Top 11 Modern Rock Albums To Have In Your Record Collection | TRC Listening Guide

Quit believing that the Rock was no good after the golden age! Check out the following iconic albums that shaped the Modern Rock music.

1. Parachutes - Coldplay

The Indie-label debut for this British band proplled them into stardom, selling over 13 million copies worldwide. “Parachutes” was a perfect blend of innocent songwriting with alternative rock’s sonics that stood the test of time.

Notable Song: Yellow

You can purchase this album here

2. In Rainbows - Radiohead:

First major act to have a “pay what you want” album release, “In Rainbows” is the peak critical acclaim for Radiohead after “OK Computer”. With range of musical instruments and styles, In Rainbows is a rich listening experience.

Notable Song: Jigsaw Falling into Place

You can purchase this album here

3. In Absentia - Porcupine Tree:

Finally moving away from Psychedelic and Pop sounds, Porcupine Tree took a very different route for their major record label debut. Needless to say, it worked perfectly for them, as the new, progressive music earned more critical and commerical success.

Notable Song: Blackest Eye

You can purchase this album here

4. Currents - Tame Impala:

Tame Impala single handedly brought the Psychedelic Pop into mainstream with their album “Currents”. Narrating a personal story of heartbreak, it’s spaced out instrumentals and the groove Tame Impala sets that created a totally unique experience for the masses.

Notable Song: Less I know the Better

You can purchase this album here

5. Californication - Red Hot Chili Peppers:

Claimed to be “Spiritual and epiphanic”, Californication presented an introspective side of the band that was unheard of from them. While they ditched their usual funk, for a mellow sound, they bagged multiple hits, even winning a Grammy for the song “Scar Tissue”.

Notable Song: Californication

You can purchase this album here

6. Greatest Hits - Guns N' Roses:

Guns n Roses are legendary! It speaks volumes about their popularity that their compilation album managed to rank number 1 in the UK Charts despite almost no promotion. Not only that, “Greatest Hits”spent over 400 weeks in Billboard 200 era.

Notable Song: Welcome To The Jungle

You can purchase this album here

7. AM - Arctic Monkeys:

By the time Arctic Monkeys were set to release their fifth album, they had already added other sub genres of Rock in their music, but in “AM”, the British band finally ventured into hip hop to deliver a darker sound in the album.

Notable Song: Do I Wanna Know?

You can purchase this album here

 8. Carrie and Lowell - Sufjan Stevens:

The title of this album is a tribute to Stevens’ mother, late Carrie and her second husband Lowell Brams. Songs were inspired by the family trips they took to Oregon in his childhood. This album was universally praised, marked Sufjan’s return to his Indie-Folk roots.

Notable Song: Should Have Known Better

You can purchase this album here

9. Is This It - The Strokes:

The Strokes’ debut album caused a lot of controversy for it’s sexually explicit album cover, but the ‘70s inspired Garage Rock album was pivotal in reinventing post-millennial guitar music, changing the aesthetic for the rock ‘n roll in modern day.

Notable Song: Hard to Explain

You can purchase this album here

10. Ten - Pearl Jam:

After the dissolution of the previous band, bassist Jeff Ament started recording again with Pearl Jam, reworking the older tracks. “Ten” stood out from the music of the 90s, showing strong classic rock roots, as the album went on to have huge critical praise.

Notable Song: Jeremy

You can purchase this album here

11. Elephants - The White Stripes:

With the themes revolving around the concept of “death of the sweetheart” in the American culture. “Elephants” by The White Stripes marked the revival of 2000s Garage Rock Revival. But it is Seven Nation Army becaming a staple in sporting areans that mark the success of this album. 

Notable Song: Seven Nation Army

You can purchase this album here

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