Jim Clark
01-02-2004, 12:00 PM
Many have already done this (Slosh may have done his 2004 list by now), others aren't quite ready but I figured I was about as ready as I'd ever be. The Golden Path of 2003 was a bit tarnished at times but not without the joy of wonderful music along the way. I never would have guessed that patiently awaited releases from faves like Seal, Wolfsheim, and De/Vision would fall so short of my expectations. Not that they were uniformly bad, just that they weren’t great and that can just suck. In the case of Wolfsheim I’d be less than honest to say that it was anything more than bad, but c’est la vie. While I didn’t get a chance to listen to everything I might have wanted, I gave it a decent run with more purchases this year then ever before. Of course that’s a mixed blessing at best since some things that may have grown on me more didn’t really get a fair shake but the stuff I did latch on to was more than worthy of my or anyone’s top 10 of 2003. Still regret not getting the Strummer and KMFDM discs but what can you do? There’s always next year, or this year, as the case may be. Without further ado, the list:
http://cover09.cduniverse.com/PhantomArt/100044.jpg
10.Cat Power-You Are Free: Hey, this doesn’t suck at all and was a surprising and very last minute entry into the fray. I’d liked the comp’d songs that I heard but I also recalled the sporadic comments about it being a snoozer. Having seen her live in a less than stellar performance heightened my anxiety a bit too. In the end I’ll give her the nod for the 10’th spot simply because it was among the better surprises of the year. Simple melodies and the general hint of what lies just the beneath the surface gives the album a bit of tension that helps hold my attention.
http://cover09.cduniverse.com/MuzeAudioArt/480/483743.jpg
9. The Dandy Warhols-Welcome To The Monkey House: A Finch rec and a great one at that. Some rock, some pop, some electro clash and some very good music all the way around. Incredible bass, humourous songs, it's all there in a nice, neat little package.
http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00009KDLA.01._PE_SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg
8. Iris-Awakenings-This time Iris steers further away from the ultra-catchy melodies and settles into a more traditional pop/rock writing style. The result is a more mature sounding synthpop this time around. Oh, it’s still melodic but it takes a bit longer for everything to seep through cranium than the previous release. Still one of the strongest synthpop bands around and while it satisfies I can’t help wonder what’s just around the corner for this band.
http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00009IB5D.01._PE12_SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg
7. Mosquitos-S/T: Really figured more independent music thinkers would latch on to this one. If I were a new band looking for a unique and interesting sound I’d have to reconsider after seeing this release get ignored. Indie pop with huge Brazilian influence, the Mosquitos cross all boundaries with a relative ease. No it’s not something you’ll ever hear on the radio-isn’t that a good thing? In a year where everyone clamors about how stale music has become it’s nice to hear something that at least attempts something different and this is way different than anything else out there. Light -refreshing pop music can be a marvelous thing.
http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00008ZZ8P.01._PE_SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg
6. The Gathering-Souvenirs: Had the release dates of this album been reversed with that of Evanesence’ Fallen CD the world may very well be a better place, at least musically. OK, so Amy Lee is hotter. I’ll even go so far as to say that Amy Lee may have a little better voice than Anneka Van Giersbergen but the music of The Gathering is so much more compelling that it really shouldn’t merit much debate. If you enjoy powerful, yet angelic female vocals this disc should cross over nicely to fans of many genres. These guys can flat out play making comments like “there’s no talent in music today” seem even sillier. That Evanescence got the attention is almost tragic but doesn’t come as a surprise.
http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0000D9PI4.01._PE8_SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg
5. The Stills-Logic Will Break Your Heart: Post Punk junkies of the world rejoice. This year there were two stellar releases to enjoy and enjoy them I have. On this occasion we have some “Get Ready” era New Order sound, combined with some less dramatic Cure flavoring and combined that with their already dark art school sound to create this very solid album. This band is one of those that I would expect to get a much larger following in the near future.
http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00008XEQA.01._PE17_SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg
4. Lamb-What Sound Deluxe: Wide ranging electronica presented seamlessly without a hitch or glitch throughout. My first exposure to Lamb came via the soundtrack for HBO’s Six Feet Under and my interest grows with each passing listen to this incredibly lush album. Interesting note-this is the third release from Lamb and each has received 4 and half stars from AMG. Rare to see a band reviewed so consistently on any site and this album is simply awesome. The best secret in electronica.
http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0000BXMZP.01._PE_SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg
3. British Sea Power-The Decline of BSP: Sweet rec from Davey that so far has shown it holds up well after repeated listens. It wouldn’t surprise me if this album in the end doesn’t have a longer shelf life than my # 1 pick. Not original in the strictest sense but they gleam influence and inspiration from so many of my faves of years gone by that it works out gloriously. So who else has taken a bit of Joy Division, a touch of the Furs, and tossed it all with a hearty helping of Bowie and served up such a tasty musical dish? If you borrow from the right folks it all works out in the end. Fantastic disc.
http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00007KK7V.01._PE22_SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg
2. Massive Attack-100’th Window: Did someone fart? The room cleared of Massive Attack fans pretty quickly on this one. Incredibly dark and powerful, maybe that’s one reason I didn’t hear more about it. A little too Massive and a little too heavy on the Attack perhaps? I’m sure that’s the deal with some but I think they got some dings for taking what they have done best and doing it better. Maybe some folks are more interested in the fact that they tend to go off into different directions and were disappointed in the fact that there wasn’t any new ground broken with this one. Well I adore the record and even though Sinead wasn’t in the best of voice for her contributions I felt the album was perhaps more even than any other I’ve heard in a long time and the power sustains me through repeated listens. I think Massive Attack is simply a victim of their own success on this one.
http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B000089CJI.01._PE_SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg
1. Postal Service-Give Up: This selection typifies what most of us have suspected for a while and was confirmed this year. The music scene is reaching back to embrace thoughts and ideas of years long since gone. This works out great if you happen to enjoy the eras being mined but probably gives you ammunition if you don’t. Sythnpop (largely) accepted by the masses in 2003? What’s next? Floods, disaster, plague and pestilence? So far, so good. College radio probably played the biggest part in getting this release on the radar but we would be remiss not to give credit to the DCFC connection as well. No the attention this album received doesn’t mean I’m cool but I take a little comfort in knowing that maybe, just maybe, I’m not a complete dweeb.
Honorable mentions:
Electric Six-Fire +High Voltage EP-Freaking awesome but one or two weaker tracks kept them off my 10 best list. More fun than most albums this year.
Calexico's Feast of Wire was battling until the end for either the 9 or 10'th spot. It was close and could make it on another day.
Annie Lennox-Bare: About time she released something worthy of her talent.
The Sounds-Living In America-Pure fun and a little deeper songwriting than it would seem at first listen.
The Prids-Love Zero-tough to leave this sucker out but the lyrics are just short of being average. I love the sound though.
The Strokes-Room On Fire-High on fun factor and immediately catchy but ultimately seems just a bit weak on substance.
If you're still here-a comp will follow shortly if you want to hear any of it for yourself. Thanks to everyone for helping me discover and hear so much great music in 2003.
Happy New Year-
jc
http://cover09.cduniverse.com/PhantomArt/100044.jpg
10.Cat Power-You Are Free: Hey, this doesn’t suck at all and was a surprising and very last minute entry into the fray. I’d liked the comp’d songs that I heard but I also recalled the sporadic comments about it being a snoozer. Having seen her live in a less than stellar performance heightened my anxiety a bit too. In the end I’ll give her the nod for the 10’th spot simply because it was among the better surprises of the year. Simple melodies and the general hint of what lies just the beneath the surface gives the album a bit of tension that helps hold my attention.
http://cover09.cduniverse.com/MuzeAudioArt/480/483743.jpg
9. The Dandy Warhols-Welcome To The Monkey House: A Finch rec and a great one at that. Some rock, some pop, some electro clash and some very good music all the way around. Incredible bass, humourous songs, it's all there in a nice, neat little package.
http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00009KDLA.01._PE_SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg
8. Iris-Awakenings-This time Iris steers further away from the ultra-catchy melodies and settles into a more traditional pop/rock writing style. The result is a more mature sounding synthpop this time around. Oh, it’s still melodic but it takes a bit longer for everything to seep through cranium than the previous release. Still one of the strongest synthpop bands around and while it satisfies I can’t help wonder what’s just around the corner for this band.
http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00009IB5D.01._PE12_SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg
7. Mosquitos-S/T: Really figured more independent music thinkers would latch on to this one. If I were a new band looking for a unique and interesting sound I’d have to reconsider after seeing this release get ignored. Indie pop with huge Brazilian influence, the Mosquitos cross all boundaries with a relative ease. No it’s not something you’ll ever hear on the radio-isn’t that a good thing? In a year where everyone clamors about how stale music has become it’s nice to hear something that at least attempts something different and this is way different than anything else out there. Light -refreshing pop music can be a marvelous thing.
http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00008ZZ8P.01._PE_SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg
6. The Gathering-Souvenirs: Had the release dates of this album been reversed with that of Evanesence’ Fallen CD the world may very well be a better place, at least musically. OK, so Amy Lee is hotter. I’ll even go so far as to say that Amy Lee may have a little better voice than Anneka Van Giersbergen but the music of The Gathering is so much more compelling that it really shouldn’t merit much debate. If you enjoy powerful, yet angelic female vocals this disc should cross over nicely to fans of many genres. These guys can flat out play making comments like “there’s no talent in music today” seem even sillier. That Evanescence got the attention is almost tragic but doesn’t come as a surprise.
http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0000D9PI4.01._PE8_SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg
5. The Stills-Logic Will Break Your Heart: Post Punk junkies of the world rejoice. This year there were two stellar releases to enjoy and enjoy them I have. On this occasion we have some “Get Ready” era New Order sound, combined with some less dramatic Cure flavoring and combined that with their already dark art school sound to create this very solid album. This band is one of those that I would expect to get a much larger following in the near future.
http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00008XEQA.01._PE17_SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg
4. Lamb-What Sound Deluxe: Wide ranging electronica presented seamlessly without a hitch or glitch throughout. My first exposure to Lamb came via the soundtrack for HBO’s Six Feet Under and my interest grows with each passing listen to this incredibly lush album. Interesting note-this is the third release from Lamb and each has received 4 and half stars from AMG. Rare to see a band reviewed so consistently on any site and this album is simply awesome. The best secret in electronica.
http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0000BXMZP.01._PE_SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg
3. British Sea Power-The Decline of BSP: Sweet rec from Davey that so far has shown it holds up well after repeated listens. It wouldn’t surprise me if this album in the end doesn’t have a longer shelf life than my # 1 pick. Not original in the strictest sense but they gleam influence and inspiration from so many of my faves of years gone by that it works out gloriously. So who else has taken a bit of Joy Division, a touch of the Furs, and tossed it all with a hearty helping of Bowie and served up such a tasty musical dish? If you borrow from the right folks it all works out in the end. Fantastic disc.
http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00007KK7V.01._PE22_SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg
2. Massive Attack-100’th Window: Did someone fart? The room cleared of Massive Attack fans pretty quickly on this one. Incredibly dark and powerful, maybe that’s one reason I didn’t hear more about it. A little too Massive and a little too heavy on the Attack perhaps? I’m sure that’s the deal with some but I think they got some dings for taking what they have done best and doing it better. Maybe some folks are more interested in the fact that they tend to go off into different directions and were disappointed in the fact that there wasn’t any new ground broken with this one. Well I adore the record and even though Sinead wasn’t in the best of voice for her contributions I felt the album was perhaps more even than any other I’ve heard in a long time and the power sustains me through repeated listens. I think Massive Attack is simply a victim of their own success on this one.
http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B000089CJI.01._PE_SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg
1. Postal Service-Give Up: This selection typifies what most of us have suspected for a while and was confirmed this year. The music scene is reaching back to embrace thoughts and ideas of years long since gone. This works out great if you happen to enjoy the eras being mined but probably gives you ammunition if you don’t. Sythnpop (largely) accepted by the masses in 2003? What’s next? Floods, disaster, plague and pestilence? So far, so good. College radio probably played the biggest part in getting this release on the radar but we would be remiss not to give credit to the DCFC connection as well. No the attention this album received doesn’t mean I’m cool but I take a little comfort in knowing that maybe, just maybe, I’m not a complete dweeb.
Honorable mentions:
Electric Six-Fire +High Voltage EP-Freaking awesome but one or two weaker tracks kept them off my 10 best list. More fun than most albums this year.
Calexico's Feast of Wire was battling until the end for either the 9 or 10'th spot. It was close and could make it on another day.
Annie Lennox-Bare: About time she released something worthy of her talent.
The Sounds-Living In America-Pure fun and a little deeper songwriting than it would seem at first listen.
The Prids-Love Zero-tough to leave this sucker out but the lyrics are just short of being average. I love the sound though.
The Strokes-Room On Fire-High on fun factor and immediately catchy but ultimately seems just a bit weak on substance.
If you're still here-a comp will follow shortly if you want to hear any of it for yourself. Thanks to everyone for helping me discover and hear so much great music in 2003.
Happy New Year-
jc