This is the final studio album that the 12th man has released in his career, that doesn’t mean he was no longer popular as he’s released two greatest hits albums that were plenty successful in the 2010’s, rather it appears he wanted to end things on a high note and not continue to see diminishing returns with new material in the following decade.
Peak position #1×1
Popular in 2006, 2007
This is the last taste of success that Slim Dusty had in his lifetime, it was one of his final studio albums that became of note due to it being his hundredth album in his catalogue. Coincidentally, he had a similar celebration to his career twenty years prior when his fiftieth album spawned his biggest hit “Duncan,” although that was more due to a memorable performance on Countdown than anything.
Peak position #3
Popular in 2000
This was a decent success here in Australia upon its initial release for MJ, although I should point out that its title is a lie regardless of where in the world you’re from given how many of these songs failed to reach number one anywhere in the world. Naturally it became a bigger success later in the decade following the tragic death of MJ.
Peak position #7
Popular in 2003, 2004
Another Beatles compilation album, this one having the theme of love (hence its name) that was presented in a way that was meant to be one long track as opposed to a bunch of individual songs mashed together.
Peak position #2
Popular in 2006
This was the third and final High school music soundtrack to the third and final film of the franchise, it’s worth noting that the film was the only one out of the trilogy to be released in cinemas given how popular the other two were as Disney channel originals (the pre streaming equivalent of Disney +.) Although these were massive hits for Disney, they were torn apart by critics for their weak acting and storylines.
Peak position #4
Popular in 2008
Well, the films might have been critically panned (as were the source material mind you) however at least the music was still well received which is perhaps why the soundtrack to the second film was a massive worldwide success for the franchise.
Peak position #2
Popular in 2009
This was the final album that Shania Twain released for fifteen years, I’m guessing because though this was a hit for her, it failed to reach the dizzying heights of Come on over likely due to country pop not doing as well throughout the new millennium as it did in the twentieth century. Still, it was a massive success as anything that follows up one of the most successful albums of all time would be.
Peak position #1×1
Hit singles
I’m gonna getcha good #14
Up #29
Forever and always #45
When you kiss me #47
Popular in 2002, 2003
This was another greatest hits package that Elton John released in his career to achieve moderate success worldwide, there’s not much I can say about it as it’s further proof that fans will always love his back catalogue even if that love doesn’t extend to his newer material.
Peak position #6
Popular in 2003
They had moderate success earlier in the decade with their debut album here in Australia, however I doubt fans were expecting the second album from the Scissor sisters to be a huge success here even if the lead single was a runaway hit for the band around the time of its release. Of course, it turned out that the song was more popular than the album it came from given how it was one of the biggest of the decade.
Peak position #1×1
Hit singles
I don’t feel like dancing #1
She’s my man #39
Popular in 2006
There was this animated film made this year that was apparently based on a picture book series made from the forties that was a massive commercial success this year (I haven’t seen it because…… well I was fourteen at the time, I was into edgier stuff.) One part of the film that was particularly well received was its soundtrack from Jack Johnson which became a massive hit for the folk singer worldwide.
Peak position #1×1
Popular in 2006
After a four-year hiatus, Eminem was back bigger than ever with his album which much like his previous effort, was panned by critics for being just as shocking and tasteless as Encore. His fanbase was a bit kinder to this album as it did see him be as juvenile as ever which they appeared to like; however, he would return to form the following year with Recovery.
Peak position #1×2
Hit singles
Crack a bottle #18
We made you #1
3 A.M #38
Beautiful #33
Popular in 2009
This is the final appearance from Andrea Bocelli on this site, mainly because the opera singer got outclassed by many other classical artists throughout the decade such as Michael Bublé and Il Divo despite him still putting out new music to this day to a minimal fanbase.
Peak position #6
Popular in 2001, 2002
This is the only other album that the Cat empire managed to achieve success with here in Australia, I’m guessing because their brand of ska reggae was growing tiresome by their fanbase by the time they released their next album later in the decade as while this was a hit for the band, it was only as such due to it sticking around after it initially fell off the upper echelons of the charts.
Peak position #1×1
Hit singles
Sky #23
The car song #46
Popular in 2005
From what I can gather, Save the last dance was meant to be the Flashdance of the 00’s which didn’t go over very well for the film given how the 80’s classic is only well remembered for its song sequences and soundtrack which is something this film failed to replicate throughout its runtime (I’ve seen it numerous times and can still barely remember anything about it.) At least the soundtrack was well received for what it’s worth.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
U make me sick #25
Popular in 2001
Whether you love it or hate it, the original theatrical adaptation of Charlie’s angels was a cultural phenomenon back in the day thanks to the three leads who not only gave fun performances of the 70’s icons they were based off of, but also took the time to perfect their martial arts in order to convincingly kick ass which is something modern feminist icons could take a few notes on. Oh and the soundtrack was also quite the success.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
Independent women #3
Popular in 2000, 2001
This was one of three albums that Nikki Webster released following her performance at the opening ceremony of the 2000 Olympics, although most Australians like to pretend that her singing career only consisted of the lead single to this album given how you’d be hard pressed to find anyone who liked her music even back in the day. I personally think it gets too much hate even though I’m not a fan of it either.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
Strawberry kisses #2
Depend on me #16
The best days #21
Popular in 2001
Who says teen pop was dead during the midpoint of the decade? Granted it wasn’t anywhere near as successful as it was entering the new millennium, however that didn’t prevent this debut from Jesse McCartney from being a success here in Australia likely due to how attractive his core audience found him to be. Sadly, he wouldn’t find any further success here even after he finally crossed over in his native America.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
Beautiful soul #1
She’s no you #10
Get your shine on #34
Popular in 2005
This is the first appearance from one of the more well-respected Australian bands of the decade, again we have Triple J to thank for how Something for Kate (what a weird band name) managed to make it big in the mainstream to the point where I remember hearing their songs on the radio back in the day. Much like many other alternative bands of the decade, the trio were likely victims of digital piracy back in the day.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Monsters #15
Three dimensions #32
Twenty years #43
Say something #40
Popular in 2001
This is the second album to come from Taxiride, it’s also their final album to find any success in their career as their third album was such a failure later in the decade that they would eventually call it quits. This is a shame because this gained some minor traction over in NZ, particularly with the lead single which became their one and only hit over there years after the boy band wars came to an end.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
Creeping up slowly #6
How I got this way #28
Afterglow #49
Popular in 2002
While this wasn’t as successful as their first album from earlier in the decade, it made up for that by spawning two of D12’s biggest hits which was a given as it was during the height of Eminem’s popularity. I guess you can say this album eased fans into accepting Eminem’s Encore album which will be appearing on the following list despite it being a critical failure for the rapper.
Peak position #1×1
Hit singles
My band #1
How come #4
Popular in 2004
This was originally released the previous year to deafening silence here in Australia, after all, we Aussies had no interest in the works of Kid Rock given how we were thoroughly unimpressed with his brand of rap rock from earlier in his catalogue. We briefly changed our stance this year when he scored a surprise hit thanks to the power of nostalgia which in turn fuelled this album’s success.
Peak position #9
Hit singles
All summer long #1
Popular in 2008
One of the more popular TV soaps of the decade from Australia was the Secret life of us, granted it never reached the dizzying heights of success that Neighbours of Home and away did, however it had quite a lengthy run on TV partially due to the success of its soundtracks which the first soundtrack of course being the most successful of the lot.
Peak position #7
Popular in 2002
While the momentum had begun to slow down for Britney Spears by the midpoint of the decade, she was still very much one of the most popular artists of the moment which explains why this greatest hits package of hers managed to be a huge success for her this year. Of course, it would all be downhill from here save for her album Circus which in addition to spawning multiple hits was a success in its own right.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
My prerogative #7
Do something #8
Popular in 2004, 2005
It may surprise you to learn that these guys had at least one successful album prior to their big breakthrough in their native America Only by the night in Australia and NZ, this was that big album they had which of course was a success thanks to the band’s popularity on Triple J both upon its initial release and when several of the singles appeared on their annual list for 2007.
Peak position #4
Popular in 2007, 2008, 2009
This is the final album to come from Blink 182 during their first run together, they would go their separate ways later in the decade only to reunite for the 2010’s where they struggled to find relevancy as did any band or artist that was from the rock genre. This had a bit of a climb to its success given how only the second single managed to become a hit for the band which was very different to the rest of their catalogue.
Peak position #7
Hit singles
Feeling this #20
I miss you #13
Down #35
Always #45
Popular in 2003, 2004
This is the second project where Dave Grohl teams up with Josh Homme from the Queens of the stone age (Homme’s band of course being the first) so naturally it was bound to be a success for them here in Australia just as the decade was coming to an end. They’ve yet to collaborate after this due to a multitude of scandals that have followed Josh over the years that caught up with him in the #metoo movement.
Peak position #4
Popular in 2009
It may have been a while since Tracy Chapman had troubled the charts anywhere in the world, however it appears that audiences had fond memories of her work as this greatest hits album managed to become a huge success for her worldwide despite only two (maybe three depending on where you’re from) of her albums having any impact on the mainstream back in her day.
Peak position #10
Popular in 2001, 2002
It seems strange that these guys managed to score a successful album here in Australia but not the Wiggles (no their time as the Cockroaches doesn’t count) I guess there was more of a market for these guys when it came to their music rather than their fellow children’s band who began life as a rock band in the 80’s before switching their target audience with their material.
Peak position #4
Popular in 2000
Pokémon was such an inescapable phenomenon that the 4kids dub of the first film became a huge box office success despite it being panned by critics for its poor dubbing which changes the storyline of the original film (as a member of team Digimon, this brings me great joy until I remember that Digimon the movie exists.) The soundtrack at least was well received due to the catchy teen pop that can be found on it.
Peak position #9
Hit singles
Don’t say you love me #4
Popular in 2000
Lenny had a bit of a comeback with his (then) most recent album, so it makes sense that he would capitalise off its success with a greatest hits package that would remind audiences of his back catalogue just in time for the new millennium to start. It would be the final taste of success that he would receive in most parts of the world.
Peak position #14
Hit singles
Again #30
Popular in 2000, 2001
There seemed to be many contemporaries of Norah Jones that managed to score success throughout the decade, one of the more prominent examples coming from Katie Melua who is a Georgian musician who achieved massive success this year including in Australia even though it’s yet another album that was pushed aside in our mainstream in favour of all the commotion from Australian idol.
Peak position #13
Hit singles
The closest thing to crazy #45
Popular in 2004
While their previous album wasn’t a flop by any means, it was a critical disaster which led fans to wonder if there would ever be a return to form given how it was at least not the commercial rock they released throughout the 90’s. They wondered no longer when the band released their follow up five years later which was a return to form both artistically and critically which led to its commercial success.
Peak position #1×1
Hit singles
My apocalypse #38
The day that never comes #18
Cyanide #48
The unforgiven III #41
Popular in 2008
I guess it was only a matter of time before Guy Sebastian made a covers album consisting of Motown tunes, it may have failed to produce a hit single for him like his earlier work, but it at least was a huge success for him which was able to pick up the slack from his previous two albums.
Peak position #3
Popular in 2007
One of the most critically acclaimed films of the decade was Walk the line, a biopic about Johnny Cash who had only died two years prior to the film’s release which depicted the life of the country singer warts and all. It was a massive commercial success thanks to the performances of the two leads which of course meant the soundtrack would also be a success shortly after its release.
Peak position #2
Popular in 2006
One of the earliest internet sensations from a reality show was Paul Potts who scored internet popularity thanks to his time on Britain’s got talent for this year’s season, as such, his debut album from when he won the series proved to be a massive success for him upon its initial release. His female counterpart Susan Boyle would go on to have even more success going into the 2010’s.
Peak position #1×2
Popular in 2007
This was a duets album from Jimmy Barnes given how fans had noticed he had quite a few duets to his name up until this point in his career, as such we have some of the biggest names in Australian music lending their voices to his renditions of many older tracks as this was also a covers album from him.
Peak position #1×3
Hit singles
Sit on my knee 14
Gonna take some time #31
Out of time #50
Popular in 2005
This is the only appearance that Andre Rieu will be making on this site, I bring this up because the Dutch violinist was inescapably popular during the last stretch of the decade thanks to appealing to the classical music scene of the day. Here he recruits Australian opera singer Mirusia to provide vocals for his classical pieces which would explain its popularity here in Australia.
Peak position #1×2
Popular in 2008
This is the final album to come from Norah Jones that was a commercial success for her, mainly because she would be replaced by the likes of Amy Winehouse and Duffy during the final stretch of the decade who would both be replaced with Adele going into the new decade. It’s a bit astonishing how many careers were made redundant by the British singer in 2011.
Peak position #2
Popular in 2007
There were no signs of these guys slowing down here in Australia, OK there were some signs given how this was nowhere near as successful as their previous two albums here, however it was obvious they still had a massive fanbase who likely comprised of a lot of the other entries on this list given how popular classical music had become at this point in time.
Peak position #5
Popular in 2008
The opening ceremony of the Australian Olympics this year was such a highlight that the organisers decided to release this live album capturing the best moments which of course was a massive hit here in Australia.
Peak position #1×3
Hit singles
We’ll be one #19
Popular in 2000
This is an RNB album that comes from the Soul deep projects that Jimmy Barnes was making throughout his career, it proved to be a success because there’s a dedicated fanbase to this type of music that the pub rocker makes throughout his career.
Peak position #1×2
Popular in 2009
Even though this has been panned by just about everyone who’s ever listened to it, this album from Metallica was a massive success regardless back in the day thanks to the promise of it being a return to their metal roots which initially pleased fans who felt that they had sold out with their material from the 90’s. The band eventually realised this direction was a mistake and went back to their roots on their next album.
Peak position #1×2
Hit singles
St anger #15
Frantic #22
The unnamed feeling #23
Popular in 2003
Given how inescapably popular the first season of Australian idol was this year, it only makes sense that an album collecting all of the best moments on the show would be a massive hit right before it came to an end.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Rise up #1
Popular in 2003
From what I can gather, Juno was a popular coming of age film where a young woman (played by Elliot Page before he transitioned) gets knocked up and needs to navigate the burdens of life that comes with unplanned pregnancy. The film doesn’t interest me in the slightest (its casting has nothing to do with this disinterest) however it did appeal to a lot of people back in the day as did the soundtrack which is indie fans dream playlists.
Peak position #5
Popular in 2008
This was a bit of a comeback for Live here in Australia, mainly due to the lead single becoming a massive success on our radios which likely meant that it was also a huge hit through digital piracy as many songs that were overplayed back in the day were usually popular with those unwilling to legally purchase songs at the time.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Heaven #19
Popular in 2003
This was released along with the film as a compromise to fans who were hyped to see the This is it tour that had plenty of rehearsals for that never wound up coming to be, it became a massive hit worldwide due to the sudden death of the king of pop earlier in the year and ensured that his legacy would live on regardless of all the hearsay about who he was as a person during his lifetime.
Peak position #2
Popular in 2009
While this album wasn’t as popular as their previous effort from earlier in the decade, it made up for its comparatively lacklustre sales here in Australia by spawning the Fray’s biggest hit in the form of its lead single which no doubt boosted its sales following that song’s success here. Like I said, rock music suddenly found itself unwelcome in our mainstream once the 2010’s began which resulted in the band fading into obscurity after this.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
You found me #1
Never say never #38
Popular in 2009
While it does seem odd that this album managed to be more successful than any of the members solo work combined, the fact remains that they scored one of the biggest hits of the decade with their debut single which no doubt led to much fanfare with said album which eventually dropped late the previous year for the supergroup. They wouldn’t have much luck with their second album which caused them to break up.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
This time I know it’s for real #2
Happening all over again #9
Searching #40
Popular in 2006
This was one of the last new age albums to make it big in the mainstream worldwide, I guess it’s fitting that Enya would be the artist to close out this craze given how she was the one who popularised it over a decade prior with her second album.
Peak position #4
Popular in 2000, 2001
This is an album comprising of many Cuban musicians assembled by Ry Cooder, Ry of course was the man who scored a massive hit twenty years prior with his cover of an Elvis Presley classic in the southern hemisphere, meaning this was the album that finally got him out of the one hit wonder bin here in Australia but not in NZ as this didn’t even chart over there.
Peak position #6
Popular in 2000
Mark Vincent was the winner of this year’s season of Australia’s got talent, as such his debut album proved to be a massive success for the tenor opera singer which makes it yet another opera album to appear on this list alone.
Peak position #2
Popular in 2009
This is the final successful album that Pearl jam had in their catalogue, again because rock music had little to no impact on the music scene throughout the 2010’s despite them continuously putting out new music to diminishing returns with each release (this is why I’m not covering the 2010’s albums.)
Peak position #1×1
Hit singles
The fixer #22
Popular in 2009
I think this was meant to be a new version of the Abba gold album from almost a decade prior that was released the previous year from the Swedish quartet, it proved to be a success this year likely due to Abba mania becoming more fondly remembered as the new millennium began to unfold.
Peak position #6
Popular in 2001
This was the second volume from David Campbell’s Swing sessions franchise, it was also the final volume despite his next album also being a covers album from the swing era of music. I guess you can consider these his equivalent of his father’s Soul deep projects if you replaced Motown covers with swing covers as that’s essentially what he’s doing on these albums.
Peak position #8
Popular in 2007
This is the final successful album that Ben Harper had anywhere in the world, I’m guessing because audiences were becoming more nostalgic for older music and were no longer being satisfied with throwback artists emulating the success of older artists. Given how he was trying to be the (then) modern Jimi Hendrix, it makes sense that audiences would overlook him in favour of the genuine article.
Peak position #1×2
Popular in 2006
This didn’t even enter the charts for Nelly here in Australia until this year despite it being an initial success worldwide the previous year for the rapper, this was mainly because hip hop still had issues with crossing over down under which Nelly overcame when one of the tracks on the album became the theme to Scary movie 2. The success of this album led to him no longer having any issues finding success here.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Country grammar #20
EI #12
Ride wit me #4
Batter up #19
Popular in 2001
This was the first new album to come from Crowded house since their 1993 effort Together alone, of course the band had broken up in 1996 and only got back together the previous year on the tenth anniversary of their farewell concert at the Sydney Opera House which of course led to massive hype with their comeback album this year. The hype wasn’t quite met given how low this appears on this list.
Peak position #1×1
Hit singles
Don’t stop now #34
Popular in 2007
This was the second entry in the Great American songbook franchise that Rod Stewart released this decade, it was far less popular than the first entry, however it at least was an immediate success here rather than it needing to find its audience.
Peak position #7
Popular in 2003, 2004
This was all set to become a mere modest success here in Australia for Good Charlotte given how it was following up one of the more popular rock albums of the first half of the decade, however they scored a huge runaway success with the second single from the album which allowed it to rebound on the charts and make it almost as big as their previous entry thanks to how much airplay that single received.
Peak position #1×1
Hit singles
Predictable #15
I just wanna live #12
The chronicles of life and death #31
Popular in 2004, 2005
This was all set to be a modest success at best here in Australia upon its initial release, likely due to the novelty of a band who named themselves after a controversial prime minister wearing off as the 90’s was coming to an end. It received a massive boost in popularity when fan favourite “Blow up the pokies” became a massive radio smash which helped it become a huge sleeper hit for the band.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Blow up the pokies #21
Popular in 2000
This third album from Britney Spears also serves as the soundtrack to her first feature length film which was a film that was panned by critics and audiences alike for her poor acting as well as it being a cliched ridden road trip flick. At least the album was well received by fans given how few if any of the songs have anything to do with the film, after all the overall theme is about her wanting more independence in life which isn’t a theme present in the film.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
I’m a slave 4 u #7
Overprotected #16
I’m not a girl not yet a woman #7
I love rock n roll #13
Popular in 2001, 2002
I wouldn’t have thought that there was any nostalgic love for Garth Brooks here in Australia given how he only had one successful album thirteen years prior to this greatest hits package, it turns out there was plenty of nostalgia for his work given how successful this was years after his popularity faded here.
Peak position #11
Popular in 2007
This had a very tepid response upon its initial release this year, in fact it only makes this list due to it having a rebound in the new decade thanks to the success of its second single as well as the other tracks doing a much better job in connecting with us Aussies than its lead single did on the radio.
Peak position #12
Hit singles
Russian roulette #7
Rude boy #1
Te amo #22
Rockstar 101 #24
Popular in 2009
For the second year in a row, the runner up to Australian Idol managed to have a more successful album than its winner, proving that throughout the series, the show was controversial with who wound up winning the series given that Anthony Callea was the favourite to win over Casey Donovan. While I don’t think it would’ve mattered at the time, nowadays it would’ve been more controversial that she won over a queer man.
Peak position #1×3
Hit singles
The prayer #1
Rain #1
Hurts so bad #10
Per sempre #5
Popular in 2005
This was the second album to come from James Blunt, it wasn’t quite as inescapable as his previous album given how that was one of the biggest albums of the decade worldwide, however it was popular enough to be a massive success here in Australia even if it didn’t have that runaway hit that his previous album had. Still, this allowed him to continue his success well into the 2010’s with his subsequent follow ups.
Peak position #1×1
Hit singles
1973 #11
Popular in 2007
This is the only other album from Moby that found success here in Australia, I’m guessing because he felt the need to allow all of the songs on here to be placed in every ad imaginable much like his previous album from the start of the decade. This led to him receiving backlash in the music community for essentially buying his way to success which is perhaps why his subsequent follow ups have failed since.
Peak position #1×1
Hit singles
We are all made of stars #23
Popular in 2002
Although Kelly Rowland managed to get her album out first, Simply deep was a commercial disappointment for her which wasn’t the case for Beyonce’s solo album she released six months after that album. Granted this was only a modest success for her here in Australia at first as it only became a huge hit once the fifth single became a surprise hit for her almost a year after its initial release.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
03 Bonnie and Clyde #2
Crazy in love #2
Baby boy #3
Me myself I #11
Naughty girl #9
Popular in 2003, 2004
There were no signs of 12th man slowing down in his catalogue as this was merely the latest album of his to find massive success upon its initial release, there’s not much more I can add to it as it continues the tradition of him impersonating cricket commentators which amused audiences during his time in the spotlight.
Peak position #1×5
Popular in 2001, 2002
Following the success of the theatrical adaptation of Mamma Mia this year, this greatest hits package managed to become a success in Australia for the fourth time proving how much we Aussies truly loved the Swedish quartet from the 70’s.
Peak position #4
Popular in 2008
Even though this wasn’t a huge success for Darren Hayes anywhere in the world, the fact that this was following up one of the biggest albums of the turn of the century meant that it was guaranteed some success this year even if fans felt that this was a disappointment compared to his work as Savage Garden. At least it kept his head above water long enough for his fans to accept his sexual identity which he revealed at the time.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Insatiable #3
Strange relationship #16
Crush #19
I miss you #25
Popular in 2002
One of the better musicals to come out of the decade was this remake of the 1988 film which tells the story of a young girl becoming an overnight sensation on a TV program whilst diving into the social climate of the 60’s which the film is set in. It was a massive critical and commercial success thanks to the strong performances from its cast as well as the soundtrack resonating with audiences.
Peak position #5
Popular in 2007
I guess this guy was able to have some success with his career following his controversial victory on the fourth season of Australian idol, here he has a covers album with some of the biggest songs from the twentieth century that managed to find enough of an audience to justify his win on the reality show two years prior.
Peak position #2
Popular in 2008
This is the final successful album that John Farnham had any part of which happens to be a duet with Tom Jones from a successful concert they did together, which turned out to be such an explosive show that its best moments were captured on this release for fans to enjoy.
Peak position #3
Popular in 2005
This is the final album that Alanis Morissette had any success with throughout her career, this is mainly due to Avril Lavigne’s earlier entry on this list stealing the thunder that the older Canadian singer/songwriter had coming from the 90’s which sadly left her in the dust after this year.
Peak position #1×1
Hit singles
Hands clean #9
Precious illusions #41
Popular in 2002
For thirteen years, this was the final album to come from Tool given how lead singer Maynard James Keenan was juggling his career between this band and A perfect circle who had briefly broken up two years prior presumably to allow him to work on this album but eventually reunited in 2010. For what it’s worth, it would take twelve years for that band to release a new album, meaning he hadn’t released new music in that time.
Peak position #1×1
Popular in 2006
The first Step up film was such a critical and commercial dud that the soundtrack didn’t even appear on the charts here in Australia, let alone become a hit like its sequel did. Then again, I feel the only reason why this album did so well was due to the runaway success of the film’s theme song which became the biggest hit of the year for its performer Flo Rida.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Low #1
Popular in 2008
This managed to be a moderate success here in Australia this year despite R.E.M’s heyday being well and truly behind them by this point, this goes to show that even the off material of legends can be more successful in the 21st century than most up and coming artists combined.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
Imitation of life #32
Popular in 2001
Given how well Jimmy Barnes collaboration album was from two years prior, it only makes sense that we Aussies would want to hear an album full of some of the biggest names in Australian music take on the classics from his band Cold chisel. In case this didn’t go over very well with fans, it also serves as a greatest hits package containing the original recordings from the band.
Peak position #2
Popular in 2007
There were no signs of these guys slowing down here in Australia, OK there were some signs given how this was nowhere near as successful as their previous two albums here, however it was obvious they still had a massive fanbase who likely comprised of a lot of the other entries on this list given how popular classical music had become at this point in time.
Peak position #2
Popular in 2006
Well, he did score one of the biggest hits of the decade with his previous album, so it makes sense that this follow up would achieve some level of success here in Australia even if it was a mere fraction of what its predecessor achieved four years prior. At least he would bounce back with his next album even if that was more due to the runaway success of one of its singles.
Peak position #1×2
Hit singles
Love in this club #8
Moving mountains #36
Popular in 2008
This was a bit of a comeback for Kate Ceberano, much like her album from ten years prior as that spawned the hit “Pash” for her, meaning that she could potentially score a comeback once every ten years had she succeeded in doing so in 2017. Alas she was unable to, making these two albums’ successes be little more than a freaky coincidence.
Peak position #4
Popular in 2007
This is to date the penultimate album from System of a down which they released mere months prior to their final album Hypnotized which wasn’t a big hit here in Australia although will be appearing much later on this list regardless. This was also the album where the band went political which is perhaps why it did as well as it did down under given how Green day had opened the door to safely criticising the American government without getting cancelled.
Peak position #1×1
Hit singles
Lonely day #37
BYOB #42
Popular in 2005
One of the more critically acclaimed films of the decade was the Boat that rocked, a film that looks over the issues of radio piracy back in the 60’s in the UK which resulted in the music industry facing a serious decline due to how much money the artists were losing from the practice. Naturally the film featured a who’s who of 60’s legends, which explains why it was a massive hit this year.
Peak position #3
Popular in 2009
These guys took their sweet time in following up their breakthrough album from four years prior, although once they did release this album, it did see moderate success which goes to show you how loyal their fanbase was back in the day. Alas that loyalty would all but evaporate going into the 2010’s due to that decades allergic reaction to rock music.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Sun dirt water #32
Popular in 2007
While this wasn’t the inescapable hit that his debut album was from two years prior, this sophomore album from 50 cent proved to be enough of a hit worldwide that he felt comfortable releasing his own biopic similar to Eminem’s 8 mile from earlier in the decade. The biopic was poorly received mainly due to it being a carbon copy of the original film but with worse acting and a more cliché plot.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Candy shop #3
Just a lil bit #13
Outta control #16
Popular in 2005
I really believe that these guys were done dirty by with the digital piracy throughout the 00’s as I refuse to believe that they didn’t have much success with their earlier material throughout the decade given how much airplay it all received back in the day. In any case, we have this album from Living end which won’t be qualifying for my comeback list due to my stance that their popularity didn’t fade away where it counted.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
White noise #12
Popular in 2008
Hamish and Andy are a comedy duo who are best known for their stint on radio, however they became so well liked in their native Melbourne that they released a comedy album which proved to be a massive success for the pair all across Australia.
Peak position #4
Popular in 2008
Given how her third album My December was a critical failure and only a fraction as successful as Breakaway, Kelly’s management had to convince her to give them back full creative control over her music direction which resulted in this fourth album that can best be described as a Veronicas’s project. It wasn’t a bad thing given how successful it was without compromising her core appeal from earlier in the decade.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
My life would suck without you #5
I do not hook up #9
Already gone #12
Popular in 2009
Happy feet remain divisive to this day much like another Australian film that talks about the environment from 1992 Fern Gully, mainly because contrary to what people will say about it (sadly) they actually don’t care about the environment that much and feel that children’s media should not dabble in politics in any way. At least those who do like the film (me included) appreciated it and the soundtrack for what they were.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Hit me up #6
Popular in 2007
This is another greatest hits package that Pink Floyd’s label released that became a worldwide success, proving that fans were still hungry for new material that they would have to wait for another decade before it finally came to them in 2014.
Peak position #4
Popular in 2001, 2002
This is another album that came out two years prior to deafening silence that only saw success this year, although this was mostly the case in Australia as its success wasn’t as tardy in the band’s native America given how the singles on here managed to become massive hits on Billboard the previous year. I guess the wait was worth it as it became their biggest success here in Australia as did one of the singles.
Peak position #8
Hit singles
Here without you #2
Popular in 2004
Although he never saw much success here in Australia throughout his career, there appears to have been enough appreciation for Barry White going into the new decade for this greatest hits package to be a huge success for him a mere three years prior to his death. For what it’s worth, he did have a hit with “Never never gonna give you up” in 1974 that I didn’t feature on that list due to being a hit too early in the year.
Peak position #5
Popular in 2000
I bet you were beginning to wonder just what happened to Vanessa Amorosi following the success of her debut album from the start of the decade, it turns out she had label issues which resulted in her second album only being released in certain parts of Europe which meant she had to go back to the drawing board with her third album. This was that album which thankfully saw the light of day here.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Kiss your mama #15
Perfect #4
The simple things #36
Popular in 2008
Even though these guys were from the UK, this proved to be a massive flop throughout Europe due to Europeans not being as invested with opera music as we Aussies and kiwis were back in the day. The fact that the lead vocalist was from NZ allowed it to be a huge success here and a massive success over in his homeland which led to them releasing another album the following year.
Peak position #4
Popular in 2004
This was the third album to come from Tool as well as their second album to find massive worldwide success, likely because it came off the success that lead singer Maynard James Keenan had with his side project A perfect circle which was a band that didn’t reach the dizzying heights of his main band here in Australia unfortunately. Their next album wouldn’t come out for another four years due to him working with his side project.
Peak position #1×1
Popular in 2001
This is the debut album from Sophie Ellis Bextor, an album that was a flop upon its initial release due to the lead single failing to connect with audiences here in Australia. It was given a second chance when the deluxe edition was released following the success of her second single which spawned a second hit for her worldwide as a result, although all of this led to her being a one album wonder.
Peak position #9
Hit singles
Murder on the dancefloor #3
Get over you #4
Music gets the best of me #28
Popular in 2002
Lee Kernaghan always had some degree of success here in Australia due to him being on the same level as Keith Urban as the king of Australian country music, however like Keith, his popularity only grew as we Aussies became more receptive to our own country scene with this entry being one of the key stepping stones to his eventual chart dominance in the 2010’s.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
Spirit of the bush #11
Popular in 2007
It appears we Aussies had enough love for the Offspring to give them one more successful album in their catalogue, although I get the feeling this was more due to rock music being at the height of its popularity now that digital downloads had made the genre mainstream once more. It’s hard to say if their previous album would’ve succeeded if downloads were a thing, although there is a possibility it would’ve.
Peak position #3
Popular in 2008
This was released on the fortieth anniversary of the band first getting together, this explains A: the title of the album given how random it would otherwise be and B: why it was released to begin with given how the band hadn’t released anything worthwhile in over a decade by this point. These two selling points explain why it was a success worldwide, that and the decade quickly becoming known for its nostalgia bug.
Peak position #3
Popular in 2002, 2003
Gomez was another Brit pop band that was destined for great things this decade only to have their potential stolen by Coldplay once they broke through late in the year in their native UK, indeed this was more of a success here in Australia due to our indie scene being more prominent than the one in Britain which allowed it to find an audience that it failed to achieve in their homeland.
Peak position #9
Popular in 2000
