Top 10 Best Albums of the 21st Century

The dawn of this century saw the music industry undergo massive shifts - from the way we consume music with the advent of streaming platforms to the blurring of genre boundaries, creating some truly innovative sounds. From indie to mainstream, R&B to EDM, the last few decades have birthed a variety of albums that have not only resonated with audiences worldwide but also defined their respective eras.

Amidst the vast sea of music, which albums truly stand out? Which of them have you danced to, cried with, or maybe even fallen in love to?
The Top Ten
1 To Pimp a Butterfly - Kendrick Lamar

Heavily underrated, a guaranteed classic.

It's the best album I've ever heard.

2 My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy - Kanye West

This album is simply unbelievable. The production, the features, the lyricism, everything. With the exception of Hell Of A Life, every song on here is, in one way or another, incredible.

3 Dream With Me - Jackie Evancho

This album deservedly went gold, and it made Jackie the youngest person to have an album hit the #2 spot on Billboard. It still sells today, as more people are discovering Jackie for the first time, five years later. Because Jackie attends her local high school, she doesn't tour as much as adult, full-time singers - but the loyalty of her fans runs deep.

Can't wait for her new album due later this year. I am 64 years old and have never had a singer affect me like Jackie does. She reaches right into your heart and touches it like an angel.

4 Back to Black - Amy Winehouse

This is just unbelievable art of music. A genre that wasn't that popular anymore in the 2000s was recognized again by this album. People don't understand how big this was, and I don't either because I wasn't around back then. But this album is just amazing. I am a person who studies a lot in music, and I would say this... it's just incredible. R.I.P. Amy.

5 Is This It - The Strokes

It's interesting how an album from 18 years ago resonates with me as a teenager more than today's music. If you're under 23 years old, you should definitely give it a listen.

As Julian Casablancas mentioned in an interview prior to the album's release, "with our music, we seek something that complements your mood, something that can be like a friend at times."

6 Sound of Silver - LCD Soundsystem
7 Awakening - Jackie Evancho

I don't often get to watch an emerging star from age 10 developing and improving. Jackie, now 14, gets better every year. It's quite amazing to witness this happening in real time! She could be the next Judy Garland.

Jackie shows incredible versatility on this album. From the ethereal "Vocalise" (Rachmaninoff) to the somber "Rains of Castamere" to the inspiring "Made to Dream", and a fine rendition of U2's "With or Without You" and more. Jackie has succeeded in creating an even bigger tent for Classical Crossover.

8 Boy in Da Corner - Dizzee Rascal
9 Songs From the Silver Screen - Jackie Evancho

The studio album for Jackie's second PBS Great Performances concert "Music Of The Movies", with Chris Botti, 2 Cellos, Joshua Bell, The Tenors, and Jacob Evancho also accompanying.

A beautiful album. Jackie's version of What a Wonderful World is the best I have heard!

10 American Idiot - Green Day

Guys, Jackie Evancho isn't god, but this is amazing! Every single song is sheer perfection!

Really? This is the best album. With 5 stars, this album is just... perfect.

The Contenders
11 Original Pirate Material - The Streets
12 Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not - Arctic Monkeys
13 Good Kid M.A.A.D. City - Kendrick Lamar
14 Meteora - Linkin Park

The second-best album after HT. It has the best songs in it, and Numb is the best song in the world.

15 Channel Orange - Frank Ocean
16 Beyonce - Beyonce
17 Blackstar - David Bowie

This is one of David Bowie's best albums. It's all based on his death, as an art form.

18 Escapology - Robbie Williams

This album should be in the top 10!

19 Fallen - Evanescence

This should be number 1, alongside Hybrid Theory.
Evanescence for the win!
Ev 4 life!

20 A Thousand Suns - Linkin Park
21 Dear Agony - Breaking Benjamin

Such a powerful and beautiful album. All the songs connect and are amazing. Dear Agony is a very special and brilliant album.

22 Nightmare - Avenged Sevenfold
23 In Rainbows - Radiohead
24 Giles Corey - Giles Corey
25 Two Hearts - Jackie Evancho

This double-CD tour-de-force features Jackie's golden voice rendering songs in a variety of genres, including classical, sacred, pop, and rock - and several songs written by Jackie herself!

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