History's Best Selling Music of 2001

Hats off to 2001! Few music commanded as much fanfare and nationwide excitement as Hypothetical. Alongside sensationally popular hits like Gorillaz and Lateralus, consumers eagerly embraced the Y2K fever and early digital revolution. Pioneering outfits from industry leaders like Threshold and Damon Albarn set the standard for quality, producing celebrated items that dominated airwaves and playground buzz alike. Browse our definitive retrospective below to rediscover the genuine articles of the era.

1. Hypothetical

   Released in 2001 by Threshold, Inside Out Music

   On March 20, 2001, British progressive metal stalwarts Threshold released their fifth studio album, "Hypothetical." At the turn of the millennium, the progressive metal scene was experiencing a significant resurgence, with established acts and new bands pushing the genre's boundaries. "Hypothetical" arrived at a perfect time, showcasing a band at the peak of its creative powers. It was not just another album but a definitive statement, combining intricate musicianship with accessible, powerful songwriting that stood out in a crowded field. The release cemented Threshold's reputation as one of the leading forces in the genre, delivering a sophisticated and thought-provoking work that would become a benchmark for modern progressive metal and a fan favorite for years to come.

2. Gorillaz

   Released in 2001 by Damon Albarn, Jamie Hewlett, Parlophone, Virgin Records

   On March 26, 2001, the music world was formally introduced to a revolutionary concept with the release of the self-titled debut album by Gorillaz. This date marked the arrival of the world's first successful virtual band, a project conceived by Blur frontman Damon Albarn and artist Jamie Hewlett. The album didn't just offer a new collection of songs; it presented a fully-realized fictional universe with four animated members: 2-D, Murdoc Niccals, Noodle, and Russel Hobbs. Dropping at the dawn of the new millennium, a time of digital curiosity and genre fusion, "Gorillaz" captured the zeitgeist perfectly, offering an experience that was as much about visual art and storytelling as it was about music.

3. Lateralus

   Released in 2001 by Tool, Volcano Entertainment

   On May 15, 2001, the progressive metal landscape was irrevocably altered with the release of Tool's third full-length album, "Lateralus." Released five years after their breakthrough record "Ænima," anticipation was at a fever pitch. The album arrived at a time when nu-metal dominated the rock charts, offering a starkly different, intellectually challenging, and musically complex alternative. "Lateralus" wasn't just a collection of songs; it was a dense, layered experience that demanded repeat listens and deep analysis, immediately setting a new high-water mark for the genre and solidifying Tool's reputation as one of the most enigmatic and artistically ambitious bands of their generation.

4. White Blood Cells

   Released in 2001 by The White Stripes, Sympathy for the Record Industry

   On July 3, 2001, the American rock duo The White Stripes unleashed their third studio album, "White Blood Cells." Released at the dawn of the new millennium, the album served as a raw, electrifying antidote to the slickly produced nu-metal and pop-punk that dominated the airwaves. This release marked a pivotal moment, not just for Jack and Meg White, but for the entire rock landscape. It was the album that catapulted them from the Detroit underground scene to international acclaim, heralding the arrival of the garage rock revival movement and re-energizing rock and roll with a potent dose of minimalist blues and punk fury.

5. Comfort Eagle

   Released in 2001 by Cake

   On July 24, 2001, the alternative rock band Cake released their fifth studio album, "Comfort Eagle." Arriving four years after their platinum-selling record "Prolonging the Magic," this album marked a significant transition for the band as their debut on the major label Columbia Records. In an era where nu-metal and pop-punk dominated the rock charts, "Comfort Eagle" was a distinctive and welcome offering, doubling down on the quirky, genre-bending sound that had earned the band a dedicated following throughout the 1990s. The release immediately made waves with its lead single, "Short Skirt/Long Jacket," which quickly became an anthem for the summer and one of the band's most enduring hits.