20 albums you won’t believe are turning 10 in 2021
2011, like the years that preceded it, gave us a number of great alternative albums. But can you believe that 2021 is going to bring their 10-year anniversaries?
Just like the 2000s came to pass in the blink of an eye, so did the last decade. And so we’re left soaking in nostalgia and wondering where the hell Myspace and Rebecca Black went… But mostly, we just want to know how all of our most anticipated music releases are suddenly hitting major milestones. Read on for 20 alternative albums that are turning 10 in 2021.
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D.R.U.G.S. – D.R.U.G.S.
RELEASE DATE: Feb. 22, 2011
Where were you when you first heard about the Chiodos, From First To Last, Story Of The Year, Matchbook Romance and Underminded supergroup? Well, D.R.U.G.S. debuted in 2010, so we’ll assume you were in Hot Topic or one of the last remaining Blockbusters. It hurts a little bit knowing that their first and (so far) only studio album is behind us. However, the recent release of “King I Am” and the announcement of a second record more than make up for it.
Go Radio – Lucky Street
RELEASE DATE: March 1, 2011
We passed the 10-year milestone of Go Radio’s second EP, Do Overs And Second Chances, in 2020. As if that wasn’t enough, now their debut album, Lucky Street, is here to taunt us. We’re afraid to blink, lest we suddenly be marking a decade past their 2020 release, “So Love.”
Rise Against – Endgame
RELEASE DATE: March 15, 2011
This is one of those albums that raises two contradictory questions. One, how has it been a decade since Rise Against released Endgame? Two, how has it only been a decade? It really doesn’t feel like nearly 10 years have passed since we anxiously waited for the band’s sixth studio album. At the same time, though, we could’ve sworn we’ve been listening to “Satellite” and “Architects” since birth.
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Panic! At The Disco – Vices & Virtues
RELEASE DATE: March 22, 2011
Remember how far out A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out felt when Vices & Virtues dropped in 2011? We hate to tell you, but the difference between the albums was only six years. Now, we’re looking back on Panic! At The Disco’s third album over the span of a decade. Well, at least the three records dropped over that time have kept us feeling somewhat with the times.
Yellowcard – When You’re Through Thinking, Say Yes
RELEASE DATE: March 22, 2011
We don’t even want to think about the fact that 2021 marks five years since Yellowcard announced their breakup. In protecting our little black hearts, we’ll just focus on the 10-year anniversary of When You’re Through Thinking, Say Yes… Just don’t think about what that means for One For The Kids unless you really want to feel old.
Sum 41 – Screaming Bloody Murder
RELEASE DATE: March 29, 2011
It’s difficult to accept that Screaming Bloody Murder is turning 10 given how clearly we remember the division it caused. Whether you loved or hated it, you must admit it feels like yesterday that Sum 41 released their fifth record. Now we’re at seven and counting since their debut LP in 2001.
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Sleeping With Sirens – Let’s Cheers To This
RELEASE DATE: May 10, 2011
Let’s cheers to… 10 years? It’s certainly hard to believe that Sleeping With Sirens’ sophomore album is now in the double digits. That said, our 2011 selves would’ve been stoked to know the band continued releasing music through 2020. If you need a good break from nostalgia after reading this list, check out the deluxe version of How It Feels To Be Lost.
All Time Low – Dirty Work
RELEASE DATE: June 6, 2011
Thank the pop-punk gods that All Time Low are still dropping hits. Otherwise, a decade past their fourth album, Dirty Work, might’ve been hard to stomach. If this one has you feeling particularly old (we’re with you), go watch the “Sleeping In” video for a pick-me-up.
Black Veil Brides – Set The World On Fire
RELEASE DATE: June 14, 2011
Wait… Black Veil Brides aren’t in their early years anymore? We could’ve sworn the iconic group only just broke out onto the scene. Yet, here they are, coming up on 10 years since their sophomore album, Set The World On Fire. So much for “Love Isn’t Always Fair.” It seems time is the real unjust factor here.
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The Story So Far – Under Soil And Dirt
RELEASE DATE: June 21, 2011
A decade ago, the Story So Far were getting ready to release their debut album, Under Soil And Dirt. Now, they’re a well-regarded pop-punk staple. As much as we want to moan and groan about time flying, it’s been extremely kind in this respect. Just imagine going back to a time when songs such as “Clairvoyant” and “Take Me As You Please” don’t exist. Yeah, that’s a hard pass for us.
The Summer Set – Everything’s Fine
RELEASE DATE: July 19, 2011
We thought it was hard enough when the Summer Set’s Love Like This turned 10 in 2019. Even then, the milestone for Everything’s Fine seemed like a lifetime away. While we’d give up everything to go “Back To The Start” for just one day, we feel fortunate to have watched them progress through the decade.
We Came As Romans – Understanding What We’ve Grown To Be
RELEASE DATE: Sept. 13, 2011
Remember when We Came As Romans’ sophomore album couldn’t come fast enough? It seems like we wished for time to speed up, and then it never slowed down again. The band are going to have to double up on the rescheduled To Plant A Seed anniversary tour. You know, unless we all agree to honor the 2013 deluxe version of Understanding What We’ve Grown To Be as the original release. That would make us feel better all around, right?
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blink-182 – Neighborhoods
RELEASE DATE: Sept. 27, 2011
Neighborhoods is a particularly standout memory for any blink-182 fan. Not only was it the first release following their 2005 hiatus, but it was also the last record to feature Tom DeLonge. While it’s crazy to think that the original trio haven’t been together in the studio for a decade, the former guitarist did inspire hope for a reunion back in May.
You Me At Six – Sinners Never Sleep
RELEASE DATE: Sept. 30, 2011
You may remember the anniversary of You Me At Six’s Sinners Never Sleep differently depending on where you’re located. While the band’s third record originally dropped Sept. 30, 2011, American listeners weren’t able to hear it until the following January. No matter when you first heard it, though, a decade is coming up fast.
LIGHTS – Siberia
RELEASE DATE: Oct. 4, 2011
LIGHTS still feels so relevant that it’s damn near impossible to imagine her releasing albums 10 years ago. As it turns out, though, her sophomore record, Siberia, is coming up on that milestone. Listen to it back to back with her latest album, Dead End, to fully appreciate her progression over the decade.
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Mayday Parade – Mayday Parade
RELEASE DATE: Oct. 4, 2011
If five years gets three cheers, then Mayday Parade’s 2011 self-titled album must be deserving of six. This one hits especially hard considering it feels brand new next to Anywhere But Here and A Lesson In Romantics. Given their penchant for anniversary celebrations, including tours and reissued albums, we hope feeling old proves to be worth it.
Tonight Alive – What Are You So Scared Of?
RELEASE DATE: Oct. 14, 2011
What did you first think when Tonight Alive first posed the question, “What are you so scared of?” Whatever it was, let’s retroactively answer with, “Ten years flying by in under a minute.” We can’t believe that the band are no longer up-and-comers in the pop-punk scene. That said, their transformation into pop-punk icons over the decade following their debut album was incredible to witness.
Patrick Stump – Soul Punk
RELEASE DATE: Oct. 18, 2011
No doubt, Patrick Stump’s solo debut with Soul Punk is remembered fondly. In fact, it’s considered to be one of the best in the alternative music scene. As much as we love his contributions to Fall Out Boy, the project really highlighted his dynamic set of talents. Now that it’s been 10 years, can we get another album independent of a movie soundtrack?
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Gym Class Heroes – The Papercut Chronicles II
RELEASE DATE: Nov. 15, 2011
You’d be hard-pressed to listen to The Papercut Chronicles II without being transported back to 2011. Gym Class Heroes really captured the essence of the time in a way that still holds up today. We just wish that we could’ve heard more from the band over the decade that followed. At least we’re getting a new Travie McCoy solo album in 2021.
The Maine – Pioneer
RELEASE DATE: Dec. 6, 2011
Given the modernity of the Maine’s 2019 album, You Are OK, we could be tricked into thinking they just debuted. That’s hardly the case, though, seeing as their third album, Pioneer, is about to hit double digits. Not shocked enough? Go check out the year on Can’t Stop Won’t Stop.
Which of your favorite alternative albums are celebrating milestones in 2021? Let us know in the comments below!
