Rock Albums of the Year

Rock/Alternative: Albums of the Year, 1990-2023

This page lists those albums which have won: Billboard Music Award for Top Rock Album (2006, 2011-2021) Grammys for Rock Album of the Year (1995-2022) Alternative Rock Album of the Year (1991-2022) The years for the Grammys below indicate the year of eligibility rather than the year awarded. Check out other album of the year awards here.

2023: Billboard: Zach Bryan American Heartbreak Grammy – Rock: Paramore This Is Why Grammy – Alternative: Boygenius The Record 2022: Billboard: Twenty One Pilots Scaled and Icy Grammy – Rock: Ozzy Osbourne Patient Number Nine Grammy – Alternative: Wet Leg Wet Leg 2021: Billboard: Machine Gun Kelly Tickets to My Downfall Grammy – Rock: Foo Fighters Medicine at Midnight Grammy – Alternative: St. Vincent Daddy’s Home 2020: Billboard: Tool Fear Inoculum Grammy – Rock: The Strokes The New Abnormal Grammy – Alternative: Fiona Apple Fetch the Bolt Cutters 2019: Billboard: Panic! At the Disco Pray for the Wicked Grammy – Rock: Cage the Elephant Social Cues Grammy – Alternative: Vampire Weekend Father of the Bride 2018: Billboard: Imagine Dragons Evolve Grammy – Rock: Greta Van Fleet From the Fires Grammy – Alternative: Beck Colors 2017: Billboard: Metallica Hardwired…to Self Destruct Grammy – Rock: The War on Drugs A Deeper Understanding Grammy – Alternative: The National Sleep Well Beast 2016: Billboard: Twenty One Pilots Blurryface Grammy – Rock: Cage the Elephant Tell Me I’m Pretty Grammy – Alternative: David Bowie Blackstar 2015: Billboard: Coldplay Ghost Stories Grammy – Rock: Muse Drones Grammy – Alternative: Alabama Shakes Sound & Color 2014: Billboard: Imagine Dragons Night Visions Grammy – Rock: Beck Morning Phase Grammy – Alternative: St. Vincent St. Vincent 2013: Billboard: Mumford & Sons Babel Grammy – Rock: Led Zeppelin Celebration Day Grammy – Alternative: Vampire Weekend Modern Vampires of the City 2012: Billboard: Coldplay Mylo Xyloto Grammy – Rock: The Black Keys El Camino Grammy – Alternative: Gotye Making Mirrors 2011: Billboard: Mumford & Sons Sigh No More Grammy – Rock: Foo Fighters Wasting Light Grammy – Alternative: Bon Iver Bon Iver 2010: Grammy – Rock: Muse The Resistance Grammy – Alternative: The Black Keys Brothers 2009: Grammy – Rock: Green Day 21st Century Breakdown Grammy – Alternative: Phoenix Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix 2008: Grammy – Rock: Coldplay Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends Grammy – Alternative: Radiohead In Rainbows 2007: Grammy – Rock: Foo Fighters Echoes, Silence, Patience, & Grace Grammy – Alternative: The White Stripes Icky Thump 2006: Billboard: Nickelback All the Right Reasons Grammy – Rock: Red Hot Chili Peppers Stadium Arcadium Grammy – Alternative: Gnarls Barkley St. Elsewhere 2005: Grammy – Rock: U2 How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb Grammy – Alternative: The White Stripes Get Behind Me Satan 2004: Grammy – Rock: Green Day American Idiot Grammy – Alternative: Wilco A Ghost Is Born 2003: Grammy – Rock: Foo Fighters One by One Grammy – Alternative: The White Stripes Elephant 2002: Grammy – Rock: Bruce Springsteen The Rising Grammy – Alternative: Coldplay A Rush of Blood to the Head 2001: Grammy – Rock: U2 All That You Can’t Leave Behind Grammy – Alternative: Coldplay Parachutes 2000: Grammy – Rock: Foo Fighters There Is Nothing Left to Lose Grammy – Alternative: Radiohead Kid A 1999: Grammy – Rock: Santana Supernatural Grammy – Alternative: Beck Mutations 1998: Grammy – Rock: Sheryl Crow The Globe Sessions Grammy – Alternative: Beastie Boys Hello Nasty 1997: Grammy – Rock: John Fogerty Blue Moon Swamp Grammy – Alternative: Radiohead OK Computer 1996: Grammy – Rock: Sheryl Crow Sheryl Crow Grammy – Alternative: Beck Odelay 1995: Grammy – Rock: Alanis Morissette Jagged Little Pill Grammy – Alternative: Nirvana MTV Unplugged in New York 1994: Grammy – Rock: The Rolling Stones Voodoo Lounge Grammy – Alternative: Green Day Dookie 1993: Grammy – Alternative: U2 Zooropa 1992: Grammy – Alternative: Tom Waits Bone Machine 1991: Grammy – Alternative: R.E.M. Out of Time 1990: Grammy – Alternative: Sinéad O’Connor I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got Resources and Related Links: Dave’s Music Database: “Other Year-End Album Awards” Dave’s Music Database: “Adult Alternative Albums: The Top 100” Dave’s Music Database: “Alternative Rock Albums: The Top 100” Dave’s Music Database: “Classic Rock Albums: The Top 100” Dave’s Music Database: “Heavy Metal/Hard Rock Albums: The Top 50” Dave’s Music Database: “Progressive Rock Albums: The Top 50” Dave’s Music Database: “Psychedelic Rock Albums: The Top 50” Dave’s Music Database: “Punk Rock Albums: The Top 50” Billboard Music Award for Top Rock Album Grammys (official site) Grammy: Best Rock Album Grammy: Alternative Rock Album First posted 5/1/2022; last updated 2/4/2024.

Post-Punk Revival: Top 50 Albums

Post-Punk Revival: The Top 50 Albums

The post-punk revival was a movement which primarily took place in the first decade of the 21st century. It was a return of indie rock that was inspired by the garage rock of the 1960s as well as the new wave and post-punk music of the late 1970s and early 1980s. This list was created by aggregating 11 lists focused on the best albums of the post-punk revival. Other albums not featured on those lists, but by artists featured on those lists were also factored in. In addition, albums by artists mentioned as prominent in the movement who did not have albums on one of the lists were included. Only albums released between 2000 and 2010 were considered. Finally, all qualifying albums were then ranked according to their overall status in Dave’s Music Database. Check out other best-of-genre/category lists here. Spotify Podcast: Check out the Dave’s Music Database podcast episode The Post-Punk Revival, 2000-2010 based on this list. Premiere: March 16, 2022 at 7pm CST. Every Tuesday at 7pm CST a new based on the lists at Dave’s Music Database debuts. 1. The Strokes Is This It (2001) 2. The White Stripes Elephant (2003) 3. Arctic Monkeys Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not (2006) 4. The White Stripes White Blood Cells (2001) 5. Franz Ferdinand Franz Ferdinand (2004) 6. LCD Soundsystem Sound of Silver (2007) 7. The Killers Hot Fuss (2004) 8. Kings of Leon Only by the Night (2008) 9. The Libertines Up the Bracket (2002) 10. Interpol Turn on the Bright Lights (2002) 11. The National High Violet (2010) 12. Yeah Yeah Yeahs Fever to Tell (2003) 13. The Black Keys Brothers (2010) 14. Arctic Monkeys Favourite Worst Nightmare (2007) 15. TV on the Radio Return to Cookie Mountain (2006) 16. Bloc Party Silent Alarm (2007) 17. Modest Mouse Good News for People Who Love Bad News (2004) 18. LCD Soundsystem This Is Happening (2010) 19. The Shins Chutes Too Narrow (2003) 20. The National Boxer (2007) 21. Kaiser Chiefs Employment (2005) 22. The Strokes Room on Fire (2003) 23. TV on the Radio Dear Science (2008) 24. The White Stripes Get Behind Me Satan (2005) 25. The Killers Sam’s Town (2006) 26. The Vines Highly Evolved (2002) 27. The White Stripes Icky Thump (2007) 28. LCD Soundsystem LCD Soundsystem (2005) 29. Modest Mouse The Moon & Antarctica (2000) 30. Franz Ferdinand You Could Have It So Much Better (2005) 31. Kings of Leon Come Around Sundown (2010) 32. The Bravery The Bravery (2005) 33. The Shins Wincing the Night Away (2007) 34. The Hives Veni Vidi Vicious (2000) 35. The Libertines The Libertines (2004) 36. The Hold Steady Heaven Is Whenever (2010) 37. Spoon Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga (2007) 38. The Hold Steady Boys and Girls in America (2006) 39. Interpol Antics (2004) 40. The Strokes First Impressions of Earth (2006) 41. The Shins Oh, Inverted World (2001) 42. The Strokes The Modern Age (EP, 2001) 43. Spoon Kill the Moonlight (2002) 44. Kings of Leon Youth & Young Manhood (2003) 45. Editors The Back Room (2005) 46. The Futureheads The Futureheads (2004) 47. Franz Ferdinand Tonight (2009) 48. The Rapture Echoes (2003) 49. The Walkmen Bows + Arrows (2004) 50. The National Alligator (2005) Resources and Related Links: Wikipedia: “Post-Punk Revival” Dave’s Music Database: other best-of-genre lists First posted 3/9/2022; last updated 3/16/2022.

2010: Top 25 Albums

First posted 1/8/2021.

Dave’s Music Database: Top Albums of 2010

Based on a combination of year-end lists and overall status in Dave’s Music Database, these are the top 25 albums of 2010: Kanye West My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy Arcade Fire The Suburbs Eminem Recovery Katy Perry Teenage Dream Taylor Swift Speak Now Bruno Mars Doo Wops & Hooligans Lady Antebellum Need You Now Janelle Monáe The Arch Android The National High Violet The Black Keys Brothers LCD Soundsystem This Is Happening Rihanna Loud Robyn Body Talk Beach House Teen Dream Justin Bieber My World 2.0 Nicki Minaj Pink Friday Glee Cast Volume 3: Showstoppers Deerhunter Halcyon Digest Kings of Leon Come Around Sundown Big Boi Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty John Mellencamp No Better Than This Drake Thank Me Later Vampire Weekend Contra Ke$ha Animal Usher Raymond v. Raymond Resources and Related Links: Dave’s Music Database: “Other Year-End Album Awards”

World Wide Albums: Albums of the Year

First posted 12/30/2020.

World Wide Albums: Albums of the Year, 1965-2010

WorldWideAlbums.net doesn’t offer a particularly good definition of how their lists are compiled. A “methods” link explains that sales figures are gathered for albums, but a quick glance at this list reveals many albums that were not definitely not best sellers. The site still exists, but apparently no new data has been gathered since 2010. Check out other album of the year awards here. 2010: The National High Violet 2009: Animal Collective Merriweather Post Pavilion 2008: Portishead Third 2007: Radiohead In Rainbows 2006: Arctic Monkeys Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not 2005: Sufjan Stevens Illinois 2004: Arcade Fire Funeral 2003: The Mars Volta De-Loused in the Comatorium 2002: Interpol Turn on the Bright Lights 2001: System of a Down Toxicity 2000: Radiohead Kid A 1999: Sigur Rós Ágaetis Byrjun 1998: Massive Attack Mezzanine 1997: Radiohead OK Computer 1996: Tool Ænima 1995: Smashing Pumpkins Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness 1994: Jeff Buckley Grace 1993: Nirvana In Utero 1992: Rage Against the Machine Rage Against the Machine 1991: Nirvana Nevermind 1990: Depeche Mode Violator 1989: The Pixies Doolittle 1988: Sonic Youth Daydream Nation 1987: Guns N’ Roses Appetite for Destruction 1986: Metallica Master of Puppets 1985: Tom Waits Rain Dogs 1984: Hüsker Dü Zen Arcade 1983: Tom Waits Swordfishtrombones 1982: Iron Maiden The Number of the Beast 1981: Rush Moving Pictures 1980: Talking Heads Remain in Light 1979: The Clash London Calling 1978: Elvis Costello & The Attractions This Year’s Model 1977: The Sex Pistols Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols 1976: Ramones Ramones 1975: Pink Floyd Wish You Were Here 1974: Neil Young On the Beach 1973: Pink Floyd Dark Side of the Moon 1972: David Bowie The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars 1971: Led Zeppelin Led Zeppelin IV 1970: Black Sabbath Paranoid 1969: King Crimson In the Court of the Crimson King 1968: The Beatles The Beatles (aka “The White Album”) 1967: The Velvet Underground & Nico Velvet Underground & Nico 1966: Bob Dylan Blonde on Blonde 1965: John Coltrane A Love Supreme Resources and Related Links: Dave’s Music Database: “Other Year-End Album Awards” WorldWideAlbums.net

The National High Violet released

High Violet The National

Released: May 11, 2010 Peak: 3 US, 5 UK, 2 CN, 29 AU Sales (in millions): 0.33 US, 0.13 UK, 0.53 world (includes US and UK) Genre: post-punk revival

Tracks: Song Title [time] (date of single release, chart peaks) Terrible Love [4:39] (11/22/10, --) Sorrow [3:25] Anyone’s Ghost [2:54] (6/28/10) Little Faith [4:36] Afraid of Everyone [4:19] Bloodbuzz Ohio [4:36] (5/3/10) Lemonworld [3:23] Runaway [5:33] Conversation 16 [4:18] (10/25/10) England [5:40] Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks [4:12] Total Running Time: 47:40 The Players: Matt Berninger (vocals) Aaron Dessner (guitar, bass, keyboards, etc.) Bryce Dessner (guitar keyboards, etc.) Bryan Devendorf (drums, percussion) Scott Devendorf (bass, guitar)

Rating: 4.135 out of 5.00 (average of 29 ratings) Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

About the Album: These Cincinnati, Ohio natives formed the National in Brooklyn, New York, in 1999. They released their self-titled debut in 2001 and followed it with two more albums before they finally reached the U.S. Billboard album chart in 2007 with Boxer. That set the stage for their fifth album, 2010’s High Violet, to soar to #3 on the charts. The album was received with widespread critical acclaim. Channing Freeman of Sputnik Music called it the band’s “third masterpiece in a row” WK while BBC Music critic Mike Diver called it the band’s “finest disc to date.” WK Pitchfork’s Andrew Gaerig said the album is “the sound of a band taking a mandate to be a meaningful rock band seriously.” WK The A.V. Club’s Steven Hyden said the album is “richly detailed without being fussy” WK while Dave Simpson of The Guardian praised it as “beautifully subtle.” WK The Independent’s Andy Gill called it “a masterclass in subtle emotional shading.” WK Notes: The Japanese edition included “Walk Off” and “Sin-Eaters” as bonus tracks. There was also an expanded edition which included a bonus disc, which included live material, alternates, and other songs.

Resources and Related Links: DMDB encyclopedia entry for The National WK Wikipedia First posted 3/12/2022.

The National “Bloodbuzz Ohio” released

Bloodbuzz Ohio The National

Writer(s): Matt Berninger, Aaron Dessner, Padma Newsome (see lyrics here) Released: March 24, 2010 First Charted: -- Peak: 1 DF (Click for codes to charts.) Sales (in millions): 0.04 world (includes US + UK) Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, 14.6 video, 77.30 streaming

Awards: Click on award for more details.

About the Song: The indie-rock band The National were from Cincinnati, Ohio, but formed in New York in 1999. Since its beginning, the band has consisted of singer Matt Berninger, multi-instrumentalist Aaron Dessner, and Devendorf brothers Scott on bass and Bryan on drums. IN 2001, Bryce Dessner – Aaron’s twin brother – joined as a another multi-instrumentalist. That same year, the group released their self-titled debut album on Brassland Records, an independent label founded by the Dessner brothers. Over the next decade, the band released four more studio albums, finally reaching #68 on the U.S. album chart with 2007’s Boxer. Their next album, 2010’s High Violet, was their commercial peak, reaching #3 and selling over 300,000 copies. The album was supported by four singles, the first of which was “Bloodbuzz Ohio.” The band talked to British music magazine Uncut about how the song came about. Matt noted that after the band toured with R.E.M. in 2008, lead singer Michael Stipe told him, “Don’t be afraid of writing pop songs.” UC Matt explained that “’Bloodbuzz Ohio’ started as a sweet little folk song, which we transformed. But we knew that was a good one right away.” UC Bryce said it “was originally written on guitars and ukulele – almost like an English ballad” UC but eventually became more of a rock song. Lyrically, Aaron considered the song “a lament, an existential nostalgic love song about [Ohio], where we’re from.” UC Bryce added that “Everything that’s wrong in America, you can find there. Ohio is a beautiful place with amazing people, but also hard problems, social, economic issues and racism.” UC Matt said the song is “about being stuck between an old version of yourself and the one you’re becoming.” UC Resources: UC Uncut (8/18/2022). “The National: How we made ‘Bloodbuzz Ohio’” by Michael Bonner WK Wikipedia Related Links: First posted 2/25/2024; last updated 7/6/2025.