Before there was Hannah Montana, we had Lizzie McGuire which was a much better received show about a teenage girl and her day to day struggles that Disney released during the first half of the decade. Inevitably, there was a theatrical film which wasn’t the best received film that Disney released this decade but was a much bigger improvement over its spiritual successor and spawned a successful soundtrack to boot.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
Why not #14
Popular in 2003
It appears that Lee Kernaghan was one of those artists who saw more success with each album he released similar to that of the Foo fighters and Keith Urban here in Australia, indeed his popularity would increase when Keith finally saw his mainstream breakthrough later in the decade.
Peak position #5
Popular in 2002
Machine gun fellatio (MGF for short) must have been one of the more provocative bands to make it big in Australia this decade, this was their second album which saw a massive push from Triple J thanks to their campy stage antics as well as their overall imagery (just look at this album cover and that should give you an idea of where I’m getting at.) Unfortunately, this only worked for this one album for them.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
Roller coaster #38
Popular in 2002, 2003
We have another entry from Sony’s lucrative Essential series, although this time it’s with a limited edition of John Farnham’s entry which I’m guessing ARIA bundled with the standard edition as it somehow managed to chart for quite a while despite clearly being a collector’s item.
Peak position #6
Popular in 2009
This is the final successful album that Eric Clapton had here in Australia, likely due to the presence of B.B King as the blues legend pays tribute to the older blues legend in a respectful way. Even so, this was a bit of a sleeper success as it randomly spiked in popularity throughout the year for some reason.
Peak position #5
Popular in 2000
This will be the only album from Ashanti that appears on this site of mine, it was her debut album which means that the lead single going to number one in her native America meant that it was her debut single (at least as a lead artist) to achieve this feat. I guess her consistently working with Ja Rule put off her fans from her future endeavours who felt she was little more than a chorus lady on his albums.
Peak position #10
Hit singles
Foolish #6
Happy #29
Popular in 2002
The film I am Sam was panned by critics upon its initial release, mainly for simplifying issues involving mental health which ironically is what better movies that handle this topic such as Rain man and Forest Gump get criticised for nowadays (perhaps those critics are thinking of this film when criticising those films.) Also, for some reason, the soundtrack is built around covers of the Beatles catalogue, which I suppose explains why it was a commercial success.
Peak position #8
Popular in 2002
This is sort of a best of album from Human nature as it does contain their back catalogue from when they were a boy band, however they’ve reimagined all of their previous hits in their new style which proved to be a bit more of a success for them than their previous album which was more of the same from their first two albums.
Peak position #10
Popular in 2008
Well so much for the first Ally McBeal soundtrack being an inessential album, this came out around the time the A.V club declared it as such which goes to show just how wrong the publication was at suggesting the smoky jazz found on these albums wouldn’t connect with a (then) modern audience even if this was far less successful than the previous entry.
Peak position #17
Popular in 2000
Before the likes of Duffy, Leona Lewis and Adele, there was Joss Stone when it came to British artists finding success with American soul back in the day, this was the first of two albums she scored massive worldwide success with this year (the other sadly won’t be appearing on this list) thanks to her unique vocals bring life to these soul numbers in a way that can rival the likes of those who came after her.
Peak position #16
Popular in 2004
It was inevitable that the debut album from Colbie Caillat would be a success here in Australia given how it spawned a huge hit here for her, although it’s worth noting that it sat on our shelves ignored for almost a year due to how long it took for “Bubbly” to take off here compared to the rest of the world.
Peak position #13
Hit singles
Bubbly #1
Popular in 2008
Even with the controversy they found themselves in with the 2000 ARIA awards ceremony, this one and only album from Madison Avenue still managed to be a massive success here in Australia due to the hype that went into the album due to its lead single becoming a massive worldwide success for the duo. Of course, they weren’t able to shake off the controversy they caused at the ceremony which led to them eventually breaking up.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Don’t call me baby #2
Who the hell are you #1
Everything you need #6
Popular in 2000
This wasn’t as big a success for Human nature as their previous two albums were, however, that was largely due to it being considered a holiday album given how it quickly fell off the charts going into the new year.
Peak position #2
Popular in 2007
This proved to be the least successful soundtrack to the High school musical trilogy, likely because the film wasn’t released to theatres like the third instalment was nor the novelty fresh like the first instalment. Still, it proved to be a massive success for the project and confirmed its main lead Zac Effron as a new force to be reckoned with in Hollywood given his appearing on the Hairspray project from earlier on this list.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
What time is it #20
Popular in 2007
This is the last successful album that U2 had in their catalogue, partially due to rock music struggling to have mainstream appeal throughout the 2010’s but mostly due to the controversy they caused with their next album by uploading it to everyone’s iTunes account without anyone’s permission.
Peak position #1×2
Hit singles
Get on your boots #26
Popular in 2009
This was the final successful album to come from Madonna, it was mainly for the lead single becoming a massive worldwide hit for the queen of pop but also due to her having good will from her previous album which was one of the bigger hits of the decade for her. Unlike most artists who failed to find further success in the 2010’s, her failure was due to her conforming to the internet culture of the decade to dire results.
Peak position #1×1
Hit singles
4 minutes #1
Give it 2 me #23
Popular in 2008
This was the first of three collaborative albums between husband-and-wife duo Shane Nicholson and Kasey Chambers, the latter of which was already one of the biggest names in Australian music whilst the former was a mere critical darling prior to the release of this album. It was a massive success thanks to her artist momentum as well as it being a good year for a bluegrass album like this to do well in.
Peak position #1×1
Popular in 2008
The last time we looked at an album from Ronan Keating, it was with his second solo album from seven years prior which was a far cry from this covers album he dedicated to the mothers of the world this year. He conveniently released it in time for Mother’s Day which is why it managed to become a success this year.
Peak position #1×4
Popular in 2009
This guy was completely inescapable this year, so much so that one of his earlier albums managed to become a modest success here in Australia which further boosted his popularity.
Peak position #2
Popular in 2008
I never watched Sex and the city nor will I ever watch a single second of this franchise (because contrary to what you might think of me on this site, I’m actually not into vacuous chick media and everything about this franchise makes me wish I was more into Sylvester Stallone flicks than I am) I do know the first theatrical film was a massive success partially due to the soundtrack, hence why we’re looking at it here.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Mercy #26
Labels or love #15
Popular in 2008
We haven’t seen many Christmas albums make it big in recent memory, indeed one of the more successful entries comes from Enya who scored a surprise hit with this album proving that the new age genre of the 90’s still had some commercial appeal this far into the new millennium.
Peak position #7
Popular in 2008
This is the last solo album that Kasey Chambers had success with here in Australia as her next few albums would be collaborations with her husband Shane Nicholson, it’s also the final album to spawn a hit single for her albeit a minor hit given how it failed to appear on the singles list for this year.
Peak position #1×1
Hit singles
Nothing at all #9
Popular in 2006
Following her departure from the Rogue traders, Natalie Bassingthwaighte decided to embark on a solo career which was off to a good start with her solo debut album given how it not only spawned two giant hits as the decade was coming to an end but was also a massive success in its own right given its appearance on this list. Alas this was the full extent of her popularity away from her meal ticket band.
Peak position #1×1
Hit singles
Alive #8
Someday soon #7
1000 stars #30
Popular in 2009
This was a modest success for the Living end this year, although I maintain that it should’ve been a massive success for them this year given how I firmly believe they were done dirty by digital piracy even this far into the new millennium. Indeed, had they delayed this album by just a few months, it could’ve easily been among the most popular albums of the decade thanks to legal digital downloads.
Peak position #1×1
Hit singles
What’s on your radio #9
Wake up #5
Long live the weekend #23
Nothing lasts forever #39
Popular in 2006
This was the last successful album that the Corrs had anywhere in the world, I’m guessing this was another victim of Australian idol pushing aside established artists in order to promote the contestants of the show as I don’t remember hearing much about this back in the day. They would release one more album the following year to deafening silence which resulted in them going their separate ways afterwards.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Summer sunshine #13
Popular in 2004
This is a covers album from John Farnham where he takes several Australian classics from the twentieth century to make his own, it was a surprise hit for him likely due to the nostalgia circuit becoming stronger as we ventured towards the new millennium. It would prove to be the last successful album in his catalogue save for a few Christmas albums in the 2010’s.
Peak position #2
Popular in 2005
Well, I did mention earlier on this list that this was a commercial disappointment for Kelly Rowland, in fact I’m willing to be that it was only a success here in Australia thanks to how big the two lead singles were here (despite the fact that one of them came from Nelly’s appearance from earlier on this list.) At least this does make an appearance on this site, which is more than I can say for her second solo album.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
Dilemma #1
Stole #2
Can’t nobody #13
Popular in 2003
This was Ben Harper’s gospel album which became a moderate success here in Australia likely due to the success of his previous album from the previous year, he also recruits a gospel group known as the Blind boys of Alabama who have been active since the 30’s, although I’m guessing this is the offspring of the original members given how old said members would’ve been around this time.
Peak position #6
Popular in 2004
One of the best rom coms of the decade is easily Love actually, a Christmas film that has several stories intertwined with each other about several British citizens falling in love at a time where that seemed to be nigh impossible in modern society. As with most British films, it had a rather eclectic soundtrack which is perhaps why the soundtrack managed to be a massive success in addition to the film.
Peak position #9
Hit singles
The trouble with love is #11
Popular in 2004
This will be the final appearance from Travis on this site as the Scottish band failed to achieve any further success after this album anywhere in the world, although they at least got in one final hit in their native UK with its lead single after the success of Coldplay’s earlier entry on this list which I still believe is the reason why they didn’t have any further success after this album.
Peak position #7
Hit singles
Sing #41
Popular in 2001
When news broke that the Spice girls would reunite for a one-off world tour, fans were so excited that they bought this greatest hits package in droves despite them only having three albums during their time together from the late 90’s and earlier in the decade. While the tour was a massive success, it wasn’t a permanent reunion as the girls sadly remembered why they broke up in the first place and did so again.
Peak position #1×1
Popular in 2007
This was a bit more successful than their previous album, I guess because this was their attempt at becoming the likes of Rage against the machine or other heavier rock bands with a political edge to their lyricism. Indeed, this saw the band take a stance against politics which was a common troupe that the decade would become known for, although they weren’t the biggest success stories in this regard.
Peak position #1×1
Hit singles
I am mine #12
Love boat captain #29
Popular in 2002, 2003
Given how Blink 182 had called it quits this year (albeit temporarily) it seemed like the perfect opportunity for their label to issue a greatest hits package which was predictably a success for them here in Australia given how popular their last three album was throughout the decade so far.
Peak position #4
Popular in 2005
This is the last album that Ronan Keating released that can be considered mainstream music, after this he would reinvent himself as a crooner similar to the likes of Michael Bublé and what Human Nature had become, making him yet another former teen idol to transition into making music for our mothers.
Peak position #6
Popular in 2006
While this wasn’t as popular as their previous entry on this site, the fact that it did spawn a massive hit for Thirsty merc with its lead single did allow it to retain some of the success that their earlier work had achieved throughout the decade. This would sadly be the band’s final success as their 2010’s work would flop due to that decades seeming allergic reaction to rock and its many sub genres.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
20 good reasons #4
Popular in 2007
This is where it all began for Alecia Moore AKA P!nk, although it’s also considered the black sheep of her catalogue given how it was an RNB album rather than the pop punk that the rest of her catalogue would turn out to be. It had a bit of a climb to its success here in Australia given how she was an unknown artist at the time, and indeed she’s since distanced herself from the album due to her dissatisfaction making it.
Peak position #10
Hit singles
There you go #2
Most girls #1
You make me sick #25
Popular in 2000
This was released mere months after Ray Charles tragically passed away from health complications, this is kind of similar to David Bowie’s final album ★ except Bowie was able to live to see that albums initial release as opposed to Ray being unable to do so for his album. Naturally this swept the Grammy awards for this year for the RNB legend as well as it becoming a massive success worldwide out of sentimentality.
Peak position #4
Popular in 2005
You have no idea how inescapable the Hampsterdance craze was here in Australia, it was so unavoidable that the album it spawned from managed to be a massive success here and that doesn’t even surprise me giving how it managed to spawn a second hit down under to boot.
Peak position #7
Hit singles
The hampsterdance song #5
Thank god I’m a country boy #12
The hampsterdance party #44
Popular in 2001
Given how inescapable “I see you baby” was at the start of the decade (trust me it was EVERYWHERE on the radio) it only makes sense that the band behind that earworm would eventually have a successful album to their name which came with this album which all but confirmed that country music was out and EDM was in. It had a bit of a slow start to its success but eventually found its audience this year.
Peak position #8
Hit singles
Superstyling #49
Popular in 2002
This was far less popular than Fall out boy’s previous album here in Australia, although at least it was a success here which is more than I can say for the rest of the band’s output given how their earlier catalogue failed to find an international audiences and their post breakup material from the 2010’s fell victim to rock being exiled from the mainstream as well as their fanbases disappointment in the band by that point.
Peak position #9
Hit singles
I don’t care #20
America’s sweethearts #26
Popular in 2008, 2009
This was originally a flop when it came out the previous year, so much so that it didn’t even chart here due to how much of a disappointment it was compared to Shakira’s first English language album. It was given a second chance with the deluxe edition as that spawned one of the biggest hits of the decade with her collaboration with Wyclef Jean, which allowed the album to finally achieve success here.
Peak position #9
Hit singles
Don’t bother #30
Hips don’t lie #1
Popular in 2006
OK so I’m throwing a curveball with this final entry on my list as this was obviously originally released three years prior for Lily Allen where it was a minor success for her here in Australia. ARIA does have this listed on their yearend list likely due to the success of her earlier entry on this list, however I feel this is more of them making up for failing to have this on their 2006 and 2007 lists than anything else.
Peak position #7
Hit singles
Smile #14
LDN #39
Popular in 2009
Following a string of failed singles and albums where he tried to become a teen idol, the son of Jimmy Barnes David Campbell decided to reinvent himself as a throwback artist where he covered swing tunes from the first half of the twentieth century that saw massive success for the son of the Cold chisel frontman. It was a niche that helped him find further success with his subsequent follow ups.
Peak position #7
Popular in 2006, 2007
This was the debut album for one Alex Lloyd, an Australian indie folk singer/songwriter who initially struggled to find success with this entry the previous year likely due to it being pushed aside for a bunch of what I like to call “last hurrah” releases from the big names of the 90’s. It finally rose up the ranks this year likely due to Triple J placing the singles on their yearend list for 1999 to belatedly promote the album.
Peak position #9
Hit singles
My way home #50
Popular in 2000
This is the second volume of the Panel series that found success here in Australia, these albums would peak in 2002 with The latest collection entry, however each of them did decently in their own right.
Peak position #10
Popular in 2002
This was a surprise hit for Livie given how she hadn’t found any success since the Main event concert from 1998, here she cashes in on the duets trend that had taken off at the start of the new millennium which allowed her to have a hit album for the first time since her 1981 magnum opus Physical.
Peak position #5
Popular in 2002, 2003
Following the demise of both Rage against the machine and Soundgarden, members of both bands decided to combine forces and form a new band called Audioslave who found instant success with their first album due to their respective fanbases following them towards their new venture. It would be their biggest success together even though they released several other albums throughout the decade.
Peak position #8
Hit singles
Like a stone #35
Popular in 2002, 2003
This was a huge success here in Australia upon its initial release, however its true success here wouldn’t come until the end of the decade following the tragic death of MJ where people used it as a convenient way of rediscovering his back catalogue to honour his legacy.
Peak position #12
Popular in 2005
This is an updated version of the album of the same name from 1994, I’m not sure why this was released this year, however it seemed to pay off for the Eagles given that it was a modest success around the world even though the band had yet to release anything new since they reformed seven years prior.
Peak position #11
Popular in 2001
Although their (then) most recent album was a bit of a commercial disappointment, that didn’t prevent Green day from releasing a greatest hits album which somewhat picked up the slack that Warning gave them. Even so, they really needed to rethink their strategy moving forward especially after they lost the master tapes of their new album they were working on, the result was their biggest album of their career.
Peak position #11
Popular in 2001, 2002
This will be the final album I feature from J-Lo on this site, mainly because none of her other albums managed to become a success for her over the years in Australia. Heck this album was only a success due to it having a lead single that rubbed people the wrong way upon its initial release which resulted in them checking it out to see if it would be as pretentious throughout its runtime which it turns out it wasn’t.
Peak position #14
Hit singles
Jenny from the block #5
All I have #2
I’m glad #10
Popular in 2002, 2003
We have another appearance from Andrea Bocelli on this site of mine, even though his popularity was dwindling as the decade went on, it was still strong enough for him to compete with the likes of Michael Bublé and Amici forever when it comes to the realms of classical music.
Peak position #12
Popular in 2004
This had a bit of a slow start to its success here in Australia, in fact it was mostly a sleeper hit for Destiny’s child as it bounced in and out of our top twenty whenever a new single was released from the album which lasted throughout most of the year. Like most sleeper hits, it was far more successful than its low ranking on here would have you suggest even if it wasn’t a huge success with the popular crowd.
Peak position #11
Hit singles
Lose my breath #3
Soldier #3
Girl #5
Cater 2 u #15
Popular in 2005
Named after his breakthrough album from 1973, this admittedly took a while to become a success here in Australia as it was originally released two years prior to deafening silence for the piano man. I’m guessing it did take off due to the nostalgia circuit becoming a thing for the first time this year as we’ll see for the remainder of these lists from the 00’s.
Peak position #14
Popular in 2006
Following the success of the Kanye west track that sampled one of their more iconic songs, Daft punk were suddenly able to find massive worldwide success with this live album which was a sign of the return of their popularity even if they didn’t release another album for another six years after this came out.
Peak position #14
Hit singles
Harder better faster stronger #43
Popular in 2008
We have another entry from Pearl jam to feature on this site, it was a hit purely through their artist momentum as at this point, their fanbase had been reduced to those who felt that the Foo fighters needed some competition with these guys being the best to fill in that role.
Peak position #2
Popular in 2007
Following the success of their previous album from the previous year, Blink 182 no longer had any issues with finding success with their subsequent follow ups here in Australia such as this album which proved to be their penultimate album from their original run together. It didn’t spawn any hits for the band; however, they didn’t need any at this point given how dedicated their fanbase was.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
The rock show #34
First date #50
Popular in 2001
Given how his earlier entry on this list had finally taken off worldwide, it allowed John Mayer’s second album to become an instant success here in Australia which goes to show how much of an overnight sensation he had become despite how long he had to wait for his other album to take off worldwide.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Bigger than my body #38
Popular in 2003
It appears that Bon Jovi was still hanging in there with their latest album to appear on my site, indeed this likely only became a success due to the nostalgia bug kicking in with us Aussies for their 80’s material even though this feels more like a return to their mid 90’s sell-out period in terms of their sound.
Peak position #2
Popular in 2007
This will be the only album from Slipknot to appear on this site as it was the only album of theirs to find any sort of success in the southern hemisphere, their earlier work somehow didn’t find much of a success here likely due to audiences finding their image too frightening to get into whilst their later work was released during rock and roll’s exile from the mainstream throughout the 2010’s.
Peak position #1×2
Popular in 2008
Well, if Limp Bizkit and Korn could have success with nu metal in Australia this year, why not a homegrown band? Here we have the breakthrough album of 28 days who managed to make it big through a combination of heavy promotion on Triple J as well as fans finding this similar to what their American counterparts had to offer upon its initial release.
Peak position #1×1
Hit singles
Here we go #21
Rip it up #12
Goodbye #50
Popular in 2000
This is the last album from the Cat Empire to find any sort of success during their career, this is because rock and alternative music become unpopular once the decade ended likely to allow the club boom to permeate during the 2010’s with only the indie boom of that era surviving in these two sub genres.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
No longer there #12
Popular in 2007
It had been a while since Tina Arena last troubled the charts with one of her albums, in fact her last album to appear on this site was In deep from a decade prior, meaning that it was clear her time in the spotlight was up until she released this covers album that became a surprise success for her here in Australia.
Peak position #3
Popular in 2007
It had been a while since the Whitlams were a force to be reckoned with in our music scene, however that didn’t mean that fans weren’t ecstatic when they released a greatest hits package this year given that it was a massive success for the band a decade after their big breakthrough.
Peak position #3
Popular in 2008
The second theatrical film to the Charlie’s angels’ franchise wasn’t well received back in the day, granted the first film does have its critics, however it was more unanimous that the second film was a dud. The same could be said for the soundtrack as apart from its lead single (which also served as the lead single for P!nk’s third album) it took failed to connect with audiences save for the diehard fans of the franchise.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Feel good time #7
Popular in 2003
This is the final nail in the coffin that was Australian idol, so much so that it was barely a success here in Australia for Stan Walker despite it being a massive success for him in his homeland and the catalyst for a highly successful career over there that he couldn’t replicate over here despite initially finding success in our music scene.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Black box #2
Popular in 2009
Remember when Disney used to be a magical company that told innovative stories with captivating music? This album from Michael Crawford may help jog those long distant memories as he collects several key songs from these movies and puts his own spin on them. Naturally it was a hit for the diehard Disney fans which at the time, overlapped with his own fanbase that stuck around from the 90’s.
Peak position #1×2
Popular in 2001
One of the more compelling biopics of all time was the one made for Ray Charles around the time he tragically passed away, mainly due to a compelling performance given by Jamie Foxx who won an Oscar for his portrayal of the RNB legend (at the behest of near-sighted people who felt a blind person should’ve played the role.) Naturally his renditions of the legend’s classics were a highlight in the film as well.
Peak position #7
Popular in 2005
This is the final album from Celine Dion to have any sort of success in her career anywhere in the world, even then, it was only a modest success at best here in Australia proving that her time in the spotlight had officially come to an end. I think this album could’ve done better in here were it not for that infamous Vegas show she gave the previous year.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
I drove all night #22
Popular in 2003
I guess it was only a matter of time before Jimmy Barnes made a second Soul deep album given how inexplicably popular the first album was a decade prior, although this wasn’t nearly as big as the first edition likely due to the novelty of him covering Motown classics not being as strong in the new millennium as it was in the early 90’s.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Chain of fools #15
Popular in 2000
It appears that in 2003, the producers of Dirty dancing decided to release the two soundtracks created for the film as one entry, for whatever reason, it only became a success here in Australia this year on the film’s eighteenth anniversary instead of its initial release or in 2007 which would’ve been its twentieth anniversary.
Peak position #5
Popular in 2005
We have one final entry to showcase from Andre Bocelli on this site, although it’s worth noting that the blind opera singer continued to find middling success even in recent years, suggesting that his fanbase may be much smaller than it once was, but is dedicated regardless.
Peak position #5
Popular in 2006
One of the first bands to make it big thanks to social media was the Arctic Monkeys, specifically it was due to them posting their songs on Myspace which eventually gained the attention of their label who signed them based on how well they did on that site. This was the album they put together following them being signed which was an instant success around the world thanks to their online notoriety.
Peak position #1×1
Hit singles
I bet you look good on the dance floor #18
When the sun goes down #26
Popular in 2006
This is Keith Urban’s only appearance on this site given how he didn’t start finding massive success here in Australia until this album became a hit for him, although for what it’s worth, he would find massive success throughout the 2010’s likely due to his presence on the Voice Australia as well as country music doing quite well that decade down under.
Peak position #3
Popular in 2009
This was the victory album for Wes Carr, although unlike the victory albums from Australian Idol’s previous two winners, he was given a proper studio album as opposed to a live album that captured all of his performances on the show which explains why A: it had its released delayed to this year and B: why it spawned more than one hit from the album.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
You #1
Feels like woah #14
Popular in 2009
Although this and their follow-up they released the following year wasn’t as successful as their debut album from earlier in the decade, Audioslave nonetheless managed to retain a following from that project with these two releases during a time where rock music’s popularity was eaten up by digital piracy. That is to say, the genre was popular, just in a way that wasn’t accurately represented by the charts at the time.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Be yourself #34
Popular in 2005
For eight years this was the final album from AC/DC, suggesting that the band were ready to call it quits but didn’t due to how much they loved touring in the new millennium. They would of course be back with a new album later in the decade, an album that was such a success that it felt like it came out of their heyday from the 70’s and 80’s.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Satellite blues #23
Popular in 2000
This feels like an album that belongs on the compilation charts given how it has a group of songs that have no connection to each other, however ARIA seems to have allowed this to chart on their main charts which is why it’s able to appear on this list and not the seasonal compilations from the 100% hits or So fresh series.
Peak position #7
Popular in 2001
Following the success of her debut album here, Hilary Duff was able to rush out a second album which includes a cover of a Belinda Carlisle classic that divides audiences to this day. This cover was well received enough for the album to become a massive success here upon its initial release, although the rest of the album failed to keep it on the charts like the singles from her previous album did.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
Our lips are sealed #8
Fly #21
Somebody’s watching over me #22
Popular in 2004
This was a decent success for Queens of the stone age here in Australia likely due to the band’s previous album successfully putting them on the map in our alternative scene, this is another album I feel could’ve been even more successful were it not for their target audience being the same group of people who engaged with digital piracy as was the case for many fanbases of popular rock bands this decade.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Little sister #40
Popular in 2005
This was the debut album for Lisa Mitchell, an English born Australian folk singer who saw massive success with this album thanks to Triple J picking it up and heavily promoting it for her which allowed a multitude of her fellow Aussies to make it a success this year and even into the new decade. Sadly like most alternative artists from the 00’s, her subsequent follow ups flopped due to how the mainstream worked in the 2010’s.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
Coin laundry #28
Popular in 2009
This is the only successful album to come from baritone singer Patrizio Buanne, likely because he wasn’t able to compete with the likes of Il Divo and Michael Bublé in the realms of classical music despite there being a shorter of baritone vocalists in the mainstream this decade (particularly those from Italy.)
Peak position #3
Popular in 2005, 2006
Although this was more of a success in NZ than it was here in Australia, the fact that it managed to find an audience with us Aussies proves that there was a market to be had with Amici forever which makes their demise the following year that much more confusing even if you can attribute that to the band failing to make it big in their native UK.
Peak position #4
Popular in 2005
Given how these guys were the hottest new punk rock band of the moment, a live album was inevitable which they delivered with this entry that became an instant success for the trio due to them injecting their trademark humour and personality into the live show that this album captures the best moments of. It would lead to the success of their next album which would then make them a household name here in Australia.
Peak position #6
Popular in 2000
Here’s the other artist to benefit from Sony’s Essential series this year, it turns out to be someone that Neil Diamond collaborated with as Barbra Streisand had a massive hit with the pop crooner with “You don’t bring me flowers” from 1978 (which came from her own greatest hits package funnily enough.)
Peak position #5
Popular in 2002
We have another Australia band to gain exposure thanks to heavy promotion on Triple J this year, this time it’s the garage band the Vines who released their debut album to critical and commercial success making this an excellent time for alternative music, that is if all of it wasn’t getting pirated from its “fans” which explains why A: these albums don’t appear higher on these lists and B: why they often failed to produce hit singles.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
Get free #44
Outtathaway #38
Homesick #50
Popular in 2002
I guess it would’ve been strange if these guys faded into obscurity with their follow up album to A funk odyssey, even then, this proved to be a massive disappointment compared to that work which is perhaps why they haven’t seen much success since this came out.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Feels just like it should #27
Popular in 2005
Given how we were seeing the likes of the Eagles and the Traveling wilburys on the charts around this time, it only makes sense that Led Zeppelin would also have a hit with this greatest hits package given how twentieth century nostalgia had finally kicked in with the mainstream as the decade was coming to an end.
Peak position #8
Popular in 2007
Given the success of the biopic that we looked at earlier on this list, it only makes sense that fans of Johnny Cash (or rather the film given that it portrayed him warts and all) would check out his back catalogue which they did with this greatest hits package that was conveniently released around this time to allow fans to do just that.
Peak position #10
Popular in 2002
From what I can gather, the Beach starring Leonardo DiCaprio was a critical and commercial disaster upon its release in early 00 (I haven’t seen it nor do I plan on doing so.) The only reason I can gather for why it was a success was due to it spawning a huge hit for All saints who were still riding the success of their debut album from three years prior.
Peak position #10
Hit singles
Pure shores #4
Popular in 2000
A perfect circle is a side project that Tool front man Maynard James Keenan launched this year, it was off to a good start as this became a huge success due to how much love it received from Triple J as well as his fanbase from his main band.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Judith #25
The hollow #49
Popular in 2000
Given how the lead single quickly became one of the biggest hits of the decade worldwide, it only makes sense that the album it came from would also be a huge success for the band in question. Lifehouse was on a roll this year as were a lot of rock bands who took influence from Pearl jam, although like Creed, their popularity would quickly dwindle the further into the 00’s we got.
Peak position #10
Hit singles
Hanging by a moment #1
Popular in 2001
This is yet another greatest hits package from Abba that was released around this time, I guess this was to retire their previous album from ten years prior given how that refused to die on our charts even back in the day. Alas it didn’t work as this has long since faded into obscurity in favour of that other album coming back every time something Abba related happens.
Peak position #10
Popular in 2002, 2003
While this didn’t see the massive success of their previous two albums, the fact that it spawned easily their biggest hit (at least in the southern hemisphere) did allow it to stick around for quite some time here in Australia. Heck it probably would’ve done even better were it not for the Australian idol phenomenon as it was yet another victim of being pushed aside in favour of that shows popularity.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Eat you alive #30
Behind blue eyes #4
Popular in 2003
This was the final entry from the Panel franchise, as such it was only a minor success given how the series didn’t release any more albums after this failed to bring in the big numbers of their earlier entries.
Peak position #8
Popular in 2005
This was a bit of a mini comeback for the Backstreet boys, although it was their first album since their 2000 effort Black and blue, so perhaps they wanted to wait things out to see where they could go now that they had won the boy band wars of the 90’s. Naturally they went the Michael Bublé route of maturing their sound and lyrics to appeal to likely the same fanbase that made them a success in the 90’s.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
Incomplete #1
Just want you to know #22
I still #16
Popular in 2005
Given how they had fulfilled their destiny with their final album, it makes sense that Destiny’s child would release a greatest hits package this year which contains not only all of their songs they released as singles (not just the chart toppers like the name suggests) but also a brand-new single from Beyonce that would go on to be the theme to the Pink panther remake from around this time.
Peak position #10
Popular in 2005, 2006
This was the first of many successful country albums to come from Lee Kernaghan now that Australian country music was becoming more mainstream on our charts, I didn’t realise country fans were among those who got their music through illegal downloads during the first half of the decade as it appears it was through downloads that these albums were the most popular.
Peak position #6
Popular in 2006
This was the sophomore album from Birds of Tokyo as well as the first to garner them any sort of attention due to it being a favourite on Triple J, it failed to spawn any hits for them like their 2010’s material did, however it lasted long enough on the upper echelons of our charts to qualify for this list.
Peak position #3
Popular in 2008
For the most part, this was just another John Mayer album that underperformed on the charts worldwide given how his heyday had long since passed since his breakthrough six years prior. This album only makes the cut due to its refusal to drop off our charts during the early stretch of the 2010’s likely due to strong radio fare that the singles had down under.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Who says #31
Heartbreak warfare #31
Popular in 2009
Although it was panned by critics for its lacklustre filming techniques (much like other films directed by Joel Schumacher) the theatrical adaptation of Phantom of the opera was a commercial success thanks to the fanbase of the stage version flocking to see it. The soundtrack was also a moderate success here in Australia, although I don’t know why as the singing was also panned by critics and fans alike.
Peak position #11
Popular in 2005
This is technically the soundtrack to the TV series of the same name given how these kids were the stars of a TV show in addition to the second brainchild of Simon Fueller’s takeover the pop scene following his first success with the Spice girls (before they fired him for Spiceworld.) This was a massive success worldwide except for in America where kiddie pop didn’t have much crossover appeal from non-American artists.
Peak position #17
Hit singles
Bring it all back #3
S club party #2
Two in a million #25
Popular in 2000
It had been eight years since Billy Joel released a new album in his catalogue, heck it’s been nearly three decades (as of this writing) since River of dreams was released and that’s still the case to this day. It appears the kiwis were so desperate for new material that they made this greatest hits package a success for him in the hopes he would satisfy them and his fans worldwide with a new album.
Peak position #12
Popular in 2001
This seemed like a good opportunity for Human Nature to release a greatest hits package given that their previous album had given them their biggest hit in the form of its lead single, although like most greatest hits albums, it proved to be a bit of a jinx for their later output which they overcame by reinventing themselves as a throwback group to the likes of Motown and swing later in the decade.
Peak position #11
Hit singles
Always be with you #29
Popular in 2001, 2002
This album may be a bit low on this list as will be the next few albums, however rest assure that each of them were far more popular here in Australia back in the day than their placements would suggest given how they were all pushed aside in favour of the Australian Idol shenanigans this year. Suffice to say, this debut album from Franz Ferdinand was huge here thanks to its lead single and Triple J heavily promoting it.
Peak position #12
Hit singles
Take me out #25
Popular in 2004
This was a huge sleeper hit for Jessica Simpson here in Australia, likely due to the singles doing surprisingly well here which I guess was due to the success of her reality series which had premiered around the time it came out. It would be the last album to be a success in any way as the show unfortunately turned her into a laughingstock in both the real world and especially the internet.
Peak position #13
Hit singles
With you #4
Take my breath away #15
Angels #27
Popular in 2004
This is yet another album that struggled to find success upon its initial release here in Australia, although this time we have Triple J to thank for its eventual crossover success given how much love the singles received from the station back in the day. The station would curiously withdraw their support of the NZ indie band for their second album, not that they needed its endorsement due to how much bigger it was.
Peak position #15
Hit singles
It’s too late #16
For one day #25
Popular in 2005
Although he managed to achieve some success with the singles on this album here in Australia the previous year, it was likely due to his collaboration with P-Money that allowed this debut album from Scribe to be a huge sleeper hit for the rapper this year given how he seemingly managed to break down the barriers between Australian and NZ hip hop with his presence back in the day.
Peak position #12
Hit singles
Stand up #21
Not many #21
Dreaming #23
Popular in 2005
