The Top 25 Grunge & Post-Grunge Albums of 2000 (Part 2)

(This is part 2 of a 2-part article. If you've read part 1, you can skip the introduction.)

We’re going back 25 years to hear some of the grungy albums of 2000, a nostalgic trip back to when we were all witnessing the nu-metal and pop punk rise in the millennium.  The original grunge titans had already faded into the shadows, and while the most popular first-wave post-grunge bands were still lingering on the scene, several skipped new releases in 2000, leaving the year a comparatively fragile and uneven chapter for the genre. Rock music overall carried grungy undertones, with a noticeable percentage of acts leaning on distorted guitars, angst-soaked vocals, and moody atmospherics, yet only a handful of albums have truly endured in collective memory over the past 25 years. Creed and Foo Fighters dominated radio, but their arena-sized anthems came from 1999 albums.

Among the year’s output, there were obscure, bargain-bin curiosities that surprisingly hold up well, albums that sound distinctly “dated” in their 2000 rock aesthetic—not just nostalgic but stamped with the sonic fingerprints of the era. Some records delivered towering, unforgettable singles yet faltered with uneven deep cuts, exposing the inconsistent craftsmanship beneath the hits. Many bands struggled for relevance against the explosive popularity of pop-punk and nu-metal, leaving lesser post-grunge acts overshadowed and under-heard compared to their mid-’90s heyday. A few established names returned with albums that were solid but uninspired, unable to match their career-defining peaks.

In hindsight, 2000 marked a transitional solidification of post-grunge—not as a raw, rebellious force, but as a more conventional, radio-friendly strain of rock. The second wave leaned toward formulaic structures and polished production, yet within that framework, there was still genuine artistry, sharp songwriting, and emotionally resonant tracks. Ultimately, the songs themselves mattered more than their stylistic dressing, proving that even in a weaker year for the genre, post-grunge retained its ability to connect and endure.

Let’s relive the year 2000 and look back at 25 albums that once kept the genres going and are now celebrating their 25-year anniversaries. Part 1 contains album summaries for 25-11. Here is the top 10 - again, just one website's opinion -these are all good albums that can swap around positions in any given day anyway. (what a cop out!)

Eve 6 – Horrorscope (Billboard #34, Gold) (10)

Never overly punky or metallic, Eve 6 carved out a smooth, polished post-grunge lane, paved with radio-ready production yet pavement-hard grit. Their sophomore album lightened the tone from their debut, but still brims with youthful exuberance, playful riffs, and conversationally introspective lyrics that kept both post-grunge and alt-rock fans engaged. When they accelerate, it’s with a pop-punk swagger and caffeinated urgency; when they slow down, they drift into mainstream alt-rock comfort zones.

“Promise” became the infectious, momentum-building hit single, climbing to #3 on Modern Rock, while “On the Roof Again” (#19) and “Here’s to the Night” (#33) added further chart presence. 'Horrorscope' peaked at #34 and eventually went gold, cementing its place as a bright, buoyant success. Max Collins’ voice is a soft, velvety blanket, even when he emotes with restrained aggression, always tinged with optimism and warmth. His bass lines bounce with joyful elasticity, Fagenson’s drumming bursts with celebratory precision, and Jon Siebels’ guitar chords ring with majestic, full-bodied resonance.

Pearl Jam – Binaural (Billboard #2, Gold) (9)

After a decade of epoch-defining rock dominance, Pearl Jam entered 2000 no longer the cultural juggernaut they once were, yet still a reliable, revered presence. 'Binaural' arrived as a mature, introspective statement, at a time when many grunge contemporaries had faded and rock was splintering into lighter pop-rock or heavier metal extremes. Pearl Jam weren’t pushing boundaries like in their 20s; instead, they leaned into songcraft and subtle exploration, occasionally experimenting but mostly reinforcing their signature alt-rock backbone.

“Nothing As It Seems” served as the moody, atmospheric lead single, embodying the album’s warm, familiar vibe. 'Binaural' feels like a sealed envelope of Pearl Jam’s identity—not groundbreaking, but comfortingly dependable. Performances range from exciting bursts of energy to intricate, layered arrangements to heartwarming balladry, all underscoring their seasoned craftsmanship. Pearl Jam may not have reached their earlier peaks here, but they delivered a box of reliable, rewarding compositions that reaffirmed their stature.

Cold – 13 Ways to Bleed On Stage (Billboard #98, Gold) (8)

Emerging as one of the newer entrants in the post-grunge landscape, Cold sharpened their sound with '13 Ways to Bleed On Stage'. The album dives into pained, angst-ridden reflections, wrapped in dense, layered guitar distortion—often two or three guitars thick—creating a harsh, suffocating wall of sound. Compared to their later Year of the Spider, this record carries less commercial polish but more raw intensity, still hitting radio hard. Singles like “Just Got Wicked,” “No One,” and “End of the World” all cracked the Top 25 on the Mainstream Rock chart, showcasing Cold’s darkly cathartic energy, brooding heaviness, and jagged riffs. The record is a gritty, emotionally scarred snapshot of turn-of-the-millennium hard rock, balancing unrefined aggression with radio viability.

Everclear – Songs From an American Movie, Vol. 1: Learning How to Smile (Billboard #9, Platinum) (7)

By 2000, Everclear were at their commercial zenith, bold enough to release two albums in one year—a rare, audacious move not seen since the 1960s. Volume 1, 'Learning How to Smile', leans into retro influences and pop experimentation, even covering Van Morrison’s 1960s classic “Brown Eyed Girl.” The album blends energetic post-grunge grit with sunny, radio-friendly pop stylings, expanding their sonic palette significantly. 

The title may remind fans of their first hit, “I Can’t Smile”. In 2000, the hit single “Wonderful” exemplifies a gentler, more reflective Everclear, contrasting with their earlier abrasive anthems. The album demands patience and open ears, rewarding listeners with moments of melodic charm, though at times it feels like the band is searching restlessly for new directions. Taken together with Volume 2, the project feels like a sprawling double-album experiment, ambitious but uneven, yet undeniably bold and adventurous.

Collective Soul – Blender (Billboard #22, Gold) (6)

Collective Soul’s red-hot streak of charting singles continued into 2000 with “Why Pt.2,” though the momentum began to sputter. Perhaps radio oversaturation dulled their impact, or perhaps fans shifted toward the nu-metal aggression and pop-punk exuberance dominating the era. Still, 'Blender' stands as one of their hardest-rocking, grunge-pedal-heavy albums, rarely easing up on the throttle. While a couple of softer ballads provide contrast, the record leans heavily into muscular riffs, driving rhythms, and confident songwriting.

It’s a forceful, energetic album, showcasing Collective Soul at their most aggressive and uncompromising, even if the broader audience was beginning to tire. In hindsight, 'Blender' remains a robust, underrated entry in their catalog, brimming with fiery intensity and polished execution.

Fuel – Something Like Human (Billboard #17, 2x Platinum) (5)

By 2000, Fuel looked poised to become an arena-dominating, radio-conquering powerhouse of alternative rock. Following their tremendous, hook-heavy debut with its breakout “Shimmer,” 'Something Like Human' delivered four more anthemic, emotionally charged hits: the searing, anguished ballad “Hemorrhage (In My Hands)” which soared to #1 on Mainstream Rock, the tender, heartfelt “Innocent,” the catchy, everyman anthem “Bad Day,” and the stupendously fiery, riff-driven “Last Time.”

The latter lingered on the charts for three months, carrying the album’s radio dominance well into 2002.Eight hits in just four years proved both a blessing and a burden—their momentum eventually fizzled as the decade wore on, and they struggled to replicate the magnetic hooks and polished choruses of their first two records. While Something Like Human boasts undeniable highlights, its deep cuts occasionally sag with flat choruses and lackluster melodies, revealing the album’s uneven underbelly beneath its platinum sheen.

Lifehouse – No Name Face (Billboard #6, 2x Platinum) (4)

Lifehouse seemed to materialize overnight, fronted by Jason Wade’s impassioned, sensitive vocals and armed with the massive crossover hit “Hanging by a Moment,” which climbed to #2 on the Hot 100 in 2000. Blending alternative rock grit, post-grunge earnestness, and pop-rock accessibility, No Name Face became a multi-platinum juggernaut, reaching 2.6 million homes and cementing Lifehouse as radio staples.

Though “Hanging by a Moment” overshadowed their catalog, the album also offered the wistful, overlooked single “Sick Cycle Carousel,” and later, the band would score another mainstream triumph with “You and Me” in 2005. Produced by Ron Aniello and mixed by Brendan O’Brien (of Pearl Jam and Stone Temple Pilots fame), the record benefited from meticulous craftsmanship, perfected melodies, and heartfelt lyricism. With seven albums and over 15 million sales worldwide, Lifehouse’s soulful, accessible songs remain enduring fixtures of modern rock radio.

Smashing Pumpkins – MACHINA (Billboard #3, Gold) (3)

Alt-rock titans The Smashing Pumpkins closed their original lineup era with MACHINA, a record marked by internal turmoil and ambitious misfires. Bassist D’Arcy’s departure mid-project and the collapse of Billy Corgan’s grandiose double-album concept left the band scrambling. Still, Corgan—arguably the most prolific songwriter of the decade—salvaged a single album brimming with towering riffs, melancholic melodies, and experimental flourishes. Electronics weave through the record as a semi-continuation of Adore’s modern textures, but the Pumpkins wisely returned to cement-hard grunge and soaring rock theatrics. Corgan co-produced the album with Flood once again.

“The Everlasting Gaze” is a beastly powerhouse, “Stand Inside Your Love” a majestic fusion of tender vocals and crushing guitars, while “Try Try Try” offers a piano-laced, earworm ballad tackling addiction, its video banned for explicit drug imagery. Fans later circulated 'Machina II' online after Corgan leaked tapes, but the era ended in anticlimactic dissolution. Twenty-five years later, the lavishly expanded Machina Aranea Alba finally unveiled the full vision: 48 tracks, 32 bonus cuts, and a short story, cementing MACHINA as a fascinating swan song of the Pumpkins’ original lineup.

Godsmack – Awake (Billboard #5, 2x Platinum) (2)

Following their crushing, breakout debut, Godsmack doubled down with Awake, a record of alt-metal ferocity and post-grunge muscle. Sully Erna’s gravelly, commanding vocals drive the album, while the band churns out classic riffage, thunderous rhythms, and adrenaline-pumping dynamics. Co-produced by Erna and Murdock, the album spawned three hits: the pummeling title track which hit #1 on Mainstream Rock, the snarling “Greed” (#3), and the brooding “Bad Magick” (#12).

With fame rising, 'Awake' stormed to #5 on the Billboard 200 and earned double platinum certification, solidifying Godsmack’s dominant presence in heavy rock. Though drummer Tommy Stewart departed amid acrimonious disputes, replaced by Shannon Larkin, the band’s trajectory remained upward. Awake endures as one of their most aggressive, hard-hitting statements, a testament to their unyielding power and consistency.

3 Doors Down – The Better Life (Billboard #7, 7x Platinum) (1)

3 Doors Down’s 'The Better Life stands as an important moment in post-grunge history, bridging the gritty 1990s wave with the radio-polished 2000s phase. Recorded in Memphis, Tennessee, the Mississippi band’s debut annihilated the competition, becoming the 11th best-selling album of 2000 across all genres. Its breakout single “Kryptonite” is an all-time post-grunge anthem, climbing to #3 on the Hot 100—a rare feat for grunge—while dominating the Mainstream Rock chart for 11 weeks and Modern Rock for 9. “Loser” shattered records with a 21-week reign at #1, “Duck and Run” also topped the charts, and “Be Like That” became a platinum-certified crossover hit.

Brad Arnold’s earnest, accessible vocals and dual role as drummer gave the band a fresh yet reliable identity, while their uniform sound—mid-tempo grit balanced with softer balladry—proved irresistibly memorable.With seven million copies sold, The Better Life remains one of the best-selling post-grunge albums ever, a genre-defining debut that the band never surpassed commercially, yet secured their place as one of the most important and enduring acts of the era.

Top 25 Grunge & Post-Grunge Albums of 2000:

1 - 3 Doors Down, The Better Life

2 - Godsmack, Awake

3 - Smashing Pumpkins, Machina

4 - Lifehouse, No Name Face

5 - Fuel, Something Like Human

6 - Collective Soul, Blender

7 - Everclear, Songs From an American Movie Pt. 1 - Learning How to Smile

8 - Cold, 13 Ways To Bleed On Stage

9 - Pearl Jam, Binaural

10 - Eve 6, Horrorscope

11 - Saron Gas (Seether), Fragile

12 - Our Lady Peace, Spiritual Machines

13 - Nickelback, The State

14 - The Exies, The Exies

15 - Stir, Holy Dogs

16 - Liquid Gang, Sunshine

17 - Collapsis, Dirty Wake

18 - The Superjesus, Jet Age

19 - Unified Theory , Unified Theory

20 - Guano Apes, Don't Give Me Names

21 - Full Devil Jacket, Full Devil Jacket

22 - Isle of Q, Isle of Q

23 - Juliana's Pony, Total System Failure

24 - Veruca Salt, Resolver

25 - Melvins, The Crybaby