-delete-

(stevevt looks at his calendar)

Enjoying, so far:

Delgados - "Hate"
Rainer Maria - "Long Knives Drawn"
Bettie Serveert - "Log 22"
Dump - "A Grown-Ass Man"
Ted Leo & The Pharmacists - "Hearts of Oak"
Songs: Ohia - "Magnolia Electric Company"
Saturday Looks Good to Me - "All Your Summer Songs"
Damien Jurado - "Where Shall You Take Me?"


What do you think are the best albums of 2003 so far, jmanin2?

And why?

No, really, reading why a person likes something is usually far more enlightening than seeing a sentence or so as to why this or that album/artist "blows".... which would be off-topic here anyway!

Getting back to the question, I don't think I have yet purchased a 2003 release so I am not yet in a position to judge!

I agree. The main reason I started this thread was to get some 2003 recomendations that I haven't heard of yet. It would be nice if someone elaborated a little on why they like this or that artist or at least what kind of music it is, but I'm not going to demand it.

Dandy Warhols...Welcome to the Monkey House---takes a few listens to get use too, but it is excellent...first time I had it on, I thought, what the heck is going on...a few days, later I knew this was the 'Dandy's.

Tricky...vulnerable...Tricky has it back...not going for the mass commercial appeal as with 'Blowback.'

White Stripes...not the biggest fan, but this is a really good album.

I downloaded a track or two off Opeth - Damnation , its amazing. Its set for release later this month so that's my pick for best so far.

Ooooooooooh tell me more about Opeth! I heard this album is gonna be "mellow" - what does that mean? No electric guitar? No double-bass? No death growls?

What were the songs you downloaded?

Some of my favorites with short descriptions for Benedict's benefit.

Out Hud - S.T.R.E.E.T. D.A.D. (art-funk that's just as good for driving as it is for parties)
Ted Leo and the Pharmacists - Hearts of Oak (mutilated guitar pop with great hooks)
Broken Social Scene - You Forgot It In People (layered pop with spacey production)
The Microphones - Mt. Eerie (last of the singer/songwriter's albums under this moniker and my first introduction...organic sounds and interesting song structures; "Solar System" finds it's way onto most of the mixtapes I've made lately)
Blood Brothers - Burn, Piano Island, Burn (one of the first hardcore bands I've actually become interested in...great time signatures and energy like you wouldn't believe)

Honorable Mentions:
Aereogramme - Sleep and Release
Cat Power - You Are Free
Xiu Xiu - A Promise (Only because I haven't heard the entire album yet; love what I have heard though.)

The White Stripes-Elephant. Great from start to finish. Loud, raw and with awesome guitar solos, memorable riffs and good lyrics. I'd rate it 9 out of 10

So far this year I've bought:
Zwan-Mary, Star of the Sea
The Music-The Music
The Coral-The Coral
50 Cent-Get Rich or Die Trying

50 Cent's album is as good as advertised, the best "gangsta" rap cd to come in years. Zwan was a mild disappointment, I was expecting much more. The Music and The Coral are ok debut(?) albums from two new bands from the U.K.

I'm looking forward to: (releases in the next 2 months)
Radiohead-Hail to the Thief (The leaked songs were awesome, can't wait for the final product, best of album of the year contender, IMVBTRO (In my very biased towards Radiohead opinion))
Blur-Think Tank (Heard this one a month or two ago. Great album, but probably not as good as Blur's previous offerings. I have to listen to it again when I buy it though.)
Deftones-Lovers (Heard the first single, Minerva. This album sounds very promising since Deftones haven't released an album since 2001 (or 2000?).)

evenflowddt, I have to agree about this Zwan album. Being a Corgan-head, this just sort of....how shall I say...fell flat? And I didn't even HAVE expectations. Do not even listen to it...Blur? Oh lord, that was horrid. What happen to Blur? 13 was cool, but this? Ouch. I want to check out the Coral, see what all the hype is about.

Mellower supposedly. I'm guessing a lot more acoustic stuff, which is nice. I enjoy all of it to be honest, but I think the guy has a good voice and would like to hear him sing a little more than growl. I'm seeing them on the 30th too hehe, I wonder how that's gonna go.

Zwan - Mary Star of the Sea: really enjoyable. nothing totally amazing, yet a good rockin' listen.

White Stripes - Elephant: never was really interested in them, but this album is fantastic.

David Bowie - Ziggy Stardust The Motion Picture: an album long overdue for a reissue with excellent remastering and the full concert in tact. nothing quite like hearing "Width of a Circle" go on for 15+ minutes.

My ranking:

1. The Cardigans - Long Gone before Daylight

An absolutely great melancholy pop record. Seriously a contender for best album of the year.

2. The White Stripes - Elephant

What can I say? Another hit for the duo.

3. Zwan - May Star of the Sea

I also was a bit underwhelmed, but it is still enjoyable and catchy.

Deftones - Deftones - Yeah, it's not out yet, but it's the stuff. These guys once again prove they are one of the best and most underrated bands there are. This will be the one that solidifys them as one of the great bands walking this earth. And yes, I'm serious.

Prince Paul - Politics of the Business - Okay, so this isn't out yet either (May) But it's TIGHT. Paul puts out some of the best beats and best songs with each passing album. From the genius who brought you Prince Amongst Theives...which possibly was the best concept hip hop record ever.

50 Cent - Get Rich Or Die Tryin'
My personal favorite so far.

Have to give props to Lucinda Williams "World Without Tears," which I just picked up and absolutely love, it may be her best yet, which with her track record is saying something indeed.

Also, The White Stripes, "Elephant," and I'll just echo everyone else's comments. For once, the hype measures up to the reality. I have and love all four of their CDs.

I haven't heard this yet, but I'm guessing that it's better than "Summer Sun."

The whole album is acoustic. I don't know about you, but I like Opeths lighter stuff just as much as their heavier stuff.

I'm sooooooo looking forward to Opeth: Damnation.
I'm seeing them on the 21st of May, and am stoked. Them along with Lacuna Coil=1 kick ass show!

Other winners so far this year:
Pink Floyd: Dark Side of the Moon SACD
Cradle of Filth: Damnation and a Day
Nightwish: Century Child (new to me this year)
In Flames: Reroute to Remain (new to me)

Pretty good year so far with 50, Freeway and Rkelly.

But the album I have been waiting for since Feb. 26th is Brother Ali's 2nd album called Shadows on the Sun. It fell in my computer today and comes out April 27th, and it is the tightest thing i have heard this year... IN rap anyways, anyone that likes rap should take a look atleast. Thunderball i know you like Atmopshere, so check out some Brother Ali.

SUpport the Minnnnesooottants!

I haven't heard Summer Sun, but I'm guessing it's better than everyone is saying.

Just ordered Summer Sun* last night.



*and:

Carissa's Wierd - "Songs About Leaving"
Essex Green - "The Long Goodbye"
Hanson, Jeff - "Son"
Ill Lit - "WACMusic"
Shearwater - "Everybody Makes Mistakes"
Unbunny - "Black Strawberries"

I like the new Marilyn Manson album - "The Golden Age of Grotesque" of course it's not out....yet

I also recently read a scathingly negative review of the new Blur album - this is one band I really used to like, but frankly now just don't care.

fave album (so far)
Black Box Recorder 'Passionoia'

A.R.E. Weapons - A.R.E. Weapons
The Rapture - Echo
Blood Brothers - Burn, Piano Island, Burn
Killer Mike - Monster
Xiu Xiu - A Promise
Calla - Televise
Freeway - Philadelphia Freeway
Angels of Light - Everything Is Good Here/Please Come Home