2000s: The 25 Best Underrated Albums
by 
ForegroundNoise 
Dear reader,
As much as I adore many classics from the noughties, I've always found that the greatest asset of sites like BEA is as a treasure trove of undiscovered gems. I love Kid A as much as the next man (or, chances are, a great deal more), but I feel this chart is worth a lot more to you as a catalogue of my favourites which lie a little off the beaten path. After all, the last thing you need is another list singing Radiohead's praises - where's the fun in that?
With this in mind, I've decided to create decade lists of my favourite 'underrated' albums, with that very loose definition encompassing any album or compilation that sits outside of the BEA top 200 of that decade. I realise this criteria is one that is ever-changing; my hope is that by giving these hidden gems the leg-up they deserve, I help disqualify them from being on this list.
"But wait!", I hear you cry, "Isn't this all a bit contrived? Why don't you just be honest in your opinions like the rest of us?".
Fair point. If you're still curious about what I really consider to be the best albums of the 2000s, I'll leave a link to my *actual* favourite albums of the 2000s at the end of this letter.
Though at the risk of sounding sophistic, I'd argue that in a funny way this list is more honest now than it was before. In forcing myself to pick from outside of our collective canon, these are the albums which I'm prepared to put myself on the line for. You'll find no consensus here to help defend me. This is my taste: raw and unadulterated. I hope you find it's of some use to you.
Best,
FN xx
PS. I'm a little snowed under with work at the moment, but I've got some thoughts brewing on these picks that I'll be sure to add as soon as I can. Here's the link I promised:
https://www.besteveralbums.com/thechart.php?c=43936
- Chart updated: 07/18/2025 14:15
- (Created: 04/25/2020 12:19).
- Chart size: 25 albums.
There are 0 comments for this chart from BestEverAlbums.com members and 2000s: The 25 Best Underrated Albums has an average rating of 88 out of 100 (from 2 votes). Please log in or register to leave a comment or assign a rating.
View the complete list of 58,000 charts on BestEverAlbums.com from The Charts page.
Buy album 
- #Sponsored
____________________________________________________________________________
experimental hip hop • abstract hip hop
(Mush, 73:35)
10/10
"Physics of a bicycle
Isn't it remarkable?"
____________________________________________________________________________ [First added to this chart: 06/23/2020]
experimental hip hop • abstract hip hop
(Mush, 73:35)
10/10
"Physics of a bicycle
Isn't it remarkable?"
____________________________________________________________________________ [First added to this chart: 06/23/2020]
Year of Release:
2001
Appears in:
Rank Score:
604
Rank in 2001:
Rank in 2000s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album
- #Sponsored
____________________________________________________________________________
drone • psychedelic folk • avant-folk
(n/a, 157:12)
9.5/10
"And she sat down into the room,
Then cry, cry, then fell asleep"
____________________________________________________________________________ [First added to this chart: 06/23/2020]
drone • psychedelic folk • avant-folk
(n/a, 157:12)
9.5/10
"And she sat down into the room,
Then cry, cry, then fell asleep"
____________________________________________________________________________ [First added to this chart: 06/23/2020]
Buy album
- #Sponsored
____________________________________________________________________________
ambient • drone
(Kranky, 123:54)
9/10
____________________________________________________________________________ [First added to this chart: 06/23/2020]
ambient • drone
(Kranky, 123:54)
9/10
____________________________________________________________________________ [First added to this chart: 06/23/2020]
Year of Release:
2001
Appears in:
Rank Score:
586
Rank in 2001:
Rank in 2000s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album
- #Sponsored
____________________________________________________________________________
abstract hip hop
(Sound-Ink, 56:29)
9/10
"On the radio, 'Mack the Knife'
I watched him freeze roaches and bring 'em straight back to life
He used a different approach than I ever read
The only thing he ever said was, 'The roach is never dead'"
___________________________________________________________________________ [First added to this chart: 09/05/2020]
abstract hip hop
(Sound-Ink, 56:29)
9/10
"On the radio, 'Mack the Knife'
I watched him freeze roaches and bring 'em straight back to life
He used a different approach than I ever read
The only thing he ever said was, 'The roach is never dead'"
___________________________________________________________________________ [First added to this chart: 09/05/2020]
Year of Release:
2003
Appears in:
Rank Score:
942
Rank in 2003:
Rank in 2000s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album
- #Sponsored
____________________________________________________________________________
ambient
(Kranky, 49:53)
8.5/10
____________________________________________________________________________ [First added to this chart: 06/23/2020]
ambient
(Kranky, 49:53)
8.5/10
____________________________________________________________________________ [First added to this chart: 06/23/2020]
Year of Release:
2006
Appears in:
Rank Score:
745
Rank in 2006:
Rank in 2000s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album
- #Sponsored
____________________________________________________________________________
neofolk • avant-folk • drone
(Durtro, 63:02)
8.5/10
"There is no cock to crow the day
Neither beast which might noise make upon the hill
But all around there is growing on the ground
Poppy which bears the seed of sleep"
____________________________________________________________________________ [First added to this chart: 05/20/2022]
neofolk • avant-folk • drone
(Durtro, 63:02)
8.5/10
"There is no cock to crow the day
Neither beast which might noise make upon the hill
But all around there is growing on the ground
Poppy which bears the seed of sleep"
____________________________________________________________________________ [First added to this chart: 05/20/2022]
Buy album
- #Sponsored
____________________________________________________________________________
minimal techno • tech house
(Kompakt, 65:41)
8.5/10
____________________________________________________________________________ [First added to this chart: 06/23/2020]
minimal techno • tech house
(Kompakt, 65:41)
8.5/10
____________________________________________________________________________ [First added to this chart: 06/23/2020]
Year of Release:
2007
Appears in:
Rank Score:
754
Rank in 2007:
Rank in 2000s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
8. (=)
Buy album
- #Sponsored
____________________________________________________________________________
post-rock • modern classical
(Constellation, 47:08)
8.5/10
"Let's kill first the banker
With his professional demeanor
Let's televise and broadcast
The raping of kings
Let our crowds be fed on
Tear gas and plate glass
'Cause the people united
Is a wonderful thing"
____________________________________________________________________________ [First added to this chart: 06/23/2020]
post-rock • modern classical
(Constellation, 47:08)
8.5/10
"Let's kill first the banker
With his professional demeanor
Let's televise and broadcast
The raping of kings
Let our crowds be fed on
Tear gas and plate glass
'Cause the people united
Is a wonderful thing"
____________________________________________________________________________ [First added to this chart: 06/23/2020]
Year of Release:
2000
Appears in:
Rank Score:
851
Rank in 2000:
Rank in 2000s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album
- #Sponsored
____________________________________________________________________________
indie rock • alternative rock • art rock
(Parlophone, 42:49)
8/10
"If you don't know it now
Then you will do"
____________________________________________________________________________ [First added to this chart: 06/23/2020]
indie rock • alternative rock • art rock
(Parlophone, 42:49)
8/10
"If you don't know it now
Then you will do"
____________________________________________________________________________ [First added to this chart: 06/23/2020]
Year of Release:
2007
Appears in:
Rank Score:
636
Rank in 2007:
Rank in 2000s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album
- #Sponsored
____________________________________________________________________________
indietronica • dream pop
(Warp, 40:32)
8/10
"Under the x-ray
I'm just a vertebrate"
____________________________________________________________________________ [First added to this chart: 06/23/2020]
indietronica • dream pop
(Warp, 40:32)
8/10
"Under the x-ray
I'm just a vertebrate"
____________________________________________________________________________ [First added to this chart: 06/23/2020]
Year of Release:
2005
Appears in:
Rank Score:
922
Rank in 2005:
Rank in 2000s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Total albums: 25. Page 1 of 3
Don't agree with this chart? Create your own from the My Charts page!
2000s: The 25 Best Underrated Albums composition
| Year | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 3 | 12% | |
| 2001 | 2 | 8% | |
| 2002 | 2 | 8% | |
| 2003 | 5 | 20% | |
| 2004 | 1 | 4% | |
| 2005 | 2 | 8% | |
| 2006 | 3 | 12% | |
| 2007 | 2 | 8% | |
| 2008 | 3 | 12% | |
| 2009 | 2 | 8% |
| Artist | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|||
| Viktor Vaughn | 1 | 4% | |
| Enablers | 1 | 4% | |
| Tim Hecker | 1 | 4% | |
| Grouper | 1 | 4% | |
| Current 93 | 1 | 4% | |
| The Brave Little Abacus | 1 | 4% | |
| The Field | 1 | 4% | |
| Show all | |||
| Country | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|||
| |
9 | 36% | |
| |
7 | 28% | |
 |
3 | 12% | |
 |
2 | 8% | |
 |
1 | 4% | |
 |
1 | 4% | |
 |
1 | 4% | |
| Show all | |||
2000s: The 25 Best Underrated Albums chart changes
| Biggest fallers |
|---|
| Down 1 from 23rd to 24thSo by So (UN) |
| Down 1 from 24th to 25thStars Of Ice by In Be Tween Noise |
| Leavers |
|---|
| The Blue Notebooks by Max Richter |
2000s: The 25 Best Underrated Albums similar charts
| Title | Source | Type | Published | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top 16 Music Albums of 2003 |  seb7 | 2003 year chart | 2025 | |
| Top 20 Music Albums of 2001 |  OKC1 | 2001 year chart | 2015 | |
| Gorilla vs. Bear's Albums of 2008 | Gorilla vs. Bear | 2008 year chart | 2008 | |
| Top 23 Music Albums of 2006 | Jamie | 2006 year chart | 2024 |  |
| Top 16 Music Albums of 2008 | Jamie | 2008 year chart | 2023 | |
| Top 20 Music Albums of 2006 | maxjelbart | 2006 year chart | 2020 | |
| Top 11 Music Albums of 2006 |  Jameth | 2006 year chart | 2020 | |
| Top 17 Music Albums of 2001 |  arthurbittencourt | 2001 year chart | 2018 |  |
| Top 20 Music Albums of 2008 |  blvckgovt | 2008 year chart | 2019 | |
| Top 20 Music Albums of 2008 |  Komorebi-D | 2008 year chart | 2018 | |
2000s: The 25 Best Underrated Albums similarity to your chart(s)
Not a member? Registering is quick, easy and FREE!
Why register?
- Join a passionate community of over 50,000 music fans.
- Create & share your own charts.
- Have your say in the overall rankings.
- Post comments in the forums and vote on polls.
- Comment on or rate any album, artist, track or chart.
- Discover new music & improve your music collection.
- Customise the overall chart using a variety of different filters & metrics.
- Create a wishlist of albums.
- Help maintain the BEA database.
- Earn member points and gain access to increasing levels of functionality!
- ... And lots more!
Register now - it only takes a moment!
Other custom charts by ForegroundNoise
ForegroundNoise has shared 11 more custom charts with the community. Browse them all here.| Title | Source | Type | Published | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greatest Short Releases | ForegroundNoise | Custom chart | 2024 | |
| 2000s: The 25 Best Underrated Albums | ForegroundNoise | Custom chart | 2025 | |
| 2010s: The 25 Best Underrated Albums | ForegroundNoise | Custom chart | 2025 | |
2000s: The 25 Best Underrated Albums ratings
Average Rating = (n ÷ (n + m)) × av + (m ÷ (n + m)) × AVwhere:
av = trimmed mean average rating an item has currently received.
n = number of ratings an item has currently received.
m = minimum number of ratings required for an item to appear in a 'top-rated' chart (currently 10).
AV = the site mean average rating.
N.B. The average rating for this chart will not be reliable as it has been rated very few times.
Showing all 2 ratings for this chart.
| Rating | Date updated | Member | Chart ratings | Avg. chart rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ! | 02/07/2025 18:21 | ThuramThugood | 106 | 90/100 |
| ! | 11/17/2020 12:02 |  desh79 | 1,274 | 93/100 |
2000s: The 25 Best Underrated Albums favourites
Showing all 2 members who have added this chart as a favourite
2000s: The 25 Best Underrated Albums comments
Be the first to add a comment for this Chart - add your comment!
Your feedback for 2000s: The 25 Best Underrated Albums
Let us know what you think of this chart by adding a comment or assigning a rating below!
If you enjoy our site, please consider supporting us by sparing a few seconds to disable your ad blocker.
A lot of hard work happens in the background to keep BEA running, and it's especially difficult to do this when we can't pay our hosting fees :(
We work very hard to ensure our site is as fast (and FREE!) as possible, and we respect your privacy.
A lot of hard work happens in the background to keep BEA running, and it's especially difficult to do this when we can't pay our hosting fees :(
We work very hard to ensure our site is as fast (and FREE!) as possible, and we respect your privacy.
| Best Artists of the 2000s | |
|---|---|
| 1. Radiohead | |
| 2. Arcade Fire | |
| 3. The Strokes | |
| 4. Coldplay | |
| 5. Sufjan Stevens | |
| 6. Muse | |
| 7. Arctic Monkeys | |
| 8. Wilco | |
| 9. The White Stripes | |
| 10. Animal Collective | |
| 11. Kanye West | |
| 12. Phil Elverum | |
| 13. Interpol | |
| 14. Modest Mouse | |
| 15. Queens Of The Stone Age | |
| 16. Madvillain | |
| 17. LCD Soundsystem | |
| 18. Godspeed You! Black Emperor | |
| 19. The National | |
| 20. The Flaming Lips |
