Best of '03 time

[Stone]

I'll do my list sometime in January if I have time, because there are some albums I still haven't listened to much (not to mention it's not the end of the year yet).

Here are my likely top three though:

(3) Sufjan Stevens - Greetings from Michigan . . .

(2) Clearlake - Cedars

(1) The Wrens - The Meadowlands

Others in contention for the top ten include Killing Joke, Joe Strummer, Shins, British Sea Power, Ten Grand, Frog Eyes, June Carter Cash, Blood Brothers, Calexico, and a few others.

BTW, I'm not counting You Forgot It In People and the Delgado's Hate as 2003 releases (or they would both be in my top 10).

[Davey.]

BTW, I'm not counting You Forgot It In People and the Delgado's Hate as 2003 releases (or they would both be in my top 10).

Why not? BSS was released in 2003, at least in the US. From my understanding, very few people got the opportunity to hear it in 2002. But suit yourself. I'm calling it a 2003 even though I bought it in Canada, because it wasn't really available to "normal" people in the US or Canada until about March. And I don't remember seeing it on any 2002 lists. But conversely, I wouldn't put Neon Golden or the Beth Gibbons/Rustin Man albums on my list since I bought them in years past and already used them on year end lists. But I wouldn't have a problem if someone in the US had either on their list.

[Stone]

Why not?

Anal retentiveness, my friend. Anal retentiveness.

I know BSS came out in the U.S. in 2003, but I was actually trying to find it in 2002.

[Davey.]

....but I was actually trying to find it in 2002.

But that's my point, you probably couldn't find it unless you worked for the Arts & Crafts label cause they barely pressed enough last year to supply their industry connections. Not that it really matters to anyone, but it seems like many of us are labeling it a 2003 release. Anal retentiveness is not a badge of honor to be displayed proudly, my friend

EDIT: Hey, btw I've had that Clearlake album on my wishlist most of the year I think but never found it anywhere so kind of forgot about it. I didn't realize the reason for not seeing it anywhere was that it hadn't been released here until it recently showed up on metacritic as a new release. I'm gonna have to wait now, but it'll probably be one of the first I buy next year now that I know it also has the cherished SSA (Stone Seal of Approval). That and the Sun Kil Moon.