When I say albums of the decade, I essentially mean the best albums of all-time... this decade is the music I will always remember growing up on. It's been awesome to watch countless new genres evolve from the early punk days I never saw, and it's really interesting to think about where these genres will eventually lead - but for now, I'm reminiscing on the albums that have shaped my musical tastes.
Here are the best 25 albums of the decade (2000-2009).
25. A Day to Remember - '
And Their Name Was Treason' [2005]
24. Death Cab for Cutie - '
Narrow Stairs' [2008]
23. The Starting Line - '
Say It Like You Mean It' [2002]
22. Four Year Strong - '
Rise or Die Trying' [2007]
21. The Sound of Animals Fighting - '
Tiger and the Duke' [2005]
20. Minus the Bear - '
Highly Refined Pirates' [2002]
19. Gatsby's American Dream - '
Volcano' [2005]
18. New Found Glory - '
New Found Glory' [2000]
17. Lydia - '
Illuminate' [2008]
16. Manchester Orchestra - '
Mean Everything to Nothing' [2009]
15. 
This Will Destroy You'Young Mountain' EP [2006]
Easily the best instrumental album I've ever heard. Explosions in the Sky and Russian Circles come close, but the 'Young Mountain' EP is straight perfection. Heavy ambient tones and intricately light percussion create a tonal atmosphere for the entire album that promote a reaaaaaaally relaxing listen. You can't go wrong with this EP. 14. 
Bear Vs. Shark
'Right Now, You're In the Best of Hands. And If Something Isn't Quite Right, Your Doctor Will Know In a Hurry' [2003]
The award for longest album title and #14 on the list of top 25 of the decade goes to Bear Vs. Shark. I wish I would have known about them when they were actually still making music, and they will always be the best band I will never see live. One of the first bands to add an awesomely distinguished twist to the post-hardcore genre, Bear Vs. Shark put out the release of a lifetime with this album. If you haven't heard it, prepare to be blown away.
13. 
Emarosa'This Is Your Way Out' EP [2007]Emarosa of old was the first band who really perfected the addition of a synth into hardcore/metalcore songs, and I couldn't get enough of it. There have since been other bands to try recreating a similar sound, but I don't think anyone will ever one-up this disc.
12. 
Bayside'Bayside' [2005]
This was the first "emo" album I took seriously, and ever since I have considered Bayside to be one of my favorite bands. I've seen them live on a few different occassions, and they bring it every time. Despite the devastating death of drummer John "Beatz" Holohan, Bayside continued to make music and tour and I will always consider this album one of my all time favorites.
11. 
The Fall of Troy'Phantom on the Horizon' EP [2008]This is probably the most revolutionary record I have ever heard, in all sincerity. It's absolutely amazing to think about how it's complexity can be so perfectly written and delivered from only three dudes. Granted this album is obviously produced to an extreme level compared to their other efforts, The Fall of Troy turned the popular Ghostship Demos into a masterpiece with this release. Virtually everything they put out is gold in my eyes, but I will never be as impressed upon an album's first listen as I was with 'Phantom on the Horizon'.
10. 
mewithoutYou'Brother, Sister' [2006]
It's all about Aaron Weiss. This band is good... like really good... but Aaron Weiss is the man. I'm usually the first person to be annoyed with using Christianity to sell records, but mwY are different. They're not preachers, they don't list Christianity as a viable genre, but they play the music they love strictly for the glory of God, and that in itself is something to be admired. If I felt as strong about ANYTHING as Aaron feels toward music and his Maker, I would consider myself a lucky man... and it is under that mindset that mewithoutYou was able to make a record that is constantly on my mind.
09. 
The Postal Service'Give Up' [2003]
Okay I lied, it's not all about Aaron Weiss. It's also partially about Ben Gibbard. This guy's a musical, lyrical genius and this album especially is one of the most beautiful pieces of music I have ever heard. An interesting fact about this album - Ben would write pieces of it from Pennsylvania while Jimmy would write pieces from L.A... they would sometimes send samples back and forth to slowly piece together songs on the record... thus obtaining the name The Postal Service. That fact alone should be enough to make you listen to this album.
08. 
Glassjaw'Worship and Tribute' [2002]This is Glassjaw at their finest - and it's something extremely hard to find. They hardly ever tour... they hate the music industry and won't settle for anyone... so they tend not to release albums... and all this drama just adds to the value you get when hearing them on this album. Another band I sometimes wish I would have been introduced to earlier, Glassjaw is easily one of the most influential bands of the decade - and this, 'Worship and Tribute', is the best album they've released. 07. 
HORSE the band
'The Mechanical Hand' [2005]
HORSE... the motherfucking band. This band changed my life... it sounds funny because a lot of people think they're just a joke, but to my friends and I - they're legends. HORSE encompasses everything I love about music... they like what they play, they don't care if you do, but they don't wanna be alone and above all else, they're out to have a good time. If you don't like HORSE the band... you wouldn't like HORSE the band. And it's okay... you just don't get it. 06. 
Brand New'The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Me' [2006]
I kind of dismissed this album when it first came out... I liked it, but it was pretty dark and I didn't really have the urge to constantly play it... But as I gave it more and more listens, I became connected with frontman Jesse Lacey's emotions concerning love and heartbreak and the parallels made toward life, death and Heaven and Hell and I've since thought this to be one of the most complete albums I have ever listened to. The beginning, the middle, the end... every piece is so significantly satisfying and I have no complaints. If you ever feel alone and worthless, play this record and remember that everything is going to be alright.
05. 
underOATH'They're Only Chasing Safety' [2004]
Hello screaming. I like to think of 'They're Only Chasing Safety' as a Butterfly Effect album as it was the first album I really felt true aggression through music. This band changed how I listened to everything, and I stopped listening for catchy hooks and more for emotional display and appeal. Thank you underOATH.
04. 
The Mars Volta'De-Loused in the Comatorium' [2003]
One of the craziest albums I had ever heard... I listened to it every day for months. I don't even have that much to say about it other than it still blows my mind. It was the first record I heard in the experimental / progressive genres, and it opened me up to tons of new musical avenues. I have no idea HOW Omar writes this stuff, I don't know how their albums get produced so well but if you somehow haven't heard of them until now - you need to know The Mars Volta.
03. 
Maps & Atlases'Tree, Swallows, Houses' EP [2007]
The best EP I've ever heard. Maps & Atlases have yet to release a full-length album... and I don't really see the point as long as they keep this up. Four of the most talented musicians I've ever seen, these guys are too humble to take any compliment you could give them. They'd be speechless if they knew they made my list of best albums of the decade, and let's face it... I'm the only one who actually reads this. I'd understand if you gave this album a listen and didn't really get it... but if you saw them live I'll guarantee you'd gain a new appreciation for how insanely sick they are. Both guitarists tap melodies throughout almost every song... the bassist even throws in some tapping sections... and the drummer can double-bass with one foot faster than you can with two... These guys... are legendary.
02. 
Dance Gavin Dance'Downtown Battle Mountain' [2007]
Jonny Craig is in my opinion the best vocalist in the rock scene today, and when combined with heavy beats, background screams and guitar work insane enough to make your eardrums explode you're given 'Downtown Battle Mountain'. I listened to this album on repeat for days wondering how it was humanly possible to make anything so perfect. I thought for a second that I might have had a new favorite band... and then Jonny's ego got to his head and he got kicked out of the band... Heartbreaker, but everything happens for a reason... and if anything it makes this album all the more rare and does it even make sense to say "more" perfect? Whatever. It's true...
It was the best concert I'll ever see. Chicago, IL... The Metro. The Fall of Troy was one of the openers for HORSE the band... and I had never heard of them. I wasn't very excited to see them either... I was with my best friends and we all just wanted to skip the opening acts and go straight to HORSE... but I'm glad we had to wait, because after that show I could finally answer the question everyone likes to ask: "What's your favorite band?". Because of that show and the countless hours I listened to The Fall of Troy's 'Doppelganger', I really do feel like my life has changed. I'm not sure how to precisely describe it... but I have a passion for music that I have for nothing else in this world besides my family and friends and I feel like I owe a piece of it to these dudes. None of their albums have ever let me down, but this is the one that started it all and I will probably always remember as my favorite album of all time.What were your favorite albums of the early 2000s? And what happened to 2001? I have no albums from 2001 on this list...
