For classic rockers, the year 2001 (the real start of the new millennium/century/decade, since the first millennium/century/decade started in the year 1, not the year 0) was a varied one. Roxy Music (minus Brian Eno) reunited following their second breakup in 1978, ELO released their first new album in 15 years and hard rockers, Scorpions released an acoustic album.
1. Aerosmith - 'Just Push Play'
Sony
Aerosmith's popularity was verified when their 13th studio release, Just Push Play went platinum within a month of its release. It peaked at #2 on the Billboard 200, and produced a #1 single, "Jaded." It's no accident that today's video game, Guitar Hero: Aerosmith opens with the cover of this album and the instruction to "just push any button to play." MP3 Download
2. Bob Dylan - '"Love And Theft"'
Columbia Records
By the time Bob Dylan released his 31st studio album, "Love And Theft" in 2001, he was still riding high after the release of what was considered a comeback album, Time Out Of Mind, in 1997. The roots rock album peaked at #5 on the Billboard album chart. MP3 Download
3. Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band - 'Live In New York City'
Sony
In 1999 and 2000 Bruce Springsteen toured with the E Street Band for first time in 11 years. The performances at Madison Square Garden were recorded for an HBO special, making it the artist's first major televised concert. The show was released on this two-CD set, Live In New York City, in 2001, and later on DVD. MP3 Download
4. Electric Light Orchestra - 'Zoom'
Sony
It had been 15 years since ELO's last studio album when Zoom was released in 2001. It carried the band's name, even though, with the exception of keyboardist Richard Tandy on one track, composer/vocalist/multi-instrumentalist Jeff Lynne was the only original member of the band who performed on the album. Lynne's fellow Traveling Wilbury, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr, made cameo appearances.
5. Elton John - 'Songs From The West Coast'
Universal
Elton John's 27th studio release celebrated the 21st century using technology from the 20th. Although digital recording had become standard, John insisted on recording the album the old fashioned way, on tape, because he felt it imparted a "warmer" sound. All of the songs were co-written by the artist and his longtime co-writer, Bernie Taupin. Musical collaborators included Stevie Wonder and Billy Preston. MP3 Download
6. Eric Clapton - 'Reptile'
Reprise Records
Eric Clapton's 14th solo album continued a resurgence in popularity that had started in 1994 with the 3x-platinum From The Cradle and continued with 1998's Pilgrim. To keep the momentum going, Reptile was released less than a year after Clapton's album with B.B. King, Rising With The King. The album was a mixture of Clapton originals and covers of Stevie Wonder, James Taylor, J.J. Cale, and Ray Charles. MP3 Download
7. Journey - 'Arrival'
Sony
Arrival was Steve Augeri's first album as Journey's lead vocalist, and Dean Castronovo's first as drummer. Possibly because it was the first without longtime vocalist Steve Perry, the album was one the band's least successful. It was the first since 1977's Next to fail to sell fewer than 500,000 copies, having peaked at #56 on the chart. MP3 Download
8. Paul McCartney - 'Driving Rain'
Capitol Records
On the morning of September 11, 2001 Paul McCartney was sitting on a plane in New York City waiting to take off. He wrote "Freedom" in response to the tragic events that unfolded as he sat on the tarmac. Released in November 2001, Driving Rain was one of the first albums containing material inspired by the 9/11 attacks. Nonetheless, the album's sales were less than expected (although it was certified gold and peaked at #26.) MP3 Download
9. Scorpions - 'Acoustica'
WEA International
Wait a minute. What? An acoustic album? Scorpions? Acknowledging that it was, indeed, unusual for a notoriously hard rock band, the German group put together Acoustica from three unplugged live performances. The set list included a mixture of Scorpions standards and new material, along with covers of Kansas ("Dust In The Wind",) The Cars ("Drive") and Queen ("Love Of My Life".)
10. Yes - 'Magnification'
Eagle Records
In typical grand Yes fashion, when keyboardist Rick Wakeman said he wasn't going to return to the band, the band decided to get an orchestra to replace him! Magnification was released on September 11, 2001 in the U.K. but after the events of that day, the U.S. release was delayed until early December. Although not on a par in terms of sales with the band's classic work in the '70s, it is among the more highly regarded of Yes's recent releases.
