This was the first year of the 21st century, as well as the year where reality TV began to sink its teeth into the music industry as we started seeing many reality show contestants score massive hits worldwide. At least that wouldn't be an issue in the southern hemisphere until 2004 which means we still have a bunch of hits from non-TV stars to make it big until then.
Although their previous album was a huge success here in Australia and in certain parts of the world, people were certain that the RCHP moment was over due to it failing to produce a hit single for them. Fortunately, now that John Frusciante had rejoined the band by this point, their next album was a huge success for them both by spawning hit singles and by having high album sales like their breakthrough.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Scar tissue #15
Around the world #49
Otherside #31
Califonication #44
This is the second and final album to come from Savage Garden, it was equally as successful here in Australia as their debut was even if it wasn't as successful internationally for the duo. Still the fact it was a massive worldwide success does leave you wondering why they went their separate ways once their world tour for the album came to an end, they've been vague about it but essentially it was to allow Darren to have a solo career.
Peak position #1x6
Hit singles
The animal song #3
I knew I loved you #4
Affirmation #16
Crash and burn #16
Chained to you #21
Although her previous album was a massive hit here in Australia, many consider this to be the comeback that Kylie needed given how it was the album that finally got her out of the one hit wonder bin over in America that she had been trapped in since her debut single from the late 80's. Like many successful albums this decade, the singles largely took a back seat down under in favour of how big the album was.
Peak position #1x5
Hit singles
Can't get you out of my head #1
In your eyes #1
Love at first sight #3
Come into my world #4
This album was originally released in 1999 for Dido, it was a massive flop that went unnoticed worldwide until it was discovered by Eminem of all people who decided to sample the lead single for his song "Stan" which propelled its success for the English singer/songwriter. Although none of the singles were successful here in Australia, that didn't prevent the album from being a massive success here.
Peak position #1x8
Hit singles
Hunter #50
It took a while for this second album from Kasey Chambers to take off here in Australia, however the surprise success of "Not pretty enough" allowed it to become a runaway success for the Australian country singer and even opened her up to an international market given how the song also did quite well in NZ. Sadly, her international success would be limited to what she achieved in NZ with that song.
Peak position #1x2
Hit singles
Not pretty enough #1
Million tears #32
If I were you #32
This had a bit of a slow start to its success here in Australia given how Usher had yet to become a mega superstar here like he was in his native America, however we Aussies were eventually won over thanks to the success of its singles which no doubt led to the success of his American counterpart throughout the decade. Craig is a bit of a one album wonder here in Australia as his second album was a massive commercial disappointment.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Fill me in #6
7 days #4
Walking away #5
Rendezvous #28
Nowadays Moby is best known for that infamous diss that Eminem made towards him on "Without me," however back in the day, he was by far the most successful DJ to make it big worldwide with his breakthrough album from the end of the 90's. It took a while for this to take off for him, however he eventually found his audience by having most of the singles find their way into commercials.
Peak position #1x3
Hit singles
Why does my heart feel so bad #33
It looked like Jamiroquai would be a one album wonder when Synkronized failed to become a massive hit for them by the end of the 90's, however the band had other ideas when they released their first album from the 21st century which became a massive hit for them here in Australia and their native UK. Again, this is an album whose success clearly came at the expense of its singles which I remember being everywhere at the time.
Peak position #1x6
Hit singles
Little l #14
You give me something #34
Love foolosophy #19
This is Powderfinger's most successful album in their catalogue, mostly through the strength of the lead single which was a massive success on the radio (although not so much with sales) which translated to the album being immensely popular back in the day. It allowed the band to finally crossover to NZ where "My happiness" became a genuine hit over there in favour of the album underperforming.
Peak position #1x3
Hit singles
My happiness #4
Like a dog #40
The metre #31
There was a lot of hype going into this debut album from Vanessa Amorosi given how popular its two advanced singles were from the previous decade, those expectations were effortlessly met when it was released given how inescapably popular the album was from the teenage singer/songwriter. It even became a minor success throughout Europe, likely due to her performing at the Olympic games.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Have a look #13
Absolutely everybody #6
Shine #4
The power #8
This took its sweet time in finding success here in Australia for Creed, granted they went largely ignored here back in the day as opposed to in NZ and their native America where they found instant success with their debut album, however this second album still had to wait nearly two years after its initial release to finally become a best seller down under due to how long it's big hit took to crossover here.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Higher #36
With arms wide open #4
This is one of many albums this decade to become massively successful despite it receiving negative reviews from critics, it seems fitting given how Limp bizkit weren't exactly the type of band to appeal to those who would sing their praises for the likes of Steely Dan and U2. Still, this is an album that was popular at the time, but most people look back on with dread and confusion, much like Vanilla Ice a from a decade prior.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Take a look around #28
My generation #31
Rolling #11
There was a lot of hype going into this album from Matchbox 20 given how much of a surprise success that their debut album was throughout the 90's, that hype was effortlessly met here in Australia as this also went on to be a massive success for the band thanks to the singles permeating on our radio back in the day. It wasn't as successful in most other parts of the world, likely due to international audiences feeling this was more of the same from them.
Peak position #1x5
Hit singles
Bent #19
If you're gone #18
Mad season #42
Given how nu metal had taken over the mainstream by this point in time, it only makes sense that Linkin Park would see massive success with their debut album worldwide even if it was only here in Australia where the album spawned more than one hit. I'm not sure why the lead single was only a hit down under, however the fourth single managed to become a worldwide smash almost a year after the album's release.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
One step closer #4
Crawling #33
In the end #4
Points of authority #44
While Kylie had plenty of success throughout the 90's here in Australia, many people felt this was a return to form given how she was best known for her bubblegum pop that made her famous in the late 80's. It was the album that finally resparked interest for her in America given how successful it was here and throughout Europe for the princess of pop, leading to her next album to finally get her out of the one hit wonder bin on Billboard.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Spinning around #1
On a night like this #1
Kids #14
Please stay #15
Your disco needs you #20
Well, I didn't think I'd be including one of Shaggy's albums on this site, however there's little denying that this fifth album form the Jamaican rapper was a massive success here in Australia even if its success was slightly delayed due to his music generally being released much later here than the rest of the world. As with much music delayed this year, it proved to be more successful down under than it was internationally.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
It wasn't me #1
Angel #1
Luv me luv me #10
Hope #42
Although he had a hit in the 90's with "My name is," I don't think anyone would've predicted the overwhelming success that Eminem would go on to have this decade which began with this album that brought him to a wider audience thanks to it being slightly more commercially accessible than his earlier work. The album was a success twice here in Australia, once upon its initial release and again with the success of "Stan."
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
The real slim shady #11
The way I am #34
Stan #1
This feels like a return to form for U2 given how they spent all of the 90's experimenting with their sound to varying degrees of success, indeed this feels like something they would've released ten years prior given how well it fits as a follow up to Rattle and hum. This would lead to them having a highly success decade throughout the 00's with their subsequent material, although their popularity wouldn't extend to the 2010's.
Peak position #1x2
Hit singles
Beautiful day #1
Stuck in a moment you can't get out of #3
Elevation #6
Walk on #9
You don't begin the decade with one of the biggest hits of said decade and not have the album it came from be a massive success for the artist in question, so here's the debut album from Anastacia who indeed managed to prove she was the real deal on here even though it likely came at the expense of it spawning a second hit for her. Indeed, she would find more success with her subsequent material later in the decade.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
I'm outta love #1
Not that kind #21
This was a bit of a sellout for the Corrs given how the band had dialled back on their Celtic influences in order to appeal to a more mainstream market, it worked out for them as they were able to score massive hits with the singles throughout Europe and even over in NZ as this gave them their first hit with the lead single over there. Unfortunately, they would see diminishing returns as the decade went on.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Breathless #7
Irresistible #27
Given that Boyzone was no more going into the new millennium, Ronan Keating was able to release his solo album without any competition from his former band mates which led to it being an instant success for him worldwide. It was a success again a year after its release thanks to a deluxe edition containing some new tracks from him making fans check it out, thus setting him up for a successful decade.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
When you say nothing at all #3
Life is a rollercoaster #6
The way you make me feel #27
Loving each day #21 (deluxe edition)
This was the second album to come from Alex Lloyd following the success of his debut album from the start of the decade, it was far more successful than his earlier entry thanks to spawning a huge hit in the form of its lead single that became an even bigger hit in NZ at the expense of the album's success over there. Sadly, this was his final successful album in his catalogue as his subsequent follow ups would flop later in the decade.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Amazing #14
Green #25
Everybody's laughing #33
Shrek is a film that changed the landscape of animation and comedy throughout the decade given how it deconstructed fairytale troupes that Disney had been relying on since its inception (to the point where the company now feels the need to copy this formula to predictably irritating results.) It was a massive success partially due to its soundtrack which of course was a massive hit here in Australia.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Best years of our lives #49
I'm a believer #9
This was the first volume of U2's most comprehensive greatest hits package, it was so comprehensive that they didn't release the second volume for another four years as they wanted to include their next album in the retrospective. In the meantime, we have their album looking over the success they had in the 80's complete with a song that only briefly charted in 1989 becoming a hit upon its release.
Peak position #1x5
Hit singles
The sweetest thing #6
For the first ten years of its existence, Moulin Rouge was a critically acclaimed jukebox musical that heralded the return of musicals in the mainstream outside of animated features, although thanks to the internet of the 2010's (specifically a certain review site that infamously trashed the film) it now has a more polarising reception as people feel the story to be too melodramatic to be taken seriously.
Peak position #1x11
Hit singles
Lady marmalade #1
Come what may #10
This was Madonna's foray into country music, OK sort of as there were plenty of electronic elements to the song that technically makes it an EDM album even though there are plenty of straight forward country tracks on the album. It was a massive hit for the queen of pop and proof that she could do no wrong even going into the new millennium, although her next album was where things would come crashing down.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
American pie #1
Music #1
Don't tell me #7
What it feels like for a girl #6
Coyote ugly is a film that remains divisive to this day, mainly because people either find it an inspirational story about how a songwriter made it big in the music industry or cliched to the point where they find it impossible to take seriously. I'm in the former category, although I'll admit my love for the film mainly stems from the catchy numbers that are brought to life by Leann Rimes.
Peak position #1x6
Hit singles
Can't fight the moonlight #1
This had a bit of a slow rise to its success here in Australia, mainly because it only became a success when the lead single was voted high on Triple J's year end list for 2001 which in turn made it a success for System of a down. The band is considered one of the better nu metal acts of the decade along the likes of Linkin Park and Korn, mainly due to their later material seeing them get political.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
Chop suey #14
Toxicity #39
Aerials #36
We have another greatest hits package from the fab four to make it big in history, this did come on the twentieth anniversary of John Lennon's death so perhaps this was more a celebration of his legacy than anything else.
Peak position #1x9
This is where it all began for Chris Martin and company, and like most debut albums, it had a bit of a climb to its success here in Australia due to the failure of its lead single. The second single was what got it off the ground worldwide which allowed it to become the success that it was, although the best was still yet to come for the band as their subsequent follow-ups did much better throughout the decade.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Yellow #5
This was the final album to be released during the lifetime of Maurice Gibb given how he would tragically pass away in 2003 which left the brothers Gibb as a duet until the death of Robin a decade later. It was a greatest hits package which overlooked their entire discography, meaning fans could see how they evolved over the years and not just a specific point in their catalogue.
Peak position #2
This was an instant success for Nickelback here in Australia, likely because we Aussies wasted no time in making the lead single a huge success compared to the rest of the world where it needed to climb up the charts before it became a best seller worldwide. Their next three albums would be an even bigger success for them, likely because they all managed to spawn more than one hit for them down under.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
How you remind me #2
This is the only other album I'll be featuring from Destiny's child on this site, mainly because their final album Destiny fulfilled was a bit too much of a sleeper hit later in the decade to qualify for this site, I'm afraid. Indeed, this penultimate album from the (now) trio also found itself bouncing in and out of popularity during its chart run due to its success mainly coming from the popularity of its singles.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Independent women #3
Survivor #7
Bootylicious #4
Emotion #17
Nasty girl #10
They certainly had an amazing run with their first three albums, so a greatest hits package was inevitable from the Corrs which became a massive success for the family band upon its initial release even if it led to them struggling to retain their popularity moving forward in the decade.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Would you be happier #47
This had a bit of a slow start to its success, likely because everyone felt that Nelly Furtado was going to be a one hit wonder with the lead single due to the album being more spiritually inclined than most of the competition this year. It finally became a massive success once the second single was released which set Nelly up for massive success that she only got from her third album later in the decade.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
I'm like a bird #2
Turn off the lights #7
Although this was an instant success for Garbage upon its initial release, it didn't become a best seller until the second single became a surprise hit here in Australia due to it being their most pop friendly track in their catalogue. It unfortunately didn't do the band any favours with their next album which was a complete flop for them despite coming out at the height of alternative rock.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Androgyny #21
Cherry lips #7
Breaking up the girls #19
Ben Harper didn't have much success here in Australia prior to this life album, even with heavy endorsement from Triple J and how inescapable he was in NZ, he didn't bring in the big numbers like his main rival Lenny Kravitz did. The success of this album led to his next studio album being a massive success here two years later.
Peak position #2
It took over a year for this album to take off here in Australia, this is despite the fact that the lead single was a massive hit upon its initial release which suggested that we Aussies had finally welcomed Robbie's solo career with open arms. Alas it was only when the second single finally became a success that this album managed to find an audience with us Aussies.
Peak position #7
Hit singles
Rock DJ #4
Kids #14
Supreme #14
Better man #6
This was the sophomore album from Train after the failure of their debut album from the late 90's, it became a worldwide smash thanks to its title track becoming a massive hit for them on the radio. Train is another band I never cared for; this is mainly due to Pat Monahan's vocals always rubbing me the wrong way even back in the day. Of course, this leaves me in the minority as they have millions of fans worldwide.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Drops of Jupiter #5
While it wasn't as inescapable as their albums from the 90's, this album from the Offspring nevertheless continued their popularity into the new millennium thanks to its lead single becoming a massive hit here like their other songs from the 90's. It would be their final successful album as their subsequent follow ups failed to bring in the big numbers or produce a big hit like their earlier output did.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Original prankster #5
Want you bad #35
One of the best rom coms of the decade (in my opinion of course) is Bridget Jones diary, a British film based on a + sized woman (played by the usually underweight Renee Zellweger) keeps a journal about her year where she navigates her day-to-day life in order to find the love of her life. It was a massive critical and commercial success which spawned a highly successful soundtrack to boot.
Peak position #1x5
Hit singles
It's raining men #4
Out of reach #9
Given how inexplicably popular Eminem was at the start of the decade, he was able to find success with his posse D12 who were a bit more on the vulgar side of hip hop as opposed to Eminem who was much more serious with his material (at least with his more popular albums he was.) Although neither of their albums reached the dizzying heights of Eminem's own material, they were nonetheless quite popular back in the day.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Purple pills #3
Fight music #27
This was an excellent year for Faith Hill given how we're still yet to get to her breakthrough album she had here in Australia, following its success, she released a greatest hits package which helped fans discover her 90's material (given how Breathe was released in 1999) which also became a massive hit for her before she unfortunately faded into obscurity down under.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
There you'll be #24
Following the success of their second album, Creed released their third album which continued their momentum thanks to the singles gaining a lot of airplay on the radio despite them underperforming on the singles charts (at least here in Australia they did.) For whatever reason, the band would go their separate ways later in the decade, likely for Scott Stapp to embark on a solo career.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
My sacrifice #11
One last breath #43
Don't stop dancing #48
You'd think that J-Lo would've had more success throughout the 00's with her albums given how inescapably popular she was with her singles, indeed her second album was only a success upon its initial release given how it's true popularity would come with the remix it received the following year thanks to two of those "remixes" (a term I use loosely in this case) being Billboard chart toppers for her.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Love don't cost a thing #4
Play #14
Ain't it funny #25 (remix #9)
I'm real #5 (remix #3)
I'm gonna be alright #16
Well, it looks like we're looking at Faith Hill's breakthrough album sooner than I thought, here she is with the album that contains her biggest hit on Billboard given how it was the first song to be crowned the most popular of its year despite failing to reach number one on the American charts. It appears she took a page out of Shania Twain's book by combining her sexual appeal with traditional country music on this album.
Peak position #7
Hit singles
Breathe #23
The way you love me #31
This is the sequel to the Immaculate collection that was released eleven years prior, naturally it collects all of Madonna's biggest hits from 1990-2000 much like her first albums collecting her hits from 1983-1990. It appears that fans weren't as impressed with her run throughout the 90's as her run throughout the 80's given how much less successful this was.
Peak position #3
You have no idea how popular Ally McBeal was back in the day, it was so popular that it doesn't even surprise me that the series was able to spawn another successful soundtrack which included songs performed by its co-star Robert Downey Jr (this is what he was doing before he became Iron man.)
Peak position #5
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
Well, he did manage to score two gigantic hits in Australia around this time, so why not have his feature length album be a massive success here as well? I'm sure the many fans of Bob the Builder were ecstatic to receive this for Christmas (it peaked during that season) however this didn't lead to any future musical prospects for the animated construction worker.
Peak position #1x2
Hit singles
Can we fix it #1
Mambo no 5 #2
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 #1x5
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
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
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 #1x1
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 #1x2
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
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
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
I did mention that Live would begin to see dwindling success as the decade went on here in Australia, that's not to say that their popularity had run out by this point, but rather it didn't reach the dizzying heights that their 90's material saw prior to the turn of the new millennium.
Peak position #1x2
Hit singles
Simple creed #43
This is the final victory album from the Popstars franchise to find any success here as they would unwisely change the format the following year for the members to compete individually rather than as part of a group, here we have Scandal'us (man what a stupid name even for reality TV) with their album which did spawn a massive hit with the lead single before they forever faded into obscurity.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Me myself and I #1
Make me crazy #30
This is the only other album that Macy Grey had any success throughout her career around the world, I guess she was seen as a one trick pony with her breakthrough album at the turn of the century given how this feels like it was only a success for her due to her artist momentum she acquired from that release.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Sweet baby #39
Well, there had to be an incentive for these guys to release a Christmas album by the end of the year, so here's that incentive as this album was enough of a success in our mainstream that it confirmed them as the (then) new equivalent of the Wiggles given how they had yet to have a successful album to their name (at least since they reinvented themselves from the Cockroaches.)
Peak position #3
This is the final album to come from the king of pop during his lifetime, it was an album five years in the making given how he hadn't released any new material since his 1995 greatest hits/studio album hybrid History. The reason for its lack of success was due to the critical derision it received as well as fans not feeling that it lives up to his previous material.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
You rock my world #4
Cry #43
This is the last album Janet Jackson found any success with, mainly because her next album wouldn’t come until after her infamous Super Bowl performance which had her cancelled in the pre social media era. That said, this was a bit of a commercial disappointment for her, so perhaps her decline in popularity was inevitable even without that wardrobe malfunction.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Doesn't really matter #28
All for you #5
Someone to call my lover #15
Son of a gun #20
I haven't seen Duets, however from what I can gather, it serves as a back door album for Gwyneth Paltrow as it depicts her journey into becoming a professional singer with the assistance of Huey Lewis. It's little surprise the soundtrack was a success here in Australia given how it spawned two big hits for Gwyneth on our charts, one with her co-star and the other covering an 80's classic.
Peak position #11
Hit singles
Cruising #1
Bette Davis eyes #3
This was only a success here in Australia due to the runaway success of its lead single, even then it's a bit of a surprise entry given how the French duo's first album from 1997 was a complete flop here despite it spawning one of the bigger EDM hits of the 90's for us Aussies.
Peak position #7
Hit singles
One more time #10
We have another successful album from Radiohead to appear on this site of mine, I apologise for the lack of commentary here as I'm not a huge fan of the band and one of the biggest mistakes I made when I first tried talking about these entries was going into why that was, let's just leave it at I have issues with them that are more to do with who I am rather than any objective qualities.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Pyramid song #25
These guys were so inescapably popular back in the day that this Christmas album managed to become a massive success for them here in Australia, in fact I'm more surprised that they and the Wiggles didn't achieve more success on our charts back then given how they've since become international superstars.
Peak position #4
This is one of many critically acclaimed albums that became a success this decade thanks to promotion on Triple J, although I get the feeling I would've gotten a lot of questions as to where this album was if I didn't include it on this list even if it was a flop given that it came from the Strokes. These guys were the kings of the alternative rock scene this decade with this album being what broke them onto the map.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
Last nite #47
Diana Krall is a Canadian pianist who had been active for nearly a decade by the time she released her biggest album in her catalogue, even then this album had quite a climb to its success here in Australia likely due to it coming out before Norah Jones made jazz pop easily accessible with her debut album.
Peak position #7
This is one of only two albums from 3 doors down that found any sort of success here in Australia, even then it took its sweet time finding success with us Aussies due to how delayed the success of its lead single was back in the day. Their next album would be a genuine success for the band due to spawning easily their biggest hit with its second single "Here without you."
Peak position #16
Hit singles
Kryptonite #8
This was a bit of a sleeper hit for the Gorillaz here in Australia, mainly because it had everything going against it here as it was a hip hop album made by a band whose gimmick is built around a fictional cartoon version of itself with art done by the creators of the Tank girl comics from the 90's. It did win over enough of us Aussies back in the day to be a success despite all of these things going against it.
Peak position #17
Hit singles
Clint Eastwood #17
19/2000 #39
This was a reissue of a greatest hits package from Cold chisel released ten years prior, from what I can gather, it was a limited-edition release, meaning that its appearance on the charts was due to ARIA bundling this with the original release which of course became in vogue when this came out.
Peak position #15
I guess there was enough room for more than one Superjesus/Killing Heidi after all as these guys managed to achieve sound success with their second album largely thanks to it rebounding whenever one of the singles was released, although it was clear that most audiences had moved onto the younger band by this point in time even if they had a similar sound and lineup to each other.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
Gravity #35
Secret agent man #43
Enough to know #42
I guess we Aussies weren't that invested with the Smashing pumpkins when they decided to go their separate ways at the start of the decade given how this greatest hits package they released signalling the end of their time together was only a modest success here at best.
Peak position #4
This was the last taste of success that Michael Crawford had here in Australia for about a decade until another greatest hits package from him was released, that album proved to be more lucrative here in 2012, suggesting that this album only underperformed due to a lack of nostalgia for his back catalogue.
Peak position #10
PJ Harvey is what I consider to be the 00's equivalent of Kate Bush in that she was a critically acclaimed art pop rocker from the UK, the two main differences are that A: she was older than Kate Bush when she broke through and B: she never had that mainstream success as this was only a success here due to the love it received on Triple J.
Peak position #20
This is the soundtrack to the Johnny O'Keefe musical Shout which was a massive success this year, although the album is perhaps best known nowadays for breaking through its star David Campbell into the music scene who of course is best known for being the eldest child of Jimmy Barnes.
Peak position #19
This was only a success here in Australia due to the lead single becoming one of the biggest hits of the decade here upon its initial release, although it does fit in with some of the nu metal that appears on this list so perhaps there was more of an audience outside of their MJ cover than I initially thought.
Peak position #18
Hit singles
Smooth criminal #1
Movies #29
Staind are another band that received a ton of backlash at the time for what rock snobs coined as "butt rock," this would explain why they managed to achieve massive worldwide success with this breakthrough album of theirs despite the critical backlash it received much like Nickelback and Limp bizkit from around this time. Australia was where it found the least amount of success from what I can gather.
Peak position #18
Hit singles
It's been awhile #24
I'm willing to bet you're surprised to see this album so low on this list, this is because while it was a critical darling here in Australia and eventually worldwide (largely thanks to heavy promotion from Triple J) naturally the album is too Avant Garde to appeal to the same crowd that made some of the other entries on this list the household names they were. Still, it was a massive sleeper hit thanks to how well received it was.
Peak position #21
Hit singles
Frontier psychiatrist #49
We've seen plenty of different forms of EDM make it big throughout my site so far, although I bet none of you realised there was a subgenre where one combines EDM with jazz did you? It turns out that French DJ St Germain did just that with this album which became a massive success for him at the start of the decade in NZ and throughout Europe, although it was only a moderate sleeper hit here in Australia.
Peak position #23
This is a bit of a misleading album title as it suggests it's the trio's third album when really it's only their second, although it could be a reference to them indeed being a trio even though that's patently obvious with their band name. Naturally this found an audience thanks to heavy exposure on Triple J, although even then it wouldn't be until their next album that they finally achieved massive success here.
Peak position #24
This also appeared on the year end but barely charted, as such I didn't include it on my list.
The Best Of Van Morrison-Van Morrison
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