The Best Psychedelic Rock Albums of the Decade

In this blog post, we’re counting down the best psychedelic rock albums of the decade. From classic reissues to brand new releases, these are the records that have taken us on a mind-bending sonic journey.

The best psychedelic rock albums of the 2010’s

Tame Impala – “Lonerism”

When it was released in 2012, Tame Impala’s “Lonerism” felt like a revelation. The Australian band, led by the visionary Kevin Parker, had already made a splash with their 2010 debut album “Innerspeaker,” but “Lonerism” took things to a whole new level.

The album is a masterclass in psychedelic rock, blending elements of classic rock, pop, and electronic music into a sound that feels both fresh and timeless. Parker’s songwriting is at its best on “Lonerism,” with tracks like “Feels Like We Only Go Backwards” and “Apocalypse Dreams” capturing the disorienting feeling of being lost in your own head.

The success of “Lonerism” made Tame Impala one of the biggest bands in the world, and they haven’t looked back since. If you’re looking for a gateway into the world of psychedelic rock, this is the perfect place to start.

The Black Keys – “El Camino”

The Black Keys’ seventh studio album, El Camino, was released on December 6, 2011. The album debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 and went on to sell more than 1.5 million copies in the United States. It received critical acclaim from music critics, who praised the band for their return to a more garage rock sound after their previous two albums had explored other genres. El Camino was nominated for five Grammy Awards, including Best Rock Album and Best Rock Performance, and won three.

The War on Drugs – “Lost in the Dream”

The War on Drugs’ 2014 album, “Lost in the Dream,” was a commercial and critical success. The album peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 chart and was named the best album of the year by many publications, including Pitchfork, Spin and Consequence of Sound. “Lost in the Dream” is a gorgeous album that sounds both modern and classic, thanks to Adam Granduciel’s stunning songwriting and the band’s lush arrangements.

Arcade Fire – “The Suburbs”

Arcade Fire released their third album, The Suburbs, in 2010 to critical acclaim. The album deals with themes of suburban life and boredom, and was inspired by frontman Win Butler’s childhood in the suburbs of Houston, Texas. The Suburbs is a concept album that follows the lives of two young lovers as they try to escape the suburbs. The album’s lead single, “Ready to Start”, was a commercial success, and the album went on to win the Grammy Award for Album of the Year.

MGMT – “Oracular Spectacular”

Oracular Spectacular is the debut studio album by American rock band MGMT, released on October 2, 2007 by Columbia Records. The album peaked at number 12 on the Billboard 200 and number one on the UK Albums Chart. “Time to Pretend” and “Kids” were both successful singles that were responsible for much of the album’s commercial success. Upon release, the album received generally positive reviews from music critics and was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album at the 51st Grammy Awards. In 2012, NME ranked it at number 140 on its list of the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time”.

The best psychedelic rock albums of the 2000’s

The new millennium brought with it a new era of music, and with it, some of the best psychedelic rock albums of the decade. In this list, we’ll take a look at some of the best psychedelic rock albums of the 2000’s.

The Flaming Lips – “Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots”

The Flaming Lips’ “Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots” was one of the most groundbreaking and inventive albums of the 2000’s. Incorporating elements of psychedelic rock, electronic music, and pop, the album was a critical and commercial success, earning the band their first Grammy Award.

The Strokes – “Is This It”

The Strokes’ debut album Is This It is one of the defining records of the early 2000s. The album’s raw, garage rock sound was a breath of fresh air in a music scene that was dominated by pop and hip-hop. The album’s catchy songs and Julian Casablancas’ cool, detached vocals made it an instant classic.

The White Stripes – “Elephant”

The White Stripes – “Elephant”

While garage rock revivalists the White Stripes initially gained notoriety for their pared-down, primitivist sound, on 2003’s Elephant they proved that they were just as comfortable rocking out on a more ambitious scale. Jack White’s riffs are as huge and unruly as ever, while Meg White provides a bedrock of muscular simplicity on the drum kit. The result is an album that’s loose, fun, and sonically adventurous, with songs like “Seven Nation Army” and “Ball and Biscuit” becoming bona fide classics in the process.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs – “Fever to Tell”

Yeah Yeah Yeahs – “Fever to Tell”

The Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ debut album “Fever to Tell” is a perfect example of the best psychedelic rock albums of the 2000’s. It’s a raw, intense and emotive album that perfectly captures the feeling of angst and confusion that comes with being a teenager. From the anthemic “Maps” to the dark and atmospheric “Black Tongue”, this is an album that is guaranteed to get under your skin and stay there.

Interpol – “Turn on the Bright Lights”

Interpol’s debut album is widely considered one of the best rock albums of the 2000’s. The album features a mixture of dark and brooding lyrics with catchy, guitar-driven melodies. “Turn on the Bright Lights” is an instant classic and one of the essential albums of the 2000’s.