give Cadillac Rock Box and try as it is a very good song)
(click album to listen to clip)



2004



Green Day: American Idiot (Just when you thought, ok Green Day is on their way out, they come up with, what may possibly be their best album. Excellent from start to finish, with a few radio hits added for flavor, this easily wins album of 2004)








(click album to listen to clip)



Sum 41: Chuck (The band was almost killed doing an event in the Congo, only to be saved by a local named Chuck. When they returned to record their new album, they not only had a name for their album, but had also grown a bit more serious from the event. This album has a very diverse feel, from slower, at least for them, to heavy metal sounding on some tracks such as the #3. If you don't know Sum 41, get this one, but only after you have listened to no filler)
(click album to listen to clip)




Ben Harper: There Will be a Light (Harper has been collaborating with The Blind Boys of Alabama, off and on again for much of his career, but this marks the first official time they recorded a full length album together. Much of the album consists of Harper originals, while about 1/3 of the songs are covers or traditional gospel tunes. This is a very enjoyable album, sounding very unrehearsed and loose, and one that any fan of previous Harper albums will enjoy)
(click album to listen to clip)




Megadeth: The System has Failed (Well finally Megadeth was able to do something Metallica has not: that is produce a solid original album late in their career that measures up to their legacy. This album is very reminiscent of the type of work you would have heard from Mustaine et al back in the 80s, and yet retains a modern feel. Just wait till you hear the very first song...very heavy work)
(click album to listen to clip)



2005


Nickelback: All the Right Reasons (I really don't care about the critics. This album has taken so much trash talk, and I really can not find one reason why. I heard two guys talking about it the other day saying it was too soft: I give you Animals or Next Contestant to prove that wrong. Too hard: I give you If Everyone Cared to prove that wrong. Excellent album, very much worthy to be called the best of 2005. Comment all you want, but this review stays)








(click album to listen to clip)

Dropkick Murphy's: The Warriors Code (Another rocking album that is probably best heard with a pint of Murphys sloshing in your hand. Still, if you abstain from that I think you will enjoy this album as much as any other album they have released, as it once again ranges from bar room sing alongs to rocking riffs to patriotic hymns. Murphy Dropkicked another winner with this one)
(click album to listen to clip)

2006

Pearl Jam: Pearl Jam (Absolutely fantastic album, easily their best since Ten. In fact this album comes the closest to competing as Pearl Jams best album, of any since that stunning debut. Great album even if you didn't know they had a new one)







(click album to listen to clip)


The Red Hot Chili Peppers: Stadium Arcadium (Is this De Ja vu? Pearl Jam and RHCP on the same list! What is this 1995? No but you can't tell by listening to the radio. The Chili's still bring it, also Anthrax style, as well as they ever have)

(click album to listen to clip)



Yellowcard: Lights and Sounds (Very strong follow up to their landmark Ocean Ave album. Sound a bit more mature, but still bring the old Guitar and Fiddle, like they always have)
(click album to listen to clip)


2007




Eddie Vedder: Into the Wild (Hands down best album of the year, as well as being the soundtrack for the best movie of the year. Vedder sounds haunting in this almost entirely acoustic recording. If I could wear out an mp3 than this one wouldn't play anymore, as I can not get sick of it. Fantastic!)








(click album to listen to clip)








Sum 41: Underclass Hero (While not praised by critics as much as their former albums, this is still a solid listen if you are at all a fan of these canadian prog rockers. There is an attempt at more statement type songs, similar to what we heard on the Chuck album, with the main difference being the departure of their guitarist for that and all previous albums, Dave Baksh. There is not as much hard in their rock, and no hint of the Beastie Boy sounds we heard on earlier albums, yet this album still holds strong for any fan of Sum 41)
(click album to listen to clip)