Top Albums Of 2003 Readers Lists

Top Albums of 2003 Reader List (send yours in!)
Please follow the format below (between 10-15 picks) when submitting your list. Thanks!
(82 total / 22 countries representing)

Andreas A (Stockholm, SWEDEN)

stars - heart
midstates - shadowing ghosts
komeda - kokomemedada
pelican - australasia
sachi hayasaka - minga
the american analog set - promise of love
sora - re.sort
from monument to masses - the impossible leap in one hundred simple steps
howard hello - don't drink his blood
31 knots - it was high time to escape
the innocence mission - befriended
tottemo godzilla riders - Soundish - Klippa Kloppa - s/t
the finishing school - destination girl

Anton (Lund, SWEDEN)

Broken Social Scene . You Forgot It In People
The Wrens - The Meadowlands
M83 - Dead Cities, Red Seas And Lost Ghosts
Manitoba - Up in flames
Xiu Xiu - A Promise
The Clientele - The Violet Hour
The Shins - chutes too narrow
Unicorns - Who Will Cut Our Hair When We're Gone
Sufjan Stevens - Greetings from Michigan
Four Tet - Rounds
Grandaddy - Sumday
Bear Quartet - Angry Brigade
The Decemberists - Castaway and Cutouts
The Rapture - Echoes
Explosions In The Sky - The Earth Is Not A Cold Dead Place

Manuel Aragón (Madrid, SPAIN)

Diamanda Galas - La Serpenta Canta (The Queen is back! Couldn´t wait to hear her howl again!)
Entre Ríos - Sal (Amazing electronic pop discovery of the year from Argentina!)
Lamb - Between Darkness & Wonder (Saw them live again yesterday! Amazing songs, and beautiful band members! Andy I love you!)
Alva Noto & Ryuichi Sakamoto - Vrioon ( Experimental electronics and piano. Always trust Alva!)
Pluramon - Dreams Top Rock (Lush electronics a la Projekt, and the spinechilling voice of Julee Cruise!)
The Postal Service - Give Up (So catchy, great melodies, and beautiful songs! "Such Great Heights" one of the best songs this year!)
Diamanda Galas - Defixiones, Will & Testament (The beautiful bitch! Unique and always amazing!Astounding!)
Tori Amos - Tales of a Librarian 2CD ( New versions of some of her classics, beautiful pictures, just can´t help LOVING her!
The Dresden Dolls - s/t (Weird, crazy and original cabaret-like tunes! Great lyrics!)
Ricardo Villalobos - Alcachofa (Minimal micro-house from this wacky chilean! Catch him live!)
Iron & Wine - The Sea and The Rhythm EP ( Slow, sweet and soothing!)

Mikkel Arre (Terndrup, DENMARK)

Broken Social Scene ¡Ö You Forgot It in People [Arts & Crafts]
Radiohead ¡Ö Hail to the Thief [Parlophone]
Dub Tractor ¡Ö More or Less Mono [City Centre Offices]
Four Tet ¡Ö Rounds [Domino]
Opiate ¡Ö Sometimes [Morr]
Manitoba ¡Ö Up in Flames [Leaf]
Mew ¡Ö Frengers [Epic]
White Stripes ¡Ö Seven Nation Army 7" [XL]
Postal Service ¡Ö Such Great Heights CDS [Sub Pop]
Strumm ¡Ö Strumm 7" [www.morningsiderecords.dk]
Supersilent ¡Ö 6 [Rune Grammofon]
LFO ¡Ö Sheath [Warp]
So ¡Ö So [Thrill Jockey]
Manual ¨C Isares [Static Caravan]

Alexandros Aslanidis (Athens, GREECE)

Xiu Xiu - a promise
Ex Models - zoo psychology
Microphones - mount eerie
Mars Volta - de loused in the comatorium
Smog - supper
Kopernik - kopernik
Khanate - things viral
Angels of Light - everything is good here, please come home..
Calexico - feast of wire
Cat Power - you are free
Cerberus Shoal - chaiming the knobblessone
Aerogramme - sleep and release
Crescent - by the roads and the fields
Blithe Sons - we walk the young earth
Soft Pink Truth - do you party ?

Adam Ball (Albuquerque, NM, USA)

Ted Leo & The Pharmacists "Hearts of Oak"
Broken Social Scene "You Forgot it in People"
Damein Jurado "Where Shall You Take Me?"
Kings of Leon "Youth and Young Manhood"
Radiohead "Hail to the Thief"
Tie: Postal Service "Give Up" Death Cab For Cutie "Transatlanticism"
The Shins "Chutes Too Narrow"
Cat Power "You Are Free"
The Strokes "Room on Fire"
The Stills "Logic Will Break Your Heart"

David B (Duif, BELGIUM)

David Sylvian - Blemish (Samadhisound)
Kazuki Tomokawa - Box 13CD (PSF)
Minamo - Beautiful (Apestaartje)
Supersilent - 6 (Rune Grammofon)
Dorine_Muraille - Mani (FatCat)
Robert Wyatt - Cuckooland (Hannibal)
Ekkehard Ehlers - Politik braucht keinen Feind (Staubgold)
Current 93 - Hypnagogue (Durtro)
The Angels Of Light - Everything is good here / Please come home (Young God)
Doron Sadja - A piece of string, a sunset (12k)
The Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra... - "This is our punk rock!," thee rusted satellites gather + sing (Constellation)
The Tiger Lillies / Kronos Quartet - The Gorey end (Nonesuch)
Virus - Carheart (Jester)
Evan Parker Electro-Acoustic Ensemble - Memory/Vision (ECM)
V/A - Amplify02 balance 7CD+DVD (Erstwhile)

Lynne B (Atlanta, GA, USA)

Sufjan Stevens - Greetings From Michigan The Great Lake State
Explosions in the Sky - The Earth is Not a Cold Dead Place
The Postal Service - Give Up
Broken Social Scene - You Forgot it in People
Four Tet - Rounds
The Wrens - The Meadowlands
Outkast - Speakerboxxx/The Love Below
The Shins - Chutes Too Narrow
Sun Kil Moon - Ghosts Of The Great Highway
Cat Power - You Are Free

Daniel Bergman (SWEDEN)

The Shins - Chutes Too Narrow
Ed Harcourt - From Every Sphere
The Radio Dept. - Lesser Matters
Four Tet - Rounds
Damien Rice - O
U.N.P.O.C. - Fifth Column
M. Ward - Transfiguration of Vincent
Josh Rouse - 1972
Bart Davenport - Game Preserve
The Tyde - Twice
Goldcard - Goldcard
The White Stripes - Elephant
Grandaddy - Sumday
The Knife - Deep Cuts
Buck 65 - Talkin' Honky Blues

Bertu Bernabeu (Asturies, SPAIN)

Nacho Vegas - Cajas De Musica Dificilies De Parar
Manta Ray - Extratexa
Tv On The Radio - Young Liars (ep)
Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds - Nocturama
Mogwai - Happy Songs For Happy People
Radiohead - Hail To The Thief
Spiritualized - Amazing Grace
Tindersticks - Waiting For The Moon
Super Furry Animals - Phantom Power
The Fire Theft - Fire Theft
Yo La Tengo - Summer Sun
Landsbury - That Creepy Hope On Love
El Columpio Asesino - El Columpio Asesino
Mars Volta - Deloused In The Comatorium
Mojave 3 - Spoon And Rafter

Toon Bijnens (BELGIUM)

Radiohead - Hail To The Thief
Prefuse 73 - One Word Extinguisher
M83 - Dead Cities, Red Seas And Lost Ghosts
Sufjan Stevens - Greetings From Michigan The Great Lake State
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Nocturama
Arab Strap - Monday At The Hug And Pint
Manitoba - Up In Flames
Aphex Twin - 26 Mixes For Cash
Do Make Say Think - Winter Hymn Country Hymn Secret Hymn
The Notwist - Lichter
B.Fleischmann - Welcome Tourist
Ulrich Schnauss - A Strangely Isolated Place
Manual - Isares
The Sunburned Hand Of The Man - Headdress
Autechre - Draft 7.30

Baiba Bondare (SWITZERLAND/LATVIA)

M83“Dead Cities “Red Seas&Lost Ghosts“(Goom)
The Workhouse „The End of the pier“(Bearos)
The Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra & Tra-la-la Band With Choir "This Is Our Punk-Rock," Thee Rusted Satellites Gather + Sing" (Constellation)
Explosions In The Sky "The Earth Is Not A Cold Dead Place" (Temporary Residence/Bella Union)
Mogwai „Happy Songs For Happy People“ (Rock Action/PIAS/Matador)
Honey for Petzi „Angels Camp“(Gentlemen/Namskeio,CH)
Honey for Petzi „Nicholson“(Gentlemen/Namskeio,CH)
Icebreaker International&Manual“Into Forever“(Morr music)
Tex la homa “If Just Today Were to Be My Entire Life“(Hybrid Electric)
Manitoba “Up in flames“(Domino USA)
Cat Power „You are free“(Matador)
The Delgados “Hate“(Mantra)
Aphex Twin „26 Mixes for Cash“(Warp)
The Fall „Country on the click“(Action)
Einstürzende Neubauten “Perpetuum Mobile“(Mute)

Matt Bryan (Spartanburg, SC, USA)

Radiohead - Hail To The Thief
The White Stripes - Elephant
Mogwai - Happy Songs For Happy People
Four Tet - Rounds
The Desert Sessions 9 & 10
The Rapture - Echoes
The Strokes - Room On Fire
Electric Six - Fire
Wire - Send
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Fever To Tell
Blur - Think Tank
Stereolab - Instant 0 In The Universe
Broadcast - Microtronics Volume 01
The Notwist - Neon Golden (Domestic Release)
Elliott Smith - Pretty (Ugly Before)/A Distorted Reality Is Now A Necessity To Be Free 7"

Dainis Bushmanis (Riga, LATVIA)

Explosions In The Sky "The Earth Is Not A Cold Dead Place" (USA) (Temporary Residence/Bella Union)
The Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra & Tra-la-la Band With Choir ""This Is Our Punk-Rock," Thee Rusted Satellites Gather + Sing," (Canada) (Constellation)
Emery Reel "....For And Acted Upon Through Diversions" (USA) (First Flight)
King Crimson "The Power To Believe" (UK/USA)(Sanctuary)
Mogwai "Happy Songs For Happy People" (UK) (Rock Action/Play It Again Sam/Matador)
Sublux "Nothing That Is Still" (USA) (Selective Focus Records)
Clogs "Lullaby For Sue" (USA) (Brassland)
Matt Elliott "The Mess We Made" (UK) (Domino/Merge)
Do Make Say Think "Winter Hymn Country Hymn Secret Hymn" (Canada) (Constellation)
The Potomac Accord "In One-Hundred Years The Prize Will Be Forgotten" (USA) (First Flight)
The Workhouse "The End Or The Pier" (UK) (Bearos Records)
Fractal "Continuum" (USA) (Fractal)
Laughingstock "Underskin" (USA) (Poor Me Music)
Melatonine "Les Environnements Principaux" (France) (Unique Records)
Meanwhile Back In Communist Russia... "My Elixir: My Poison" (UK) (Truck Records)

Christophe (Rochemaure, FRANCE)

The books : the lemon of pink
Supersilent 6
Ulrich Schnauss : a strangely isolated place
Forss : soulhack
Bernard Fleischmann : welcome tourist
Coin gutter : all your dreams are meaningless
Fe-mail : syklubb fra haelvete
Leafcutter John : the housebound spirit

Ivan Daguer (Santiago, CHILE)

The Shins, Chute too narrow
Babasonicos, Infame
Rechenzentrum, Director's Cut
The Warlocks, Phoenix (European Edition, 2003)
The Rapture, Echoes
Jackie-O Motherfucker, Magick Fire Music/Wow!
Bardo Pond, On the Ellipse
The Black Lips, The Black Lips
Cat Power, You Are Free
No-Neck Blues Band - Intonomacy

Daniel (Stockholm, SWEDEN)

Manitoba "Up In Flames" (Leaf) "Loveless has the lazer-guided rights to children."
Plaid "Spokes"(Warp)
Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks "Pig Lib" (Domino)
The Radio Dept. "Lesser Matters" (Labrador, www.labrador.se)
Ed Harcourt "From Every Sphere" (Heavenly)
Chris Clark "Empty The Bones Of You" (Warp)
Franke "Optmismens Hån" (Service, check out: www.srvice.com)
LFO "Sheath" (Warp)
Danger Mouse & Jemini "Ghetto Pop Life" (LEX)
Spiritualized "Amazing Grace" (Sanctuary)
Broadcast "Ha Ha Sound" (Warp)
Four Tet "Rounds" (Domino)
Maximilian Hecker "Rose" (Kitty Yo)
Prefuse 73 "One Word Extuinguisher/Extuinguished Outtakes" (Warp)
Autechre "Draft 7.30" (Warp)

Ryan Dee (Lincoln, NE, USA)

Supersilent - 6 {Rune Grammofon}
Valentin Silvestrov - Metamusik / Postludium {ECM New Series}
M83 - Dead Cities, Red Seas & Lost Ghosts {Gooom / Labels}
The Shins - Chutes Too Narrow {Sub Pop}
Alva.Noto & Ryuichi Sakamoto - Vrioon {Raster-Noton}
Prefuse 73 - One Word Extinguisher {Warp Records}
B. Fleischmann - Welcome Tourist {Morr Music}
William Basinski - The River {Raster-Noton} and A Score In Red Tile {Three Poplars}
Ellen Allien - Berlinette {Bpitch Control}
The Books - The Lemon of Pink {Tomlab}
Sufjan Stevens - Greetings from Michigan, the Great Lake State {Asthmatic Kitty}
Sagor and Swing - Allt Hänger Samman {Häpna}
Animal Collective - Here Comes the Indian {Paw Tracks}
Paul Barnes - The Music of Philip Glass: The Orpheé Suite for Piano {Orange Mountain Music}
So - So {Thrill Jockey}

Lauren Dziuban (Pittsburgh, PA, USA)

M83 - Dead Cities, Red Seas & Lost Ghosts
Gustavo Lamas - Brotes
Bubba Sparxxx - Deliverance
Express Rising - Self-Titled
Robokoneko - Anembo
Softland - One Is A Very Small Crowd
Broadcast - Ha Ha Sound
Kill Bill Vol. 1 Original Soundtrack
Signaldrift - Compass
Freescha - What's Come Inside Of You
Steve Burns - Songs for Dustmites
Outkast - Speakerboxx/The Love Below
Michael Mayer - Fabric 13
Matthew Dear - Leave Luck To Heaven
Robert Hood - Wire to Wire

Grant E. (Minnedosa Manitoba, CANADA)

Sigur Ros - ()
Mars Volta- Deloused at the Comatorium
Do Make Say Think- Winter Hymn Country Hymn Secret Hymn
Silver Mt. Zion- This is Our Punk Rock
Unicorns- WWCOHWWG
Grandaddy- Sumday
Weakerthans- Reconstruction Site
Jim Guthrie- Now More than Ever
Radiohead- Hail to the Theif
Broken Social Scene- You Forgot it in the People
A Perfect Circle- Thirteenth Step
Mogwai- Happy Songs for Happy People

Greg Eggebeen (Chicago, IL, USA)

Ted Leo and The Pharmacists- "Hearts of Oak"
The Soft Pink Truth- "Do You Party??"
Radiohead- "Hail To The Thief"
Dizzee Rascal- "Boy In Da Corner"
Aesop Rock- "Bazooka Tooth"
Bonnie 'Prince' Billy- "Master and Everyone"
William Elliott Whitmore- "Hymns for the Hopeless"
All The Real Girls Soundtrack
Lightning Bolt- "Wonderful Rainbow"
Need New Body- "UFO"

Kareem Estefan (Philadelphia, PA, USA)

Dizzee Rascal - Boy In Da Corner
Manitoba - Up In Flames
Broken Social Scene - You Forgot It In People
M83 - Dead Cities, Red Seas, and Lost Ghosts
Radiohead - Hail to the Thief
Russian Futurists - Let's Get Ready to Crumble
Need New Body - UFO
Xiu Xiu - A Promise
Lightning Bolt - Wonderful Rainbow
Songs: Ohia - Magnolia Electric Co.
The Books - The Lemon of Pink
Deerhoof - Apple O'
Outkast - Speakerboxxx/The Love Below
TV on the Radio - Young Liars EP
Prefuse 73 - One Word Extinguisher

Craig Evanson (Cheshire, England, UK)

M83 - Dead Cities, Red Seas & Lost Ghosts (One of the best shoegazy type albums since "loveless". Intense melody throughout)
Explosions in the Sky - The Earth is Not a Cold Dead Place (Not sure if it surpasses TWTTTSD yet, but definitely just as moving)
The Microphones - Mount Eerie (Phil Elvrum is still a genius)
Broken Social Scene - You Forgot it in People (It's not often that i love an album on first listen. This thing is addictive)
Radiohead - Hail to the Thief (Not up to the usual standard, but it definitely redeems itself on the last three tracks)
Hecker - Sun Pandamonium (Dont skip any tracks just sit back and endure the every splinter of sound)
Pluramon - Dreams Top Rock (Anyone who loves Cocteau Twins or other dreampop bands shouldn't miss this one)
Gescom - Ska20 (The difference between this and "Draft 7.30" is Ska20 actually has feeling. A proper acid record)
Christ - Metamorphic Reproduction Miracle (One of the more nostalgic electronic albums of the year)
Do Make Say Think - Winter Hymn Country Hymn Secret Hymn (A much more consistent release than their last one)
The Silver Mt. Zion & Tra-La-La Band with Choir - This is Our Punk Rock (Doesn’t even touch their other releases, but still very good)
Ulrich Schnauss - A Strangely Isolated Place (I would like to heard more of this blissful landscape electronica)
Plaid - Spokes (Some of Plaid's best tracks mixed with some rather average ones)
Luke Vibert - Yoseph (Very good although the first track "Liptones" seems to be in a different league to the rest of the album)
The Postal Service - Give Up (Hated this the first time i heard it, but now cant help loving it)

Medard Fischer (Toronto, CANADA)

M83 - Dead Cities, Red Seas & Lost Ghosts
Menomena – I am the Fun Blame Monster
The Postal Service – Give Up
Ellen Allien – Berlinette
Plaid - Spokes
Fog – Ether Teeth
Chris Clark - Ceramics is the Bomb
B. Fleischmann – Welcome Tourist
Tied & Tickled Trio – Observing Systems
Ms. John Soda – No P. or D.
Four Tet – Rounds
The Books – The Lemon of Pink
Manitoba – Up in Flames
Death Cab for Cutie – Transatlantacism
Radiohead – Hail to the Thief

Mads Flintholm (Odense, DENMARK)

The Radio Dept: Lesser Matters (Labrador)
Rufus Wainwright: Want One (Dreamworks)
The Postal Service: Give Up (SubPop)
Hope Of The States: Black Dollar Bills (Seeker)
Maximilian Hecker: Rose (Kitty-Yo)
Prefuse 73: One Word Extinguisher (Warp)
The Thrills: So Much For The City (Virgin)
Hawksley Workman: Lover/Fighter (Isadora)
The French: Dagenham (Too Pure)
Rocky Dennis: Mable Leaves (Service)
Saloon: If We Meet In The Future (Track & Field)
The Clientele: Violet Hour (Merge)
Tindersticks: Waiting For The Moon (Beggars Banquet)
Blaumusling: Hej Bublu (Globus)
White Stripes: Elephant (v2)

Sean Ford (CA, USA)

The Unicorns – Who Will Cut Our Hair When We’re Gone? – This disc had some of the most inventive, ridiculously smart rock (not sure why they get labeled as pop?) that I’ve ever heard. Guitar riffs come in out of nowhere and are gone just as quickly, leaving your jaw on the floor as they go. The album is thematically tied together in that all the songs are about death, unicorns or dying unicorns. Give it a try. Innoculate the Innocent is the heart of the album, the second best song of the year and a good place to start. Also, this is one of the best live bands I have ever seen.
Xiu Xiu – A Promise – Jamie Stewart and the rest of Xiu Xiu make possibly the most inventive music on the planet. They tie together gamelan and Japanese theatre music (that’d be lots of tonal percussion, bells, and abrasive percussion) with a Joy Division/Cure/Smiths pop sensibility. Jamie writes possibly the most honest lyrics you will ever encounter and it can make listening unnerving as you can feel this guy tearing himself to shreds, it can also (and usually does) make for some of the best music you will ever hear. Jamie is also an amazing performer live, I suggest you drive anywhere within a 50 mile radius to see him.
Cat Power – You Are Free – Chan Marshall hasn’t put out a record of original songs in five years. It was worth the wait (in some ways) to get an album this considered and rocking. Free (the song) has one of the best sentiments of the year. This is going to sound trite as hell, but hopefully it’s not another five years before Chan rallies to make a record.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Fever to Tell – This album is weird. The first time I listened to it, I thought the first side was trash and the second side was the best thing I’d heard all year. ‘Maps’ is certainly the best song of the year (side two) and ‘Tick’ may be among the worst (side one). But if you can deal with Karen O’s occasional vocal tantrums, Nick Zinner’s wicked riffs will make you a believer of team YYY in about five seconds. Don’t believe me? Listen to any five seconds of ‘Y Control’.
M83 – Dead Cities, Red Seas, and Lost Seas – This album takes the idea of My Bloody Valentine (let’s clarify: Loveless) and runs about 10 yards farther than Kevin Shields took it (not a dis to Kevin, just giving M83 it’s props). Keyboards and synths replace the distorted guitar and it works. It’s amazing that two guys on completely electronic instruments can create this vast, vast sounding music that’s not ever remotely boring. One of the rare good electronica albums to come out in recent years (sorry, not a big fan of the genre lately).
Radiohead – Hail to the Thief – I’ve taken a lot of flack for this one. Radiohead can be annoying, and yes, they do seem to be slowly morphing into the new U2 with their annoying take on ‘being political’, but damn it, this album is great. With all the so-so bands making some crappy mix of electronica and rock, Radiohead is doing it right and better than almost anyone out there. A return to form after the b-side hell of ‘Amnesiac’. Maybe their best since ‘OK Computer’.
Ellen Allien – Berlinette – Gasp, another electronica record! Shit, I must getting old or something. Ms. Allien has an odd way of fusing Bjork, Aphex Twin, Kraftwerk, and Missy Elliot that actually works. Her songs grew on this listener almost insipidly to the point where I was listening to this album daily for quite some time. Would be higher if the lyrics made any kind of sense.
Menomena – I Am The Fun Blame Monster – This band has a very interesting way of putting songs together. Legend has it, they invented a computer program to resample their recordings blah blah blah … whatever. The songs are great. I don’t care what they used. The result is very organic rock songs often structed around simple percussion and piano riffs. They had me at ‘hello.’
The Strokes – Room On Fire – Another year, another Neu New York Rock Band ... Oh wait, it’s the original Neu New York Rock Band back for more! Yes, the It kids are back. Everyone’s favorite would be models have returned. I’m sorry, sometimes the coverage of this band is ridiculous, and sadly it takes away from the fact that they’re a pretty solid young band that should stick around for a while. This album proved they weren’t one hit wonders, now maybe next time out they can do something new. God, even I sound negative, this is actually a really good album. But you probably already have it, if not borrow it from your little sister (listen to me! I’m horrible!).
Single Frame – Wetheads Come Running – In a fantastic year that gave me at least twenty CDs that I know I will be listening to ten years from now, this gets the coveted final spot in my top ten. Oddly, this is one of the more uneven records of the year. These boys from Austin seem almost afraid to make songs, but when they do watch out. Some of my favorite songs of the year are hidden on here. Watch this band.

andrew forell (melbourne, AUSTRALIA)

riow arai - mind edit (a reissue but great instrumental japhop)
michael mayer - fabric 13 (best mix of the year - kompakt chief, nuff said)
villalobos - alcachofa (if it's good enough for herr mayer!! easy lee is one of the tracks of the year)
pluramon - dreams top rock (never got julee cruise 'til now - plus sent me back to mbv & ride for 1st time in years)
monolake - momentum (annoying tasteless neighbours? give them some rumble)
rhythm & sounds - versions & w/artists (kurf'damm kingston)
the rapture - echoes (despite the lydon stylings at its best close to album of the year)
the strokes - room on fire (better than the first if only 'cos they try a few things)
soft pink truth - do you party? (yeah, but i aint growin' no mo!)
colder - again (it's suicide but hell i love suicide)
silver mt zion etc - this is our punk rock (operating at 75% they still wipe the floor with most)
prefuse 73 - one word extinguisher (all hail the cut up)
thelonious monk - live at the olympia 1965 (it's monk, it's live, it's brillant)

fruitbat (?, ?)

Broken Social Scene, "You Forgot it in People"
The Books, "The Lemon of Pink"
Ted Leo/Pharmacists, "Hearts of Oak"
The Microphones, "Mount Eerie"
Cat Power, "You Are Free"
Calexico, "Across the Wire"
Manitoba, "Up in Flames"
Frog Eyes, "The Golden River"
The Unicorns, "Who Will Cut our Hair when we're Gone?"
Do Make Say Think, "Winter Hymn Country Hymn Secret Hymn"
The Constantines, "Shine a Light"
The New Pornographers, "Electric Version"
Deerhoof, "Apple O' "
The Shins, "Chutes too Narrow"
The Blood Brothers, "...Burn, Piano Island, Burn..."

Neville Giles (NEW ZEALAND)

British Sea Power - The Decline Of British Sea Power
The White Stripes - Elephant
The Darkness - Permission To Land
Kings of Leon - Youth and Young Manhood
Hot Hot Heat - Make Up The Breakdown
Super Furry Animals - Phantom Power
The Thrills - So Much For The City
Fountains of Wayne - Welcome Interstate Managers
Rooney - Rooney
Van Morrison - What’s Wrong With This Picture ?

Goldberge (Rochester, NY, USA)

Bikehead - Soundtrack to the Apocalypse (http://www.geocities.com/goat_splatter - an epic)
The Microphones - Mount Eerie (one of the greatest of all time)
Outkast - Speakerboxx/The Love Below
The Majesticons - Beauty Party
Mogwai - Happy Songs for Happy People
M83 - Dead Cities, Red Seas & Lost Ghosts
The Shins - Chutes too Narrow
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Fever to Tell
Fannypack - So Stylistic
The Wrens - The Meadowlands

José Gonçalves (Porto, PORTUGAL)

Autechre: Draft 7.30
John Cale: HoboSapiens
Chris Clark: Empty the Bones of You
Robert Wyatt: Cuckooland
Kid 606: Kill Sound Before Sound Kills You
The Postal Service: Give Up
Four Tet: Rounds
LFO: Sheath
Manual: Isares
Soft Pink Truth: Do You Party?

Brian Gow (Boston, MA, USA)

Buck 65 – Talkin Honkey Blues
Sixtoo – Antagonist Survival Kit
Sole – Selling Live Water
Frog Eyes – Golden River
Sufjan Stevens – Greetings from Michigan, The Great Lake State
The Delgados – Hate
Echoboy – Giraffe
Villain Accelerate – Maid of Gold
The Blood Group – Volunteers
Broken Social Scene – You Forgot it in People
Why? – Oaklandazulasylum
Prefuse 73 – One Word Extinguisher
Alias – Muted
Hymie’s Basement – S/T
Josh Martinez – Buck Up Princess

Christopher Gramstadt (London, UK)

Radiohead - HTTT
My Morning Jacket - At Dawn (well released in UK in 2003 anyway)
Manitoba - Up In Flames
Blur - Think Tank
Ulrich Schnauss - A Strangely Isolated Place
Explosions in the Sky - The Earth is not a cold dead place
The Rapture - Echoes
The Postal Service - Give Up
Zwan - Mary, Star of the Sea
Sleepy Jackson - Lovers
Mary Lorson + Billy Cote - Piano Creeps
Mew - Frengers
Do Make Say Think - Winter Hymn, Summer Hymn, Country Hymn
Sleepy Jackson - Sleepy Jackson
Maximilian Hecker - Rose

Aaron Grauer (Lincoln, NE, USA)

Prefuse 73 - One Word Extinguisher
Cat Power - You Are Free
Broken Social Scene - You Forgot It In People
Sufjan Stevens - Greetings From Michigan, The Great Lake State
Colleen - Everyone Alive Wants Answers
D.O.T. - D.O.T. LP
Four Tet - Rounds
The Books - The Lemon Of Pink
Outkast - Speakerboxxx/The Love Below
Matmos / Wobbly / People Like Us - Wide Open Spaces
Do Make Say Think - Winter Hymn Country Hymn Secret Hymn
Bonnie 'Prince' Billy - Master And Everyone
Triosk Meets Jan Jelinek - 1 + 3 + 1
The Shins - Chutes Too Narrow
Chris Clark - Empty The Bones Of You

Chris H (Calgary, CANADA)

Broken Social Scene - You Forgot it in People
1 Mile North - Minor Shadows
The Wrens - The Meadowlands
Sufjan Stevens - Greetings From Michigan, The Great Lake State
The Unicorns - Who Will Cut Our Hair When We're Gone?
Menomena - I am the Fun Blame Monster
M83 - Dead Cities, Red Seas & Lost Ghosts
Do Make Say Think - Winter Hymn Country Hymn Secret Hymn
TV on the Radio - Young Liars EP
The Decemberists - Her Majesty
The Microphones - Mount Eerie
Explosions in the Sky - The Earth Is Not a Cold Dead Place
Manitoba - Up in Flames
Cyann & Ben - Spring
Ellen Allien - Berlinette

Chris Haynes (Nashville, TN, USA)

Songs: Ohia - "Magnolia Electric Company"
Broken Social Scene - "You Forgot It In People"
The Wrens - "The Meadowlands"
Radiohead - "Hail to the Thief"
The Shins - "Chutes Too Narrow"
Blur - "Think Tank"
The Decemberists - "Her Majesty the Decemberists"
Menomena - "I Am the Fun Blame Monster"
Super Furry Animals - "Phantom Power"
Pinback - "Offcell EP"
Sufjan Stevens - "Greetings from Michigan..."
Sun Kil Moon - "Ghosts of the Great Highway"
M. Ward - "Transfiguration of Vincent"
Calexico - "Feast of Wire"
South - "With the Tides"

Alastair Hadden (Dublin, IRELAND)

Do Make Say Think / Winter Hymn Country Hymn Secret Hymn
M83 / Dead Cities, Red Seas & Lost Ghosts
The Microphones / Mount Eerie
The Shins / Chutes Too Narrow
The Unicorns / Who Will Cut Our Hair When We're Gone?
Viktor Vaughn / Vaudeville Villain
The Wrens / The Meadowlands
Mogwai / Happy Songs for Happy People
The Rapture / Echoes
The Decemberists / Her Majesty
Menomena / I Am the Fun Blame Monster
Radiohead / Hail to the Thief
Explosions in the Sky / The Earth Is Not a Cold Dead Place
Polmo Polpo / Like Hearts Swelling
The Books / The Lemon of Pink

Joseph (Adelaide, AUSTRALIA)

cat power - you are free
the decemberists - her majesty
sufjan stevens - Michigan the great lake state
viktor vaughn - vaudeville villain
villalobos - alcachofa
pulseprogramming - Tulsa For One Second
brother ali - shadows on the sun
the rapture - echoes
junior boys - birthday ep
black eyes - s/t

Mike Jonze (Royal Oaks, MI, USA)

broken social scene - you forgot it in people (no question!)
british sea power - the decline of british sea power
the postal service - give up
sufjan stevens - greetings from michigan:the great lake state
grandaddy - sumday
radiohead - hail to the thief
four tet - rounds
the shins - chutes too narrow
the wrens - the meadowlands
manitoba - up in flames
cursive - the ugly organ
the rosebuds - the rosebuds make out
blur think tank
tie: stars - heart / belle & sebastian - dear catastrophe waitress
tie: M83 - dead cities, red seas & lost ghosts / lost in translation - original soundtrack to the film

Sean M. (West Haven, CT, USA)

Calexico: Feast of Wire
Ellen Allien: Berlinette
Desormais: Iambrokenandremadeiambroken
So: So
Ricardo Villalobos: Alcachofa
Broken Social Scene: You Forgot It In People
Ulrich Schnauss: A Strangely Isolated Place
Matthew Dear: Leave Luck to Heaven
Busdriver & Radioinactive with Daedelus: The Weather
Geoff White & Stewart Walker: Discord

Marshall (Athens, OH, USA)

Explosions in the sky- the earth is not a cold dead place---This is the only album I can assign a number value to this year. The more I've listened to this album the more brilliant it sounds. It's such a huge step forward from their last album and my favorite for the year.
Mogwai- Happy songs for happy people---duh
Ilya- Poise is the greater architect---I have not heard anything about this band other than the ad for the record in a magazine. It's a perfect winter record. Equal parts sigur ros, mellow denali, portishead can be found. Beautiful female vocals with lush soundscapes. For people who like the music reviewed on this site...trust me.
Bee and Flower- What's mine is yours--- I think that this album can be lumped in with Ilya. There are differences that are hard to explain, but if Ilay sounded good, so will bee and flower.
Grails- The burden of hope--- This album, like bee and flower is on neurot recordings of the band neurosis. Throw away any preconceived ideas about neurosis when considering these records. They've released some amazing music this year that is not what people would expect. Grails sounds like the instrumentation of the dirty three crossed with the dynamic approach of mogwai. Unbelievable.
House of Low Culture- Edward's Lament--- Also on Neurot, HOLC is from Isis frontman aaron turner. While Isis has evolved in to the post-hardcore sigur ros, HOLC is more along the lines of stars of the lid. Dark, ambient soundscapes perfect for sleeping, reading, and writing. Fans of constellation and kranky should like this.
Mono- One step more and you die--- Lazy description...Mogwai from Japan
Denali- The Instinct--- Holy crap! Her voice is f*ing amazing!
The Swords Project- Entertainment is over if you want it--- Although a lot of different styles can fall under post-rock, the swords project is one of the best examples of the genre. This album is more vocal driven than past releases, but this is one of the most beautifully composed releases this year.
Songs Ohia- Magnolia Electric Company--- Jason Molina keeps putting out gems, each different than what preceded it.
Do Make Say Think- Winter Hymn, Country Hymn, Secret Hymn--- As far as I'm concerned, at the rate they're going, DMST's seventh or eighth album will probably be powerful enough to kill people.
Starlight Mints- Built on Squares--- Really surprising that this didn't make it into the big man's top twenty because this is the best pop album I think I've ever heard. Quite unique, but the band could open for the flaming lips and grandaddy and everyone would leave the show talking about the first band.
Kinksi- Airs above Station--- Hard to describe, but very good instrumental (mostly) rock music that will have the hipsters nodding their heads.
Grandaddy- Sumday--- Not quite as good as the last one, but still amazing.
These arms are snakes- This is meant to hurt you--- These guys are going to release some damn good records in the future. Rocking post hardcore, think maybe Cave-In's Jupiter.

Kyle McConaghy (?, ?)

You Forgot It In The People, Broken Social Scene
Echoes, The Rapture
Chutes Too Narrow, The Shins
Room On Fire, The Strokes
Hail To The Thief, Radiohead
Young Liars EP, TV On The Radio
A Promise, Xiu Xiu
Up In Flames, Manitoba
HaHa Sound, Broadcast
It Still Moves, My Morning Jacket

Terry McGregor (Airdrie, Alberta, CANADA)

Radiohead> Hail To The Thief: This year, for the first time, I travelled through the gorgeous countries of Wales, England, and Scotland. Simply put, Hail To The Thief was my travelling companion. It shall forever be a time capsule--I can open it and hear and see in these songs the landscape whence they came: Britain. A timely, memory-producing album.
Ulan Bator> Nouvel Air: France gave birth to exceptional music this year, and I feel the best of it all is this gorgeously melodic, moving, emotive album. They have changed their sound to something more pleasant to the ear, compared to former releases. The songs are achingly beautiful.
Arca> Angles: As I said, 2003 was the year of great music from France. Arca mix French and English spoken-word with perfect, dark musical backdrops, creating a sometimes heart-rending, sometimes disconcerting, but always engaging, atmosphere.
Manitoba> Up In Flames: Wow! At first listen this masterpiece by Canadian genius Manitoba sounds like a mass of digital sounds and real instruments thrown into a mix. With further listens, those myriad sounds become coherent, and ultimately, experimental and beautifully melodic.
Aerogramme> Sleep & Release: Two words describe this album: raw emotion. Scotland's best musical group. The emotions range from utter rage and primal screaming on some tracks, to absolutely sublime, lush, delicately tear-producing emotions on others.
Empyrium> Weiland: Dark, acoustic, operatic, emotional songs from Germany. Soothing and rousing at the same time.
Readymade> On Point And Red: An overlooked album from a dreadfully overlooked Canadian group. Beautiful, lingering, and deeply contemplative . This is urban music, set to space rock.
No-Man> Together We're Stranger: Fragile, touching, slow-paced atmospherics, where every sound is delicate and arranged. Hailing from Britain, No-Man produce this necessity, for any who enjoy exceptional music.
Arca> Arca/Cinematique: If you did not hear anything from Arca this year, your 2003 missed some VITAL melodies. This is their first album, from 2001, but a staple for me through 2003.
Savoy Grand> Burn The Furniture: Relaxed, contemplative music from England, sought out because of the Reader's list of 2002 on Almostcool.org. I decided to try it, and found it to my ultimate liking. Perfect music for walking alone at night in a park, or in the country, which indeed is how I used it.
Bel Canto> Dorothy's Victory: I love all Bel Canto's albums, and this Norwegian group continue to produce exceptionally high-quality bittersweet music.
Deep Forest> Music Detected: A happy album, from French world-music-loving group Deep Forest, actually produced in 2002. A very superb album, covering several genres. A delightful change of pace this album provided me.
Mull Historical Society> Us: Another exceptional album from a Scottish band which slowly grows on the listener.
Bark Psychosis> Hex: So, I am nine years late on discovering this masterpiece from British group Bark Psychosis; now I wonder: How on earth did I get by without this album?? Intelligent, literary music.
Encre> Encre: A sensational 8 tracks from French group Encre. Cutting and pasting real instruments and digital songs to create moving, experimental music.

Courtland Miles (Rocklin, California, USA)

Do Make Say Think - Winter Hymn, Country Hymn, Secret Hymn
Silver Mt. Zion - This is our punk rock, these rusted satellites gather and sing...
Nervous Cop - Nervous Cop
Cheval de Frise - Fresques sur les parois secrètes du cråne
Crime In Choir - The Hoop
Explosions In The Sky - The earth is not a cold dead place
Lightning Bolt - Wonderful Rainbow
Zs - Zs

Malcom Miles (Lincoln, NE, USA)

Cat Power "You Are Free"
Four Tet "Rounds"
Radiohead "Hail To The Thief"
Matmos "The Civil War"
Broadcast " haha sound"
Cursive "The Ugly Organ"
Do Make Say Think "Winter Hymn Country Hymn Secret Hymn"
Head Of Femur "Ringodom or Proctor"
Manitoba " Up In Flames"
Mayday "I Know Your Troubles Been Long"
Berg Sans Nipple "Form of..."
Broken Social Scene "You Forgot It In People"
Rachel's "Systems/Layers"
Black Forest / Black Sea s/t
M. Ward "Transfiguration of Vincent"

rasmus mirvan (lybech, holstebro, DENMARK)

sixtoo - antagonist survival kit
cursive - the ugly organ
animal collective – campfire songs
the locust - plague soundscapes
the birdtree - orchards & caravans
cyne - time being
dm & jemini - ghetto pop life
pulseprogramming - tulsa for one second
cyann & ben - spring
berg sans nipple - form of...
pluramon - dreams top rock´

Moonmen (?, ?)

Sufjan Stevens - Greetings From Michigan... The Great Lakes State.
Menomena - I Am the Fun Blame Monster.
Broken Social Scene - You Forgot It in People.
Radiohead - Hail to the Thief.
Saturday Looks Good to Me - All Your Summer Songs.
The Books - The Lemon of Pink.
British Sea Power - Decline of British Sea Power.
The Shins - Chutes Too Narrow.
The Unicorns - Who Will Cut Our Hair When We're Gone.
Ted Leo and the Pharmacists - Hearts of Oak.

Christian Mortensen (Copenhagen, DENMARK)

Rufus Wainwright: Want One (Dreamworks)
Broken Social Scene: You Forgot It In People (Arts & Craft)
Four Tet: Rounds (Domino)
The Coral: Magic And Medicine (Deltasonic)
The New Pornographers: Electric Version (Matador)
Ulrich Schnauss: A Strangely Isolated Place (City Centre Offices)
The Swords Project: Entertaiment Is Over If You Want It (Arena Rock)
Icebreaker International & Manual: Into Forever (Handshake/Morr)
Manitoba: Up In Flames (Domino)
Stars: Heart (Paper Bag)
The Postal Service: Give Up (Sub Pop)
Cat Power: You Are Free (Matador
Dakota Suite: This River Only Brings Poison (Glitterhouse)
Mew: Frengers (Epic)
Dub Tractor: More Or Less Mono (City Centre Offices)

Joe Myles (?, ?)

AEREOGRAMME - SLEEP AND RELEASE - It's beyond me that I have seen dozen's of top 10's for this year and NOWHERE does this album appear. These Scottish lads gave the world one of the most wonderful albums of the year (or any year for that matter). Can't wait to hear more.
THE HANDSOME FAMILY - SINGING BONES - Every year the Handsome Family release an album and every year they wind up on my top 10. Again, this album is not showing up on ANY lists - There REALLY is no justice.
BUCK 65 - TALKIN HONKY BLUES - With all the gangsta dis and the booty dat this is a more than a welcome change - Hip Hop was originally about poetry and Buck 65 returns to the roots while taking along Tom Waits for the ride.
JOHNNY CASH - THE MAN COMES AROUND - What can be said...Johnny, we'll miss you. Not the perfect Johnny Cash album but contains one of the best songs he ever recorded...and one of his last...HURT. Best song of the year as well.
VARIOUS ARTISTS - WINNIPEG : THE HIGH AND LONESOME YEARS VOL II - Once upon a time not so long ago there was a tiny little club on the corner of Main Street and St. Mary Avenue in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The club was home to many of Winnipeg's best bands and Janitor John Scoles took it upon himself to record many of these bands. This is the result. Beautiful.
STEW - SOMETHING DEEPER THAN THESE CHANGES - Mark "Stew" Stewart of The Negro Problem. Never heard of him? Neither had I. Great songwriting, amazing vocals and a feel like nothing else. You'd never guess this guy is a 300 pound Black man - not that there's anything wrong with being a 300 pound black man. We'll all be hearing more about him in the coming years - I promise.
ARAB STRAP - MONDAY AT THE HUG AND PINT - More great music from Scotland. Sad, Drunk, Depressed, Beautiful.
NEIL YOUNG - GREENDALE (ACCOUSTIC VERSION!!!) - Although the electric release was mediocre at best this accoustic version is fucking amazing. It's Neil at his accoustic best - think early 70's On the Beach. Surrounded by five or six candles Neil and his guitar introduce us to the town of Greendale and a cast of characters from deep within his mind. If you have the patience please watch the DVD of this - If you're a Neil fan at all then it'll blow you away.
MICO - OUTSIDE THE UNBEARABLE GROWS - Hailing from Calgary, Alberta these guys rock but always with a serious edge lyrically and musically - plus it's one of the best title's of the year.
TWILIGHT SINGERS - BLACKBERRY BELLE - Greg Dulli from the Afghan Whigs released his second album with The Twilight Singers.

Carles N (Barcelona, SPAIN)

Sufjan Stevens _ Greetings from Michigan
Prefuse 73 _ One Word Extinguisher
Rhythm & Sound _ The Artists / The Versions
Deerhoof _ Apple O
Matt Elliot _ The Mess We Made
(Smog) _ Supper
Wire _ Send
Broken Social Scene _ You Forgot It In People
Colder _ Again
Nina Nastasia _ Run To Ruin
Villalobos _ Alcachofa
Cat Power _ You Are Free
Robert Wyatt _ Cuckooland
Berg Sans Nipple _ Form of...
Refree _ Nones

Gonçalo N (Lisboa, PORTUGAL)

Broken Social Scene – You Forgot It In People
Sufjan Stevens – Greetings From Michigan, The Great Lake State
The Wrens – The Meadowlands
The Books – The Lemon of Pink
The Shins – Chutes Too Narrow
M83 – Dead Cities, Red Seas and Lost Ghosts
Radiohead – Hail to the Thief
Cat Power – You Are Free
Single Frame – Wetheads Come Running
TV on the Radio – Young Liars EP
Why? – Oaklandazulasylum
Rachel's – Systems/Layers
Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Fever To Tell
Menomena – I Am the Fun Blame Monster
Blur – Think Tank

Erik Nash (Milwaukee, WI, USA)

m83 - dead cities, red seas & lost ghosts (gooom)
clue to kalo - come here when you sleepwalk (mush)
kpt.michi.gan - player, player (aesthetics)
the prids - love zero (luminal)
manitoba - up in flames (leaf)
crack we are rock - cosmic mind flight (tigerbeat6)
pulseprogramming - tulsa for one second (aesthetics)
ulrich schnauss - a strangely isolated place (city centre offices)
styrofoam - i'm what's there to show that something's missing (morr music)
colder - again (output)

Neil (Dover, UK)

Mogwai - "Happy Songs For Happy People"
Frankie Sparo - "Welcome Crummy Mystics"
Aereogramme - "Sleep And Release"
Explosions In The Sky - "The Earth Is Not A Cold Dead Place"
Radiohead - "Hail To The Thief"
The Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra And Tra-La-La Band With Choir - "This Is Our Punk-Rock, Thee Rusted Satellites Gather And Sing"
Esmerine - "If Only A Sweet Surrender To The Night To Come Be True"
Polmo Polpo - "Like Swelling Hearts"
Ulrich Schnauss - "A Strangely Isolated Place"
Clear Horizon - "Clear Horizon"
Throwing Muses - "Throwing Muses"
Envy - "A Dead Sinking Story"
Molasses - "A Slow Messe"
Set Fire To Flames - "Telegraphs In Negative/Mouths Trapped In Static"
The Zephyrs - "A Year To The Day"

Johan Nell (Porterville, Western Cape, SOUTH AFRICA)

muse- absolution [WOW!]
mew- comforting sounds
mogwai- happy songs for happy people
sigur ros- () [i got it this year]
sigur ros- ageatis byrjun [same story]

Paco (Linares, SPAIN)

The hidden cameras - The smell of our own
The white stripes - Elephant
Edison woods - Seven principles of leave no trace
Robert Wyatt - Cuckooland
Yeah yeah yeahs - Fever to tell
Do make say think - Winter hymn country hymn secret hymn
The postal service - give up
The strokes - Room on fire
The shins - Chutes too narrow
Ricardo Villalobos - Alcachofa
The soft pink tuth - Do you party?
Radiohead - Hail to the thief
Manitoba - Up in flames
The rapture - Echoes

Corey Pierce (Oakville ON, CANADA)

The Darkness - Permission to Land (Atlantic)
Steve Burns - Songs For Dustmites (PIAS)
Broken Social Scene - You Forgot It In People (Arts & Crafts)
The Blood Brothers - Burn Piano Island Burn!
The Unicorns - Who Will Cut Our Hair When We're Gone? (Alien8)
The Rapture - Echoes (Universal)
A Mighty Wind - Original Soundtrack (Sony)
Junior/Senior - D-D-Don't Don't Stop The Beat
Radiohead - Hail To The Thief (Capitol)
White Stripes - Elephant (V2/BMG)
OutKast - Speakerboxxx/The Love Below (La Face)
The Shins - Chutes Too Narrow (Sub Pop)
The New Pornographers - Electric Version (Matador)
Strapping Young Lad - SYL (Century Media)
Constantines - Shine A Light (Sub Pop)

DAREK PIECUCH (POLAND)

Broken Social Scene: You Forgot It In People
Rapture : Echoes
Postal Service: Give Up
Cat Power : You Are Free
Manitoba: Up In Flames
Basement Jaxx: Kish Kash
Blur: Think Tank
Dizzee Rascal: Boy In Da Corner
Madlib: Shades of Blue

Adam Richardson (Louisville, KY, USA)

outkast - speakerboxx/the love below
super furry animals - phantom power
the dandy warhols - welcome to the monkey house
!!!- me and giuliani down by the school yard (a true story)
broken social scene - you forget it in people
the rapture - echoes
single frame ashtray - wetheads come running
my morning jacket - it still moves
the strokes - room on fire
radiohead - hail to the thief

Elwin Rijken (NETHERLANDS)

Do Make Say Think - Winter Hymn Country Hymn Secret Hymn (I had the pleasure of seeing them LIVE, twice this year! I just LOVE this band)
Broken Social Scene - You Forgot It In People (Canadians RULE, they just do)
Stars - Heart (Did I mention that Canadians make GREAT music?)
The Dears - No Cities Left (And some Canadians like to joke around, a Canadian Brit-pop album? Yup, call it cheesy but it's got some SWEET moments)
Aereogramme - Sleep And Release (really THICK good rock songs)
The Postal Service - Give Up (Catchy Cool Clark Gable Style Pop Songs)
Explosions In The Sky - The Earth Is Not A Cold Dead Place (All songs are actually constructed in the same way, so there are no surprises here, just BEAUTIFUL melodic movement and that is not a bad thing!)
Plaid - Spokes (Cool album, between al this dark ambient stuff "Get What You Gave" is a real Joyfull standout, check it out)
Sufjan Stevens - Greetings From Michigan (Even in West-Brabant, The Netherlands, this album works. Very very charming)
Matmos - The Civil War (Experimental and catchy at the same time! Some Statement)
The Wrens - Meadowlands (Excellent Rockalbum, great melodies and lyrics)
The Shins - >Chutes Too Narrow (Providing us with warmth and sunlight no matter what season)
The Unicorns - Who Will Cut Our Hair When We're Gone? (Wonderfuly wacky)
Four Tet - Rounds (Playboxes never sounded this good)
Godspeed You! Black Emperor - Albanian (Ok I know it's not an album, not even officially out, but it's a DAMN *sorry for cursing* GOOD song and I hope that they will return with more of this energy on their next album)

Ritchie (USA)

Broadcast - Haha Sound (Perfect spacepop songs with a retro sound. Most reviewers seem to describe it as cold and detached, but to me it sounds like it's bursting with colors.)
Broken Social Scene - You Forgot it in People (It's all been said before, but it bears repeating: this is a great album. Yes, technically it came out in 2002, but who cares. While it may not transcend any musical boundaries, there are few albums quite as likeable as this one. "Anthems for a Seventeen Year Old Girl" is a classic.)
Clue to Kalo - Come Here When You Sleepwalk (Beautiful IDM music that's as warm, hazy, and relaxing as a spring day. I'm glad to see Aaron liked it as well.)
Do Make Say Think - Winter Hymn Country Hymn Secret Hymn (If I had to choose one favorite, this would probably be it. Inventive post-rock that is bursting with life and vitality, and arguably their best release yet. So amazingly uplifting and intriguing it should be prescribed as medication.)
Four Tet - Rounds (Yet another solid release from Four Tet. While I don't like it as much as I used to, and I think I prefer the more gentle and pastoral sound of Pause, it's still definitely a great record.)
Manitoba - Up in Flames (It took a few listens to grow on me, but man did it grow. A kaleidoscope of different sounds, colors, and shapes, it's so bursting with positive energy that it never fails to energize me. Although it gets a little too fluffy at some points, it's overall a superb album, and a must-own.)
Prefuse 73 - One Word Extinguisher/Extinguished EP (Few albums could match the hip soul that's on Scott Herren's One Word Extinguisher, a cutting-edge glitch-hop album that should be near the top of everyone's list. The Extinguished EP might be even better. I'm not cool, but when I listen to these, I feel like I am.)
Radiohead - Hail to the Thief (Another winner from my favorite band, this one finds the band regressing musically but writing better songs than most of those found on Amnesiac. Yes, it may not have the strength and emotional resonance as some of their other albums, but I still love it.)
set fire to flames - telegraphs in negative/mouths trapped in static (Honestly, if you were to say that this album has no place on a year-end list, I might agree with you; there's so little actual "music," it can't be nearly as solid as so many other albums. But I'm putting it here anyways, if only for "this thing between us is a rickety bridge of impossible crossing/bonfires for nobody...", which is one of my most favorite songs ever. A scary, weird, and tragic album.
Tujiko Noriko - From Tokyo to Niagara (Cool electronics, whispy vocals, hummable melodies, heavy beats, and huge musical climaxes. A uniquely Japanese dose of chilled-out laptop) electronica.
Explosions in the Sky - The Earth is Not a Cold, Dead Place (Post-rock is boring? If that's the case, I wish I were bored more often. Because this wonderfully hopeful release is so packed full of glacial guitar, machine-gun drums, and sheer beauty that it puts to death any claims that the genre has become stale.)
The Shins - Chutes Too Narrow (Few bands can craft songs as catchy and lyrics as narrative and beautiful as this one. From the pretty and touching "Pink Bullets" to the absolutely amazing anthem "Saint Simon," it's one charming and very solid release.)

Andy Roddick (Ottawa, CANADA)

Calexico: Feasts of Wire (I just discovered these guys this year...perhaps the most solid album released in 2003)
Non Prophets: Hope (This is the cd I want everyone to listen to. Sage Francis makes me laugh and think at once)
Manitoba: Up in Flames (woah. Yeah Canada)
Arab Strap: Monday at the Hug and Pint (Saw these guys live. Well worth it. Good for rainy weather and drinking)
The Decemberists: Her Majesty the Decemberists (Forget Pirates of the Caribean, go with these guys!)
Broken Social Scene: You Forgot it in People (Nice suprise)
Brother Ali: Shadows on the Sun (Emotional ride, but man can he rhyme)
The Quantic Soul Orchestra: Stampede (great funk and soul...much like the Poets of Rhythm, in that it feels like this should have been released 20 years ago)
RJD2: The Horror (Best producer in hiphop right now, hands down)
Sigur Ros: () (grew on me)
The Shins: Chutes Too Narrow (Still exploring this one, and I think it lives up to the hype)
Vaudeville Villain: MF Doom (the song on here, Let me Watch, is so good...defines Doom as a comedic villain. But the beats make it ever so serious)
Four Tet: Rounds (I agree with all the hype).

Tony Romaker (Columbus, OH, USA)

The Wrens - The Meadowlands
Single Frame - Wetheads Come Running
My Morning Jacket - It Still Moves
Exploding Hearts - Guitar Romantic
Broken Social Scene - You Forgot it in People
Clearlake - Cedars
The Shins - Chutes Too Narrow
Sun Kil Moon - Ghosts of the Great Highway
Earlimart - Everyone Down Here
The Thermals - More Parts per Million
Ted Leo/Rx - Hearts of Oak
New Pornographers - Electric Version
Cat Power - You are Free
84 Nash - A Secret Reward
Grandaddy - Sumday

Raffaello Russo (Rome, ITALY)

Frankie Sparo – Welcome crummy mystics
Mogwai – Happy songs for happy people
The Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra & Tra-La-La Band with Choir – “This is Our Punk Rock,” thee rusted satellites gather+sing
Spokane – Measurement
Arca – Angles
Arab Strap – Monday at the Hug & Pint
Cat Power – You are free
.Explosions in the Sky – The Earth is not a cold dead place
At Swim Two Birds – Quigley’s point
Esmerine – If only a sweet surrender to the nights to come be true
Death Cab For Cutie - Transatlanticism
Rachel’s – Systems/Layers
American Analog Set – Promise of love
Giardini di Mirò – Punk...not diet!
Okkervil River – Down the river of golden dreams

Ryan (Philadelphia, PA, USA)

Yeah Yeah Yeahs -- Fever to Tell
The Cardigans -- Long Gone Before Daylight
Goldfrapp -- Black Cherry
The Rapture -- Echoes
Cursive -- The Ugly Organ
Black Box Recorder -- Passionoia
The Blood Brothers - Burn, Piano Island, Burn
Lamb -- Between Darkness and Wonder
The SSION -- Opportunity Bless my Soul
The Postal Service -- Give Up

Javier Santafé (Barbastro, SPAIN)

Matt Elliott "The mess we made"
Nina Nastasia "Run to ruin"
Bonnie "Prince" Billy "Master and everyone"
(Smog) "Supper"
Diamanda Galàs "La serpenta canta"
Mogwai "Happy songs for happy people"
Jackie-O Motherfucker "Change"
M. Ward "Transfiguration of Vincent"
Howe Home "The listener"
Do Make Say Think "Winter hymn, country hymn, secret hymn
Alasdair Roberts "Farewell Sorrow"
Frankie Sparo "Welcome crummy mystics"
Diamanda Galàs "Defixiones, will and testament"
The Silver Mt Zion Memorial Orchestra & Tra-la-la Band with Choir "This is our punk rock, thee rusted satellites, gather + sing"
Set Fire to Flames "Telegraphs in negative/mouths trapped in static"

James Sauceman (Florida, USA)

dj /rupture - minesweeper suite (i use the broken social scene exemption allowing one album from 2002 into my list)
the wrens - meadowlands (so many great hooks; the wrens have 4 great singers while so many bands have trouble finding one)
the swords project - entertainment is over if you want it (beautiful postrock that doesnt sound anything like mogwai/eits [not that theres anything wrong with that])
king gheedorah - take me to your leader (samples that are alternately beautiful and hilarious; made me forget all about anti-pop consortium breaking up)
city of caterpillar - city of caterpillar (see, i knew not all hardcore sucked!)
the dears - no cities left (great album for anyone who likes their music nice and dramatic)
sun kil moon - ghosts of the great highway (writes melodies like its EASY or something)
british sea power - the decline of british sea power (some of the best lyrics ive heard over great noisy pop songs)
asobi seksu - asobi seksu (overlooked postrock band with great singing and the wall of sound dynamics everyone loves nowadays)
prefuse 73 - one word extinguisher (yeah, he's probably a genius; puts emotions other than fear and anger into his hiphop)

John Schietinger (?, ?)

Summersault - The Shape of the Sky
The Wrens - The Meadowlands
Four Tet - Rounds
The Rapture - Echoes
Elbow - Cast of Thousands
The Postal Service - Give Up
Massive Attack - 100th Window
Radiohead - Hail to the Thief
Manitoba - Up in Flames
Lucinda Williams - World without Tears

Brad Shoup (Austin, TX, USA)

the Books – The Lemon of Pink
Groovie Ghoulies – Monster Club
Kelley Stoltz – Antique Glow
Andre 3000 – The Love Below
the Fiery Furnaces – Gallowsbird’s Bark
the Hidden Cameras – The Smell of Our Own
the Blow - the Concussive Caress
Broken Social Scene - You Forgot It in People (I still count this as 2002, but heaven forbid people think I don't love this album)
Polysics – Neu
TV on the Radio – Young Liars EP
the Rapture – Echoes
Aesop Rock – Bazooka Tooth
Rachel's - Systems/Layers
Nick Zammuto - Solutiore of Stareau (reissue)
Need New Body – UFO

Roger Simonsen (Lincoln, NE, USA)

Do Make Say Think - Winter Hymn Country Hymn Secret Hymn: Last year I was blown away late in the year with Fly Pan Am's effort and this year I got to listen to this Constellation gem all the way back from Georgia in December. Actually makes for some great xmas music!
Tom Leach - Homemade Handmade - We may have lost Johnny Cash but Tom Leach is a spectacular country artist in his own right. Not only are these tunes totally infectious but I think he makes them in his kitchen.
Philip Glass - The Orphee Suite - Along with Marianas this came along to give Lincoln, Nebraska two true masterpieces in 2003. Program your cd player to play random with this and Marianas "Upward and Onward" (or is it "Onward and Upward" I always forget?)
Matmos - The Civil War - Could end up being #1 on my list once I've given it a few more listens. Perfect mix of innovation and listenability. They even enjoyed this one at the office!
Angels of Light - Everything is Good Here/Please Come Home - There's a lot of depth in this release and it ranks right up there with The Swan's best efforts. If you want a good dose of 21st Century goth, try this out for size.
Ministry - Animositisomina - Just like the good old days! After being off my radar for many years I listened to this one on Homer's listening station and fell in love all over again. Covering Magazine was a pleasant surprise.
Mogwai - Happy Songs for Happy People - This one could have had a few more peaks but I listened to it a lot and it happened to be on my play list on one of those rare days when my life was running on high drama, so that should solidify it in my brain for some time to come. "Hunted by a Freak" will go down as my theme song for the year. Hmm, but who's the REAL freak???
Kraftwerk - Tour de France Soundtracks - This isn't their best work but there are some wonderfully fun moments and besides I hope to see them on tour in 2004 so I need to give 'em a little push. Electro... Cardiogram... Uh-whoo Uh-whoo...
King Crimson - The Power to Believe - I did see this band on tour in 2003 and as with Ministry this was one of their best releases in many years. All the dynamics of yesteryear with a re-vamped lineup.
Muslimgauze - Uzbekistani Bizarre and Souk - The best posthumous Muslimgauze release so far. Don't even try to listen to it...let it listen to you. This one's for you Saddam.
All the stuff I haven't heard yet.

Jonathan Skaggs (Austin, TX, USA)

Mars Volta - de loused in the comatorium
Lightning Bolt - Wonderful Rainbow
Deerhoof - Apple O'
Crime in Choir - The Hoop
The Shins, "Chutes too Narrow"
Outkast - Speakerboxxx/The Love Below
Matmos - The Civil War
Talking Heads box set
The Rapture, Echoes
Ex Models - zoo psychology

Edgars Smits (Riga, LATVIA)

Postal Service "Give Up"
Aerogramme "Sleep And Release"
Emak Bakia "Frecuencias de un rojo devastador"
Meanwhile, Back In Communist Russia "My Elixir, My Poison"
Radiohead "Hail To The Thief"
Calexico "Feast Of Wire"
Giardini Di Miro "Punk...Not Diet!"
Stars "Heart"
Explosions In The Sky "Earth Is Not A Cold Dead Place"
Arca "Angles"
Calla "Scavengers"
Mogwai "Happy Songs For Happy People"
Menomena "I Am Fun Blame Monster"
Tindersticks "Waiting For The Moon"
Zoot Woman "Zoot Woman"

Nick Spangler (Rocklin CA, USA)

Nervous Cop - Nervous Cop
Crime in Choir - The Hoop
Explosions in the sky - The Earth Is Not A Cold Dead Place
Cheval de Frise - (not sure how to spell the title)
Do Make Say Think - Winter Hymn, Country Hymn, Secret Hymn

Jean-René Sylvestre (Deux-Montagnes, CANADA)

Four tet - Rounds
Manitoba - Up in flames
Mogwai - Happy songs for happy people
Polmo polpo - like hearts swelling
Explosions in the sky - Earth is not a cold dead place
Frankie Sparo - Welcome crummy mystics
Death cab for cutie - Transatlanticism
Désormais - Iambrokenandremadeiambroken
Stafraenn Hakon - Skvettir edik a ref
The kills - Keep on your mean side

Sean Taylor (Sherman Oaks, Ca, USA)

Frog Eyes-The Golden River
The Unicorns-Who Will Cut Our Hair When We’re Gone?
The Bruces-The War Of the Bruces
Broken Social Scene-You Forgot It In People
Clearlake-Cedars
Dizzee Rascal-Boy In Da Corner
Ex Models-Zoo Psychology
Single Frame-Wetheads Come Running
The Fiery Furnaces-Gallowsbird’s Park
Deerhoof-Apple O’
Lightning Bolt-Wonderful Rainbow
The Russian Futurists-Let’s Get Ready To Crumble
The Blood Brothers-Burn, Piano Island, Burn
Ellen Allien-Berlinette
Ms. John Soda-No P. Or D.

Tim (Adelaide, SA, AUSTRALIA)

Outkast - Speakerboxxx / The Love Below
Kevin Blechdom - Bitches Without Britches
The Notwist - Neon Golden
Missy Elliott - This Is Not A Test!
Bubba Sparxxx - Deliverance
Manitoba - Up In Flames
Crack W.A.R. (we are rock) - Silent Fantasy
Adult - Anxiety Always
Kid 606 - Kill Sound Before Sound Kills You
The White Stripes - Elephant
Madonna - American Life
Chicks On Speed - 99c
Four Tet - Rounds
Cody ChesnuTT - The Headphone Masterpiece
The Rip Off Artist - In Through The Out Door

Rob Toste (Toronto, CANADA)

Manitoba - Up In Flames
Polmo Polpo - Like Hearts Swelling
Do Make Say Think - Winter Hymn Country Hymn Secret Hymn
Four Tet - Rounds
The Books - The Lemon Of Pink
Telefon Tel Aviv - Fahrenheit Fair Enough
Explosions In The Sky - The Earth Is Not A Cold Dead Place
LFO - Sheath
Matthew Herbert Big Band - Goodbye Swingtime
Matmos - The Civil War
Special Mention - Broken Social Scene " You Forgot It In People" ( Even though it was released in 2002, this is by far the best album of the past couple of years. Can any Canadian band/artist make bad music? )

Frédéric Tremblay (Alma, Québec, CANADA)

Grandaddy - Sumbay
Elbow - Cast of thousands
The White Stripes - Elephant
Mickey 3D - Tu vas pas mourir de rire
Gothan Project - La revancha del tango
Radiohead - Hail to the thief
Blur - Think tank
Stephie Shock - Le décor
Thomas Fersen - Pièce montée des grands jours
Mogwaï - Happy songs for happy people
Dumas - Le cours des jours
Cardigans - Long gone before daylight
UNKLE - Never never land
Nick Cave and the bad seeds - Nocturama
The Strokes - Room on fire

Greg W. (New York, NY, CANADA)

Alasdair Roberts — Farewell Sorrow
Grandaddy — Sumday
Stephen Duffy and the Lilac Time — Keep Going
Shack — Here's Tom with the Weather
Bonnie Prince Billy — Master and Everyone
Thrills — So Much for the City
Idlewild — The Remote Part
Songs Ohia — Magnolia Electric Co.
Lowlights — s/t
Matt Elliot — The Mess We Made
Richard Youngs — Airs of the Ear
Radiohead — Hail to the Thief

Mike Weis (Chicago, IL, USA)

William Basinski - The River
Scott Tuma - The River 1,2,3,4
Philip Jeck - 7
Low - Murderer e.p.
Crescent - By the Roads and Fields
Wind-Up Bird - Whips
Mirror - Die Spiegelmanufaktur
Polmo Polpo - Like Hearts Swelling
Rope - Widows First Dawn
Boxhead Ensemble - Quartets
Oren Ambarchi - Triste
1 mile North - Minor Shadows
Rothko - Search for Origins
Alastair Galbraith - Radiant
Dean Roberts - Be Mine Tonight

Brent Wilson (Prince George, British Columbia, CANADA)

Jackie-O Motherfucker - The Magick Fire Music/Wow! [ATP] (OK, technically its a reissue, but this goes a long way in proving that JOMF are one of the best and most productive bands of the millennium thus far)
The Wrens - The Meadowlands [Absolutely Kosher] (I thought 30-40 year-olds bitching about their relationship woes would be somewhat horrid, but when NJs finest are behind it I find that I'm oh so wrong)
Manitoba - Up in Flames [Leaf/Domino] (In two years Dan Snaith went from being Canada's answer to Boards of Canada to being our version of Mercury Rev, and in the process created an album for the ages. Beautiful is the only word that can describe it)
Do Make Say Think - Winter Hymn Country Hymn Secret Hymn [Constellation] (After 4 albums DMST finally prove that they can beat Mogwai at their own game. All I can say is Hooray! Hooray! Hooray!)
The Bevis Frond - New River Head [Rubric] (Another reissue, this time of one of the nineties most sorely unappreciated albums. Expanded to two full-to-bursting discs without any filler material, the greatest psychedelic album you've never bothered to hear just got better)
The Delgados - Hate [Mantra] (Seeing as i can't put You Forgot it in People on this list as i got it in 2002 I'll put the latest masterpiece from Glasgow's finest, which didn't see the light of day 'til 2003 on this side of the pond, on instead)
The Animal Collective - Spirit They're Gone, Spirit They've Vanished/Danse Manatee [Fat Cat] (Yet another reissue, showing the growth of one of avant-rock's greatest bands as they gathered more members. Even though the material is barely 2 years old nice to have it in one easy to find package)
The Dears - No Cities Left [Maple] (Murray Lightburn is not Morrisey in black face, he just sounds like he is. This is the closest you'll ever find to a collaboration between the Smiths and Belle and Sebastian, so any music lover needs to hear it)
The Magic Band - Back to the Front [ATP] (Members of the various incarnations of the Magic Band rehearsing for their reunion at ATP Los Angeles. Even without Captain Beefheart's vocals this albums is the best greatest hits package a fan could hope for)
M83 - Dead Cities Red Seas and Lost Ghosts [Gooom] (French shoe-gazer-y techno band that finally made me realize that the French can make music worthy of all the praise its give, unlike Air)
Aphex Twin - 26 Mixes for Cash [Warp] (Collecting all of Richard D James Remixes in one place was a smart move, what with him being one of electronic music's only greatnesses and all.)
TV on the Radio - Young Liars EP [Touch & Go] (I was prepared to hate this little album, but after hearing it I don't see what I was so worried about. Even the Pixies cover works, and who else would have re-imagined Mr. Grieves in acapella with a gospel choir (?) backing it??)
Radiohead - Hail to the Thief [Parlophone] (Not exactly a return to form, but far from a disappointment.)
Summer at Shatter Creek - s/t [Absolutely Kosher] (Everybody loves the beach Boys, am I right? Well, SaSC (aka Craig Michael Gurwich) makes sunny pop songs better than the Beach Boys have in 35 years. So everybody should love em just as much.)
Stereolab - Instant 0 in the Universe [Elektra] (When Mary Hansen died, I was sure that Stereolab wouldn't recover. Well, I was wrong. This is easily their best release since Emperor Tomato Ketchup)

David Yezukevich (Boston, MA USA)

Bent - The Everlasting Blink
Prefuse 73 - One Word Extinguisher
RJD2 - The Horror
I Monster - Neveroddoreven
Karminsky Experience Inc - The Power Of Suggestion
Centro-matic - Love You Just The Same
Ralph Myerz And The Jack Herren Band - A Special Album
High Llamas - Beet Maize & Corn
Postal Service - Give Up
The Books - The Lemon Of Pink
Calla - Televise
Special Mention: Urlich Schnauss - Far Away Trains Passing By (released 2001, but new to me in 2003...looking forward to hearing A Strangely Isolated Place. Great lists everyone...here's to excellent music in 2004.)