A new decade is upon us. It's hard to believe that the new millennium began 20 years ago, and even harder to believe that some of our favourite albums have entered their third decade of existence. Here, to make you feel old, is our list of 20 great albums released 20 years ago. How many of these can you remember jamming to in the year 2000?
Eminem - The Marshall Mathers LP
Released: 1 August 2000
UK Chart Position: 1
Biggest Hit: 'The Real Slim Shady'
'The Marshall Mathers LP' was produced by Eminem and Dr Dre, over a two month period in Detroit. The album saw Eminem take fire at many of pop culture's most famous faces including NSYNC and Britney Spears. With the likes of 'The Real Slim Shady' and 'Stan', 'The Marshall Mathers LP' became one of the best-selling albums of all time, in spite of its controversial reception. Critics, overall, received the album favourably with the likes of Rolling Stone deeming it a captivating record.
Backstreet Boys - Black & Blue
Released: 21 November 2000
UK Chart Position: 13
Biggest Hit: 'The Shape Of My Heart'
'Black & Blue' was Backstreet Boys' fourth record, and with it they covered new ground in terms of songwriting, with the band members writing, or co-writing, seven songs on the record. They teased the album with track 'It's True', on a series of CDs made available through Burger King. So very 00s.
Spice Girls - Forever
Released: 1 November 2000
UK Chart Position: 2
Biggest Hit: 'Holler'
'Forever' was the third and final studio album from Spice Girls, and their first release without Geri Halliwell. Fans voted online to choose the album title. 'Forever' was also leaked on Napster.com a week before its intended release date. During the album promo, the girls went their separate ways to also work on their solo projects.
Nelly Furtado - Whoa, Nelly!
Released: 24 October 2000
UK Chart Position: 2
Biggest Hit: 'I'm Like A Bird'
Nelly Furtado released her debut album 'Whoa, Nelly!' in the year 2000. Propelling her into stardom with her first single 'I'm Like A Bird', the song became one of the most successful tracks of the following year. 'Whoa, Nelly!' received four nominations at the GRAMMY Awards in 2002.
U2 - All That You Can't Leave Behind
Released: 30 October 2000
UK Chart Position: 1
Biggest Hit: 'Beautiful Day'
A huge album from one of the biggest rock bands in history, 'All That You Can't Leave Behind' was the seventh of nine number one charting albums in the UK. It was also the only album in history to have multiple tracks win the GRAMMY Award for Record of the Year - once in 2001 with 'Beautiful Day' and again in 2002 with 'Walk On'.
Linkin Park - Hybrid Theory
Released: 24 October 2000
UK Chart Position: 4
Biggest Hit: 'In The End'
This well received debut from nu-metal legends Linkin Park spawned many great hits such as 'In The End' and 'One Step Closer'. Hybrid Theory was originally the name of the band, and this was their self-titled release. However, legal issues with another band of the same name meant the name was changed (for a second time) to Linkin Park.
Craig David - Born To Do It
Released: 14 August 2000
UK Chart Position: 1
Biggest Hit: '7 Days'
Craig David will this year be celebrating 20 years of 'Born To Do It' with a UK arena tour. And who can blame him? With such hits as 'Walking Away', '7 Days' and 'Fill Me In' making Craig David a household name, 'Born To Do It' was a number one hit in seven countries and became the fastest-selling debut album ever by a British male solo act - a record the album still holds.
Green Day - Warning
Released: 3 October 2000
UK Chart Position: 4
Biggest Hit: 'Minority'
Six albums in, Green Day had hit their stride and released 'Warning' which peaked at number four in the UK charts. Despite a distinct change in direction, the album was received favourably among critics. Even considering that some looked at 'Warning' with disappointment, in retrospect it has been referred to as "unjustly overlooked" by the likes of MTV.
Madonna - Music
Released: 18 September 2000
UK Chart Position: 1
Biggest Hit: 'Music'
Topping charts globally, 'Music' by Madonna built on her already established legacy. With her eighth album, she earned five GRAMMY Award-nominations and in 2003 the album was named one of Rolling Stone's Top 500 Albums of All Time. The title track was the only single from this album to top the charts in the UK, but claimed the title of Madonna's 10th overall UK number one.
Robbie Williams - Sing When You're Winning
Released: 28 August 2000
UK Chart Position: 1
Biggest Hit: 'Rock DJ'
AllMusic praised Robbie Williams' third release, 'Sing When You're Winning', claiming Williams was embracing "post-millennial dance-pop" and moving away from a tired formula of "Oasis-style Brit-pop". The album was certified 2x Platinum in the UK on its first week of release. It was also the best-selling album of 2000 in the UK.
Oasis - Standing On The Shoulder Of Giants
Released: 28 February 2000
UK Chart Position: 1
Biggest Hit: 'Go Let It Out'
Oasis' fourth album was a departure from their earlier sounds, and was the 16th fastest selling album in UK chart history. In spite of mixed reviews, Noel Gallagher claimed that "it's a good album born through tough times. I worked harder on that album than anything before and anything since". It scored a number one spot in the album charts in the UK, Ireland and Italy.
P!NK - Can't Take Me Home
Released: 4 April 2000
UK Chart Position: 13
Biggest Hit: 'Most Girls'
The beginnings of a formidable career for P!NK, 'Can't Take Me Home' set a precedent for things to come. Two of the tracks from the album - 'You Make Me Sick' and 'Split Personality' - were both featured on films in the early 00s. The album received favourable reviews from many critics, with AllMusic citing "skittering, post-jungle rhythm for the bedrock of these savvy, club-ready dance-pop productions".
Bon Jovi - Crush
Released: 13 June 2000
UK Chart Position: 1
Biggest Hit: 'It's My Life'
Speaking in 2007, Bon Jovi said they knew they had a hit with single 'It's My Life', the first single from the album 'Crush' - and they were right, as it became the third best-selling single worldwide in 2000. After a five year hiatus for Bon Jovi, 'Crush' became the band's first ever album to be nominated for a GRAMMY Award.
Wheatus - Wheatus
Released: 15 August 2000
UK Chart Position: 7
Biggest Hit: 'Teenage Dirtbag'
'Wheatus' is the first of four albums by the legendary rock band of the same name. Most of the songs on the album were written by guitarist and vocalist Brendan Brown. The entire album was also recorded in his basement. Iconic track ‘Teenage Dirtbag’ hit the UK charts at number two, when released as a single in the same month.
Coldplay - Parachutes
Released: 10 July 2000
UK Chart Position: 1
Biggest Hit: 'Yellow'
Coldplay's debut album ‘Parachutes’ spawned the hit singles ‘Yellow’, ‘Shiver’, ‘Trouble’ and ‘Don’t Panic’. The record saw huge commercial success within the UK and beyond. It became the 22nd best-selling album of the 21st century in the UK. It went on to claim awards for Best Album at the Q Magazine Awards, and was nominated for the Mercury Music Prize.
S Club 7 – 7
Released: 12 June 2000
UK Chart Position: 1
Biggest Hit: 'Never Had a Dream Come True'
'7' was S Club 7's most successful album. The album reached number one in the UK where it was certified triple platinum, and it featured hits such as ‘Reach' and ‘Natural’. S Club 7 took an active part in promoting several different charities during their time as a band, and their single ‘Never Had a Dream Come True’ was the official song for the Children in Need campaign in the year 2000.
Britney Spears – Oops!... I Did It Again
Released: 16 May 2000
UK Chart Position: 2
Biggest Hit: 'Oops!... I Did It Again'
'Oops!... I Did It Again' was the second of six studio albums released by American pop princess Britney Spears. The music featured within the album incorporated different style of pop alongside a fresh R&B sound. Upon its release the album received outstanding reviews from critics and sold over one million copies within its first week of release. The album also reached number one in 15 countries.
Papa Roach - Infest
Released: 25 April 2000
UK Chart Position: 9
Biggest Hit: 'Last Resort'
Papa Roach's second record 'Infest' was their major label debut. The album was an iconic release for the nu-metal genre, and includes the hit track 'Last Resort', which scored a number three spot in the UK charts and has since been certified platinum. 'Infest' is Papa Roach's best selling album to date, and crosses genres of metal and rap - the band supported the likes of Limp Bizkit, Eminem and Ludacris during the touring cycle for 'Infest'.
The Dandy Warhols - Thirteen Tales from Urban Bohemia
Released: 1 August 2000
UK Chart Position: 32
Biggest Hit: 'Bohemian Like You'
Although it was their third release, 'Thirteen Tales from Urban Bohemia' was considered a breakthrough album for The Dandy Warhols. Their biggest hit 'Bohemian Like You' - which reached number five in the UK singles charts - was featured on a Vodaphone advert giving them crucial mainstream exposure. The album was received well by critics, and certified Gold in the UK.
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