10 Best Soft Rock Albums Of The 2000s
1. Sam's Town - The Killers (2006)
The Killers' sophomore LP raised eyebrows with its heady, often confronting lyricism and a complete ban on the autotune that dominated much of their debut.
Powerhouse tracks like hit single When You Were Young and the titular Sam's Town see the group in a more intense state of mind than usual. With frontman Brandon Flowers passionately blitzing through lyrics focusing on painful topics such as heartache, ageing, and a lack of direction in life, the group bowled over surprised listeners with their change of pace.
Despite the general popularity among listeners the album has enjoyed over the years, Sam's Town received a polarized reception from pundits. The blend of heartland rock and Americana simply left many dumbfounded compared to the group's more new wave-friendly debut. Flowers has since even confirmed the more pop-focused Day & Age was largely a response to the critical backlash their second LP endured.
In the years since, however, the album has rightly been reappraised, with many citing its anthemic, stadium-worthy sound, and instant classic tracks like Read My Mind, as seminal in 21st century rock. Overall, it has proven to be one of the most important soft rock releases of its generation thanks to its pop cultural impact and lasting influence on the soft and alternative rock scenes.