randomness grooves 2003 style

It seems that 2003 was a good year for good music. Some years drudging up a top ten is an impossible task. This year I'm having a hard time limiting myself. With no further ado...

1. The Shins - Chutes Too Narrow
A brilliant sophomore release blending indie pop with some twang sensibilities.

2. Vic Chesnutt - Silver Lake
Grows on me more and more with each listen. It's polished, but that's not so bad after all.

3. Fountains of Wayne - Welcome Interstate Managers
Although tired of the mega-single, still an amazing listen.

4. New Pornographers - Electric Version
Another great sophomore release. Better than their debut and a whole bag of fun.

5. Gillian Welch - Soul Journey
Gillian finds solace in the sunshine and it's infinitely hummable.

6. White Stripes - Elephant
Yeah, yeah they now get a lot of radio play. It's still damn good.

7. Warren Zevon - The Wind
There are few clunkers but, for the most part, pure brilliance.

8. Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros - Streetcore
Too short, too sad and purely magical.

9. The Jayhawks - Rainy Day Music
Even the most mediocre Jayhawks is better than pretty much anything.

10. Dandy Warhols - Welcome To The Monkey House
Indie-popsters + Nick Rhodes = Dance Fever.

Bubbling Under:
* Starlight Mints - Built on Squares
* David Bowie - Reality
* Outkast - Speakerboxx/The Love Below
* Shelby Lynne - Identity Crisis
* Eleni Mandell - Country for True Lovers
* Lost In Translation - O.S.T.
* Just an American Boy - Steve Earle
* The Pernice Brothers - Yours, Mine & Ours
* John Mellencamp - Trouble No More
* June Carter Cash - Wildwood Flower
* Rosanne Cash - Rules of Travel
* Rodney Crowell - Fate's Right Hand

Somewhat Tepid:
*Elvis Costello - North

Okay, okay. I'll stop now. Comments and your lists, please!

Posted by mikewolf at December 13, 2003 08:13 PM