IMPORTANT UPDATE: I have now heard three (3) 2001 albums that I’m giving a LOVE rating after a single listen. (What are they? I hope to tell you next week! Maybe there’ll be more by then?)
Replies
I am genuinely looking forward to everyone’s takes about 2001 because when I look at the list I’m sadly underwhelmed. plenty of stuff that I look at and think “I like that well enough I guess” but nothing that I’m super excited about.
sep 13, 2025, 8:11 pm • 8 1 • view
I have a sneaking suspicion that I’ll have more opinions that I imagine- the reverse of this current tourney which is much more my bailiwick and yet I find myself nodding and thinking “carry on” a lot.
sep 13, 2025, 9:28 pm • 2 1 • view
I went travelling for a lot of 2001, so mostly what I listened to was the 6 minidiscs I packed before I left and 2 mix tapes we bought in New Zealand for our rental car. Still have the minidisc player somewhere..
sep 14, 2025, 6:37 pm • 1 1 • view
I am not looking forward to glowing takes on shitty albums
sep 13, 2025, 8:40 pm • 5 1 • view
Can I say: I'm a big Depeche Mode, REM and Air fan but Exciter, Reveal and 10.000 HZ Legend do not belong in the '01 bracket. And, as God as my witness, I never thought I would say this but the Mick Jagger album is, IMO, good. (Ducks)
sep 14, 2025, 8:20 pm • 5 1 • view
Rolling Stone gave it 5 stars as I recall!
sep 14, 2025, 8:40 pm • 2 1 • view
According to a list I found on-line, Rolling Stone called it the Best Album of the Year!! That's what motivated me to listen to it. There's no way it's the best album of 2001, but I was genuinely surprised I liked it as much as I did.
sep 14, 2025, 8:45 pm • 2 1 • view
I’ve only heard the single which I remember liking decently enough. Sounded lively which is more than you can say about a lot of guys his age. Lenny Kravitz plays guitar on it
sep 14, 2025, 8:46 pm • 1 1 • view
This was 100% my take, too.
sep 15, 2025, 1:11 am • 2 1 • view
cranky cranky
sep 13, 2025, 9:17 pm • 3 1 • view
sep 13, 2025, 9:33 pm • 3 1 • view
😆 "Glowing takes on shitty albums" would actually make a nice capsule summary of the entirety of pop/rock music criticism. youtu.be/6naq8nqmOAM?...
sep 14, 2025, 12:19 am • 2 1 • view
sep 13, 2025, 8:42 pm • 1 1 • view
Most of 2001
sep 13, 2025, 8:43 pm • 1 1 • view
sep 13, 2025, 8:45 pm • 1 1 • view
Microphones Strokes Radiohead To name three
sep 13, 2025, 8:49 pm • 3 1 • view
I'm with you on the Microphones (too grating); I'm new to this and pretty sure that the Strokes are going to end up seeded at least Top 10 cuz they seem to get a lot of love here but I just can't get excited about that album personally. My only quibble with you here is I do like Amnesiac.
sep 14, 2025, 8:26 pm • 2 0 • view
Strokes will definitely be single digit and I am just ambivalent at best toward Radiohead
sep 14, 2025, 8:41 pm • 1 0 • view
The Strokes fall into a weird realm for me. Like them well enough. Love more than a few songs. Also, find the talk around their impact overstated at best, laughable at worst. Feel free to adore them. And the impact on you, no problem. But the amount of bigger acts around then and since are many.
sep 13, 2025, 10:59 pm • 2 0 • view
I feel like here in the US the picture was painted that they led the charge of the rock savior garage rock revival but the hives predated them a year. Surely at least their publicity did. I liked the album then not as much now and the follow up more. And that scene sustained nothing beyond it.
sep 13, 2025, 11:55 pm • 0 0 • view
Maybe. I dont quite recall Hives having a hit until 02. I get it's perceived to be uncool in comparison, but Linkin Park was leagues more popular, and the big mid 00s emo acts all had big culture impact.
sep 14, 2025, 12:04 am • 0 0 • view
Their album was in the 2000 tournament so I only mention that because while the strokes may have led them to having a hit they didn’t inspire their inception.
sep 14, 2025, 12:10 am • 0 0 • view
There’s a couple of big names where I’m just going to have to retreat to a monastery for 24 hours rather than expose myself to positive discourse
sep 13, 2025, 9:19 pm • 4 1 • view
I hope the Strokes go up against Slipknot in R1 just so their whole "the last rock and roll band" deal comes across extra silly. Slipknot will lose very badly but they'll lose to whoever they're up against (if they even qualify) so w/e
sep 13, 2025, 9:24 pm • 4 1 • view
If we can ironically conjure a Nickelback qualification it's guaranteed to have a very funny matchup from seed 128 (this is a big way I depart from many Best Albun voters in that even if one hates Nickelback I see no reason not to nominate them bc it'd be very funny to have them here)
sep 13, 2025, 9:29 pm • 6 1 • view
I at least can get on board with this from a having popular albums in even if they suck standpoint
sep 13, 2025, 9:32 pm • 4 1 • view
Way I see it 64 albums have to lose in round 1 anyway some of them may as well be Nickelback
sep 13, 2025, 9:37 pm • 3 0 • view
I’ll nominate them
sep 13, 2025, 9:33 pm • 5 1 • view
I’ve actually heard it, and think Chad is a good singer who needed a better band
sep 13, 2025, 9:37 pm • 4 1 • view
I like this Nickelback album, it's the last time they still carry themselves like a real band that doesn't entirely exist to make money but are also serving big 100% beef riffs to start making the money.
sep 13, 2025, 9:39 pm • 4 1 • view
I don't know if any of these things are true but I like the energy
sep 14, 2025, 12:10 am • 1 0 • view
After this the only time I particularly like Nickelback aside from the odd banger is when Mutt Lange tried to turn them into Def Leppard with very uncanny results youtu.be/pflARrGZqOw?...
sep 14, 2025, 12:20 am • 1 0 • view
Yeah I think you have to! They have my axe (in a rocking sense)
sep 13, 2025, 9:36 pm • 3 1 • view
I am sorta looking forward to everyone shitting on Gwen Stefani.
sep 13, 2025, 8:45 pm • 2 1 • view
For that No Doubt album? That’s god tier in this year
sep 13, 2025, 8:46 pm • 1 1 • view
She will be shat on less for the albums merits than for her political heel turn.
sep 13, 2025, 8:49 pm • 2 1 • view
Has she actually said anything political or is it just bad church/Blake Shelton vibes? And there's a nonzero chance I nominate Blake Shelton tbh...
sep 13, 2025, 9:59 pm • 1 1 • view
I’d take this as bullshit contrarianism usually but in 2001 it may be warranted just to get a full field
sep 13, 2025, 10:02 pm • 1 1 • view
I love country music and will be moving onto it as soon as I have chewed up and spit out 2001's metal and Blake Shelton's whole deal is rugged semitraditionalism and I can think of several of his songs I like offhand so I fear my Shelton era may be nigh
sep 13, 2025, 10:05 pm • 3 1 • view
The early Shelton stuff is fine, but for 2001 neo-neotraditionalists, I'd have Gary Allen's ALRIGHT GUY higher on my list. From the older generation, Rodney's Crowell THE HOUSTON KID is a really strong comeback record. For more of a Bakersfield sound, the Derailers' HERE COME THE DERAILERS.
sep 14, 2025, 1:42 am • 2 0 • view
She's gone hard on some prayer apps that, too some, feels like a scam/gross.
sep 14, 2025, 1:22 am • 2 0 • view
Ohh yeah I'm remembering now, I remembered she was promoting something but couldn't quite recall what
sep 14, 2025, 1:27 am • 0 0 • view
I’d gladly do so. And then vote for it over The Strokes
sep 13, 2025, 8:50 pm • 2 1 • view
She's just sad, I think. I remember when she did an interview with a music magazine and said Gavin Rossdale threw her CDs out the car window if he didn't like them, like it was a cute anecdote. 😐
sep 13, 2025, 10:13 pm • 1 1 • view
Gavin Rossdale being a huge prick
sep 13, 2025, 10:17 pm • 2 0 • view
Bush is my easy least favorite grunge carpetbagger and he always seemed like a pretty boy douche. Their marriage was an early sign that Gwen was maybe lacking in the judgment department; her recent turn to conservative Christian boosterism and Tucker Carlson semi-endorsement only reinforces that.
sep 13, 2025, 10:23 pm • 9 1 • view
I think Bush might be the only British band that were bigger in the US than at home.
sep 14, 2025, 6:24 pm • 3 1 • view
Technically, Foghat is British (even though British blues is such an ingrained thing their particular variety feels so enormously American)
sep 14, 2025, 7:49 pm • 4 1 • view
In a similar vein, post-Frampton Humble Pie?
sep 14, 2025, 8:18 pm • 2 1 • view
Foghat’s funny ‘cuz they’re basically a 2 hit wonder: 1) Slow Ride; and 2) I Just Want to Make Love to You… which is just Slow Ride if ZZ Top was doing it.
sep 14, 2025, 8:25 pm • 2 1 • view
A reverse Sparks situation
sep 14, 2025, 7:13 pm • 4 1 • view
Oh, really? Wonder if there’s any others.
sep 14, 2025, 7:26 pm • 2 1 • view
Ha!
sep 14, 2025, 8:08 pm • 1 0 • view
The Outfield! www.youtube.com/watch?v=4N1i...
sep 14, 2025, 7:46 pm • 3 0 • view
Literally never heard of them so I’m guessing…yes?
sep 14, 2025, 7:52 pm • 1 1 • view
So many things that I wanna say...
sep 14, 2025, 8:16 pm • 3 1 • view
“Your Love” went gold and even had a Saturday Night Live skit built around it! Here’s a comparison of their US and UK chart history.
sep 14, 2025, 7:54 pm • 2 0 • view
Lol, I had no idea it was called that but as soon as it began, I started singing along.
sep 14, 2025, 8:09 pm • 1 1 • view
Poor Josie
sep 14, 2025, 8:32 pm • 2 1 • view
I forgot about the Outfield! My sister LOVED them
sep 14, 2025, 8:00 pm • 1 1 • view
Uhm... Led Zeppelin?
sep 14, 2025, 7:08 pm • 2 1 • view
Weren’t they big everywhere? Before my time 🤷♂️
sep 14, 2025, 7:16 pm • 2 1 • view
ISTR that the Times (the Times!) called them a grunge rock tribute band which is just unimaginably savage
sep 14, 2025, 1:52 am • 4 1 • view
They were GEORGE MICHAEL CDs if I recall, insult to injury.
sep 14, 2025, 9:52 pm • 4 1 • view
Kinda thing sticks with you, am I right??
sep 14, 2025, 10:06 pm • 4 1 • view
🙄
sep 14, 2025, 10:05 pm • 1 0 • view
Hella bad.
sep 14, 2025, 11:36 pm • 2 0 • view
Ha
sep 15, 2025, 12:58 am • 0 0 • view
Lol same. I never could stand her.
sep 14, 2025, 9:11 pm • 2 1 • view
Love 2001 myself. A lot. Was also 19 so prime for a lot of stuff.
sep 13, 2025, 8:42 pm • 1 0 • view
Hope there are some cool hidden gems at least (that's true of every era in music). I loved IS THIS IT? when I was 17 in 2001 but I won't be nominating it (I kinda like a few songs here and there out of nostalgia) because it doesn't need my help lol.
sep 13, 2025, 9:30 pm • 2 1 • view
Also it will be very interesting as we go forward into the 2000s and backward into the 1980s. I can’t wait for the Best Album of 1980 tournament in like 10 years, I will nominate 500 albums. 😈
sep 14, 2025, 5:12 am • 2 1 • view
Gonna force the RYM nerds I know to join BlueSky so they can rec some wacky 2001 albums
sep 14, 2025, 8:48 pm • 2 1 • view
Start listening to Joe Strummer and the Mescaleroes now so you are ready!
sep 13, 2025, 9:52 pm • 2 1 • view
I bought less than 10 albums in all of 2001 during the year. Mind you, one of my desert island records is from 2001 (Zero 7 - Simple Things), but it was a LOT of chaff and not a lot of wheat that year by my estimation. But the bangers were *epic*.
sep 13, 2025, 10:13 pm • 3 1 • view
Same. A couple I rate really high, quite few I’ve legit never heard, and a bunch that I could take or leave.
sep 13, 2025, 11:36 pm • 3 1 • view
BTW - I know there was a master list of '01 releases, but I've lost the link. Do you still have that?
sep 13, 2025, 8:10 pm • 2 1 • view
Here it is bsky.app/profile/best...
sep 13, 2025, 8:23 pm • 2 1 • view
Oh thank you!
sep 13, 2025, 8:26 pm • 2 0 • view
Shoot, I thought I put it on the website with the last update, but I did not. Doing it now.
sep 13, 2025, 10:18 pm • 2 1 • view
Glad to know you finally got to Lightning Bolt's RIDE THE SKIES!
sep 13, 2025, 7:49 pm • 4 1 • view
My God, by the 3rd song I thought my head would explode and I just stopped listening. Not my bag for sure!
sep 13, 2025, 8:21 pm • 1 1 • view
Came here to see if this was about The Avalanches.
sep 13, 2025, 10:16 pm • 2 1 • view
LOL awwww
sep 13, 2025, 10:17 pm • 2 0 • view
It's too much! Could've handled them when I was younger, now only in small doses.
sep 13, 2025, 10:29 pm • 1 1 • view
Yes, the head-exploding thing is what makes it good
sep 13, 2025, 8:22 pm • 3 1 • view
going to see Lightning Bolt this month 🤘
sep 13, 2025, 10:06 pm • 2 1 • view
Same - next Sunday!
sep 13, 2025, 10:09 pm • 2 1 • view
Nice! End of month for me
sep 13, 2025, 10:11 pm • 1 0 • view
Very excited - first time for me!
sep 13, 2025, 10:15 pm • 2 0 • view
same
sep 13, 2025, 10:33 pm • 1 0 • view
So you've finally gotten into Sum 41 .
sep 13, 2025, 7:43 pm • 1 1 • view
sep 13, 2025, 8:16 pm • 4 1 • view
One of the great debut albums, will definitely nominate
sep 13, 2025, 8:18 pm • 2 1 • view
Gorillaz?
sep 15, 2025, 1:04 am • 2 1 • view
A fantastic, flawed album One of the great "artist figuring some shit out" records
sep 15, 2025, 2:23 am • 2 1 • view
I don't think it's flawed..... it's honestly probably in my top 10, at least top 20 albums of all time, but I fully recognize that I tend to like it more than most people do... I don't think any of their other albums or any Blur albums even came close to that one... it was a magic moment...
sep 15, 2025, 2:25 am • 1 1 • view
Drop "Punk" and "Slow Country", add "Ghost Train" and make "19-2000" the Soulchild remix and it's a 5/5 for me I think Albarn was just overflowing with ideas and missed the mark a bit on what should/shouldn't make the cut
sep 15, 2025, 2:48 am • 2 1 • view
"Punk" could probably come or go for me, even though I enjoy it and helps the album flow... "Slow Country" definitely stays always... strong disagree on the remix being better for "19-2000".... but yeah, out of the b-sides, I would add "Ghost Train" and "Faust" if I could, for sure
sep 15, 2025, 2:54 am • 2 1 • view
I think he was musically expanding. From this to Think Tank to Demon Days seems a linear progression. Went through the Blur catalogue a while back and was struck by how much TT seemed like a Gorillaz album. Love the first album, think it’s easier to get into. But I think Demon Days is better.
sep 15, 2025, 2:53 am • 3 1 • view
Broadly agreed on all points. I don't particularly like Think Tank but it's very clear from Blur's self-titled album through Think Tank that he was struggling to figure out what bucket each song he was writing belonged in. Once Blur went on hiatus he pretty much nailed it until Blur came back
sep 15, 2025, 2:58 am • 2 1 • view
I pretty much agree. When I did that I was surprised to find how many Blur songs I liked, but never realized how many albums there were. So while there were great songs, there was a lot of meh too. I love 13 though. It was the only Blur album I owned. Maybe own if I can find my CDs.
sep 15, 2025, 3:05 am • 2 1 • view
I like Think Tank well enough, but I hardly ever come back to it either
sep 15, 2025, 3:09 am • 1 1 • view
I think Demon Days is absolutely great, but doesn't hold a candle to the first one.... It was Automator at his production peak and Albarn was brimming with ideas..... Automator at his peak is some of my favorite production ever, between this and Lovage and Deltron, he was in the zone then...
sep 15, 2025, 2:56 am • 1 1 • view
I love them both. I flip-flop often on which I prefer. It usually depends on how I feel day by day. The first is definitely lighter in tone, at least I feel that way listening to it. I was glad they posted to YT the live show where they did Gorillaz in full. Damon seemed to be having such fun.
sep 15, 2025, 3:09 am • 2 1 • view
Danger Mouse was in an extremely high pressure situation being thrust into the replacement producer role on Demon Days, as a still relative unknown with a current hot name, and he knocked it out of the park for sure... The first one was just too hard to top for me...
sep 15, 2025, 3:12 am • 1 1 • view
Any hints? 🤔
sep 13, 2025, 8:08 pm • 1 1 • view
Shakira - Laundry Service, obvs.
sep 13, 2025, 10:19 pm • 1 1 • view
bsky.app/profile/kent...
sep 14, 2025, 1:54 pm • 0 0 • view
bah, no there's far more to her than that.
sep 14, 2025, 1:55 pm • 2 1 • view
It’s more about my ancient dad brain!
sep 14, 2025, 2:06 pm • 1 0 • view
Wild guess: one of them is Lift to Experience THE TEXAS-JERUSALEM CROSSROADS
sep 13, 2025, 9:00 pm • 1 1 • view
If it's not Aaliyah we riot
sep 13, 2025, 9:39 pm • 4 1 • view