The Best Albums of 2002

It’s hard to believe that our first Best Albums list came out in December 2002. The diverse tastes of our small team led to some unusual inclusions, such as Miss Black America, who had only just received a 5/10 rating for their debut release. Neil Halstead’s presence in an otherwise immaculate top ten is also odd. If I could travel back in time, I’d abuse my editorial privilege by switching him out for either Smog, Boards of Canada, Sigur Rós, or Queens of the Stone Age. Ultimately, it’s a minor quibble. Lists like these are never perfect, nor should they be. They capture the views of a group of people at a particular moment in time, and our views and tastes will always change. Discussing these changes is part of the fun. – David Coleman

50. Mike Johnson
What Would You Do
(Up)

49. Miss Black America
God Bless Miss Black America
(Integrity)

48. Roots Manuva
Dub Come Save Me
(Big Dada)

47. The Bees
Sunshine Hit Me
(We Love You/Astralwerks)

46. Crooked Fingers
Reservoir Songs EP
(Merge)

45. McLusky
McLusky Do Dallas
(Too Pure / Beggars)

44. Tom Waits
Blood Money
(Anti)

43. Reindeer Section
Son Of Evil Reindeer
(Bright Star)

42. DJ Shadow
The Private Press
(MCA)

41. Spoon
Kill The Moonlight
(Merge)

40. Camper Van Beethoven
Tusk
(Pitch A Tent)

39. Smog
Accumulation: None
(Domino / Drag City)

38. The Lollies
Taste
(Fortune & Glory)

37. Boards Of Canada
Geogaddi
(Warp)

36. Belle & Sebastian
Storytelling
(Jeepster)

35. Gomez
In Our Gun
(Hut)

34. Lewis Parker
It's All Happening Now
(Melankolic/Virgin)

33. Malcolm Middleton
5:14 Fluoxytine Seagull Alcohol John Nicotine 
(Chemikal Underground)

32. Sleater-Kinney
One Beat
(Kill Rock Stars)

31. Brendan Benson
Lapalco
(StarTime)

30. Pearl Jam
Riot Act
(Sony)

29. Low
Trust
(Kranky)

28. My Computer
Vulnerabilia
(13 Amp)

27. Mike Doughty
Smofe + Smang: Live in Minneapolis
(Self-released)

26. Ballboy
A Guide For Daylight Hours
(SL)

25. Mink Lungs
The Better Button
(Arena Rock)

24. The Coral
The Coral
(Sony / Deltasonic)

23. Ben Kweller
Sha Sha
(679 Recordings)

22. Lemon Jelly
Lost Horizons
(XL)

21. The Catheters
Static Delusions and Stone-Still Days
(Sub Pop)

20. Weezer
Maladroit
(Interscope)

19. The Breeders
Title TK
(Elektra)

18. Sigur Rós
( )
(FatCat / PIAS)

17. The Libertines
Up The Bracket
(Rough Trade)

16. Clinic
Walking With Thee
(Domino)

15. The Streets
Original Pirate Material
(Locked On)

14. Hayden
Skyscraper National Park
(Hardwood)

13. Godspeed You! Black Emperor
Yanqui U.X.O.
(Constellation)

12. J Mascis
Free So Free
(Ultimatum)

11. Queens Of The Stone Age
Songs For The Deaf
(Interscope)

10. Tom Waits
Alice
(Anti)

It’s obviously been a good year for Tom Waits. He may not have been the only artist to have released two or more albums this year—Frank Black memorably released two on the same day—but I can’t see any of the others in the Top 10. Good work, Mr Waits, and long may it continue. – David Coleman

9. Wilco
Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
(Nonsuch)

On this, their fourth album, Jeff Tweedy and co. simply stun with sheer reach and ingenuity. They will just as quickly make you shake your smiling head (“Heavy Metal Drummer”), as break your sorry heart (“Ashes Of American Flags”). And with Jim O’Rourke on hand, to add yet more spiky touches of genius, only the bleakest of hearts will fail to be touched by the colossal weight of aching creativity that flows through this record" – Mark Mason

8. Sonic Youth
Murray Street
(Geffen)

Considering that it’s the first Sonic Youth album since Jim O’Rourke joined the band full-time, Murray Street has a surprisingly accessible feel. Oddly enough, the man renowned for pushing Smog and Wilco into more experimental territory has, if anything, tidied up the Sonic Youth sound for this beautifully focused collection of songs. Even lengthy cuts like “Rain On Tin” and “Karen Revisited” never lose their sense of purpose, and if it wasn't for the strangely out-of-place “Plastic Sun,” this album may well have topped the whole list. Even so, a truly essential record. – David Coleman

7. ...And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead
Source Tags & Codes
(Interscope)

Even among the most open-minded fans of indie music, the phrase “major label debut” conjures up images of compromised sound and selling out. Thankfully, Texas four-piece Trail Of Dead not only proved their doubters wrong—they released the most accomplished record of their short career, and in “Another Morning Stoner,” one of the most memorable singles of the year. – David Coleman

6. Beck
Sea Change
(Geffen)

After the bloated purple homage of Midnight Vultures, Beck Hansen has written the perfect negative of that particular psychedelic puke-fest. Sea Change is a folk record of beautiful clarity, with enough contemporary sonic swirls to save it from retrospective purgatory. Whether it was a conscious decision to strip things down to their minimalist bare bones or as a result of emotional triggers, this is a stroke of genius from the tripping troubadour of the bizarre. – Mark Mason

5. Neil Halstead
Sleeping On Roads
(4AD)

When Sleeping On Roads hit the shops earlier this year, many critics seemed to miss the point. Perhaps they spent too much time pondering why Neil Halstead was releasing a solo record and not enough time actually listening to it. I must admit that my first impression was one of Mojave 3-lite, but with a bit of patience, Sleeping On Roads really pays off. This is the sound of one of the UK’s finest songwriters truly on top of his game. Cherish it. - David Coleman

4. The Polyphonic Spree
The Beginning Stages Of...
(679 Recordings)

Whatever twenty-five robed Texans conjures up in your mind, nothing will prepare you for the cinematic masterpiece of surround sound ecstasy that is The Beginning Stages Of.... It could soundtrack The Wizard Of Oz; it’s that bizarrely brilliant. The Tin Man would rust solid as he wept for joy, as soon as he heard “Days Like This” and its “Days like this keep me warm” refrain. – Mark Mason

3. Bright Eyes
Lifted or the Story is in the Soil Keep Your Ear to the Ground
(Saddle Creek / Witchita)

Another sterling effort from Nebraska’s favourite son, Conor Oberst. Lifted... may have its share of flaws, but on a track-for-track basis, it’s as strong an album as you’re likely to hear this year. Don't believe me? Have a quick listen to songs like “False Advertising,” “Bowl of Oranges” and “Method Acting” then. Still don’t believe me? – David Coleman

2. Interpol
Turn on the Bright Lights
(Matador)

In the end, this year’s race for the top spot proved to be a two-horse affair. Interpol’s Turn on the Bright Lights may have lost out, but it remains by far the most impressive debut album of the year. Forget the Strokes, forget the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, forget anyone else from New York for that matter—Interpol are quite simply the Big Apple’s finest musical export for years. They’ve worked hard, produced a masterful debut, and now they’re finally receiving the credit they deserve. For once, it seems, justice has been served. – David Coleman

1. The Flaming Lips
Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots
(Warner Bros)

On this, their latest journey into the sublime, Wayne Coyne and crew expand on the musical and emotional themes that ruled the glorious Soft Bulletin opus. Fundamentally, the album is based around the concept that life is scattered with random shots of excruciating pain, but there is such beauty and wonder to be found that you need to hang onto it as it passes and cherish it’s fleeting brilliance. The way in which The Flaming Lips have managed this with such style is testament to the genuine enthusiasm for life that the people involved have. This is the equivalent of having sunshine beaming from your speakers. Breathtaking! – Mark Mason