Albums of 2002
The records from 2002 that made our lists.
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1The MantleAgalloch
The Mantle
A folk-tinged, atmospheric black-metal peak. Beautiful and acclaimed. A cult landmark.
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2Sea ChangeBeck
Sea Change
A stark, gorgeous break-up album of orchestrated melancholy, far from his playful collages. Honest and moving. His most affecting record.
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3GeogaddiBoards of Canada
Geogaddi
A darker, denser follow-up to Music Has the Right to Children. Eerie and beloved. A high point.
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4StrippedChristina Aguilera
Stripped
An ambitious, defiant record of vocal power and reinvention, home to 'Beautiful'. Bold and varied. Her artistic statement.
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5Lord Willin'Clipse
Lord Willin'
A sharp coke-rap debut over the Neptunes' beats. Tough and beloved. A genre highlight.
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6A Rush of Blood to the HeadColdplay
A Rush of Blood to the Head
The album that made Coldplay huge, anthemic and melancholic, from 'Clocks' to 'The Scientist'. Polished and emotional. Their breakthrough.
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7ODamien Rice
O
A raw, intimate folk debut of heartbreak, home to 'The Blower's Daughter'. Tender and beloved. A breakthrough.
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8The Eminem ShowEminem
The Eminem Show
A more personal, rock-tinged blockbuster of fame and family, home to 'Without Me'. Polished and huge. A commercial peak.
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9Turn on the Bright LightsInterpol
Turn on the Bright Lights
A sleek, melancholic debut reviving post-punk for the 2000s, all taut guitars and shadow. Atmospheric and assured. A defining record of its scene.
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10OceanicIsis
Oceanic
A spacious, immersive post-metal peak. Heavy and acclaimed. A genre high point.
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11American IV: The Man Comes AroundJohnny Cash
American IV: The Man Comes Around
A devastating late peak, home to a definitive cover of 'Hurt'. Raw and beloved. A profound farewell.
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12JustifiedJustin Timberlake
Justified
A sleek solo debut of Neptunes and Timbaland pop-R&B that established Timberlake as a star. Smooth and fun. A turning point.
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13Alive or Just BreathingKillswitch Engage
Alive or Just Breathing
A landmark metalcore record of melody and aggression. Heavy and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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14Songs About JaneMaroon 5
Songs About Jane
A tuneful, funk-pop debut, home to 'This Love'. Smooth and huge. A breakthrough.
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15RemissionMastodon
Remission
A heavy, sludgy debut of riff-driven power. Brutal and acclaimed. A strong start.
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16NothingMeshuggah
Nothing
A downtuned, hypnotic djent landmark. Crushing and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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17DeliveranceOpeth
Deliverance
A heavier, death-leaning peak of progressive metal. Brutal and acclaimed. A high point.
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18Dutty RockSean Paul
Dutty Rock
A blockbuster dancehall crossover, home to 'Get Busy'. Bouncy and huge. A commercial landmark.
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19Kill the MoonlightSpoon
Kill the Moonlight
A spare, rhythmic indie peak of clever minimalism. Sharp and beloved. A cornerstone.
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20HomeThe Chicks
Home
A bluegrass-leaning, acoustic peak of harmony and craft. Beautiful and acclaimed. A creative high.
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21Yoshimi Battles the Pink RobotsThe Flaming Lips
Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots
A whimsical, emotional psych-pop landmark of robots and mortality. Beloved and acclaimed. A high point.
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22Up the BracketThe Libertines
Up the Bracket
A ramshackle, romantic debut of scrappy British guitar rock. Raw and influential. A defining 2000s record.
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23PhrenologyThe Roots
Phrenology
An adventurous, eclectic peak of live-band hip-hop. Bold and acclaimed. A creative high.
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24AliceTom Waits
Alice
A haunting, theatrical song-cycle of broken beauty. Beautiful and acclaimed. A cult favourite.
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25Yankee Hotel FoxtrotWilco
Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
An adventurous blend of Americana and studio experimentation, famously rejected then revered. Beautiful and restless. Their masterpiece.
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26The Disintegration LoopsWilliam Basinski
The Disintegration Loops
A haunting ambient landmark of decaying tape loops, tied to 9/11. Elegiac and singular. A profound record.