21 Best Rock Albums of the 21st Century (#12-16)

#16 Pardon Me (2010) – Jonathan Tyler & The Northern Lights

These Dallas rock stars have opened for AC/DC, The Black Crowes, and Deep Purple, and while they are clearly inspired by all three, Jonathan Tyler & The Northern Lights are a unique rock 'n roll identity in of themselves. This major label debut is a hard rock attack, glazed with southern blues and soul and cushioned with a few slow numbers for breathing room.

#15 Black Country Communion (2010) – Black Country Communion

Throwing some of the best musicians together does not always result in the creation of great music, but Black Country Communion could be the best super group since Cream. “The Voice of Rock”, the best blues guitarist in the world, a powerhouse drummer, and a prog-metal keyboardist coexist beautifully, responding to the media hype with the best blues-imbued rock of the decade.

#14 Avenged Sevenfold (2007) – Avenged Sevenfold

Avenged Sevenfold prove that their stand-out skill is far more apparent when allowing their music to break genre barriers. Their self-titled album strays from the path of pure heavy metal, a disaster in the chorus of “Lost”, but “Gunslinger” and “Unbound (The Wild Ride)” would not be as great without their exploration into other musical realms.

#13 Permission To Land (2003) – The Darkness

The Darkness have no business climbing the charts in the 21^st century. And yet, here they are, creating some of the catchiest rock around with sexy guitar solos and wailing vocals that belong in the 80s, and yet are thriving in the 2000s. Their commercial success with this (above anything else) entertaining album, is all the evidence required to prove its extravagance.

#12 Folklore and Superstition (2008) – Black Stone Cherry

Black Stone Cherry's sophomore effort takes a huge step from their self-titled album, expanding the variety in their songwriting and the overall message in their music. Infusing southern rock with heavy metal, they relate to The Black Crowes and Myles Kennedy while trademarking their own sound.

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