First let's get the honorable mentions out of the way, in no particular order:
Andres- Andres (Mahogani Music)
Andrew Thomas- Fearsome Jewel (Kompakt)
Andrew WK- Wolf (Major Label)
Doron Sadja- Piece of String, A Sunset (12k)
Dwayne Sodhaberk- Unfortunately (Tigerbeat6)
False- False (Plus 8)
Kevin Blechdom- Bitches Without Britches (EFA)
Lawrence- Absence of Blight (Dial)
Michael Franti- Songs from the Front Porch (Boo Boo Wax)
Nathan Michel- Dear Bicycle (Tigerbeat6)
Radiohead- Hail to the Thief (Major Label)
Rhythm and Sound- Versions (Rhythm and Sound)
Ulrich Schnauss- A Strangely Isolated Place (City Centre Offices)
Villalobos- Alcahofa (Playhouse)
Von Bondies- Raw and Rare (Dim Mak)
10. TV ON THE RADIO- YOUNG LIARS (TOUCH AND GO)
If there ever was a group that snuck up out of nowhere in 2003, it was TOTR. Crazy ass electronic production with low-fi values with a lead singer that sounds a big like Peter Gabriel and Bob Mould. This will be New York's big breakout band in 2004, but in the meantime pick up this EP and be amazed.
9. ELUVIUM- LAMBENT MATERIAL (TEMP. RESIDENCE)
2003 was a damn good year for ambient music. Lawrence, Andrew Thomas, Keith Fullerton Whitman and others came up with killer artist records..and Tigerbeat and Kompakt both threw together outstanding compilations. But the biggest surprise came from this small humble guy named Eluvium. Lambent Materials takes things back to Eno territory and mixes it up with My Bloody Valentine. An outstanding debut record and (I hope) just a small glimpse of great things to come.
8. CAT POWER- YOU ARE FREE (MATADOR)
Haunting, beautiful and brilliant. This is confessional singer-songwriting at its finest. The same muse that graced Carole King during the recording of Tapestry
was present over these sessions, with equally delightful results.
7. TAMION 12 INCH- ALL BLACK, EYES CLOSED TO THE EXCESS OF DISASTER (ERSATZ AUDIO)
This debut EP scared the shit out of me when I first heard it, because it's the sound of a nervous breakdown captured on vinyl. On top of that, they throw down the most fierce live set in all of Detroit. Similar in style to labelmates Adult., but much more raw and aggressive. In a perfect world this would be Detroit's favorite band.
6. DARKNESS- PERMISSION TO LAND
This album rocks. Best dual guitars this side of Boston, best power ballads this side of Journey and a vocalist who could give Freddie Mercury a run for his money. It's just flat out good arena hair metal.
5. ADULT. - ANXIETY ALWAYS (ERSATZ)
Now that the world is giving Adult. all of the adulation it so richly deserves, it was with great anticipation that I awaited the arrival of this record. And it lives up to all of the fuss and praise. Beautiful electro punk rock.
4. LUOMO- PRESENT LOVER (FORCETRACKS)
Fans of the Dlay awaited this release after being teased several times over with a single and various contributions to compilations. But make no bones about it, this is house music at it's finest. Sassy, sexy minimal grooves that perfectly fuse the great things about electronic dance music with r&b sensibilities. Not as groundbreaking as Vocalcity, but just as enjoyable.
3. DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE- TRANSATLANTICISM (BARSUK)
Sweet super sugary pop songs tempered with the ballads. I really can't put into words what this album meant to me personally this year, and it might not even be technically that brilliant...or appealing to everyone. But on a personal note this album fell right in line with much of my mood for 2003 and it slowly and quietly became a sentimental favorite of mine, along with my #1 album.
2. MATTHEW DEAR- LEAVE LUCK TO HEAVEN (SPECTRAL)
There's been so many varied attempts at describing this record from music journalists worldwide. I just think it's essential listening for anyone who likes present day dance music. It's just that good.
1. SATURDAY LOOKS GOOD TO ME- ALL YOUR SUMMER SONGS (POLYVINYL)
I'm looking at all of my lists and realizing that there's just so much of it stemming from Michigan. It makes me wonder if I'm extremely biased towards this region. But then again, do I really care if I am biased or not? Nah. Once again, this group comes up big with the most played, most suggested, most loved record of the past two years. I was lucky enough to score a copy of it last year on cd_r and I've never stopped listening to it and falling in love with pop music all over again.
And that's THAT. See you in 04. And in the words of the immortal Sgt. Phil "Let's be careful out there"
Posted by rob at December 31, 2003 10:20 AM