100 best albums of the 21st century

Rick Kern // Getty Images for Samsung Entering the 21st century, music was just beginning to be consumed en masse online. CDs were still the main source to listen to tunes, but the rise of Napster and file-sharing networks would soon change the game. Along with this shift, musical styles and compositions also changed, and bands adjusted to a market that could consume music with the click of a mouse. More complex albums emerged, ones that tinkered with their own new technologies. To chronicle the best albums from 2000 to the present date, Stacker compiled data on the top 100 albums of the 21st century according to Best Ever Albums, which ranks albums according to their appearance and performance on 40,000 editorial and data-based charts like Rolling Stone, Pitchfork, Billboard, and more. For a more in-depth methodology, click here. The list is heavy on indie rockers from Canada and the United States, and West Coast rappers that redefined hip-hop artistry. Many songs went on to be used in commercials and movie soundtracks, and one specific track on a revered album led to a lawsuit from Cat Stevens. Learn these backstories and more, like how much a landmark “Funeral” cost to produce, and the band that recorded its smash record in a farmhouse with walls lined with tin foil. So get ready to craft a playlist of melodic love songs and danceable tunes that recreate the feeling of sweaty standing-room-only concerts in Brooklyn. Continue reading to find out if your favorite album released since 2000 made the list. Be sure to check out other similar Stacker stories like Best Grateful Dead albums of all time. Additional writing by Olivia Monahan. #100. ‘Titanic Rising’ by Weyes Blood Robin Little/Redferns // Getty Images – Rank all-time: #354 – Rank in decade: #45 – Rank in year: #3 – Year: 2019 While Weyes Blood may be a name that isn’t considered “household” as of yet, the album “Titanic Rising” certainly put singer-songwriter Natalie Mering ever closer. Her critically acclaimed fourth album acts as an analysis on the impact of the internet, social media, and over-connectedness when it comes to love and connection, and the inability to understand others despite a world of information at everyone’s fingertips. Despite the heavy intonations of the album, in an interview with Pitchfork, Mering stated her plea that is the continuous thread featured throughout the album, “I want to make sure everybody feels like they deserve to be alive.” #99. ‘The King of Limbs’ by Radiohead Yui Mok/PA Images // Getty Images – Rank all-time: #348 – Rank in decade: #44 – Rank in year: #5 – Year: 2011 Radiohead is one of the most critically acclaimed bands of the past 25 years for its ability to evolve and experiment, but “The King of Limbs” divided some critics at first. PopMatters poignantly wrote there’s always something more to Radiohead, and the album has gained more acceptance with age. #98. ‘Chutes Too Narrow’ by The Shins Ed Westmacott/Photoshot // Getty Images – Rank all-time: #346 – Rank in decade: #55 – Rank in year: #5 – Year: 2003 Before The Shins received Natalie Portman’s approval as a band to change your life, they released 2003’s “Chutes Too Narrow.” Lead singer James Mercer was credited as showcasing a “brave voice and ebullient delivery” with songs about protest and ontogeny. #97. ‘Third’ by Portishead Jim Dyson // Getty Images – Rank all-time: #343 – Rank in decade: #54 – Rank in year: #4 – Year: 2008 “Third,” is the highly anticipated third album by the living legendary group Portishead, and as of 2023, its most recent–despite coming out 11 years after its last album. Considered a natural musical re-invention for the group, the album was a bit darker, far less dreamy, and a little more cynical than the band’s previous album endeavors, which is probably what earned it such a high ranking among critics and fans alike. #96. ‘Brothers’ by The Black Keys Jack Vartoogian // Getty Images – Rank all-time: #341 – Rank in decade: #43 – Rank in year: #9 – Year: 2010 The Black Keys broke through with “Brothers” in 2010, which included production by Danger Mouse. The album brought home the group’s first Grammy, thanks to the upbeat rock jam “Tighten Up.” #95. ‘xx’ by The xx Andy Sheppard/Redferns // Getty Images – Rank all-time: #336 – Rank in decade: #53 – Rank in year: #3 – Year: 2009 The debut offering by The xx was described as brilliantly realized and contains not an inch of flab across its 11 songs. The sizzling LP was orchestrated by famous engineer Rodaidh McDonald, and seamlessly mixed R&B, rock, and electro. #94. ‘Sea Change’ by Beck Bill Tompkins // Getty Images – Rank all-time: #334 – Rank in decade: #52 – Rank in year: #7 – Year: 2002 Beck was introduced to audiences as a “Loser” in 1994 but is now recognized as one of music’s most innovative artists. “Sea Change” was seen as a more serious, acoustic-tinged album, but that didn’t hurt Beck’s sales, as the album went certified gold. Beck was praised for his rich, often haunting, baritone on the album. #93. ‘Untrue’ by Burial Canva – Rank all-time: #333 – Rank in decade: #51 – Rank in year: #8 – Year: 2007 Elusive electronic music producer Burial finds his way to this list by way of the 2007 album “Untrue,” the follow-up to his self-titled debut album “Burial” in 2006. The artist maintained a behind-the-veil approach to this identity, and thus far has never done a live show despite a nearly two-decade career. The album is considered a departure from the drum and bass genre, placing raw emotions and musicality into music that is normally just thump and thunk. #92. ‘The Age of Adz’ by Sufjan Stevens Wendy Redfern/Redferns // Getty Images – Rank all-time: #329 – Rank in decade: #42 – Rank in year: #8 – Year: 2010 Sufjan Stevens fans had to wait years for a follow-up full-length album to his critically acclaimed 2005 album “Illinois,” but “The Age of Adz” delivered with a new electronic sound. Stevens said he was sick of his previous musical style. #91. ‘The Black Parade’ by My Chemical Romance Kevin Winter // Getty Images – Rank all-time: #328 – Rank in decade: #50 – Rank in year: #5 – Year: 2006 If you were born anytime before 2000, you know the infamous sound, the infamous first chord of the piano forcefully played on My Chemical Romance’s “The Black Parade,” the lead single of the album that would become one of the most influential and well-known albums of the “emo” genre that flourished into the early-to-mid 2000s. The album was both dark and danceable, giving it the kind of mainstream appeal that put the album at the top of the charts, and on this list. #90. ‘Oracular Spectacular’ by MGMT Hayley Madden/Redferns // Getty Images – Rank all-time: #323 – Rank in decade: #49 – Rank in year: #7 – Year: 2007 MGMT’s debut album introduced a funky, electronic style missing from music. “Oracular Spectacular” was labeled as complex, but brilliant, and songs like “Time to Pretend” became a staple at Brooklyn warehouse parties. #89. ‘The Idler Wheel Is Wiser Than the Driver of the Screw and Whipping Cords Will Serve You More Than Ropes Will Ever Do’ by Fiona Apple Tim Mosenfelder // Getty Images – Rank all-time: #315 – Rank in decade: #41 – Rank in year: #7 – Year: 2012 Fiona Apple doesn’t release music as much as most artists, but when she does it becomes a major event. The Los Angeles Times said this album is essential listening for anyone interested in popular music as art. The album was propelled by songs like “Werewolf,” which highlighted Apple’s unique voice with the sounds of children playing in the background. #88. ‘Melodrama’ by Lorde Dianne Manson // Getty Images – Rank all-time: #313 – Rank in decade: #40 – Rank in year: #2 – Year: 2017 The second album by breakthrough New Zealand pop star Lorde, “Melodrama” found its way on this list for being a modern-day version of Fiona Apple’s “Tidal” in the sense that both albums gave listeners, especially listeners who identify as women, the ability to feel seen and heard in the midst of their complex emotions. Unlike Lorde’s debut album, “Melodrama” chose to peel back the layers of stardom and fame in order to show a more raw form of the artist and the music she creates. #87. ‘White Blood Cells’ by The White Stripes Nicky J. Sims/Redferns // Getty Images – Rank all-time: #312 – Rank in decade: #48 – Rank in year: #9 – Year: 2001 After years of bubblegum pop stars and nu-metal controlling airwaves, The White Stripes helped usher in a new era of rock. The single “Fell in Love With a Girl,” off “White Blood Cells,” was two minutes of intense, tightly woven guitar rock, accompanied by a groundbreaking video directed by Michel Gondry. #86. ‘Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends’ by Coldplay C Flanigan/WireImage // Getty Images – Rank all-time: #308 – Rank in decade: #47 – Rank in year: #3 – Year: 2008 Coldplay was already one of the world’s most popular rock bands, but 2008’s “Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends” catapulted it to a new level of stardom. With grand, orchestral songs like “Viva la Vida,” Coldplay crossed genres and had songs off the album remixed by the likes of Jay Z. #85. ‘Trouble Will Find Me’ by The National Gary Wolstenholme/Redferns // Getty Images – Rank all-time: #303 – Rank in decade: #39 – Rank in year: #7 – Year: 2013 The National’s sixth album was praised for its impeccable sequencing and playing off the group’s strengths. The lead single “Demons” emphasized lead singer Matt Berninger’s deep vocals and helped earn the band a Grammy nomination. #84. ‘Let England Shake’ by PJ Harvey Matt Kent/WireImage // Getty Images – Rank all-time: #300 – Rank in decade: #38 – Rank in year: #4 – Year: 2011 Although it was released in February 2011, music website Consequence of Sound immediately anointed “Let England Shake” as the album of the year. Many other publications would follow suit, and PJ Harvey won the prestigious Mercury Music Prize. #83. ‘Atrocity Exhibition’ by Danny Brown Erika Goldring // Getty Images – Rank all-time: #295 – Rank in decade: #37 – Rank in year: #5 – Year: 2016 Rapper Danny Brown’s fourth album “Atrocity Exhibition” featured Kendrick Lamar and B-Real, and production from hip-hop vets like The Alchemist. The album made many Best of 2016 lists and showcased Brown’s ability to rap over many styles of beats; he once said he could rap over two pots scraping each other. #82. ‘You Forgot It in People’ by Broken Social Scene Wendy Redfern/Redferns // Getty Images – Rank all-time: #292 – Rank in decade: #46 – Rank in year: #6 – Year: 2002 Canadian rock conglomerate Broken Social Scene introduced much of the world to singers like Feist and Emily Haines of Metric, and the two singers shine on this album. “Anthems for a Seventeen Year-Old Girl” is a wispy ballad by Haines, and Feist shines on the chorus for “Almost Crimes.” Many of the album’s songs provided the soundtrack for the Ryan Gosling film “Half Nelson.” #81. ‘Toxicity’ by System of a Down Mick Hutson/Redferns // Getty Images – Rank all-time: #291 – Rank in decade: #45 – Rank in year: #8 – Year: 2001 System of a Down’s second album went platinum, boosted by its trademark heavy metal sound and elements like jazz and Armenian music. The single “Chop Suey” remains a crowd-pleaser, and the band landed on the radar of acts outside of rock, like RZA of Wu-Tang Clan. #80. ‘Twin Fantasy (Face to Face)’ by Car Seat Headrest Andrew Benge // Getty Images – Rank all-time: #288 – Rank in decade: #36 – Rank in year: #1 – Year: 2018 When it comes to emotional, lovelorn indie rock gems, Will Toledo–aka Car Seat Headrest–is king. The sound of “Twin Fantasy” is more pioneering for Toledo musically, but it’s as recognizable as ever in its lyrical honesty in regard to the doomed gay romance narrative. #79. ‘Norman F*cking Rockwell!’ by Lana Del Rey Andrew Chin // Getty Images – Rank all-time: #285 – Rank in decade: #35 – Rank in year: #2 – Year: 2019 Already fairly deep into her musical career, Lana Del Rey released her fifth studio album, “Norman F*cking Rockwell!” at a time when the world itself felt like it was being viewed, captured, and perhaps written in a painfully different light instead of a polished image. Del Rey chose to honor that dichotomy and hypocrisy in this album, considered one of her deepest and most introspective by critics and fans alike. Fun fact–the mysterious man on the cover of the album is none other than Jack Nicholson’s grandson Duke. #78. ‘I Love You, Honeybear’ by Father John Misty Matt Cowan // Getty Images for Coachella – Rank all-time: #283 – Rank in decade: #34 – Rank in year: #4 – Year: 2015 This album by the former Fleet Foxes member contained many trademark folk sounds but was very much a concept album. It’s full of contrasts and is “so cynical it’s repulsive and so openhearted it hurts,” according to Pitchfork. #77. ‘The Smile Sessions’ by The Beach Boys Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post // Getty Images – Rank all-time: #276 – Rank in decade: #33 – Rank in year: #3 – Year: 2011 Fifty years after their formation, The Beach Boys proved they could still deliver the goods. “The Smile Sessions,” released in 2011, was a box set centered around unreleased recordings from the 1960s. Spin called the tracks “part tribute, part cartoon, part dream.” #76. ‘The Marshall Mathers LP’ by Eminem Frans Schellekens/Redferns // Getty Images – Rank all-time: #275 – Rank in decade: #44 – Rank in year: #6 – Year: 2000 Eminem’s second major label album went straight to the top of the charts and is now 10 times platinum. Splicing Dr. Dre’s beat-making mastery and Eminem’s personal lyrics, perhaps the album’s most noted song is “Stan,” a storytelling track about overzealous fandom that eventually led to its own dictionary definition. #75. ‘Igor’ by Tyler, The Creator FREDERIC J. BROWN // Getty Images – Rank all-time: #274 – Rank in decade: #32 – Rank in year: #1 – Year: 2019 As of August 2021, Tyler, The Creator’s queer anti-pop abstraction has officially gone platinum. Told like a story, the raw, expressive album is an explosion of new sounds from the all-encompassing artist that proves his unending desire to break through the limits of the genre. #74. ‘Halcyon Digest’ by Deerhunter Gary Wolstenholme/Redferns // Getty Images – Rank all-time: #265 – Rank in decade: #31 – Rank in year: #7 – Year: 2010 Bradford Cox has always been one of music’s most untethered songwriters, and he displayed his full range of artistry on “Halcyon Digest.” The album was described as creating a “lethargically gorgeous world” and “blissful.” #73. ‘Black Holes and Revelations’ by Muse Rob Verhorst/Redferns // Getty Images – Rank all-time: #264 – Rank in decade: #43 – Rank in year: #4 – Year: 2006 Twelve years after its formation, Muse had its biggest hit and the first album to reach the top of the U.K. charts with “Black Holes and Revelations.” The album combined rock, pop, and electronic elements and received wide acclaim, despite a low rating from the occasionally curmudgeonly Pitchfork. #72. ‘Room on Fire’ by The Strokes Tabatha Fireman/Redferns // Getty Images – Rank all-time: #263 – Rank in decade: #42 – Rank in year: #4 – Year: 2003 After their previous album set the music world ablaze, The Strokes showed musical maturity with 2003’s “Room on Fire.” The lead single “12:51” was an electro, synth-sounding hit, but tracks like “Reptilia” played true to the band’s rock roots. #71. ‘Hospice’ by The Antlers Jordi Vidal/Redferns // Getty Images – Rank all-time: #262 – Rank in decade: #41 – Rank in year: #2 – Year: 2009 The Antlers mixed horns, strings, and rock elements on “Hospice.” The album’s ambient feel was pitted as the antithesis of Bon Iver and featured vocals from Sharon Van Etten. #70. ‘Late Registration’ by Kanye West Lester Cohen/WireImage for The Recording Academy // Getty Images – Rank all-time: #261 – Rank in decade: #40 – Rank in year: #3 – Year: 2005 Kanye West altered the landscape of hip-hop with “The College Dropout” and his follow-up further changed the game. “Diamonds From Sierra Leone” was a poignant track where West debated with himself about the pull of flashing jewelry and coming to grips with the bloodshed caused by the diamond trade. The album featured an all-star cast of performers including Jamie Foxx, Lupe Fiasco, and Common. #69. ‘Damn.’ by Kendrick Lamar Dimitrios Kambouris // Getty Images for Clara Lionel Foundation – Rank all-time: #258 – Rank in decade: #30 – Rank in year: #1 – Year: 2017 Kendrick Lamar whetted appetites across the West Coast on his features with artists like The Game, and then lived up to expectations with his debut album “Good Kid, M.A.A.D City.” Lamar kept the momentum going with “Damn.,” which Rolling Stone called a brilliant combination of the timeless and the modern, the old school and the next level. For his work on “Damn.,” Lamar won the Pulitzer Prize for music. #68. ‘Favourite Worst Nightmare’ by Arctic Monkeys ALBERTO SAIZ/AFP // Getty Images – Rank all-time: #252 – Rank in decade: #39 – Rank in year: #6 – Year: 2007 Another popular 2000s rock band from across the pond, Arctic Monkeys had the fastest-selling debut album by a British rock band. “Favourite Worst Nightmare,” their second album, was released without bassist Andy Nicholson. Still, the Hartford Courant called the album “a dream come true.” #67. ‘To Be Kind’ by Swans Joseph Okpako/Redferns // Getty Images – Rank all-time: #250 – Rank in decade: #29 – Rank in year: #2 – Year: 2014 Swans began making music in 1982, but 2014’s “To Be Kind” was a triple LP masterpiece that introduced them to new audiences. Pitchfork called the album a mesmerizing spectacle. #66. ‘Plastic Beach’ by Gorillaz Michael Buckner // Getty Images – Rank all-time: #247 – Rank in decade: #28 – Rank in year: #6 – Year: 2010 When Damon Albarn paused his career with Blur and launched Gorillaz, the result was electro-pop and hip-hop goodness. “Plastic Beach” centers heavily on environmental themes, and was called “a new benchmark for collaborative music as a whole,” by BBC Music. #65. ‘Vampire Weekend’ by Vampire Weekend Wendy Redfern/Redferns // Getty Images – Rank all-time: #237 – Rank in decade: #38 – Rank in year: #2 – Year: 2008 Educated at Columbia University, Vampire Weekend seemed to keenly embrace its New York influences. Vibe noted that its self-titled album succeeded in putting the hips back in hipster, and the band’s low-key style immediately drew comparisons to Paul Simon. #64. ‘An Awesome Wave’ by alt-J Nick Pickles/Redferns // Getty Images – Rank all-time: #225 – Rank in decade: #27 – Rank in year: #6 – Year: 2012 Alt-J was founded in Leeds, in northern England, in 2007 and was often compared to Radiohead. Alt-J distinguished itself with “An Awesome Wave,” which was described as “exciting to listen to” and “a complete joy” thanks to its pop, art rock, and electronic elements. #63. ‘Teens of Denial’ by Car Seat Headrest Venla Shalin/Redferns // Getty Images – Rank all-time: #215 – Rank in decade: #26 – Rank in year: #4 – Year: 2016 Not all indie rock bands with catchy names hail from Brooklyn, New York. Virginia’s Car Seat Headrest made a name for itself with this album that felt like a revival of indie rock from a decade earlier. The band received particular praise for its choruses. #62. ‘Back to Black’ by Amy Winehouse Simone Joyner // Getty Images – Rank all-time: #212 – Rank in decade: #37 – Rank in year: #3 – Year: 2006 Amy Winehouse’s vintage singing style enraptured the masses in 2007, as she emerged as one of the best soul singers of her time. Tony Bennett and Nas were among the artists who came clamoring for collabs, thanks to “Back to Black,” which was her last studio album. Winehouse died in 2011. #61. ‘… Like Clockwork’ by Queens of the Stone Age Kevin Mazur // Getty Images – Rank all-time: #211 – Rank in decade: #25 – Rank in year: #6 – Year: 2013 This album featured new drummer Jon Theodore and featured work by Trent Reznor. Mojo called the album a rock classic. Lead vocalist Josh Homme built on his reputation as one of rock’s best frontmen with songs like “My God is the Sun” and “I Sat by the Ocean.” #60. ‘Reflektor’ by Arcade Fire Burak Cingi/Redferns // Getty Images – Rank all-time: #206 – Rank in decade: #24 – Rank in year: #5 – Year: 2013 Arcade Fire’s foray into double album territory was just as successful as its previous stand-alone LPs. “Reflektor” mixed rock with dance elements, and featured production by James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem. #59. ‘The Money Store’ by Death Grips Karl Walter // Getty Images for Coachella – Rank all-time: #205 – Rank in decade: #23 – Rank in year: #5 – Year: 2012 An experimental hip-hop landmark, “The Money Store” proved Death Grips wouldn’t become watered down after signing with a major label. The album was pure fun to many, “good at reminding you that you’re alive,” according to Pitchfork. #58. ‘Parachutes’ by Coldplay Mick Hutson/Redferns // Getty Images – Rank all-time: #204 – Rank in decade: #36 – Rank in year: #5 – Year: 2000 Coldplay’s debut album was helped immensely by the success of their single “Yellow,” a mellow tune that became the calling card style of lead singer Chris Martin. The song “Don’t Panic” was featured in the film “Garden State,” and “Parachutes” went on to sell more than 2 million albums. #57. ‘Random Access Memories’ by Daft Punk Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage // Getty Images – Rank all-time: #203 – Rank in decade: #22 – Rank in year: #4 – Year: 2013 Alongside Pharrell Williams, Daft Punk reached new levels of fame with “Get Lucky” off “Random Access Memories.” The disco/funk single received massive airplay and Grammy awards, and the album was both futuristic and an ode to early electronic eras. #56. ‘Yeezus’ by Kanye West Frazer Harrison // Getty Images for Surface Magazine – Rank all-time: #200 – Rank in decade: #21 – Rank in year: #3 – Year: 2013 “Yeezus” was unlike anything produced by Kanye West, a hip-hop album with hard rock, industrial, and alternative elements. Toward the finish line, West called in Rick Rubin to put the finishing touches on the album, which included input from Travis Scott, Daft Punk, and No I.D. #55. ‘Origin of Symmetry’ by Muse Erika Goldring/FilmMagic // Getty Images – Rank all-time: #77 – Rank in decade: #7 – Rank in year: #1 – Year: 2016 Radiohead continued its run of critically acclaimed works. “A Moon Shaped Pool” is recognized as one of Radiohead’s most sonically pleasing albums, and melodically accessible. The album is certified gold. #13. ‘Lonerism’ by Tame Impala Martin Philbey/Redferns // Getty Images – Rank all-time: #72 – Rank in decade: #6 – Rank in year: #2 – Year: 2012 Tame Impala followed up “Innerspeaker” with an even more revered work, “Lonerism.” Australia Rolling Stone named “Lonerism” album of the year. The album’s sound hearkened to the 1960s but amped up with new technology. #12. ‘Carrie & Lowell’ by Sufjan Stevens Taylor Hill/WireImage // Getty Images – Rank all-time: #69 – Rank in decade: #5 – Rank in year: #2 – Year: 2015 “Carrie & Lowell” was written after the death of Sufjan Stevens’ mother, and is a raw, emotional musical journey. AV Club called the album near perfect thanks to standout songs like “No Shade in the Shadow of the Cross.” #11. ‘Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not’ by Arctic Monkeys Paul Bergen/Redferns // Getty Images – Rank all-time: #64 – Rank in decade: #7 – Rank in year: #1 – Year: 2006 “Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not” was the U.K.’s fastest-selling album, moving 360,000 copies upon its release. The lead single “I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor” was a groovy rock anthem, and was performed by Arctic Monkeys at the 2012 Olympics in London. #10. ‘Yankee Hotel Foxtrot’ by Wilco Tabatha Fireman/Redferns // Getty Images – Rank all-time: #48 – Rank in decade: #6 – Rank in year: #1 – Year: 2002 Drummer Glenn Kotche debuted for Wilco on “Yankee Hotel Foxtrot,” an album that changed perceptions of “alt-country” music. The album received a rare perfect 10 rating from Pitchfork, which called “Yankee Hotel Foxtrot” a fantastic rock record. #9. ‘Illinois’ by Sufjan Stevens Hayley Madden/Redferns // Getty Images – Rank all-time: #45 – Rank in decade: #5 – Rank in year: #1 – Year: 2005 Sufjan Stevens’ ode to the Land of Lincoln was really a portrait of modern Americana. The album is praised for its subdued romanticism and positive energy. Stevens has also made albums geographically named after Michigan and the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway. #8. ‘The Suburbs’ by Arcade Fire Barry Brecheisen/WireImage // Getty Images – Rank all-time: #44 – Rank in decade: #4 – Rank in year: #2 – Year: 2010 Arcade Fire won the Grammy for Album of the Year with “The Suburbs.” Critics labeled the album a masterpiece by one of the 21st century’s most intelligent and satisfying bands. Win Butler drew inspiration from his childhood in Texas, and songs like “The Suburbs” feel like you’re reliving your childhood. #7. ‘Good Kid, M.A.A.D City’ by Kendrick Lamar Noel Vasquez // Getty Images – Rank all-time: #36 – Rank in decade: #3 – Rank in year: #1 – Year: 2012 Kendrick Lamar’s debut album infused West Coast beats with the kind of in-depth lyricism usually reserved for East Coast artists. Heavyweight producers Hit-Boy, Just Blaze, and DJ Khalil helped craft the sound, while Lamar spit witty bars over dark tracks like “Swimming Pools” and insightful, raw songs like “Black Boy Fly.” Lamar seemingly did the impossible in hip-hop, as HipHopDX noted, reaching mass appeal and gaining mass respect. #6. ‘My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy’ by Kanye West Bobby Bank/WireImage // Getty Images – Rank all-time: #33 – Rank in decade: #2 – Rank in year: #1 – Year: 2010 Kanye West seemingly changed the game with the single “Runaway,” a piano-laced song filled with lament and bravado that served as an appetizer to what “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy” offers. The album was so revered that some critics predicted West’s next album could be disappointing. Nicki Minaj, Rihanna, and John Legend filled out a roster of A-listers who contributed to the LP. #5. ‘Is This It’ by The Strokes Jun Sato/WireImage // Getty Images – Rank all-time: #23 – Rank in decade: #4 – Rank in year: #1 – Year: 2001 The Strokes’ debut studio album was both a callback to New York City’s gritty rock days and a new sound of guitar-heavy pop that set the quintet apart from their new-wave contemporaries. “Hard to Explain” and “Someday” were accompanied by retro-feeling music videos that featured Atari-era graphics and cameos by Slash. The Strokes’ rise during this era was later captured in the book “Meet Me in the Bathroom.” #4. ‘To Pimp a Butterfly’ by Kendrick Lamar Christopher Polk/BET // Getty Images for BET – Rank all-time: #20 – Rank in decade: #1 – Rank in year: #1 – Year: 2015 Kendrick Lamar’s 2015 album was released while the country was grappling with horrendous acts of racist violence, and the Compton native channeled that anger and energy in “To Pimp a Butterfly.” The album has been cited as a call to action and a manifestation to “push the culture of rap forward.” George Clinton, Snoop Dogg, and Flying Lotus all contributed to Lamar’s third studio release. #3. ‘Funeral’ by Arcade Fire Wendy Redfern/Redferns // Getty Images – Rank all-time: #14 – Rank in decade: #3 – Rank in year: #1 – Year: 2004 Arcade Fire’s debut album cost about $10,000 to record. “Funeral” redefined indie rock, and it was laced with songs of angst and hope. One of the singles, “Wake Up,” was featured in the film “Where the Wild Things Are.” #2. ‘In Rainbows’ by Radiohead Tim Cochrane/PA Images // Getty Images – Rank all-time: #8 – Rank in decade: #2 – Rank in year: #1 – Year: 2007 “In Rainbows” was revolutionary for a few reasons. Radiohead continued evolving with a new experimental sound, featured on songs like “Jigsaw Falling Into Place” and “Reckoner.” But the band also decided the album would be priced at what fans wanted to pay, a monumental moment as music shifted away from physical albums to digital downloads and streams. #1. ‘Kid A’ by Radiohead