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.
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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:
611
Rank in 2001:
Rank in 2000s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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____________________________________________________________________________
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]
Year of Release:
2006
Appears in:
Rank Score:
692
Rank in 2006:
Rank in 2000s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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____________________________________________________________________________
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:
601
Rank in 2001:
Rank in 2000s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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____________________________________________________________________________
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:
914
Rank in 2003:
Rank in 2000s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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____________________________________________________________________________
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:
770
Rank in 2006:
Rank in 2000s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album
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____________________________________________________________________________
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]
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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:
756
Rank in 2007:
Rank in 2000s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
8. (=)
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____________________________________________________________________________
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:
850
Rank in 2000:
Rank in 2000s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album
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____________________________________________________________________________
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:
637
Rank in 2007:
Rank in 2000s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album
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____________________________________________________________________________
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
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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 | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|||
| The Field | 1 | 4% | |
| Paddy McAloon | 1 | 4% | |
| A Silver Mt. Zion | 1 | 4% | |
| Vashti Bunyan | 1 | 4% | |
| The Good, The Bad & The Queen | 1 | 4% | |
| Bark Psychosis | 1 | 4% | |
| Broadcast | 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 24th So by So (UN) |
| Down 1 from 24th to 25th Stars Of Ice by In Be Tween Noise |
| Leavers |
|---|
| The Blue Notebooks by Max Richter |
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| Top 20 Music Albums of 2008 |  blvckgovt | 2008 year chart | 2019 | |
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| Rating | Date updated | Member | Chart ratings | Avg. chart rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ! | 02/07/2025 18:21 | ThuramThugood | 106 | 90/100 |
| ! | 11/17/2020 12:02 |  desh79 | 1,278 | 93/100 |
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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 :(
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