Best Music of 2003

1. Fountains of Wayne - Welcome Interstate Managers (J-Curve)

OK, this may not be the most imaginative choice for a numero uno, but show me any record that has this many grabby tunes and cheeky-smart lyrics and I'll show you the last FOW album. Not perfect---some of the slower tunes drag---but still, it's the level to which all other "pop" bands should aspire to reaching.

2. Soul Engines - Closer Still (no label listed)

Whoa, this baby sure came out of nowhere. From what I've been told, all of the previous releases by this east coast combo sucked pretty severely, but the combination of the band's ace vocal harmonies, ringing guitars and strong song after strong song makes this one golden.

3. Walter Clevenger and the Dairy Kings - Full Tilt & Swing (Brewery)

Clevenger's mastery of the Nick Lowe-like brand of country rockin' seems almost effortless at this point, and this release finds him to be at the top of his game.

4. The Singles - Better Than Before (Rainbow Quartz)

A smashing debut by this young Detroit quartet that sounds like the Cavern Club-era Beatles wired on uppers.

5. The Blondes - Swedish Heat (Teenacide)

Glam lives and these guys are out to prove it, with insanely catchy tunes littered with glitter among the homages to teenage foxes, California sunshine and Suzi Quatro.

6. Farrah - Me Too (Rock Indiana)

Old school power pop lives and these Brits do it up right, throwing in a marvelous, downcast version of Joe Jackson's "It's Different For Girls."

7. The Winnerys - and...The Winnerys (Rock Indiana)

The Spanish Spongetones? The Rutles en Espanol? "Deface el Musico?" Whatever you wanna dub it, these Spaniards have their Beatles moves down pat, and they up the ante with a sombrero load of great tunes.

8. The Playmates - Listen! (K.O.G.A)

Sturdy Japanese power pop, brimming with fun, energy and lyrics I can't understand for the life of me. No matter---these boys rock and have fun doing while doing so.

9. Myracle Brah - Treblemaker (Rainbow Quartz)

Definitely the best since their debut, methinks, but leaning more towards garagey sounds than the debut album's Badfingery pure pop that so many loved (and some detested).

10. Jet - Get Born (Elektra)

Any band that can rip off---oh, excuse me, BORROW---riffs from hoary '70s icons like Iggy Pop, T. Rex and Bachman Turner Freaking Overdrive and turn them all into something quite memorable is worthy of attention. Note: in addition to rocking like the proverbial mother, the Jet boys also can pen a nice ballad.

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