Best Rock Albums of 2024
As the year comes to a close, it’s time to take a look back at the best rock albums of 2024 and what makes them stand above the rest. – Author: Anne Erickson, Photo via Danny Clinch
As the year comes to a close, it’s time to take a look back at the best rock albums of 2024 and what makes them stand above the rest. This past year was a unique one in rock. From nu-metal legends Linkin Park reuniting for their first post-Chester Bennington album to ’90s grunge mainstays Pearl Jam releasing a new album, the year brought some surprises from both new and classic bands. Either way, it’s great to see rock music continue to thrive as the years continue. For anyone who thinks “rock is dead,” just take a listen to these albums, and hopefully that will change your mind. In that spirit, Audio Ink Radio is naming its best rock albums of 2024, in alphabetical order.
Top Rock Albums of 2024
Green Day, “Saviors”
At the start of the year, Green Day unleashed “Saviors,” another powerful, energetic set from the pop-punk crew. With this set, Green Day revisited some of the themes on their famed “American Idiot” album, especially with the lead single off “Saviors,” “The American Dream is Killing Me.” Something about singing about suburban nightmares fits perfectly with Green Day, and they really sound their best on “Saviors.”
Jerry Cantrell, “I Want Blood”
Alice in Chains guitarist Jerry Cantrell released a solo album in October, the dark, deep “I Want Blood.” Something about this album draws the listener in from the get-go and takes them on a magical, very rocking experience. One track of particular interest is “Vilified,” the album’s lead single, which is truly a hard rock, grunge anthem with great guitars and rhythms.
Linkin Park, “From Zero”
Somehow, it was always inevitable that Mike Shinoda wouldn’t let Linkin Park just go away. There always seemed to be the inevitability that the band would regroup with a new vocalist, at least if Shinoda had anything to do with it. That’s exactly what happened in 2024, as Shinoda rounded up new vocalist Emily Armstrong and released a new Linkin Park record, “From Zero.” It’s a solid nu-metal album and really sounds like classic Linkin Park without copying what Linkin Park with Bennington sounded like.
Pearl Jam, “Dark Matter”
It’s always cause to celebrate when a band from decades ago releases new music, and that’s what happened when Pearl Jam released their latest album in April, “Dark Matter.” The release marks the Eddie Vedder-fronted band’s 12th studio album, and it’s brimming with grunge rock goodness. This album certainly doesn’t sound like what Pearl Jam released on 1991’s “Ten,” but it still rocks. It’s so comforting to see at least one of the big Seattle acts from the 1990s still around and thriving.
Smashing Pumpkins, “Aghori Mhori Mei”
The Smashing Pumpkins are always full of surprises, and on “Aghori Mhori Mei,” released in August, Billy Corgan and the group released a true, nostalgic album. It’s not nostalgic because of how it sounds, really. It’s nostalgic because of how it was released. The Pumpkins released the set as a full album, all at once, instead of single by single. Listening to it from front to back, it really takes the listener on a musical journey, so it was a risk worth taking.
The Cure, “Songs of a Lost World”
Robert Smith and the legendary Cure released “Songs of a Lost World” in November, giving the musical one an epic, magical collection of moody, hypnotic songs that are very much the Cure. One apt word to describe this album is “beautiful.” It’s truly a lovely release, with rich textures and deep lyrics.
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