Lost In The Sound Of Separation comes to mind immediately. Wasn't sure how UO could have a record as killer as Define - and wow did they do it again.

The Smashing Pumpkins - Siamese Dream and Mellon Collie & The Infinite Sadness.

After Gish, I expected big things from them and they didn't disappoint. I didn't think I could be moved like I was with Siamese Dream, especially when the rumors of a double album started to leak, but damn if Billy didn't pull it off with MC&TIS. This is the only band of my youth that didn't let me down with their first 3 albums. (4 if you count Pisces Iscariot, but it wasn't a true "new" release)

Originally Posted by Thomas Nassiff

This topic is perfect for the way I felt about American Slang.

Album was on some kind of different level.

Originally Posted by Kurt Retenauer

Also, Relient K - Forget and Not Slow Down. I thought it'd be more of the same fun RK, but it was a much more personal and straight up great album than I ever expected it to be.

Good call.. While I did enjoy Five Score, I thought it was pretty thematically weak. Forget and Not Slow Down fully restored my faith in this band though.

Kanye West - My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
I remember setting the bar low after all the controversy and stylistic change on 808s & Heartbreak. However, he blew me away, and it's undoubtedly my favorite album.

Taking Back Sunday - Where You Want To Be
I think we were all blown away by TAYF. I didn't think they'd be able to craft a follow-up that could be nearly as good, but they proved me wrong. I remember I was sold on this album one listen through and it didn't leave my album rotation for months.

Blink 182 - Self Titled

Some Nights for sure, and Dog Problems in that case

The Strokes- Room on Fire
After releasing "Is This It?" all eyes were on the strokes and they really put out a record that some argue is even better than their debut.

The Wonder Years- Suburbia
I actually enjoy this record more than the Upsides. Shows progress while still keeping their style. I don't get the whole "Deja Entendu" similarities that people suggest because I think that Brand New put out a record that literally nobody expected.

Red Hot Chili Peppers - Californication
After recruiting John Frusciante back, this was a album that really launched them to worldwide superstardum after the horrible "One Hot Minute"

Drake- Take Care (I know I'm going to take heat for this one)
His debut album was huge and to come back with another great album. Drake isn't for everyone but for the ones who love him. This was amazing.

I agree with most of your list, but I would throw The Format - Dog Problems on there instead of Thrice. Maybe Coheed's second album too or Owen - At Home With. Wow, my tastes have changed a lot over the years.

Originally Posted by blimpcityhero11

Good call.. While I did enjoy Five Score, I thought it was pretty thematically weak. Forget and Not Slow Down fully restored my faith in this band though.

Kanye West - My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
I remember setting the bar low after all the controversy and stylistic change on 808s & Heartbreak. However, he blew me away, and it's undoubtedly my favorite album.

Taking Back Sunday - Where You Want To Be
I think we were all blown away by TAYF. I didn't think they'd be able to craft a follow-up that could be nearly as good, but they proved me wrong. I remember I was sold on this album one listen through and it didn't leave my album rotation for months.

Yeah, Five Score was kind of weak, but I still had high hopes for the next album because RK was beyond consistent prior to that release. I knew they'd bounce back, just didn't know they'd totally outdo themselves.

Relient K - mmhmm
Kanye West - MBDTF
Sufjan Stevens - Age of Adz

Bjork - Biophillia

Her previous album, Volta is unquestionably her worst album, so I was a little nervous for this album. The fact that she'd had to learn a completely different technique of singing and the fact that it was going to be released as a series of apps worried me. Turns out it was brilliant, probably my favourite album that was released in 2011. It isn't quite as good as her 'classic' stuff, but not much is.

Bruce Springsteen - Wrecking Ball

Similar story to Bjork. Working On A Dream was pretty poor for Bruce's standards, so I was concerned about Wrecking Ball. It's probably the best thing he's released in 20+ years. Fantastic album and fantastic return to form.

First two that I thought of.

As Cities Burn - Come Now Sleep. Wasnt sure how it was going to sound with removing the hardcore aspects from the band, but it is an amazing album.

Good Old War - Only Way to Be Alone. Love me some Days Away and wasnt sure what to expect from any new projects they started. One of my favorite bands now.

Edit: Add on Bring Me The Horizon - There is a Hell.... Hated their first release, but they definitely progressed a lot with this album.

Thursday - War All The Time

hmmmm first answers that come to mind :

Thursday - No Devoluçion
i didn't know what to expect because Common Existence was all over the place... but it just blew me away
And So I Watch You From Afar - Gangs
As Tall As Lions - You Can't Take It With You
Alice In Chains - Black Gives Way To Blue
Glassjaw - Coloring Book
Underoath - O Disambiguation

The Graduate - Only Every Time
Circa Survive - Blue Sky Noise
Bayside - Killing Time
Thursday - No Devolución
The Dangerous Summer - War Paint