The Best Albums of 2002

We are back with another Best Albums feature from a year gone by - if you missed 1992, check that out after you're done here. Let's rewind to the year 2002... George W. Bush was in his first term as President of the United States, while Elizabeth II celebrated her 50th year as Queen of the United Kingdom. After 9 intriguing seasons, The X-Files slammed shut, as American Idol debuted - selecting Kelly Clarkson as its first winner. The Lord of the Rings: Two Towers, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Spider-Man and Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones were captivating audiences on the big screen. And the world sadly lost the talents of Waylon Jennings, Joe Strummer (The Clash), Jam Master Jay (Run-D.M.C.), Dee Dee Ramone, John Entwistle (The Who), Layne Staley (Alice in Chains) and Lisa 'Left Eye' Lopes (TLC).

As always, Sarah and I enlisted the help of our regular contributors & friends to select Top 10 albums. In addition, everyone handpicked a track from each album for you to enjoy in our Best Albums of 2002 Spotify playlist at the bottom of the page (unfortunately there are a few albums not available on Spotify - we encourage you to locate those elsewhere). If you'd like to share your own 2002 favorites, please comment below. We will be back later in the week with a list of our honorable mentions. Oh yeah, stay tuned to see which year is coming next!

Bret Helm

Life on this Planet | Audra

10. Suede - A New Morning

09. Sigur Ros - Untitled ( )

08. Low - Trust

07. t.A.T.u. - 200 KM/H in the Wrong Lane

06. Paul Westerberg - Stereo

05. Peter Murphy - Dust

04. Moby - 18

03. David Bowie - Heathen

02. Johnny Cash - American IV: The Man Comes Around

01. JJ72 - I to Sky

Sarah Quarrie
Life on this Planet

10. The Walkmen - Everyone Who Pretended to Like Me is Gone

09. Clinic - Walking With Thee

08. Ladytron - Light & Magic

07. Thievery Corporation - The Richest Man in Babylon

06. Frou Frou - Details

05. Sneaker Pimps - Bloodsport

04. Apoptygma Berzerk - Harmonizer

03. VNV Nation - Futureperfect

02. Interpol - Turn on the Bright Lights

01. Curve - The New Adventures of Curve

Rob Clark
Rockford, Illinois

10. Wilco - Yankee Hotel Foxtrot

09. Interpol - Turn on the Bright Lights

08. Josh Rouse - Under the Cool Blue Stars

07. The Libertines - Up the Bracket

06. Elvis Costello - When I Was Cruel

05. Tori Amos - Scarlet's Walk

04. David Bowie - Heathen

03. Gomez - In Our Gun

02. Amon Tobin - Out From Out Where

01. Neko Case - Blacklisted

Jason Jones
Okinawa, Japan

10. Oasis - Heathen Chemistry

09. Suede - A New Morning

08. Beck - Sea Change

07. Pet Shop Boys - Release

06. a-ha - Lifelines

05. Underworld - A Hundred Days Off

04. Bruce Springsteen - The Rising

03. Coldplay - A Rush of Blood to the Head

02. David Bowie - Heathen

01. Peter Murphy - Dust

Ron Marrs
New Orleans, Louisiana

10. DJ Shadow - The Private Press

09. Jay Munly - Jimmy Carter Syndrome

08. Molotov - Dance and Dense Denso

07. Beth Gibbons & Rustin Man - Out of Season

06. Tori Amos - Scarlet's Walk

05. Curve - The New Adventures of Curve

04. Audioslave - s/t

03. Johnny Cash - American IV: The Man Comes Around

02. Sigur Ros - Untitled ( )

01. QueenAdreena - Drink Me

Tim Brown
London, England

10. Missy Elliott - Under Construction

09. Beck - Sea Change

08. Eminem - The Eminem Show

07. Coldplay - A Rush of Blood to the Head

06. Peter Gabriel - Up

05. Blackalicious - Blazing Arrow

04. Regina Spektor - Songs

03. Red Hot Chili Peppers - By the Way

02. Bruce Springsteen - The Rising

01. The Flaming Lips - Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots

Jaymz Todd
Saturday Night Music Club

10. Doves - The Last Broadcast

09. The Notwist - Neon Golden

08. Clipse - Lord Willin'

07. Cody ChesnuTT - The Headphone Masterpiece

06. Tori Amos - Scarlet's Walk

05. Moby - 18

04. Clinic - Walking With Thee

03. Interpol - Turn on the Bright Lights

02. Broken Social Scene - You Forget It in People
01. Justin Timberlake - Justified

John Magness

Uttoxeter, England

10. Moby - 18

09. Rilo Kiley - The Execution of All Things

08. Norah Jones - Come Away With Me

07. Wilco - Yankee Hotel Foxtrot

06. The Flaming Lips - Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots

05. Badly Drawn Boy - Have You Fed the Fish?

04. Peter Gabriel - Up

03. The Coral - s/t
02. Paul Westerberg - Stereo
01. Bruce Springsteen - The Rising

STATS

58 different albums appeared in this feature

Which ones made it onto the most lists?

Bruce Springsteen (3), David Bowie (3), Interpol (3), Moby (3) and Tori Amos (3)

If you're a vinyl enthusiast, check out our feature on the Spin Clean Vinyl Record Cleaning Machine (click image below)

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