Sadly, a number of albums at the bottom don't have release dates and/or were released in 2003 on some sites (but others have 2002, so I'm going with those).
Very good year, and deep year.
Notably, a lot of debut albums that came out for artists that would go on to make great work in the following years.
Also many albums from artists that I consider their best work (Sigur Ros, Peter Gabriel, etc).
And of course many of these I know of, or only listened to a few times, or it has been a long time since I listened to them.
And of course there very well could be many titles to add, which maybe I'll bump this is if I do discover them, etc.
1. dredg - El Cielo
2. Pain of Salvation - Remedy Lane
3. Call Florence Pow - The Strange Situation
4. Dream Theater - Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
5. Archive - You All Look the Same to Me
6. Ours - Precious
7. Sigur Rós - ()
8. Shaman - Ritual
9. Broken Social Scene - You Forgot It in People
10. Clann Zú - Rua
11. Murder By Death - Like the Exorcist, but More Breakdancing
12. Porcupine Tree - In Abesntia
13. Three - Half Life
14. Pat Metheny - Speaking of Now
15. Opeth - Deliverance
16. Silverchair - Diorama
17. Weather Report - Live and Unreleased
18. Spock's Beard - Snow
19. Kevin Gilbert - The Kaviar Sessions
20. Peter Gabriel - Up
21. Anathallo - Sparrows
22. Superior - Ultima Ratio
23. David Bowie - Heathen
24. The Mars Volta - Tremulant [EP]
25. The Decemberists - Castaways and Cutouts
26. Do Make Say Think - And Yet And Yet
27. SikTh - How May I Help You?
28. Doves - The Last Broadcast
29. Enchant - Blink of an Eye
30. Agalloch - The Mantle
31. Godspeed You Black Emperor - Yanqui U.X.O.
![PainOfSalvation-RemedyLane.jpg](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/9a/PainOfSalvation-RemedyLane.jpg)
Pain of Salvation - Remedy Lane
rel January 15th, 2002
![TCCSL.jpg](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/c6/TCCSL.jpg)
Fair to Midland - The Carbon Copy Silver Lining
rel January 25th, 2002
![Dream Theater - Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence.jpg](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/3/3d/Dream_Theater_-_Six_Degrees_of_Inner_Turbulence.jpg/220px-Dream_Theater_-_Six_Degrees_of_Inner_Turbulence.jpg)
Dream Theater - Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
rel January 29th, 2002
![Pmg - speaking of now.jpg](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/3/39/Pmg_-_speaking_of_now.jpg/220px-Pmg_-_speaking_of_now.jpg)
Pat Metheny - Speaking of Now
rel February 12th, 2002
![LiveAtTheQuickCover.jpg](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/f/fe/LiveAtTheQuickCover.jpg/220px-LiveAtTheQuickCover.jpg)
Bela Fleck and the Flecktones - Live at the Quick
rel February 26th, 2002
![CoheedAndCambriaSSTB.jpg](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/3/30/CoheedAndCambriaSSTB.jpg/220px-CoheedAndCambriaSSTB.jpg)
Coheed and Cambria - The Second Stage Turbine Blade
rel March 5th, 2002
![Biffyclyro blackenedsky.jpg](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/c3/Biffyclyro_blackenedsky.jpg/220px-Biffyclyro_blackenedsky.jpg)
Biffy Clyro - Blackened Sky
rel March 10th, 2002
![You All Look the Same to Me.jpg](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/6/6a/You_All_Look_the_Same_to_Me.jpg/220px-You_All_Look_the_Same_to_Me.jpg)
Archive - You All Look the Same to Me
rel March 12th, 2002
![Dmstandyetandyet.jpg](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/f/fe/Dmstandyetandyet.jpg/220px-Dmstandyetandyet.jpg)
Do Make Say Think - And Yet And Yet
rel March 18th, 2002
The Jelly Jam - The Jelly Jam
rel March 18th, 2002
![](https://f4.bcbits.com/img/a2678775144_16.jpg)
The Velvet Teen - Out of the Fierce Parade
rel March 19th, 2002
![XTC - Coat Of Many Cupboards.jpg](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/eb/XTC_-_Coat_Of_Many_Cupboards.jpg/220px-XTC_-_Coat_Of_Many_Cupboards.jpg)
XTC - Coat of Many Cupboards
rel March 25, 2002
![Silverchair - Diorama.jpg](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/3/34/Silverchair_-_Diorama.jpg/220px-Silverchair_-_Diorama.jpg)
Silverchair - Diorama
rel March 31st, 2002
![The Apex Theory Topsy-Turvy.jpg](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/b0/The_Apex_Theory_Topsy-Turvy.jpg/220px-The_Apex_Theory_Topsy-Turvy.jpg)
The Apex Theory - Topsy-Turvy
rel April 2nd, 2002
![TMVTremulantEP.jpg](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/3/3d/TMVTremulantEP.jpg/220px-TMVTremulantEP.jpg)
The Mars Volta - Tremulant [EP]
rel April 2nd, 2002
![Doves Last Broadcast.jpg](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/5/54/Doves_Last_Broadcast.jpg/220px-Doves_Last_Broadcast.jpg)
Doves - The Last Broadcast
rel April 29th, 2002
![Self Titled.jpg](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/5/5d/Self_Titled.jpg/220px-Self_Titled.jpg)
Between the Buried and Me - Between the Buried and Me
rel April 30th, 2002
![BeginningStagesOf US.jpg](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/ea/BeginningStagesOf_US.jpg/220px-BeginningStagesOf_US.jpg)
The Polyphonic Spree - The Beginning Stages Of...
rel May 2nd, 2002
Superior - Ultima Ratio
rel May 7th, 2002
![Rush Vapor Trails.jpg](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/8/85/Rush_Vapor_Trails.jpg/220px-Rush_Vapor_Trails.jpg)
Rush - Vapor Trails
rel May 14th, 2002
![Castaways.jpg](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/6/6b/Castaways.jpg/220px-Castaways.jpg)
The Decemberists - Castaways and Cutouts
rel May 21st, 2002
![Mastodonremission.jpg](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/47/Mastodonremission.jpg/220px-Mastodonremission.jpg)
Mastodon - Remission
rel May 28th, 2002
![Detailsfrou.jpg](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/f/f7/Detailsfrou.jpg/220px-Detailsfrou.jpg)
Frou Frou - Details
rel June 4th, 2002
![Heathen.jpg](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/b6/Heathen.jpg/220px-Heathen.jpg)
David Bowie - Heathen
rel June 11th, 2002
![Murder by Death - Like the Exorcist, but More Breakdancing.jpg](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/40/Murder_by_Death_-_Like_the_Exorcist%2C_but_More_Breakdancing.jpg/220px-Murder_by_Death_-_Like_the_Exorcist%2C_but_More_Breakdancing.jpg)
Murder By Death - Like the Exorcist, but More Breakdancing
rel June 25th, 2002
![Echolyn - Mei.jpg](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/cc/Echolyn_-_Mei.jpg/220px-Echolyn_-_Mei.jpg)
Echolyn - Mei
rel June 2002
![Damage Done.jpg](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/70/Damage_Done.jpg)
Dark Tranquillity - Damage Done
rel July 22nd, 2002
![Enchant Blink of an Eye.jpg](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/ae/Enchant_Blink_of_an_Eye.jpg/220px-Enchant_Blink_of_an_Eye.jpg)
Enchant - Blink of an Eye
rel July 23rd, 2002
![](https://f4.bcbits.com/img/a0393682380_16.jpg)
Bend Sinister - The Warped Pane
rel August 1st, 2002
![Shaman ritual.jpg](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/9d/Shaman_ritual.jpg/220px-Shaman_ritual.jpg)
Shaman - Ritual
rel August 2nd, 2002
![The Mantle.jpg](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/1/13/The_Mantle.jpg/220px-The_Mantle.jpg)
Agalloch - The Mantle
rel August 13th, 2002
![Nile - In Their Darkened Shrines.jpg](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/5/53/Nile_-_In_Their_Darkened_Shrines.jpg/220px-Nile_-_In_Their_Darkened_Shrines.jpg)
Nile - In Their Darkened Shrines
rel August 20, 2002
![A Rush of Blood to the Head.jpg](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/45/A_Rush_of_Blood_to_the_Head.jpg/220px-A_Rush_of_Blood_to_the_Head.jpg)
Coldplay - A Rush of Blood to the Head
rel August 26, 2002
![Spocks Beard Snow.jpg](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/7/75/Spocks_Beard_Snow.jpg/220px-Spocks_Beard_Snow.jpg)
Spock's Beard - Snow
rel August 27, 2002
![MinusTheBearBandsLikeItWhenYouYell.jpg](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/25/MinusTheBearBandsLikeItWhenYouYell.jpg)
Minus the Bear - Bands Like It When You Yell "Yar!" at Them [EP]
rel September 16th, 2002
![Up - Peter Gabriel.jpg](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/96/Up_-_Peter_Gabriel.jpg/220px-Up_-_Peter_Gabriel.jpg)
Peter Gabriel - Up
rel September 23rd, 2002
![HMIHY-cover.jpg](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/b4/HMIHY-cover.jpg/220px-HMIHY-cover.jpg)
SikTh - How May I Help You?
rel September 23, 2002
![Beckseachange.jpg](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/3/35/Beckseachange.jpg/220px-Beckseachange.jpg)
Beck - Sea Change
rel September 24th, 2002
![Porcupine tree in absentia.jpg](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1a/Porcupine_tree_in_absentia.jpg/220px-Porcupine_tree_in_absentia.jpg)
Porcupine Tree - In Absentia
rel September 24th, 2002
![Weather Report Live and Unreleased.jpg](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/6/6e/Weather_Report_Live_and_Unreleased.jpg/220px-Weather_Report_Live_and_Unreleased.jpg)
Weather Report - Live and Unreleased
rel October 1st, 2002
![Dredgelcielo.jpg](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/7/7f/Dredgelcielo.jpg/220px-Dredgelcielo.jpg)
dredg - El Cielo
rel October 8th, 2002
![YouForgotItInPeople.jpg](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/5/57/YouForgotItInPeople.jpg/220px-YouForgotItInPeople.jpg)
Broken Social Scene - You Forgot It in People
rel October 15th, 2002
![ProtoKaw EarlyRecordingsFromKansas.jpg](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/5/58/ProtoKaw_EarlyRecordingsFromKansas.jpg/220px-ProtoKaw_EarlyRecordingsFromKansas.jpg)
Proto-Kaw - Early Recordings from Kansas 1971-1973
rel October 21st, 2002
![Sigurros().jpg](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/8/8d/Sigurros%28%29.jpg/220px-Sigurros%28%29.jpg)
Sigur Rós - ()
rel October 28th, 2002
![An overhead view of a plane flying over farmers' fields](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/2b/Gybeyanquiuxo.jpg)
Godspeed You Black Emperor - Yanqui U.X.O.
rel November 4th, 2002
![Opeth - Deliverance.jpg](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/b3/Opeth_-_Deliverance.jpg/220px-Opeth_-_Deliverance.jpg)
Opeth - Deliverance
rel November 4th, 2002
![Oursprecious.jpg](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/6/6e/Oursprecious.jpg)
Ours - Precious
rel November 5th, 2002
![Been to the Future.jpg](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/b9/Been_to_the_Future.jpg/220px-Been_to_the_Future.jpg)
Joey Eppard - Been to the Future
rel December 3rd, 2002
![TheBand3-HalfLife.jpg](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/5/52/TheBand3-HalfLife.jpg)
Three - Half Life
rel December 17th, 2002
![Sparrows cover.jpg](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/b1/Sparrows_cover.jpg/220px-Sparrows_cover.jpg)
Anathallo - Sparrows
rel 2002
![](https://img.discogs.com/RgpteAyB1tDSIYNQBZ8p2zviEjY=/fit-in/600x542/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-8350786-1459888246-9480.jpeg.jpg)
Call Florence Pow - The Strange Situation [EP]
rel 2002
![rua1](https://kjnb.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/rua1.jpg?w=460)
Clann Zú - Rua
rel 2002
Kevin Gilbert - The Kaviar Sessions
rel 2002
![God Is An Astronaut - The End Of The Beginning.jpg](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/0e/God_Is_An_Astronaut_-_The_End_Of_The_Beginning.jpg/220px-God_Is_An_Astronaut_-_The_End_Of_The_Beginning.jpg)
God is an Astronaut - The End of the Beginning
rel 2002
![](https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/eanproducts/products-0001/067/724/200/0677242000916.jpg)
Kaddisfly - Humania [EP]
rel 2002
Lehto and Wright - The Further Adventures of Darling Cody
rel 2002
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGAHO6sHXTYep2oj78YR955Z0bZhmREonsCzYiQRh1jSDnbae61CvFSMIo647QJ_mD0xu8RTvpNWTD82uHTuvQrA1WmT3z0ltwNfJwMMqlISc1gfl-2imZRQvBgahNkc5x8k82xlWL-pwN/s200/l_4cf3ba23972d42e8a2b7e22d179f99c2.jpg)
Menomena - Happiness is Shouting Bingo!
rel 2002