# Great albums of 2003 (so far) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 10, 2003, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-albums-of-2003-so-far/200668 "2003-09-10T02:43:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![DoctorJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctorj/32/2904_2.png) [@DoctorJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DoctorJ)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2003, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-albums-of-2003-so-far/200668/1 "2003-09-10T02:43:11Z")
I was just thinking about all the great albums that came out last year–_Yankee Hotel Foxtrot_, _Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots_, Beck’s _Sea Change_, Aimee Mann’s _Lost in Space_, Trey Anastasio’s solo disc, Elvis Costello’s _When I Was Cruel_…as far as I’m concerned, it was a fantastic year for music. I was also thinking about how few albums I’ve heard this year that rise to that caliber. Either they aren’t out there, I haven’t heard them, or I’m just not thinking about them. So, what are your Great Albums of 2003 so far? The one that jumps immediately to mind–_Electric Version_ by the New Pornographers. If you haven’t heard this, you need to before the summer is officially over–it’s a great summer album. I haven’t listened to the new Dandy Warhols disc enough for it to really take hold, but I think it will probably make the list as well. What are the albums from this year (so far) that you think everyone needs to hear? Any big ones you’re anticipating? Dr. J ---
**Author:** ![Quack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e99b99/32.png) [@Quack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quack)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2003, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-albums-of-2003-so-far/200668/2 "2003-09-10T03:01:24Z")
I think the new Rancid record “Indestructible” is simply great. A lot of energy, great music, great lyrics, varied song structures. Tasty stuff. ---
**Author:** ![cheddarsnax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@cheddarsnax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cheddarsnax)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2003, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-albums-of-2003-so-far/200668/3 "2003-09-10T03:04:03Z")
Mars Volta’s “De-Loused in the Comatorium” was fantastic. ---
**Author:** ![Teelo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8491ac/32.png) [@Teelo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Teelo)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2003, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-albums-of-2003-so-far/200668/4 "2003-09-10T03:08:15Z")
Radioheads _Hail to the Thief_ … Oh my gosh thats all I can think of… (And that is why File swapping was invented boys and girls.) ---
**Author:** ![nitroglycerine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c5a1d2/32.png) [@nitroglycerine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nitroglycerine)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2003, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-albums-of-2003-so-far/200668/5 "2003-09-10T03:11:14Z")
The Cramps new one, _Fiends of Dope Island_ is my favorite of the year. The Fleshtones _Do You Swing?_ comes in at a close second. Jon ---
**Author:** ![saramamalana](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/74df32/32.png) [@saramamalana](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saramamalana)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2003, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-albums-of-2003-so-far/200668/6 "2003-09-10T03:15:34Z")
Fountains of Wayne’s _Welcome Interstate Managers._ I still can’t believe I haven’t gotten the new Guster! ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2003, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-albums-of-2003-so-far/200668/7 "2003-09-10T03:26:11Z")
Cradle of Filth’s _Damnation and a Day_. ---
**Author:** ![Skwerl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Skwerl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skwerl)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2003, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-albums-of-2003-so-far/200668/8 "2003-09-10T03:52:56Z")
I’ll second the Mars Volta’s album. Also _Up in Flames_ by Manitoba and M83’s _Dead Cities, Red Seas, and Lost Ghosts_ were both most excellent. ---
**Author:** ![jackelope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a6a055/32.png) [@jackelope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackelope)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2003, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-albums-of-2003-so-far/200668/9 "2003-09-10T05:19:12Z")
Frank Black’s _Show Me Your Tears_ is the best I’ve heard this year. (I know it just came out today, but a record-critic friend gave me his advance copy a few weeks ago.) ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2003, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-albums-of-2003-so-far/200668/10 "2003-09-10T05:29:05Z")
**Fountains of Wayne** - “Welcome Interstate Managers” **Warren Zevon** - “The Wind” **The Jayhawks** - “Rainy Day Music” **The White Stripes** - “Elephant” **Coldplay** - “A Rush of Blood to th Head” A couple of those may have actually come out in 2002. I’m not sure. ---
**Author:** ![Dragon\_Phoenix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bcef8e/32.png) [@Dragon\_Phoenix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dragon_Phoenix)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2003, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-albums-of-2003-so-far/200668/11 "2003-09-10T05:49:56Z")
Evanescence (or was that '02?) and Radiohead. ---
**Author:** ![Treviathan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/838e76/32.png) [@Treviathan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treviathan)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2003, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-albums-of-2003-so-far/200668/12 "2003-09-10T05:58:21Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by DoctorJ \* > \*\*The one that jumps immediately to mind–_Electric Version_ by the New Pornographers. If you haven’t heard this, you need to before the summer is officially over–it’s a great summer album. \*\* First one I thought of. I’ll add _You Forgot It In People_ by Toronto collective **Broken Social Scene**. Lush, trippy, propulsive, and wistful - sometimes all in the same song. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2003, 11:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-albums-of-2003-so-far/200668/13 "2003-09-10T11:19:38Z")
Big seconds for: The White Stripes - Elephant Fountains of Wayne - Welcome Interstate Managers Both amazing. I am thinking I need to buy the New Pornographers CD… ---
**Author:** ![Isabelle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b5a626/32.png) [@Isabelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isabelle)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2003, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-albums-of-2003-so-far/200668/14 "2003-09-10T14:16:38Z")
Norah Jones “Come Away With Me” is a good one. ---
**Author:** ![interface2x](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c0e974/32.png) [@interface2x](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/interface2x)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2003, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-albums-of-2003-so-far/200668/15 "2003-09-10T17:03:19Z")
My favorite has been “Awakening” by Iris. ---
**Author:** ![Husker\_Dude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Husker\_Dude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Husker_Dude)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2003, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-albums-of-2003-so-far/200668/16 "2003-09-10T17:22:17Z")
Let’s face it; this hasn’t been the best year for music, at least compared to 2002. Still, there have been a couple of really sweet gems in the gravel. So without further ado… **Best Albums of the First Three Quarters of 2003:** **1) The Constantines - Shine A Light** The mixture of Fugazi style guitar interplay and a boozy Paul Westerberg rasp of a vocalist, elevates this album above anything else released so far this year. It invokes bleak images of drunken all nighters and huddling together in dark alleyways, during sudden rainfall with strangers, like you were long lost friends. I think I’ll be spending lots of time with this, curled up against the radiator, on the dark Norwegian winter nights to come. Probably bound to be criminally overlooked. Don’t be fooled by the generic sounding name, this isn’t a stupid garage rock band. **2) Broken Social Scene - You Forgot It In People** What **Treviathan** said and then some. **3) Manitoba - Up In Flames** Often compared to My Bloody Valentine’s Loveless, this is pure shogazer bliss. The soundtrack to my summer. **4) Ted Leo and The Pharmacists - Hearts of Oak** Just a great rock and roll record, channeling the spirit of Phil Lynott afro and saluting old British Two-Tone ska bands (‘Where Have All The Rudeboys Gone’). I’m going to peddle this to my classic rock listening neighbor, ten to one he’s going to love it. **5) TV On The Radio - Young Liars (EP)** The brilliant second track ‘Staring At The Sun’ is wrestling with Yeah Yeah Yeahs ‘Maps’ for the contender of the best song of the year. With its vocal harmonies, fuzzy bass line and shimmering guitars it’s positively goose bump inducing, sounding unlike anything else in rock at the moment. The fifth and final track is a doo-wop (yes, you read that right) cover of The Pixie’s Mr. Grieves, complete with snapping fingers and handclaps. I’m drooling with anticipation for the full length. **Honorable Mentions:** **M83 - Dead Cities, Red Seas & Lost Ghosts Cat Power – You Are Free Sweet Trip – Velocity: Design: Comfort** (recommended if you like M83, I haven’t seen a single review of this album yet, even though it’s been out since July) **Songs: Ohia – Magnolia Electric Co. Stephen Malkmus and The Jicks – Pig Lib** (better than the last two Pavement albums IMHO) **Biggest Disapointment:** **Mars Volta - De-Loused In The Comatorium** Being a big fan of At The Drive-In (I think I own four t-shirts, or something), I counted down the days to the release of this album. On the first listen it blew me away. On the second listen I was certain this was the best album in five years. On the third listen I dozed off. My friend described this album as spending an hour in a sensory deprivation tank, there is no point in having it on in the background while you read a book or surf the net, you have to give it your complete attention to get the full effect. Too bad then, that it’s so mind numbingly dull. I rarely revisit it and it hasn’t left its jewel case for months, which reminds me that it wins the award for worst album cover of the year. But these guys are so immensely talented I seriously believe their next album is going to be a masterpiece. I’m rooting for them with all my heart. **Worst Record Of The Year:** **Turbonegro – Scandinavian Leather** Barf. Fuck this band. Never again. ---
**Author:** ![mouthbreather](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a698b9/32.png) [@mouthbreather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mouthbreather)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2003, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-albums-of-2003-so-far/200668/17 "2003-09-10T18:13:51Z")
Beck – Seachange Cat Power – You are Free Ween’s – Quebec (just got it, but like it much better than their last few) The Long Winters – When I Pretend to Fall Calexico - Feast of Wire McClusky – McClusky do Dallas Interpol – Turn on the Bright Lights (2002?) Pinback – Offcell EP FWIW, I thought that New Pornographers’ album was really boring. ---
**Author:** ![Berserker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ba8739/32.png) [@Berserker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Berserker)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2003, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-albums-of-2003-so-far/200668/18 "2003-09-10T19:53:38Z")
Mars Volta’s “De-Loused in the Comatorium” is just amazing IMO. By far the best this year. ---
**Author:** ![Lisa-go-Blind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Lisa-go-Blind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lisa-go-Blind)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2003, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-albums-of-2003-so-far/200668/19 "2003-09-10T20:50:00Z")
The White Stripes - Elephant Britta Philips and Dean Wareham - L’avventura ---
**Author:** ![Gadfly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/aeb1de/32.png) [@Gadfly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gadfly)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2003, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-albums-of-2003-so-far/200668/20 "2003-09-10T21:15:15Z")
> [@](#): > > McClusky – McClusky do Dallas YES. Tremendous fun. Head-smacking, bone-crunching. Blistering. I love it. I really don’t have anything original to say beyond that. Oh yeah: De-Loused in the Comatorium sucks mightily. The CD is entirely loud noodling. Awful. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-albums-of-2003-so-far/200668.md?page=2)