Best albums of 2002

I'd already been a fan of Trail of Dead for a few years when this came out & increased their fanbase. Every song on here is perfect, the flow is perfect, & I've listened to this album more times than I can count.
Favorite song: "Source Tags and Codes"

The album that finally got me into QOTSA. I love it as much for the songs on display as for its commentary on the radio that links the songs together.
Favorite song: "Song for the Dead"

One of the most underrated, under-appreciated bands ever.
Favorite song: "gareth brown says"

Infinitely better than his debut, which failed to properly capture his sound. It's still a little too polished perhaps, but every song sounds great anyway & there's a lot of honest emotion poured into each one.
Favorite song: "Trashville"

My absolute favorite of the pAper chAse's albums.
Favorite song: "so, how goes the good fight"

Favorite song: "Same Ol' Road"

mewithoutYou was touring behind this album the first time I saw them. While it's not as perfect as their next album, it's still a rewarding listen every time I sit down with it and better than a lot of debut albums.
Favorite song: "Silencer"

The Black Heart Procession actually let some light into their sound, and it improves it.
Favorite song: "Did You Wonder"

Favorite song: "Consequence of Sound"

Favorite song: "Tides of Tomorrow"

A Sage Francis "mix-tape" I picked up (on CD) the first time I saw him perform live. It's a collection of unreleased songs he had done over the years, many of which are Amazing. Despite it not being a proper album, there's a good flow to it & I went through a phase where it was all I wanted to listen to for days on end. (Looks like the entire album is available on Youtube, if you're interested.)
Favorite song: Ummm...crap, don't make me choose! Eh, here, I'll go with "Embarrassed" (featuring Eyedea (R.I.P.) and Slug)...

This 2 CD live album earns its spot here more for the bonus disc Still than the primary disc. While I think the live recording is among the best for NIN, I have bootlegs I prefer over it...it's a worthy document & worth checking out. But the Still disc, later released separately, is far more intimate with the stripped-down versions of some older songs mixed with more mellow unreleased songs. Had it been released alone in the first place, it'd top my list for this year. Ah well...
Favorite song: "the becoming"

Favorite song: "Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, Pt. 1" (so irresistible)

2002 was a banner year for Dave Grohl, between his drumming on the QOTSA album and his work on this one, which remains my favorite of the Foos' albums.
Favorite song: "Tired of You"

A brilliant debut album that's tragically obscure, and the artist Lolo never recorded a follow-up. She was clearly influenced by the likes of Massive Attack and Portishead, but still has her own unique voice. I found this album after she guested on a Pigface song on their Easy Listening... album (also released in 2002), and bought it & still listen to it even now.
Favorite song: "Luna"

Recorded to raise money for the appeals of the West Memphis 3, who were finally released from prison this year. Henry Rollins gathered as many of his favorite vocalists as he could to participate on recording covers of Black Flag songs, and the results are mostly great.
Favorite song: "Six Pack" which is the sixth song below

Favorite song: "Hopeless"

A little too rough in some places, but Against Me!'s passion outweighs the weaker production.
Favorite song: "Walking Is Still Honest"

Favorite song: "Mr. Moonlight"

Favorite song: "Pulling Teeth" which I couldn't find a video for. So here's another track from the album called "I'm from the Future"...

Favorite song: "Solve et Coagula" (just listen to those drums!)

I was in the minority on liking this band apparently. Most of the times I saw them perform live the crowd tried to boo them off the stage, which is sad because they put on a great show every time. Fortunately they always took it in stride & kept playing anyway.
Favorite song: "Apossibly"

Favorite song: "Crazy" (I'm a sucker for a good cover.)