4 Underrated Alt-Rock Albums From the Early 2000s That Are Still Bangers

These overlooked alt-rock gems from the early 2000s deserve a fresh listen.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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The early 2000s were a golden era for acclaimed alt-rock albums, but some of the most underrated gems from that time have been forgotten. This article highlights four alt-rock albums from the early 2000s that deserve more recognition, including "Boy Hits Car" (2001), "Rip It Off" (2001) by Stroke 9, "It's All In Your Head" (2003) by Eve 6, and "Sisters of the Red Death" (2005) by Vendetta Red.

Why it matters

The early 2000s produced some of the most influential and iconic alt-rock albums, but many lesser-known gems from that era have been overlooked. Revisiting these underrated albums can uncover new musical discoveries and provide a fresh perspective on the alt-rock sound of the early 2000s.

The details

The article highlights four alt-rock albums from the early 2000s that deserve more attention: "Boy Hits Car" (2001), which features a grunge-core sound with standout tracks like "I'm a Cloud" and "A Letter From Prison"; "Rip It Off" (2001) by Stroke 9, which blends punk and alt-rock elements and includes the single "Kick Some A**"; "It's All In Your Head" (2003) by Eve 6, which expands on their punky alt-rock sound with heavier dynamics and experimental elements; and "Sisters of the Red Death" (2005) by Vendetta Red, a concept album that combines alt-rock and screamo into a wild, banging collection.

  • The early 2000s were a prolific time for acclaimed alt-rock albums.
  • Boy Hits Car released their self-titled sophomore album in 2001.
  • Stroke 9 released their fourth album "Rip It Off" in 2001.
  • Eve 6 released their third album "It's All In Your Head" in 2003.
  • Vendetta Red released their album "Sisters of the Red Death" in 2005.

The players

Boy Hits Car

An underrated alt-rock band from the early 2000s who released their self-titled sophomore album in 2001.

Stroke 9

An alt-punk band from the early 2000s who blended punk elements with alt-rock songwriting, releasing their fourth album "Rip It Off" in 2001.

Eve 6

An alt-rock band who found fame with their self-titled debut album in 1998 and later released the underrated "It's All In Your Head" in 2003.

Vendetta Red

A Seattle-based alt-rock band who released the concept album "Sisters of the Red Death" in 2005, which combined alt-rock and screamo.

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What they’re saying

“Boy Hits Car doesn't just have one of the most underrated albums of the early 2000s. They are also one of the most underrated bands of the era, no question.”

— Stephen Andrew Galiher, Author (vice.com)

“The early 2000s were an interesting time, with lots of bands that were like alt-punk, mixing punk elements and ethos with a more alt-rock songwriting style. Stroke 9 is one of these bands.”

— Stephen Andrew Galiher, Author (vice.com)

“Eve 6 catapulted to fame with their self-titled 1998 debut album. That record features 'Inside Out', one of the biggest songs of the late '90s. Then, a couple of years later, they made waves with their sophomore album, Horrorscope.”

— Stephen Andrew Galiher, Author (vice.com)

“On top of being a magnificent concoction of alt-rock and screamo, it's one of the wildest concept albums you've ever heard. The story is based on a very old, real-life doomsday cult. It imagines a world where women become the dominant gender after suffering too long at the hands of corrupt men.”

— Stephen Andrew Galiher, Author (vice.com)

The takeaway

These four underrated alt-rock albums from the early 2000s deserve a fresh listen, as they showcase the diversity and creativity within the genre during that era. Revisiting these overlooked gems can uncover new musical discoveries and provide a deeper appreciation for the alt-rock sound of the early 2000s.