10 debut records from 2001 that still crush 20 years later
It’s truly mind-blowing to believe that 2001 was really 20 years ago. The beginning of the 2000s was a strange time. We had the beginning of Myspace, the golden age of pop punk and plenty of questionable fashion choices. Read more: 10 vocalists who brought a unique sound to the 2000s scene It’s also crazy […]
It’s also crazy to think about all the albums from 2001 being two decades old already. Particularly those artists who kicked off the 2000s by releasing their debut albums.
Because we’re always a sucker for nostalgia, here are 10 debut albums released 20 years ago that we still love today. Check those out below.
Is This It – The Strokes
The Strokes kicked off their career in 2001 with the release of their debut album, Is This It. The record is upbeat and energetic, with catchy rock songs that have always been crowd-pleasers. It’s so clearly a post-punk album without the bells and whistles of electronics or synths—just good old-fashioned rock ‘n’ roll.
The Moon Is Down – Further Seems Forever
Before Chris Carrabba got big with Dashboard Confessional, he sang on The Moon Is Down, the debut album from Further Seems Forever. It’s a heavier LP that blends elements of indie rock and emo. The album helped dictate what emo was going to sound like in the new millennium, and we’re forever grateful for that.
Tenacious D – Tenacious D
It’d be a shame to not include the hilarious rock project Tenacious D, formed by Jack Black and Kyle Gass. And their debut is a project to remember—Dave Grohl played drums on it, for one. And a project like this was so quintessentially 2000s that it deserves to be remembered fondly.
All Killer No Filler – Sum 41
Sum 41‘s debut album, All Killer No Filler, contains some of the band’s biggest hits such as “Fat Lip” and “In Too Deep,” which were pop-punk anthems back in the 2000s. The record is the epitome of scene culture, covering relationships, self-indulgence, angst and ambivalence.
The National – The National
The National kicked off their folk-infused, indie-rock music journey in 2001 with their self-titled debut. The album has more of a country vibe compared to their more recent indie-rock releases but is a reminder of how far the band have come in two decades.
Oh, Inverted World – The Shins
It’s hard to believe that we’ve been listening to Shins staples such as “Caring Is Creepy” and “New Slang,” which come from the band’s first full-length, for 20 years. The album helped to pioneer the indie-rock sound, with pop influences seen in catchy choruses and melodies.
Take Offs And Landings – Rilo Kiley
Rilo Kiley‘s debut full-length, Take Offs And Landings, encapsulates feelings of uncertainty, melancholiness and a twinge of hope for the world around us. It’s the soul of the folk/indie-rock band that’s totally bared throughout the album’s 14 tracks.
…For The Kids – Gym Class Heroes
Gym Class Heroes debuted to the world in 2001 with their self-released alt-rock/hip-hop-inspired album …For The Kids. This record is like an artifact from the origins of rap and rock’s crossover, filled with catchy tracks that scream throwback.
Gorillaz – Gorillaz
Gorillaz were truly a band that only would exist in the early 2000s. The virtual British band dropped their debut at the beginning of the decade and developed a genre all their own. The album includes elements of alt-rock, hip-hop, trip-hop, punk and more packed up in a futuristic package.
Room For Squares – John Mayer
John Mayer‘s debut album, Room For Squares, features some of his biggest hits such as “Your Body Is A Wonderland.” It was the beginning of his music career, which can be described as making the best lullabies of all time for adults, as his soothing voice and dreamy guitar work will always put you in a trance.