The 10 best rock albums of 2020, ranked

Max KalnitzDec 23, 2020, 00:05 IST

Bruce Springsteen performing in 2019. His new album "Letter To You" was one of the best rock releases of the year.Kevin Mazur/Getty Images

We ranked the best rock albums released in 2020.
My Morning Jacket's "The Waterfall II" took our top spot.
Bob Dylan's "Rough and Rowdy Ways" and Bruce Springsteen's "Letter to You" rounded out our top three.

Although concerts and festivals were canceled because of the coronavirus, artists have luckily still been releasing new albums this year.

And it's been a great year for new music, especially in the rock world.

Classic artists like Bruce Springsteen and AC/DC have shown they still have something to say in the rock-and-roll conversation, while more contemporary bands like My Morning Jacket and The Strokes have added to their growing legacies with solid releases.

We ranked the top 10 rock releases of the year. They're listed below in descending order.

10. "Father of All Motherf---ers" is an awesome throwback to Green Day's "American Idiot" era.

Green Day's "Father Of All Motherf---ers" was released on February 7, 2020. Reprise Records

9. The uplifting dance jams on "Imploding the Mirage" are perfect for pandemic listening.

The Killers' "Imploding The Mirage" was released on August 21, 2020. Island Records

8. "Hey Clockface" is an expansive mixture of moods and flavors showcasing Elvis Costello's masterful lyricism.

Elvis Costello's "Hey Clockface" was released on October 30, 2020. Concord Records

7. AC/DC's "Power Up" is a beautiful tribute to the late Malcolm Young that doesn't sacrifice the band's iconic sound.

AC/DC's "Power Up" was released on November 13, 2020. Columbia/Sony Music Australia

6. "Rearrange Us" proves Mt. Joy is on its way to Mumford & Sons-level success with its own unique sound.

Mt. Joy's "Rearrange Us" was released on June 5, 2020. Dualtone

5. Pearl Jam released its best album in decades with "Gigaton."

Pearl Jam's "Gigaton" was released on March 27, 2020. Monkeywrench/Republic

4. The Strokes' "The New Abnormal" is the perfect pandemic soundtrack.

The Strokes' "The New Abnormal" was released on April 10, 2020. Cult Records/RCA Records

3. "Letter to You" is a late-life masterpiece from Bruce Springsteen, full of intimate croonings in honor of lost friends.

Bruce Springsteen's "Letter to You" was released on October 23, 2020. Columbia Records

2. Bob Dylan's "Rough and Rowdy Ways" is an instant classic.

Bob Dylan's "Rough and Rowdy Ways" was released on June 19, 2020. Columbia Records

1. "The Waterfall II" is the perfect follow-up album to its 2015 predecessor.

My Morning Jacket's "The Waterfall II" was released on July 10, 2020. ATO Records

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