Top Ten of 2003

1. Pernice Brothers
Yours, Mine & Ours

(Ashmont)

This recording quietly dominated 2003 for me. The record opens with "A Weaker Shade of Blue":

[w]on't you come away with me
and begin something we can't understand
I'm lonely as the Irish Sea
and as willing as the sand

The lyrical imagery is matched only by the quality of the song, arrangement, performance and production as a whole. No weaknesses. The recording holds up in this manner track after track, providing further evidence that Pernice Brothers fail to make even merely good records…they make consistently great ones. Sure, there were a ton of great records in 2003, but if I have to pick one recording, this is it. One of the best, if not the best, bands in the world making a recording that stands up to its previous bar-setting recordings.

Ryan Adams
Rock N' Roll

(Lost Highway)

Ryan has a reputation for being an asshole. Unfortunately, if we judged music based on that criteria, we'd probably be limited to reviewing Amy Grant CDs. Adams is a world class songwriter and he adds to his impressive body of work on this CD. Indeed, the recording embodies rock 'n roll and that is enough for me. I don't have to drink with him or hang with him. It's enough that he makes good records like this one.

Death Cab for Cutie
Transatlanticism

(Barsuk)

Dark, ominous and a recording that just sounds amazing. Romantic and a recording that drips with emotion, Transatlanticism is their best effort yet. It is a recording that should be listened to as a whole and experienced as a complete musical composition, like an indie rock classical movement.

Belle and Sebastian
Dear Catastrophe Waitress

(Rough Trade)

Their best recording since If You're Feeling Sinister. Great sounds and great production by Trevor Horn. Stuart Murdoch has always been an inspired lyricist, and this is no exception. The Mike Piazza Pitcher-Catcher analogy was bound to be captured eventually, and there was no one better to capture it than Murdoch. All of this combined with unique instrument choices make this a top one for 2003.

The Thrills
So Much for the City

(Virgin)

A lot of hype but a really nice record. Nothing groundbreaking, but The Thrills really tap into that Topanga Canyon sound of soaring melodies using banjo and twelve string electrics. The combination of instruments and beautiful interacting arpeggios give the recording a blissful, light, cascading youthful exuberance.

Ladybug Transistor
s/t

(Merge)

The songs on this recording are strong, but when combined with the male lead singer's deadpan vocals, the recording goes to another level for me. This is apparently a bit different than past efforts which I haven't heard but which have been favorably compared to the Association. A subjective choice, but you have to have some of these.

Jet
Get Born

(Elektra)

I really resisted this one, being on a major label and all. But if you place the CD in the changer, close your eyes and imagine that they are on a small indie, there is no getting around this one. It rocks with songs like a record that has a vibe equal parts The Who Who Sells Out, Badfinger Straight Up and Alice Cooper Love it to Death. "Radio Song" is a great homages to Let it Be-era Beatles. Sure, it is a derivative recording in parts. If I had a dollar for every person that has pointed out the "Lust for Life" apparent ripoff, I'd be a millionaire. What you must remember is that rock as a genre uses a very small combination of chords and notes when it is at its most effective. Jet merely attempts to use the best combos, combos that inevitably have been used in the past. This recording is evidence of a possible rediscovery of rock 'n roll by the majors. Kudos to Leigh Lust, the A & R guy, for finding these guys and getting big money behind them.

Hey...majors...there is this little indie band called The Shazam if you want to jump on the Jet/Kings of Leon bandwagon...wink, wink.

Fonda
Catching Up to the Future

(Hidden Agenda)

This melodic soundscape of guitars, beautifully arranged vocals and nice choices vaults this one into my Top Eleven. The call and response vocal of "Loving You Makes Me Sad" is a highlight as one of my Songs of the Year. This band might be compared with Ivy, but I think they have their own sound. It all starts with the songs and this could be Exhibit "A" to that.

Outkast
Speakerboxx/The Love Below

(Arista)

I don't know what to say that hasn't already been said. All I know is that if this record doesn't win the Grammy for best recording of the last year, last three years, I will…I don't know what. Geezuz…these are some thoughts…listening to this is like a journey through cool music history, melted down into this totally contemporary subtle and in your face MONSTER of a double CD.

As a cool jazz CD, it rivals anything since 1959 New York. As a Zappaesque humor filled commentary record, it might be without rival in recent years. Damn, "Where Are My Panties? with its narration of the thoughts of a couple in bed the morning after is just about the funniest thing I've heard in awhile. "Roses"…really smell like poo poo. Come on…totally amazing! And it makes sense in the context of the CD.

"Hey Ya!" is the song of the year no doubt in my mind. Hooky as hell, amazing chorus, great song…amazing song. Those backgrounds on the chorus are like something off of a great gospel recording from New Orleans. And Funk, this is funk with Maggot Brain intensity. If this were 1969, Sly Stone would actually acknowledge these guys. It's a great hip hop recording. The songs have great beats and commentary that always keeps things in perspective.

Fufkin is about music that transcends musical genre or boundaries. This is it.

Super Furry Animals
Phantom Power

(XL)

It would be tough to even come close to their last effort, Rings Around the World, but this does. Rife with social commentary and another stellar voyage into aural, sonic expression, Gruff Rhys and the band deliver one of the best recordings of 2003.

Grandaddy
Sumday

(V2)

This one eluded me for awhile as it is different than its predecessor, Sophtmore Slump. It builds on the strengths of their electronica base. What this is is a great pop record using electronic elements to complement the songs like Christmas lights on a Christmas tree. I think they have a great CD in their future, one that will define their body of work. This isn't it, but I see something in their growth that allows me to see the possibilities.

Honorable Mentions: Kings of Leon: Youth and Young Manhood; The Constantines: Shine a Light; American Analog Set: Promise of Love; Josh Rouse; 1972; Bleu: Redhead; The Shins: Chutes Too Narrow; Guided by Voices: Earthquake Glue; Easterley: s/t; The Tyde: Twice; Beulah: Yoko; My Favorite: The Happiest Days of Our Lives; Drive by Truckers: Decoration Day; Joe Strummer & the Mescalaros: Streetcore; Long Winters: When I Pretend to Fall; Ted Leo & The Pharmacists: Hearts of Oak; Count V: Psychotic Revelation (reissue), the Bob Dylan reissues (amazing...) and Your Favorite Band: A Recording Released in 2003

Congratulations to all of the artists listed above and to all of the artists listed by the other writers. To the artists, thanks for your talent, hard work and commitment to your artistic vision. We are listening and we are fortunate that you are out there. To everyone involved with these recordings, great work. To all, buy these recordings.

I wish everyone all the best in 2004.

Thanks for visiting, tell a friend about Fufkin and keep coming back.

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