THE BEST ROCK ALBUMS OF THE 2010's:
Note: I decided to try something a little different here. Typically, in my Best of the Year lists, I look at the best songs of the year. But now, looking back at the decade, I thought it'd be appropriate to look instead at the best albums. Because any band can have a great song or two - but putting out a really great album? Even in the age of streaming, that's what cements a band as legend and creates fans for life.
1. Daft Punk - Random Access Memories (2013)
- I actually didn't really love Daft Punk's landmark album at first listen. I was coming off of their Tron Legacy soundtrack and wanted more of the same. But over time, I came to appreciate just how great Random Access Memories really was. From uber-catchy dance songs to cosmic techno and everything in between - this really is a modern classic.
2. Twenty One Pilots - Vessel (2013)
- With its earworm songs and exciting combination of rap, rock, and techno, Twenty One Pilots' breakout album was a game-changer.
3. Foxy Shazam - The Church of Rock and Roll (2012)
- Full of bombastic rock, Foxy Shazam showed they had what it takes to be the next great rock band with this 2012 album. If only they'd stayed together!
4. Daft Punk - Tron Legacy Soundtrack (2010)
- Want to hear the soundtrack to the electro-future of your dreams? Look no further than the instant-mood-setting of Daft Punk's seminal score to Tron Legacy.
5. Scorpions - Sting in the Tail (2010)
- Doubt me if you want, but Scorpions' Sting in the Tail is a late-career epic from the classic rock stalwarts, that came nearly fifty years into the band's career. From "Raised on Rock" to "The Best Is Yet to Come," this one is chock full of killer rock anthems.
6. The Darkness - Hot Cakes (2012)
- After a long hiatus, The Darkness returned in 2012 with a kick-ass comeback album that's filled with fist-pumping rockers.
7. Alice Cooper - Welcome 2 My Nightmare (2011)
- The spiritual sequel to one of the all-time great rock albums did not disappoint. Sure, old-school fans may have been shocked to see Alice Cooper collaborate with the likes of Kesha, but true fans know that one of the secrets to Alice's success is that he's always evolving.
8. Greta Van Fleet - Black Smoke Rising (2017)
- While Greta Van Fleet may have suffered from overexposure, there's also no denying that this debut EP absolutely ripped. From start to finish, it's full of new songs and covers that evoke mystical, magical 70's-era rock.
9. John Carpenter - Lost Themes (2015)
- The soundtrack to so much of my writing in recent years, legendary movie director (and film score composer!) John Carpenter blessed us with two albums of all-new music this decade. The instrumental songs evoke his trademark foreboding, synth-y style.
10. Slash - Slash (2010)
- Before Guns n' Roses improbably reunited to tour again, GnR guitar legend Slash came out with this killer album. Filled with collaborations with everyone from Ozzy to Fergie (and eventual bandmate Myles Kennedy of Alter Bridge), this one took you to paradise city and back.
THE NEXT BEST:
11. Rush - Clockwork Angels (2012)
- Rush's final album was one hell of a farewell. A steampunk-themed concept album, Clockwork Angels was jam-packed with killer prog-rock anthems filled with geeky-awesome imagery.
12. The Dropkick Murphys - Signed and Sealed in Blood (2013)
- Boston's favorite sons are nothing if not reliable - but Signed and Sealed is one of their best. Quite simply, it's loaded with great songs that will have you belting out the lyrics like it's last call at the pub. The boys, as they say, were back.
13. The Offspring - Days Go By (2011)
- By the time this album released, The Offspring were struggling to get rock radio airplay - the world had moved on from their brand of catchy punk rock. But that's a shame, because this was a great album, mixing vintage Offspring-style tunes ("Slim Pickens ...") with super-fun experiments ("Cruising California (Bumpin' in My Trunk")).
14. Kesha - Warrior (2012)
- I've always liked Kesha's rock n' roll attitude, and this album featured everything from iconic dance-pop tracks like "Die Young" to rock collaborations ("Dirty Love") with the likes of Iggy Pop.
15. The Interrupters - Fight the Good Fight (2018)
- The Interrupters' most recent album is a testament to just how good this band is - one of the best new bands of the decade, in fact. From new punk-rock anthems like "She's Kerosene" to more contemplative fare like "Room With a View" - this is statement album. Statement being: there's a new sheriff in town.
16. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers - Hypnotic Eye (2014)
- Tom Petty and his legendary band continued to put out incredibly good albums up until the singer's untimely death in 2017. Their 2014 effort is the final Heartbreakers album, but it shows a band still near the top of its game - from the mesmerizing "Shadow People" to the rockin' "Forgotten Man."
17. Weird Al Yankovic - Mandatory Fun (2014)
- How great was 2014, aka the year that Weird Al took over the world (again!)? This album was the culmination of a glorious period in which Al dropped new songs/music videos online every day for several days in a row. The songs were creative, unique, and oftentimes hilarious. A true national hero.
18. Charly Bliss - Guppy (2017)
- If, in the 10's, you were missing 90's-style grungy power-pop, Charly Bliss was there to fill that void. This female-fronted rock group's breakout album was full of catchy, crunchy alt-rock goodness.
19. Joan Jett - Unvarnished (2013)
- Another great album from a classic rocker with, perhaps, something to prove - Joan Jett's 2013 album showed a legend still kicking ass and taking names. Just listen to "Any Weather." If that doesn't strike you as a new rock classic, then I don't know what to tell you.
20. Andrew WK - You're Not Alone (2018)
- Andrew WK's best album since his seminal 2000 debut, this one had a number of songs that were Andrew WK at his infectiously-positive, hard-rocking best.
21. Paul McCartney - New (2013)
- Between this and his more recent Egypt Station, McCartney had a pretty good decade - and that's saying something. Seriously, how is Sir Paul still cranking out amazing pop-songs in his 70's? I don't know, but I do know that the title track on this one is up there with his best.
22. Rise Against - Endgame (2011)
- Rise Against entered this decade as one of the breakout bands of the 2000's. They continued their hot streak with their 2011 album, which gave us more of their epic rock stylings - including one of my favorite songs of theirs, "Make It Stop (September’s Children)."
23. The Interrupters - The Interrupters (2014)
- The Interrupters' debut album was a true monster of punk-rock awesomeness. From the anthemic "Take Back the Power" to the funky stylings of "This Is The New Sound" - this signaled the emergence of a great new band.
24. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers - Mojo (2010)
- Another good one from Petty, this album marked a return to recording with the Heartbreakers after Petty's previous solo effort. I could go through all of the solid-to-excellent songs on this album, but I'll simply say: listen to "Something Good Coming." It's one of the best songs Tom Petty ever sang.
25. AC/DC - Rock or Bust (2014)
- And then there was AC/DC. One of the most consistent bands in the history of rock did not disappoint with 2014's Rock or Bust - despite health issues that sidelined founding member Malcolm Young. But man, what other band could churn out a late-career album with this many instantly-iconic tunes? For those about to rock, AC/DC continues to salute you.
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