Sept. 11 In Music: The Top Albums Years Later

By David Jenison

Many people don’t realize the Sept. 11 attacks occurred on a Tuesday, the day of the week in which new albums debut in stores. Strangely enough, this particular Tuesday introduced landmark albums, a major flop and a few surreal shockers. On the 10th anniversary of the attacks, here is a look back at the albums that shaped that tragic day.

JAY-Z – THE BLUEPRINT

Jigga showed he had the blueprint for success when this disc became his fourth chart-topper in less than three years, but it also introduced a more soulful style to the rapper’s repertoire. This can be credited to the lead producer who launched his career with this album: Kanye West.

NICKELBACK – SILVER SIDE UP

The week’s No. 2 belonged to Canadian rockers Nickelback with this star-making smash. It featured the iconic hit “How You Remind Me,” which helped the album sell over 6 million copies in the U.S. and become the overall top seller released on Sept. 11.

FABOLOUS – GHETTO FABOLOUS

Fabolous scored the highest debut that week with a rookie release. The No. 4 album launched the rapper’s career with the 2Pac-referencing “Can’t Deny It,” though the spookiest song name goes to “Trade It All.”

BOB DYLAN – LOVE AND THEFT

The Hall of Fame legend finished fifth on the Sept. 11 chart with this critically lauded disc, which followed an Album of the Year Grammy and preceded his first chart-topper in 30 years. This gold-certified album is the week’s only Top 10 disc that didn’t go platinum.

P.O.D. – SATELLITE

The rocker’s “Alive” single got a huge FM spike after Sept. 11 thanks to its positive vibes. “People were like, ‘I want music that makes me think and helps me take my mind off the tragedy,” says vocalist Sonny Sandoval, whose album went multi-platinum after a No. 6 start.

MARIAH CAREY – GLITTER

Carey topped the charts each year in the ’90s, so her Virgin debut had huge expectations. Instead, a public meltdown and No. 7 flop showed this glitter’s not gold. This was even worse than having ex-fling Eminem describe how “me and Luis were trying to stick two CDs in the same slot” (“Warning Shots”).

SLAYER – GOD HATES US ALL

Slayer claims the week’s most ominous debut with promo posters that read “God Hates Us All – September 11, 2001.” Says singer Tom Araya, “The record label thought about pulling [the album]. We just figured, ‘It doesn’t really matter. The record is out, leave it alone and let’s see what happens.’”

DREAM THEATER – LIVE SCENES FROM NEW YORK

Winning the award for the most unintentionally inappropriate cover art, this three-disc live collection featured the Twin Towers on fire. The album was naturally reissued with new artwork.

OZOMATLI – EMBRACE THE CHAOS

Grief for lefty politics and a provocative title didn’t keep Ozo from touring after the attacks. Wil-Dog Abers recalls, “The hardest thing was going back to New York about two weeks after it happened. Every single person you met knew someone who died. It’s amazing how small of a community it became.”

DEAD KENNEDYS – BEDTIME FOR DEMOCRACY

Though merely a Sept. 11 reissue, the album artwork features the Statue of Liberty under attack. Jello must’ve been proud.