247 Album Verdict
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Albums of 2001

The records from 2001 that made our lists.

  1. 1
    AaliyahAaliyah

    Aaliyah

    Aaliyah · 2001 · Soul & R&B

    A polished, forward-thinking final album of cool sophistication. Smooth and acclaimed. A poignant peak.

  2. 2
    Labor DaysAesop Rock

    Labor Days

    Aesop Rock · 2001 · Hip-Hop

    A dense, verbose underground peak of intricate wordplay. Bold and beloved. A cult landmark.

  3. 3
    Songs in A MinorAlicia Keys

    Songs in A Minor

    Alicia Keys · 2001 · Soul & R&B

    A classically informed neo-soul debut that announced a major talent, anchored by 'Fallin''. Soulful and assured. A blockbuster on release.

  4. 4
    DrukqsAphex Twin

    Drukqs

    Aphex Twin · 2001 · Electronic

    A sprawling double album swinging between brutal drill-and-bass and tender prepared-piano miniatures. Eclectic and divisive. A maximal late peak.

  5. 5
    ConfieldAutechre

    Confield

    Autechre · 2001 · Electronic

    A dense, abstract IDM landmark of generative complexity. Challenging and acclaimed. A genre high point.

  6. 6
    Love and TheftBob Dylan

    Love and Theft

    Bob Dylan · 2001 · Rock

    A loose, witty roots-music peak of American song forms. Warm and acclaimed. A late high point.

  7. 7
    The Cold VeinCannibal Ox

    The Cold Vein

    Cannibal Ox · 2001 · Hip-Hop

    A dense, sci-fi underground landmark over El-P's beats. Bold and acclaimed. A cult classic.

  8. 8
    Jane DoeConverge

    Jane Doe

    Converge · 2001 · Metal

    A chaotic, cathartic metalcore masterpiece of raw emotion and ferocity. Intense and influential. A genre landmark.

  9. 9
    DiscoveryDaft Punk

    Discovery

    Daft Punk · 2001 · Electronic

    A euphoric, nostalgic blend of house, disco and filtered French touch, home to 'One More Time' and 'Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger'. Glossy, joyful and impeccably sequenced. The duo's most beloved record.

  10. 10
    SurvivorDestiny's Child

    Survivor

    Destiny's Child · 2001 · Soul & R&B

    A confident, hit-stuffed peak, home to its title anthem. Polished and huge. A commercial high.

  11. 11
    Southern Rock OperaDrive-By Truckers

    Southern Rock Opera

    Drive-By Truckers · 2001 · Country & Americana

    An ambitious double-album meditation on the American South. Bold and acclaimed. Their masterpiece.

  12. 12
    Endless SummerFennesz

    Endless Summer

    Fennesz · 2001 · Electronic

    A gorgeous blend of guitar and glitch, warm and melodic. Singular and beloved. An ambient-pop landmark.

  13. 13
    Time (The Revelator)Gillian Welch

    Time (The Revelator)

    Gillian Welch · 2001 · Folk & Singer-Songwriter

    A spare, haunting Americana landmark of voice and guitar. Beautiful and acclaimed. Her masterpiece.

  14. 14
    GorillazGorillaz

    Gorillaz

    Gorillaz · 2001 · Electronic

    A grimy, eclectic debut blending hip-hop, rock and dub, home to 'Clint Eastwood'. Fresh and fun. A striking arrival.

  15. 15
    The BlueprintJay-Z

    The Blueprint

    Jay-Z · 2001 · Hip-Hop

    Released to instant acclaim, it paired Jay-Z's confident writing with soul-sampling production from a young Kanye West and Just Blaze. Cohesive, quotable and influential. A peak of early-2000s rap.

  16. 16
    FeverKylie Minogue

    Fever

    Kylie Minogue · 2001 · Pop

    A glittering disco-pop comeback, home to 'Can't Get You Out of My Head'. Glossy and irresistible. Her peak.

  17. 17
    Things We Lost in the FireLow

    Things We Lost in the Fire

    Low · 2001 · Alternative & Indie

    A hushed, slowcore peak of fragile beauty. Beautiful and acclaimed. A high point.

  18. 18
    No More DramaMary J. Blige

    No More Drama

    Mary J. Blige · 2001 · Soul & R&B

    A triumphant, empowered peak of hip-hop-soul. Powerful and acclaimed. A high point.

  19. 19
    Miss E... So AddictiveMissy Elliott

    Miss E... So Addictive

    Missy Elliott · 2001 · Hip-Hop

    A futuristic, Timbaland-driven peak, home to 'Get Ur Freak On'. Inventive and huge. A high point.

  20. 20
    StillmaticNas

    Stillmatic

    Nas · 2001 · Hip-Hop

    A focused, lyrical comeback, home to the famous 'Ether'. Sharp and acclaimed. A return to form.

  21. 21
    Blackwater ParkOpeth

    Blackwater Park

    Opeth · 2001 · Metal

    The album that perfected their blend of death-metal heaviness and acoustic, proggy beauty. Dynamic and acclaimed. Their masterpiece.

  22. 22
    AmnesiacRadiohead

    Amnesiac

    Radiohead · 2001 · Alternative & Indie

    A companion to Kid A of fractured electronics and jazz, more abstract still. Cold and rewarding. A grower among fans.

  23. 23
    Melody A.M.Royksopp

    Melody A.M.

    Royksopp · 2001 · Electronic

    A warm, melodic downtempo debut of Scandinavian cool. Smooth and beloved. A chill-out staple.

  24. 24
    GoldRyan Adams

    Gold

    Ryan Adams · 2001 · Country & Americana

    A sprawling, classic-rock-leaning solo peak. Tuneful and acclaimed. A high point.

  25. 25
    IowaSlipknot

    Iowa

    Slipknot · 2001 · Metal

    A brutal, claustrophobic peak of nu-metal aggression. Heavy and intense. Their darkest record.

  26. 26
    ToxicitySystem of a Down

    Toxicity

    System of a Down · 2001 · Metal

    Frenetic, political and weirdly catchy, blending thrash with Armenian melody. Inventive and huge. A defining 2000s metal record.

  27. 27
    Oh, Inverted WorldThe Shins

    Oh, Inverted World

    The Shins · 2001 · Alternative & Indie

    A jangly, lo-fi indie-pop debut of bittersweet melody. Charming and beloved. A 2000s favourite.

  28. 28
    Is This ItThe Strokes

    Is This It

    The Strokes · 2001 · Alternative & Indie

    The lean, effortless debut that sparked the 2000s garage-rock revival, all taut riffs and detached cool. Short and near-perfect, it influenced a generation of guitar bands. Still sounds fresh.

  29. 29
    White Blood CellsThe White Stripes

    White Blood Cells

    The White Stripes · 2001 · Alternative & Indie

    The breakthrough that distilled their sound to its purest, urgent and tuneful. Lean and exciting throughout. The album that made them stars.

  30. 30
    LateralusTool

    Lateralus

    Tool · 2001 · Metal

    An ambitious, mathematically intricate suite that asks to be heard whole. Hypnotic and immersive. Many fans consider it their finest.

  31. 31
    Simple ThingsZero 7

    Simple Things

    Zero 7 · 2001 · Electronic

    A lush, downtempo debut of warm, soulful chill-out. Smooth and beloved. A genre highlight.