 | 1) Murder By Death - Who Will Survive, and What Will Be Left of Them? (released 2003-10-14) The second album from MBD is a concept album about the Devil and his war on a small Mexican border town. This album has amazingly orchestrated songs, chilling strings thanks to Sarah Balliet, and vocals that at times remind you of Johnny Cash. This album never loses strength over the many times I listen to it. It's hard to even put a genre on them. "Indie" would be a cop-out. Listen and decide for yourself. Sample: Until Morale Improves, the Beatings Will Continue |
 | 2) Explosions in the Sky - Those Who Tell The Truth... (released 2001-09-04) This Texas-based post-rock quartet puts out an impressive sophomore release. Listening to any EITS album is an experience in itself, but if you get a chance to see a performance, you are in for a real treat. Without any vocalization, they probably portray more emotion than most of the bands out there today. Fans of Sigur Rós and Mogwai probably don't need any introduction to this band, but if you have heard the others and not EITS, check them out now! Sample: With Tired Eyes, Tired Minds, Tired Souls, We Slept |
 | 3) Radiohead - Kid A (released 2000-10-02) The album went platinum within its first week, and at the same time split the Radiohead community. Vastly different than previous releases, Kid A takes a lot from electronica and experimentation. This album really showed the world who Radiohead was. With each album they have reinvented themselves, and continued to garner new fans. What I particularly like about this album, is the obvious jazz influence. Sample: National Anthem |
 | 4) Coheed & Cambria - Second Stage Turbine Blade (released 2002-02-05) What is this, Rush?? NO! CoCa takes prog to a new level. The record is not simply a concept album, but CoCa themselves are a "concept band." Every track of every record is a part of a science fiction story written by guitarist/vocalist Claudio Sanchez. intrigued? While their later albums were also somewhat interesting, they didn't capture the same raw youthful energy that Second Stage did. Interested in the geeky, sci-fi concept angle? then check out the graphic novels, comics, and upcoming prequel novel written by vocalist/guitarist Claudio Sanchez. Sample: Everything Evil |
 | 5) The Get Up Kids - On A Wire (released 2002-05-14) While this album probably upset more fans than anything, the record was an artistic success. A strong divergence from their more energetic poppy tunes, the band experimented with mellower folk and improv stylings. Their follow up to On A Wire, Guilt Show was more successful, though the work on Wire is more interesting in my opinion. If you stayed away from the Get Up Kids in the past because of the "emo" tag, give the Kids a chance with this one... Sample: Walking On A Wire (live) |
 | 6) The Mars Volta - De-Loused in the Comatorium (released 2003-06-24) An epic debut from a band that formed as a result of the break up of At the Drive-In (see numbers 12 and 17 on this list). The band has since released 4 more albums, but I consider De-Loused to be the strongest. The Mars Volta incorporates post-hardcore, jazz-fusion, progressive rock, and Latin influences into their songs. De-Loused in the Comatorium is a concept album based on a short story co-written by vocalist Cedric Bixler-Zavala about a man who tries to kill himself by overdosing on morphine and rat poison - resulting in a week long coma and a trip down his own psyche. oh, and did I mention Flea recorded the bass on the album??? Sample: Son et Lumiere / Inertiatic ESP |
 | 7) Hot Cross - Cryonics (released 2003-05-20) Quasi-supergroup Hot Cross, a Philly hardcore act, was composed of members from former bands such as Saetia and Interpol. Intense guitars, powerful drums, and ridiculous time changes sets this album above a sea of others. This is what hardcore should be! Unfortunately, Hot Cross never really had much success, and disbanded in 2007 after only 2 full length studio albums. Sample: Fortune Teller |
 | 8) The Juliana Theory - Emotion is Dead (released 2000-08-29) Ten years after its release, and several after the bands demise, this album still sounds good. Its a shame the path and end that The Juliana Theory took, because this album showed that the band had a lot of potential. Did major label stardom get to their heads? Did they just grow in different directions, artistically? Who knows. I've stopped fussing over what happened, and just enjoy what was good. Check out these Greensburg, PA natives. Sample: Emotion is Dead pt.1 / If I Told You This Was Killing Me, Would You Stop? |
 | 9) Sigur Rós - () (released 2002-10-28) The third full length from the Icelandic quartet. Each untitled track is as brilliant as the last. This is probably the most talented and creative group of artists I have ever heard. While you have no idea what they are saying (Icelanders don't even know what they are saying half the time, because of their use of "Hoplandic"), you certainly feel every emotion in the music. It was hard to actually choose a Sigur Rós album that stands above the rest. If you like one album, you will be incredibly pleased with them all. Sample: Untitled #1 |
 | 10) mewithoutYou - It's All Crazy! It's All False! It's All a Dream! It's Alright (released 2009-05-19) I've already praised this Philly-based group in my top 10 of 2009, and while I enjoy every one of their albums, It's All Crazy continues to be my favorite. enough said... Sample: The Fox, The Crow and the Cookie |
 |  11) Thrice - The Artist in the Ambulance (released 2003-07-22) Thrice's third full-length, and first major label record comes as a big surprise. The album also represents the first of their stylistic changes. TAITA is heavier and less punky than their previous albums. And though its a was seen as a big change for Thrice, it was far from selling out and only represented the first step of many more to come. As with all of their albums, Thrice donates a portion of the profits to charity. TAITA proceeds went to the Syrentha J. Savio Endowment, which provides chemotherapy and other medication for those who cannot afford it. Sample: Paper Tigers |
 | 12) Sparta - Wiretap Scars (released 2002-08-13) After the split of At the Drive-In, Jim Ward & co. went on to form Sparta. Less radical than their counterparts The Mars Volta, Sparta had a quieter reception. Don't let that fool you though. Wiretap Scars often is compared to De-Loused in the Comatorium, however I feel its equally as good. Sample: Cut Your Ribbon |
 | 13) Thursday - War All The Time (released 2003-09-16) Making the major label jump, Thursday was hailed to be "the next Nirvana." Record companies overestimated the "screamo" craze (thankfully), and Thursday never really lived up to Island's expectations (again, thankfully!!). Regardless, the pressure from Island produced an incredibly solid record. I recommend you ignore all labels and tags the band gets, and just give this one a listen if you haven't already. Sample: War All The Time |
 | 14) Thrice - The Alchemy Index (released 2007-10-16, & 2008-04-15) Technically 2 releases (Volumes 1 and 2 as a double set, and 3 and 4 as a double set), the Alchemy Index is one project, so I'll consider it one album for this list's sake. A huge improvement over their previous release, Vheissu, Thrice took their experimentation much further and produced 4 extremely interesting elements. Vol.1 - Fire, is the heaviest, which should please older fans. However, I feel this is the weakest element in the entire project. The material on this project is surprisingly creative and refreshing. Sample: Digital Sea |
 | 15) Eddie Vedder - Into The Wild (Soundtrack) (released 2007-09-18) The first solo studio album by Eddie Vedder marks a big change from Pearl Jam material. Raw, rootsy, and folky, it might not be what a lot of Pearl Jam fans would come to expect. But then again, maybe it is... At any rate, in my opinion its better than all of the PJ music from the last decade combined. Check it out! Sample: Society |
 | 16) Millencolin - Pennybridge Pioneers (released 2000-02-22) Swedish punk quartet Millencolin helps bring in the decade with their most successful album at the time. This is a great example of what pop-punk should be! They stay true to social themes while keeping an edge of humor with upbeat tempos. This is no Blink-182 or Paramore... Sample: No Cigar |
 | 17) At the Drive-In - Relationship of Command (released 2000-09-12) Well, I guess you were wondering when I would get to this... I know it seems ridiculously low on the list, but what can I say?? Anyway, this album is epic. No doubt about it. It should be mandatory listening. I can't even keep track of the number of bands that were influenced by ATDI. Sample: Arcarsenal |
 | 18) Deftones - White Pony (released 2000-06-20) Now is when I welcome a bit of obvious mainstream into the list. Don't get me wrong, I think this album is as awesome and powerful as the rest here. It opened my eyes to a lot of other styles of music. Unfortunately, I think the Deftones get a lot of crap for the scene they are in, and the bands they often tour with. This is a mistake. If you've ignored the 'tones in the past for silly labels, STOP IT! Sample: Elite |
 | 19) Javier Navarrete - Pan's Labyrinth (Original Motion Picture Score) (released 2006-12-19) OK, now I begin to go off track a bit... The music composed for this film (which is also great) is haunting, original, and moving. I can think of no other movie score, or even classical piece that I go back to over and over again (sorry John Williams...). I literally listen to this album EVERY week, and each time it has the same impact. Sample: Hace mucho, mucho tiempo |
 | 20) Calexico - Tool Box (released 2007-??-??) This unusual Calexico "album" was recorded by members Joey Burns and John Convertino for a tour disc to sell on their European visit. The record features 14 new instrumental tracks (some of which were re-recorded with vocals for later release). The album may not be super easy to find in shops, but search it out! You won't regret it. Sample: The News About William |
 | 21) Russian Circles - Enter (released 2006-05-16) WOW. Just wow. This band was a pleasant surprise. Kids, throw your lame new Metallica albums in the trash... THIS is what metal should sound like. Sample: Enter |
 | 22) Hot Water Music - The New What Next (pre-release track order) (released 2004-09-21) The final HWM album is perhaps their strongest. You may wonder what's up with the "pre-release track order" label. Well, I think its an important clarification to make... Check out wikipedia for the original track listing. It's a shame that HWM threw in the towel (except for some reuniun touring), but I don't think they could have gone out on a better note. Sample: My Little Monkey Wrench |
 | 23) Pretty Girls Make Graves - The New Romance (released 2003-09-09) An impressive sophomore release. Awesome guitar picking, beautiful vocals, cool percussion, and interesting blends of post-rock, indie, electronica, post-hardcore, and pop make for one epic album. Sample: All Medicated Geniuses |
 | 24) Bad Religion - The Empire Strikes First (released
More than just ooohs and ahhhhs, Bad Religion finally break the boredom with an important album. Religion and politics are at the center as usual, but the timing (stupid Bush administration) and production were just right. Sample: Overture / Sinister Rouge |
 | 25) Further Seems Forever - The Moon Is Down (released 2001-03-27) Before Chris Carrabba turned his electric guitar in for a tampon, there was Further Seems Forever... Though pegged with the usual crowd, and fronted by pretty boy-emo kid Carrabba, the music was intense, unique, and articulate. Sample: Moon is Down |
