
10 albums from the 2000s that have no skippable tracks
There's no shortage of perfect alternative songs from the 2000s. But can the same thing really be said about albums?
You know what we're talking about. It's why we often opted to spend our $10 iTunes gift cards on assorted singles rather than full records. After all, why take up any fraction of that precious storage space with songs you were only going to skip?
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Still, there were definitely some gold mines out there that were worth the splurge. Here are 10 of our favorite 2000s albums that play flawlessly from start to finish.
Death Cab For Cutie – Transatlanticism
Death Cab For Cutie stand as a persistent beacon of 2000s emo, and that's in large part due to Transatlanticism. Not only does the album employ that highly evocative indie-rock vibe, but each track serves as a narrative masterpiece. Even if you don't relate directly to the lyrics, you'll come out feeling like you experienced it firsthand.
Paramore – Riot!
Hayley Williams may argue that "Misery Business" didn't age well, but that's neither here nor there. Lyrics aside, the song is just one in a series of totally anthemic Paramore tracks. Riot! is a ride from start to finish, traveling across the whole spectrum of angst-ridden pop-punk energy. To skip any sone here would be to miss out on the whole experience.
Straylight Run – Straylight Run
The project of former Taking Back Sunday members John Nolan and Shaun Cooper, Straylight Run never fell short of perfect. While we wouldn't dare skip a single track in their discography, their debut self-titled album was a particularly stunning display. Between the dreamy melodies and relatable, emo-as-all-hell lyrics, this one you just have to hear all the way through.
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Alkaline Trio – Good Mourning
Honestly, you just can't go wrong with raw, punk energy and macabre lyricism. Alkaline Trio brought all that and more with their fourth studio album, Good Mourning. The record fuses early punk-rock elements with the ever-increasingly popular emo sounds of the day. The result is a dynamic and captivating series of tracks that beautifully represent the evolution of the genre.
A Day To Remember – For Those Who Have Heart
You don't have to be into the heavier side of pop punk to appreciate the artistry behind A Day To Remember's For Those Who Have Heart. While the record certainly leans into a metalcore sound, the combination of complex melodies and punk energy is sure to get your heart racing.
AFI – Sing The Sorrow
Pro tip: If anyone ever asks you for your favorite AFI album, you will never go wrong answering with Sing The Sorrow. Marking the band's full transcendence into post-hardcore, the album is characterized by elaborate, genre-bending instrumentals and vivid, melancholic lyricism. Had the tracks been released as a book of poetry instead, we still would have read it a hundred times over.
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All Time Low – So Wrong, It’s Right
There's a reason that All Time Low broke onto the scene with So Wrong, It's Right—and it didn't stop at "Dear Maria, Count Me In." Now a poster album for 2000s pop punk, the record was as consistent as it was engaging. There's not a single track on the list that doesn't make for an energizing singalong.
Evanescence – Fallen
Evanescence add a level of interest to their songs that seems downright impossible to beat. Fallen is the ultimate showcase of their ability, ranging significantly in both tone and technical style. While each track is a haunting triumph in itself, the overall collection is a paragon of cohesiveness and eclecticism.
The Academy Is… – Almost Here
"Slow Down" and "The Phrase That Pays" may receive disproportionate attention, but don't let that detract from the work of perfection that is the Academy Is... LP Almost Here as a whole. Besides being fully representative of pop punk circa 2005, this album is an emblem of catchy relatability. Every single track is totally capable of tugging your heartstrings and getting stuck in your head for days to come.
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Yellowcard – Ocean Avenue
Does any record have better indie movie potential than Yellowcard's Ocean Avenue? This is one of those albums that can plant vivid imagery in your mind and trick you into thinking it's memory. If you've previously limited your experience to "Ocean Avenue" or "Only One," we highly encourage a full listen.
Which 2000s albums do you think are perfect from start to finish? Let us know in the comments below!