Here's my list, in no particular album.
1. Deftones- White Pony (2000)
This was one of the best alternative rock albums to come out in this decade. Every song was great including “Digital Bath,” “Passenger,” and “Change (in the house of flies)”. Cheno’s voice really shines on this release with aggressive and melodic parts.
2. Thursday- Full Collapse (2001)
New Brunswick, New Jersey’s own post-hardcore leaders came out of the basement scene and delivered one of the quintessential albums this genre had been waiting for. This one truly shines with songs like “Understanding in a Car Crash,” “Paris in Flames,” and the tear-jerking “How Long Is the Night?” This one helped me out in high school.
3. mewithoutYou- A to B Life (2002)
This is mewithoutYou's first album. Heavy. Compelling. Honest. Aaron Weiss shines on this release, from vocals to lyrics. From "Bullet to Binary" to "The Cure for Pain" I'm emotionally involved. "I'll sing in silence, lay beside you. With my face there on your cheek,” and “I was once the wine, and you the wineglass. I was once alive, when you held me" is just a glimpse of some of the lyrical greatness Weiss sings. "Nice and Blue" and "Gentlemen" are two of favorite songs ever. Now that's powerful. When I'm alone it's okay because I can listen to mewithoutYou, however contradictory that may sound.
4. Clutch- Pure Rock Fury (2001)
As the album title hints, this album is good groove rock. Neil Fallon’s at times incomprehensible vocals are what stand out and the music makes you want to dance around. From the title track, with its sick guitar solo in the middle and down tempo beat to the Henry Rollins-esque “Careful with that mic” to the mind-fucking “Spacegrass” this album truly shines. The albums that would follow were nothing short of excellent.
5. Kind of Like Spitting- Bridges Worth Burning (2002)
I think Kind of Like Spitting is early-indie rock’s best kept secret. It’s a shame they are no longer together because as the first song says this is one of the most “Passionate” releases I’ve heard from this genre. You can hear the feeling in Ben' voice. I can’t help but think bands like Algernon Cadwallder are influenced by these guys. “We Are Both Writers,” “Following Days,” and “Canaries” are great ones to start out with if you haven't heard this band.
6. Porcupine Tree- In Absentia (2002)
Clocking in at over an hour this progressive rock album features 12 tight songs. Steven Wilson’s vocals mixed with the acoustic and rock elements shine well on this album. “Blackest Eyes,” “Trains,” “The Sound of Muzak,” and “Strip the Soul” are some of the best.
7. Murder by Death- Who Will Survive, And What Will Become of Them (2003)
This album is rock getting inventive, its bringing in elements of Americana, blues, and punk. It features Geoff Rickley of Thursday and the singer of My Chemical Romance plus a cellist and keyboardist. “Killbot 2000,” “A Masters in Reverse Psychology,” and “The Deserts on Fire” are great.
8. Bayside- Sirens and Condolences (2004)
This album helped me through college. “Masterpiece” has become my quintessential mixtape song. The lyrics are easy to relate to, especially for teens and early 20-somethings and talks a lot about dealing with ones self issues and feelings. Anthony Ranieri is not afraid to be vulnerable and that’s what I like about the song-writing.
9. Le Tigre- This Island (2004)
Dance-punk. Kathleen Hanna. Riot-grrrl. Nuff said.
10. Modern Life is War- Witness (2005)
I can’t say I’m a hardcore expert, but this album is one of my favorites. The way Jeff screams and gives so much hope in his lyrics is very moving. In “martin atchet” the way he says: you fucking bastard. Bastard. Bastard,” is sick. It’s not even 30 minutes long but this album says so much.
See below for 11-20.
11. The Gaslight Anthem- Sink or Swim (2007)
Excellent album. Clean vocals, summertime vibes, and that New Jersey feeling with hints of the Jersey shore sound. Punk. Rock. Yeah.
12. Killswitch Engage- The End of Heartache (2004)
Solid melodic metal album from one of the genre’s finest.
13. World/Inferno Friendship Society – Just the Best Party (2002)
Cabaret-punk done right. Let’s party.
14. Bright Eyes- I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning (2005)
Emo’s best. Conor Oberst’s lyrics and the indie rock vibes are excellent on this album.
15. Tool- Lateralus (2001)
Maynard! Tool! Simply brilliant.
16. 54 Vision- One Way Trip to Dizneyfist (2001)
This band was one of the first band’s I heard on WSOU and first band I saw live. Instrumental songs, Latin vibes, aggressive music, melodic, and song hardcore rap elements with amazing lyrics about life.
17. Puya- Union (2001)
Perhaps Spanish-rock’s best kept secret. This Puerto-Rican band remind you of the beautiful island with both melody and metal, or at least heavier elements. They have English songs, Spanish songs, Spanglish songs, and instrumental songs. This albums sounds like a Latin band with Ill Nino and Slipknot undertones.
18. Otep- Sevas Tra (2002)
This was a very touching album when I was in high school. I related to a lot of the lyrics. I truly believed that “Art Saves” and Otep Shamaya restored faith in life for me when I was going through rough times. The lyrics were brutally honest. “Blood Pigs,” “My Confession,” “Battle Ready,” and “Menocide” are still some of favorites to listen to.
19. Hatebreed- Perseverance (2002)
This album for me was hardcore and metal coming together for a heavy delight. It made me believe in myself and that “I Will Be Heard.” From “Proven” down to “Remain Nameless” this album hardly lets up and Jamey Jasta knows how to sing with conviction.
20. System of a Down- Toxicity (2001)
This album sold 12 million copies worldwide. Why? Because it was so good. Every song really made you “Bounce” and “Chop Suey!” was the song that started it all. The way Serj sang was something I had not heard. This is a crazy release that would later get me into bands like 40 Below Summer and Kiss Kiss, bands that weren’t afraid to take chances in their music.
What are some of your favorites from the past decade?
Thoughts on mine?
1. Deftones- White Pony (2000)
This was one of the best alternative rock albums to come out in this decade. Every song was great including “Digital Bath,” “Passenger,” and “Change (in the house of flies)”. Cheno’s voice really shines on this release with aggressive and melodic parts.
2. Thursday- Full Collapse (2001)
New Brunswick, New Jersey’s own post-hardcore leaders came out of the basement scene and delivered one of the quintessential albums this genre had been waiting for. This one truly shines with songs like “Understanding in a Car Crash,” “Paris in Flames,” and the tear-jerking “How Long Is the Night?” This one helped me out in high school.
3. mewithoutYou- A to B Life (2002)
This is mewithoutYou's first album. Heavy. Compelling. Honest. Aaron Weiss shines on this release, from vocals to lyrics. From "Bullet to Binary" to "The Cure for Pain" I'm emotionally involved. "I'll sing in silence, lay beside you. With my face there on your cheek,” and “I was once the wine, and you the wineglass. I was once alive, when you held me" is just a glimpse of some of the lyrical greatness Weiss sings. "Nice and Blue" and "Gentlemen" are two of favorite songs ever. Now that's powerful. When I'm alone it's okay because I can listen to mewithoutYou, however contradictory that may sound.
4. Clutch- Pure Rock Fury (2001)
As the album title hints, this album is good groove rock. Neil Fallon’s at times incomprehensible vocals are what stand out and the music makes you want to dance around. From the title track, with its sick guitar solo in the middle and down tempo beat to the Henry Rollins-esque “Careful with that mic” to the mind-fucking “Spacegrass” this album truly shines. The albums that would follow were nothing short of excellent.
5. Kind of Like Spitting- Bridges Worth Burning (2002)
I think Kind of Like Spitting is early-indie rock’s best kept secret. It’s a shame they are no longer together because as the first song says this is one of the most “Passionate” releases I’ve heard from this genre. You can hear the feeling in Ben' voice. I can’t help but think bands like Algernon Cadwallder are influenced by these guys. “We Are Both Writers,” “Following Days,” and “Canaries” are great ones to start out with if you haven't heard this band.
6. Porcupine Tree- In Absentia (2002)
Clocking in at over an hour this progressive rock album features 12 tight songs. Steven Wilson’s vocals mixed with the acoustic and rock elements shine well on this album. “Blackest Eyes,” “Trains,” “The Sound of Muzak,” and “Strip the Soul” are some of the best.
7. Murder by Death- Who Will Survive, And What Will Become of Them (2003)
This album is rock getting inventive, its bringing in elements of Americana, blues, and punk. It features Geoff Rickley of Thursday and the singer of My Chemical Romance plus a cellist and keyboardist. “Killbot 2000,” “A Masters in Reverse Psychology,” and “The Deserts on Fire” are great.
8. Bayside- Sirens and Condolences (2004)
This album helped me through college. “Masterpiece” has become my quintessential mixtape song. The lyrics are easy to relate to, especially for teens and early 20-somethings and talks a lot about dealing with ones self issues and feelings. Anthony Ranieri is not afraid to be vulnerable and that’s what I like about the song-writing.
9. Le Tigre- This Island (2004)
Dance-punk. Kathleen Hanna. Riot-grrrl. Nuff said.
10. Modern Life is War- Witness (2005)
I can’t say I’m a hardcore expert, but this album is one of my favorites. The way Jeff screams and gives so much hope in his lyrics is very moving. In “martin atchet” the way he says: you fucking bastard. Bastard. Bastard,” is sick. It’s not even 30 minutes long but this album says so much.
See below for 11-20.
11. The Gaslight Anthem- Sink or Swim (2007)
Excellent album. Clean vocals, summertime vibes, and that New Jersey feeling with hints of the Jersey shore sound. Punk. Rock. Yeah.
12. Killswitch Engage- The End of Heartache (2004)
Solid melodic metal album from one of the genre’s finest.
13. World/Inferno Friendship Society – Just the Best Party (2002)
Cabaret-punk done right. Let’s party.
14. Bright Eyes- I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning (2005)
Emo’s best. Conor Oberst’s lyrics and the indie rock vibes are excellent on this album.
15. Tool- Lateralus (2001)
Maynard! Tool! Simply brilliant.
16. 54 Vision- One Way Trip to Dizneyfist (2001)
This band was one of the first band’s I heard on WSOU and first band I saw live. Instrumental songs, Latin vibes, aggressive music, melodic, and song hardcore rap elements with amazing lyrics about life.
17. Puya- Union (2001)
Perhaps Spanish-rock’s best kept secret. This Puerto-Rican band remind you of the beautiful island with both melody and metal, or at least heavier elements. They have English songs, Spanish songs, Spanglish songs, and instrumental songs. This albums sounds like a Latin band with Ill Nino and Slipknot undertones.
18. Otep- Sevas Tra (2002)
This was a very touching album when I was in high school. I related to a lot of the lyrics. I truly believed that “Art Saves” and Otep Shamaya restored faith in life for me when I was going through rough times. The lyrics were brutally honest. “Blood Pigs,” “My Confession,” “Battle Ready,” and “Menocide” are still some of favorites to listen to.
19. Hatebreed- Perseverance (2002)
This album for me was hardcore and metal coming together for a heavy delight. It made me believe in myself and that “I Will Be Heard.” From “Proven” down to “Remain Nameless” this album hardly lets up and Jamey Jasta knows how to sing with conviction.
20. System of a Down- Toxicity (2001)
This album sold 12 million copies worldwide. Why? Because it was so good. Every song really made you “Bounce” and “Chop Suey!” was the song that started it all. The way Serj sang was something I had not heard. This is a crazy release that would later get me into bands like 40 Below Summer and Kiss Kiss, bands that weren’t afraid to take chances in their music.
What are some of your favorites from the past decade?
Thoughts on mine?
So much good music came out in the past 10 years. I forget some of the stuff that came out in the early 2000s.
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