This is where digital piracy really harmed the Australian music scene, although at least NZ changed up their charts to prevent this from happening over there. As such the selection of songs on this list will be a bit divisive but as promised, I'll do my best to be nice when talking about each and every entry on here.
They may not have had that inescapable hit single (at least when it comes to legal physical sales, trust me these guys were inescapable on the radio back in the day) however that didn't prevent Jet from becoming the biggest Australian band of the decade with their debut album, and all before Apple ever discovered their music and decided to use their singles in their ads for their products.
Peak position #1x2
Hit singles
Are you gonna be my girl #20
Rollover DJ #31
Look what you've done #14
Cold hard bitch #33
There was a rivalry between Missy Higgins and Delta Goodrem throughout the decade, ultimately Delta won out thanks to have a stronger fanbase (and arguably due to her hate dom as well) however Missy had the slightly bigger debut album of the two women with this entry thanks to endorsements from Triple J as well as her folk pop connecting slightly better to audiences at the time of its release.
Peak position #1x7
Hit singles
Scar #1
Ten days #12
The special two #2
The sound of white #22
This is the debut album from one of the most divisive artists to make it big so far in the 21st century, it's largely due to people finding it to be one of the wimpiest albums of all time due to its lead single despite coming from a man who has served his country in the army and achieved a high ranking in said army. For what it's worth, he does have a dedicated fanbase to this day, meaning people genuinely love his music.
Peak position #1x12
Hit singles
You're beautiful #2
Goodbye my lover #3
Wisemen #11
High #42
It looked like these guys would've had their success confided to the 90's given how their album from the start of the decade was such a commercial failure (despite the singles permeating on radio to this day) that it seemed no one was interested in them going into the 21st century. Of course, that changed when they got political with their second album of the decade which was highly critical of the American government.
Peak position #1x2
Hit singles
American idiot #7
Boulevard of broken dreams #5
Holiday #24
Wake me up when September ends #13
Jesus of suburbia #24
This had a bit of a climb to its popularity given how Michael Bublé was an unknown crooner prior to its success despite it being his third album in his catalogue, indeed it only became a success here in Australia thanks to the success of its single "Sway" which became popular on the radio when it was released as a single.
Peak position #1x2
Hit singles
Sway #15
This was a massive hit for Wolfmother who was a throwback band to the rock of the 70's which made them a household name on Triple J leading up to the release of their debut album. The songs saw a lot of airplay whenever they were released as singles, however it was only when "Joker and the thief" became a huge hit on the digital charts that the album finally became a mainstream success for them.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Mind's eye #29
White unicorn #33
Woman #34
Joker and the thief #8
Following the success of her debut album, Kelly Clarkson decided to write more personal ballads on her sophomore which had it have a slow start to its success given how audiences weren't ready to have the reality show star becoming the likes of P!nk and Avril Lavigne with this album. Eventually they were won over which allowed this second album to be a massive success for her worldwide.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Breakaway #10
Since u been gone #3
Behind these hazel eyes #6
Because of you #4
Walk away #27
BEP were on a roll when they released their second album as a quartet, although it's worth noting that this album greatly expanded Fergie's presence with the group compared to their previous album where she was more of a backup singer rather than a full member of the group. In any case, the songs proved to be more irresistible than their previous work which resulted in the groups success with it.
Peak position #1x3
Hit singles
Don't phunk with my heart #1
Don't lie #6
My humps #1
Pump it #6
This was the debut album from Maroon 5, an album that sat on shelves largely ignored for two years before finally becoming a massive success once the second single took off worldwide. As you can tell from the title, this is an album dedicated to a woman in Adam Levine's life and all of the emotions she made him feel during its production, I wonder if their subsequent material is also about this Jane in question.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Harder to breathe #37
This love #8
She will be loved #1
Sunday morning #27
This is one of the last Australian groups to find international success over the years, here we have the debut album from the Veronicas who scored instant success here in Australia and over in NZ once it was released over there which sparked interest for the duo in the northern hemisphere. That interest turned into success once they released their second album later in the decade which spawned their biggest hit.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
4ever #2
Everything I'm not #7
When it all falls apart #7
Revolution #18
Leave me alone #41
It took a while for this debut album from Pete Murray to become a success here, mainly because the lead single didn't have much success on the singles chart despite Triple J heavily promoting it and the album upon its initial release. The album finally took off when the third single became a surprise hit for him on the radio and eventually through sales, thus getting the album to become one of the biggest of the decade.
Peak position #1x4
Hit singles
So beautiful #9
Please #33
This is another band that I would've sworn had massive success with their singles throughout the 00's, although the led single to their third album was a sleeper hit, so perhaps they were just another victim of the music industry shoving them aside in favour of reality TV singles. In any case, their third album proved to be a massive success for them here in Australia as well as over in NZ despite it failing to spawn a hit over there.
Peak position #1x3
Hit singles
Zebra #23
What you want #29
Something you want #47
This solo album from Gwen Stefani remains divisive among fans to this day, basically you either love it for her willingness to branch out into pop music (like I do) or hate it because you feel it betrays her time with No doubt by sacrificing her ska punk roots in favour of making a pop album. Either way, it was a massive success for the pop diva despite criticisms of her fetishising her Asian fans on the album cover and the lyrics.
Peak position #1x2
Hit singles
What you waiting for #1
Rich girl #2
Hollaback girl #1
Cool #10
Luxurious #25
This was the first of only two albums to have Natalie Bassingthwaighte on lead vocals from the Rogue traders, the band had previously released an album prior to this which only had the three male members of the group and was only a minor success at best. Indeed, the success of this album was likely due to Natalie's time on Neighbours which was how many Australian pop divas made it big in our music scene.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Voodoo child #4
Way to go #7
Watching you #5
We're coming home #14
Here we are with what many consider to be one of the worst albums of the decade by what the internet considers to be the worst band of the decade, I personally think both get too much hate as there's far worse entries in both categories to choose from even if this is far from the best that rock has to offer (in my opinion.) It's a perfectly harmless post grunge album that even to this day still has its fans.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Photograph #3
Far away #2
Saving me #18
Animals #27
If everyone cared #32
This is the magnum opus to come from Usher given that it not only remains his biggest album to date worldwide, but it also contains some of his most memorable work despite it all being about how he screwed up his relationship with Chilli from TLC. I guess Sony tampering with the singles here in Australia didn't prevent the album from flopping, it didn't boost its sales, but I guess things could've been worse.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Yeah #1
Burn #2
Confessions #5
Caught up #15
There were no signs of Michael Bublé slowing down in the music industry given how his earlier entry had made him a household name worldwide, indeed this follow up was an immediate success for the Canadian crooner and even allowed said entry to extend its time on the charts given how newer fans were encouraged to check it out when this was released.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Home #35
This was an instant success for Coldplay given how they had confirmed themselves as the real deal with their second album from earlier in the decade, there's not really much I can say about this album as it continued their critical acclaim without doing much to change their sound from their earlier material.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Speed of sound #9
Fix you #25
Talk #20
The hardest part #40
Given how he had a bestselling album under his belt, you'd think that this follow up would have all of its success upon its initial release instead of requiring another runaway hit (albeit on the radio and digital charts) to make it a massive success for Pete Murray. At least it was a hit upon its initial release due to his name recognition as well as folk rock in general being in vogue during the midpoint of the decade.
Peak position #1x3
Hit singles
Better days #13
Opportunity #29
Given how he was the lead singer of Powderfinger, it makes sense that Bernard Fanning would achieve massive success with his first solo album during the midpoint of the decade where he and his band were among the most successful names in Australian music. This is a much mellower side of what the band normally offers us which in turn allowed him to distinguish himself from his band with this album.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Watch over me #16
Although they had moderate success earlier in the decade with their debut album, it was the second album from Gorillaz that made them a household name worldwide thanks to their blend of hip hop and alternative rock which helped them find success in America which was uncommon for non-American and Canadian artists this decade. I guess fans got tired of waiting for their third album as Plastic beach was a huge flop for them in 2010.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Feel good inc #3
Dare #11
Dirty harry #15
Given how their fourth album didn't do so well, Human nature felt that this was the perfect opportunity to reinvent themselves as the throwback quartet they apparently always wanted to be which proved to be a massive hit for them likely due to their teenage fanbase having grown up with them since their debut from nearly a decade prior. As you can imagine, this is a throwback to the Motown era of soul music.
Peak position #1x3
We've seen plenty of classic music on this site already, haven't we? Well, here we are with the debut album from the British opera group Il Divo which naturally won an audience with the same demographic that were fans of the likes of Michael Bublé, James Blunt and Human nature throughout the decade.
Peak position #1x2
There were no signs of Jack Johnson slowing down in the music scene given how his third album managed to be a massive hit for him worldwide, I guess people just wanted to listen to an album that put them in a relaxing mood given how many entries on this list would have you feeling pumped up whenever they were playing.
Peak position #1x4
Hit singles
Sitting waiting wishing #24
Well, the less said about American life the better, so let's do what Madonna wants us to do and pretend that ill-conceived political album doesn't exist and move on to this album shall we? Here we have a disco album that's meant to sound like it was made in the 70's, that is, it's an album that's edited in a way to sound like it was one long track rather than a bunch of tracks which won back many of her fans.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Hung up #1
Sorry #4
Get together #13
Jump #29
Ben Lee was always on the verge of breaking through into the mainstream given how his 1998 effort barely managed to make an appearance on this site, his time to shine came with his fifth album due to the lead single finding massive success on the radio as well as being heavily promoted on Triple J this year. It led to him being a one album wonder as his follow-up failed to bring in the numbers this did.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
Gamble everything for love #39
Catch my disease #27
There were no signs of Robbie Williams slowing down in the music scene, so it made sense that he would release a greatest hits package during the height of his popularity which became a massive success for him during the midpoint of the decade. His popularity did begin to dwindle following this album's release; however, it wouldn't fade away until the end of the decade.
Peak position #1x9
Hit singles
Radio #12
Misunderstood #39
There was no stopping Rob Thomas throughout the decade given how he found massive success with his solo debut right around the time his band went on hiatus to allow him to release said album. This managed to distinguish his sound away from his band as this had more soul to it compared to the alternative rock that his band had to offer, which in turn had him have a slightly different demographic.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Lonely no more #3
This is how a heart breaks #13
Ever the same #29
Something to be #40
Well, here's an album that I'm going to have trouble being nice to, basically everything people have said about Nickelback I think of Simple Plan which I'll leave at that in terms of how I feel about them. Naturally they were a massive deal back in the day, specifically with their second album which was a massive success for them thanks to how big its singles were.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
Welcome to my life #7
Shut up #14
Untitled #9
Crazy #32
Given how Kylie Minogue was still one of the most popular artists in the music industry by this point in time, it only makes sense that her greatest hits package would be a massive hit during the midpoint of the decade even if it proved to be a kiss of death to her popularity in the future.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
I believe in you #6
Giving you up #8
Many fans consider this to be the true debut album from Shannon Noll given how it had no affiliation with Australian idol like his actual debut did, it was a massive success for him, proving he didn't need the affiliation with the reality series to make it big like the winner Guy Sebastian did (at least initially.) Sadly, his third album would be a massive dud for him later in the decade.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Shine #1
Lift #10
Not I run #6
Lonely #8
Given how her second album was a massive success for her, it only makes sense that Kasey Chambers would continue the momentum she had with her third album which also proved to be a massive hit for her. It saw a minor rebound on the charts when "Pony" became a surprise hit for her, although to a much lesser scale than what "Not pretty enough" did for her previous album.
Peak position #1x5
Hit singles
Hollywood #28
Pony #10
It took a while for this debut album from the Killers to make it big here in Australia as was the case throughout the rest of the world, however once it did crossover, it proved to be inescapable thanks to how anthemic each of the tracks remain to this day as well as the band being critically acclaimed even compared to all of the other alternative rock that was coming out during the midpoint of the decade.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Somebody told me #17
Mr brightside #29
Smile like you mean it #47
All these things that I've done #42
Il Divo was another group that didn't show signs of slowing down during the midpoint of the decade as they released their second album to massive success, indeed they went on to have uninterrupted success for the remainder of the decade even if each album they released proved to be less successful than the last.
Peak position #1x3
It had been ten years since Guns n Roses last released new material, although we're using that definition loosely as their most recent material by this point had been their covers album the Spaghetti incident. The fact that this greatest hits package was such a huge success for them even at the time (let alone over the years) should tell you how eager fans were to listen to new material from the band.
Peak position #6
Well, you all knew this album was coming, although you may be surprised at how low it is considering how inescapable it was during the midpoint of the decade (well the singles that is.) It was the point where people began to turn against the band, more for how overexposed they were as this won them their second Grammy of the decade (third overall) as well as the songs (particularly "City of blinding lights") being flogged to death on the radio.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Vertigo #5
Sometimes you can't make it on your own #19
City of blinding lights #31
All because of you #23
This remains the most successful album to come from the Foo fighters, although given how they were one of the very few rock bands to still have success throughout the 2010's, it's possible that honour goes to Wasting light given how popular that was in 2011. This certainly has their most iconic song in the form of its lead single given how well it did even with the disadvantage of digital piracy eating up its success.
Peak position #1x5
Hit singles
Best of you #5
DOA #39
It looked like the failure of her film Glitter would result in Mariah Carey's permanent downfall in the music industry, however by adopting an alter ego by the name of Mimi, she was able to crawl back from obscurity with this album which was a return to her 90's output which resulted in not one but two of the biggest hits of the decade in her native America as well as a massive success throughout the rest of the world.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
It's like that #9
We belong together #1
Shake it off #6
Don't forget about us #12
Get your number #19
Say something #26
Well, this was the album that many fans believe (me included) disgraced Eminem's discography and undid all of the goodwill his previous two albums achieved to the point where people once again believed that he was little more than a sexist and homophobic shock rapper looking for attention. Even so, it appears to still have its fans to this day who likely believe it to be satire of the worst aspects of hip hop.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Just lose it #1
Like toy soldiers #4
Mockingbird #9
Ass like that #10
This was another instant success for Robbie Williams, although it would be one of his last successful albums as his next effort would see him venture towards hip hop which would end his popularity for good.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Tripping #7
Advertising space #17
Sin sin sin #26
While the band had begun to lose their popularity in the mainstream, it was clear that fans hadn't forgotten about their back catalogue and merely wanted them to return to their grunge roots as evidence by the success of this greatest hits package of theirs. They of course wouldn't return to their roots as they have yet to release another grunge album as of this writing.
Peak position #2
This seemed like a good time to release a greatest hits album from Powderfinger given how they just came off three of the biggest albums of all time here in Australia, as such it somewhat affected their popularity moving forward, however not enough for it to matter as their next two albums also proved to be a massive success for them.
Peak position #2
While it has a much lower appearance on this list than her predecessor did on its respective lists, Delta Goodrem nonetheless was on a roll with her second album which helped her break another record by having the lead single be her sixth consecutive chart topper here in Australia. All of this success from what many have described as Celine Dion with an Australian accent led to her receiving a lot of unfair backlash.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Out of the blue #1
Mistaken identity #7
Almost here #1
A little too late #13
This is the closest to an album from Jay-z that will be appearing on this site, it was a live recording of both artists appearance on MTV where they would mash up their respective catalogues to create a concert that was well received on the program. As such, the album (really E.P if we're being honest) was a massive hit for them and likely continued the popularity of Linkin Park into the second half of the decade.
Peak position #8
Hit singles
Numb/Encore #3
This is the only other album that the Cat empire managed to achieve success with here in Australia, I'm guessing because their brand of ska reggae was growing tiresome by their fanbase by the time they released their next album later in the decade as while this was a hit for the band, it was only as such due to it sticking around after it initially fell off the upper echelons of the charts.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Sky #23
The car song #46
This is a covers album consisting of many popular Australian and NZ artists paying their tributes to the discography of both Neil and Tim Finn, meaning that this is a collection of covers from both of their solo careers as well as their bands Crowded house and Split enz which proved to be a massive hit here in Australia and their native NZ.
Peak position #3
Although their previous album was a huge flop for them, that didn't mean that fans of the Offspring were no longer fans of them as the success of this greatest hits album proves. Like many artists who appeared on these lists with these albums, it just simply meant that fans no longer wanted any new material from them and wanted to enjoy the classics.
Peak position #2
This was another successful album to come from KD Lang here in Australia, it was released fairly late in the year, which means it wasn't a Mother's Day gift like many of her other albums.
Peak position #3
It appears that Eminem wanted to call it quits from the music industry, as such he released this greatest hits package to remind fans of the good times they had from his catalogue which included some new tracks that had a mixed reception upon their initial releases. His retirement would come to an end by the end of the decade where he released Relapse which many feel was worse than Encore (me included.)
Peak position #1x2
Hit singles
When I'm gone #1
Live had certainly done very well for themselves even this far into the new millennium, as such it makes sense they would release a greatest hits package around this time which became a huge success here in Australia thanks to our love for the band's back catalogue which coincidentally began a decade prior to this album's release.
Peak position #4
Given how immensely popular their earlier entry on this list was, it only makes sense that Green day would release a live album to capitalise off of the world tour they embarked on which was also a success for the band. They would take a well-earned break after their collaboration with U2, only coming back as the decade was coming to an end with their next album.
Peak position #8
We have another successful entry from the Great American songbook franchise, this is the third volume which just like the second volume, was an instant success upon its release and even lasted quite a while on our charts albeit on the lower half of them hence why it appears so low on this list below albums that it was far more successful than back in the day.
Peak position #8
Even though he didn't reach the dizzying heights of success here in Australia that he achieved in his native America, Kanye west was able to make a huge splash with his second album thanks to the lead single and its throwback production to that of Ray Charles (especially with the presence of Jamie Foxx.) The album received a boost in popularity when another song became a minor success here, confirming his popularity.
Peak position #14
Hit singles
Gold digger #1
Heard em say #27
Touch the sky #10
Who says teen pop was dead during the midpoint of the decade? Granted it wasn't anywhere near as successful as it was entering the new millennium, however that didn't prevent this debut from Jesse McCartney from being a success here in Australia likely due to how attractive his core audience found him to be. Sadly, he wouldn't find any further success here even after he finally crossed over in his native America.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
Beautiful soul #1
She's no you #10
Get your shine on #34
While the momentum had begun to slow down for Britney Spears by the midpoint of the decade, she was still very much one of the most popular artists of the moment which explains why this greatest hits package of hers managed to be a huge success for her this year. Of course, it would all be downhill from here save for her album Circus which in addition to spawning multiple hits was a success in its own right.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
My prerogative #7
Do something #8
This was a duets album from Jimmy Barnes given how fans had noticed he had quite a few duets to his name up until this point in his career, as such we have some of the biggest names in Australian music lending their voices to his renditions of many older tracks as this was also a covers album from him.
Peak position #1x3
Hit singles
Sit on my knee 14
Gonna take some time #31
Out of time #50
This was all set to become a mere modest success here in Australia for Good Charlotte given how it was following up one of the more popular rock albums of the first half of the decade, however they scored a huge runaway success with the second single from the album which allowed it to rebound on the charts and make it almost as big as their previous entry thanks to how much airplay that single received.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Predictable #15
I just wanna live #12
The chronicles of life and death #31
For the second year in a row, the runner up to Australian Idol managed to have a more successful album than its winner, proving that throughout the series, the show was controversial with who wound up winning the series given that Anthony Callea was the favourite to win over Casey Donovan. While I don't think it would've mattered at the time, nowadays it would've been more controversial that she won over a queer man.
Peak position #1x3
Hit singles
The prayer #1
Rain #1
Hurts so bad #10
Per sempre #5
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
This is the final successful album that John Farnham had any part of which happens to be a duet with Tom Jones from a successful concert they did together, which turned out to be such an explosive show that its best moments were captured on this release for fans to enjoy.
Peak position #3
While this wasn't the inescapable hit that his debut album was from two years prior, this sophomore album from 50 cent proved to be enough of a hit worldwide that he felt comfortable releasing his own biopic similar to Eminem's 8 mile from earlier in the decade. The biopic was poorly received mainly due to it being a carbon copy of the original film but with worse acting and a more cliche plot.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Candy shop #3
Just a lil bit #13
Outta control #16
This is to date the penultimate album from System of a down which they released mere months prior to their final album Hypnotized which wasn't a big hit here in Australia although will be appearing much later on this list regardless. This was also the album where the band went political which is perhaps why it did as well as it did down under given how Green day had opened the door to safely criticising the American government without getting cancelled.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Lonely day #37
BYOB #42
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
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
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
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
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
Although this album didn't spawn a huge hit here in Australia like it did in NZ and other countries with a strong alternative scene, at least the album itself managed to become a success here even if it was a year after its initial release. I'm not sure what took us Aussies so long to make this a success here other than maybe the songs appearing on Triple J's year end list for 2004 and the mainstream checking out what the fuss was about.
Peak position #7
Hit singles
Take your mama #40
Filthy #29
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
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
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
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
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
This is a bit of a bizarre entry since Hilary Duff only began her music career two years prior with the release of the Lizzie McGuire soundtrack, however that didn't prevent it from being a huge success here in Australia likely due to the new singles being moderate hits on our charts upon the albums initial release.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Wake up #13
Beat of my heart #15
Someone's watching over me #22
Although it was panned by critics for its lacklustre filming techniques (much like other films directed by Joel Schumaker) 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
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
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
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
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
This debut album from Akon was originally ignored worldwide for Akon, I guess because it was released during the height of Usher's popularity with his album Confessions which prevented audiences from checking out a potential rival of the prince of RNB. It was given a second chance this year thanks to the runaway success of one of its singles, although the album itself was a but of a dud down under.
Peak position #12
Hit singles
Locked up #33
Lonely #1
Belly dancer #23
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
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
This was another rock album that could've been among the most successful of the decade were it not for the rise in digital piracy eating up the success of it and its singles, this is further compounded by the fact that it managed to become a success here despite having stiff competition from all of the contestants from Australian Idol which I'm sure was something that the band were thoroughly against.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Hard act to follow #24
Better off alone #30
Hold on to me #44
Follow the complete failure of their previous album, Bon Jovi were able to score a minor comeback this year with this album due to the title track being a surprise hit here for the band. They were able to benefit from this new momentum going forward given how it had been almost two decades since they first broke through and thus, were able to enter the nostalgia side of the mainstream that was cropping up.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Have a nice day #8
While this wasn't as popular as their previous album, it made up for that by spawning a huge hit on the alternative scene in the form of its lead single "My doorbell" which likely would've become a hit here in Australia had digital downloads been counted towards our main charts. As is, it's a decently successful album whose low placement on this list can be contributed to it charting too long on the lower half of our charts.
Peak position #3
Given the surprise success of their (then) most recent album Tonight alright, it only makes sense that Spiderbait would release a greatest hits package that helped their new fans rediscover their back catalogue even if said album was only barely a success and makes the cut due to sticking around just long enough in the upper echelons of our charts to qualify for this list.
Peak position #6
This is an exclusive release of Neil Diamond's Essential album from earlier in the decade, as such it was a modest success here thanks to it also coming with live recordings of his tour he embarked on around this time.
Peak position #8
They may have lucked out with their singles back in the day (likely due to digital piracy) however at least this debut album from Thirsty merc managed to be a massive success for the Australian band albeit as a huge sleeper hit during the midpoint of the decade. This is another band that I remember radios playing to death back in the day, so the success of this album doesn't surprise me in the slightest.
Peak position #15
Hit singles
Emancipate myself #37
My completeness #26
Someday someday #19
In the summertime #43
When the weather is fine #46
This was a modest success for Enya upon its initial release, you can say it's her Shepherd moons of the decade given how it was released during the Christmas period of 2005 and achieved most of its success in the new year like that album did over a decade prior.
Peak position #13
It's a bit surprising that Keith urban didn't achieve that much success here in Australia back in the day, in fact it wouldn't be until the 2010's where he would finally start to see the level of success here that you would've expected him to have from the very beginning of his career given how much international popularity he's achieved over the years.
Peak position #11
Hit singles
You're my better half #34
This was the victory album from Casey Donovan who was the winner of the second season of Australian Idol, although it wasn't very popular given how she beat out fan favourite Anthony Callea for this victory during season two which upset fans of the series.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Listen with your heart #1
What's going on #18
This is an album that charted all throughout the decade here in Australia, however it was only this year that it charted long enough to qualify for one of these lists given that this was a rather slow year in music here in Australia. I'm guessing these guys being available on digital media for the first time encouraged fans to buy a physical copy of this album to justify their illegal downloads from earlier in the decade.
Peak position #17
This seems a bit redundant of a release given how the Savage Garden fandom would've already owned their two albums from the 90's by the time this was released, I guess it was a success due to it containing a few bonus tracks from Darren Hayes that he had yet to release on one of his solo albums.
Peak position #11
Hit singles
So beautiful #7
You've heard of the Three tenors right? Well say hello to the Ten tenors as they were a group of Australian opera singers (who naturally had tenor voices) who revived the gimmick the Three tenors had from the 90's for their first album this year. It was a decent success, although they couldn't quite compete with the likes of Il divo and other opera singers from around this time.
Peak position #8
This is the final album from System of a down I mentioned earlier on this list, it wasn't nearly as successful as their penultimate album likely due to this being released a mere six months after that entry as well as audiences likely growing tired of American rock bands ranting about how ashamed they are of their heritage (a trend that's only gotten worse over time in my opinion.)
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Lonely day #37
Given how well these guys were doing with their previous two albums, it only makes sense that they would release a greatest hits album which did moderately well this year for the band. Unfortunately, it activated the curse normally affiliated with these types of albums as they struggled to retain their popularity moving forward with their subsequent material.
Peak position #12
This was only barely a success for Rod Stewart upon its release here in Australia, I guess we Aussies were growing tired of the annual release schedule of the Great American songbook series as the next volume would be a complete flop here the following year.
Peak position #15
This was barely a success for the Crazy frog here in Australia this year, mainly through the novelty of its lead single but also because it spawned two other hits for the amphibious CGI creature worldwide. If you can believe it, it was a genuine success throughout the rest of the world including in NZ and the UK.
Peak position #18
Hit singles
Axel f #1
Popcorn #11
Jingle bells #4
For whatever reason, we Aussies widely rejected this second album from Alicia Keys upon its initial release, this is the best proof I have that (at least until very recently) we never took much stock into what was popular in America given how it remains one of the biggest albums of the decade over there. It did get a second chance due to a bootleg known as "Karmastician" which combines "Karma" with Stevie Wonder's "Superstition" that was widely popular here back in the day.
Peak position #22
This only makes the list due to appearing on ARIA's year end list this year, it was released the previous year to minimal success and stuck around the lower half of the charts for quite a while to qualify for their ranking.
Peak position #25
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