OK. We're about 2/3 of the way through 2003. What are you top albums so far?

[Futureman]

My tentative list:

Blur, Think Tank
Ted Leo & the Pharmacists, Hearts of Oak
The Microphones, Mount Eerie
TV on the Radio, Young Liars (EP)
Lightening Bolt, Wonderful Rainbow
Iran, The Moon Boys
Single Frame Ashtray, Wetheads Come Running
Broken Social Scene, You Forgot it in People (released in US '03)
New Pornographers, Electric Version

Iffy on:

Cat Power, You are Free
Radiohead, HTTT
The Locust, Plague Soundscapes
Pinback, Offcell
Songs: Ohio, The Magnolia Electric Co.
Deerhoof, Apple O'

Hopeful about and still waiting to hear:

Dizzy Rascal, Boy in Da Corner
The Wrens, The Meadowlands
Modest Mouse, *****
Erase Errata, *****
The Shins, *****

[mojo]

top ones so far...

Cat Power - You Are Free
Throwing Muses - Throwing Muses
Kristin Hersh - The Grotto
Mojave 3 - Spoon and Rafter
The French - Dagenham
Dandy Warhols new one is ok
as is The Coral's new one
GbV - Earthquake Glue
Scout Niblett - I Am

bloody hell almost all of these are Beggars-related ones... I can't think of any others I've bought from this year. waah.

[Miss Tasty Princess]

Off the top of my head:

Solbakken Klonapet (still my favorite of the year so far)

the rest alphabetically:
Buzzcocks Buzzcocks
Cobra Verde Easy Listening
Neil Michael Haggerty The Howling Hex
The Malarkies 10,000 Back Doors (technically came out in Dec 2002)
Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks Pig Lib
Metallica St. Anger
Solace 13
Richard Thompson The Old Kit Bag
Unpersons III
Voïvod Voïvod

[yovan]

Yeah Yeah Yeahs , "Fever to Tell" (still holding down the top spot)

Cat Power , "You Are Free"

Oranges Band, "All Around" -just picked it up and have been driving happily to work ever since. (even w/out coffee)
happily

[jef]

Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks - Pig Lib
Exploding Hearts - Guitar Romantic
Tall Dwarfs - Sky above, the mud below
Ted Leo/Pharmacists - Hearts of Oak
Guided By Voices - Earthquake Glue
FM Knives - Useless & Modern
Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds - Nocturama
The Clientele - Violet Hour
Jon Langford & His Sadies - Mayors of the Moon
Cody Chesnutt - Headphone Masterpiece
Scene Creamers - I Suck on that Emotion
New Pornographers - Electric Version
Death Cab For Cutie - Tranatlanticism
The Tyde - Twice
Deadly Snakes- Ode To Joy
Cat Power - You are Free
And all the Papa M singles

Still haven't heard (Or haven't come out yet)

Reigning Sound, Dirtbombs, Wrens, Shins, Grandpaboy, TON more.

[music dude]

Neil Michael Hagerty- The Howling Hex
Loose Fur- S/T
Ginuwine- THe Senior
The Scene Creamers- I Suck On That Emotion

Honorable mention
Mars Volta-Jon Theodore's drumming
Yeah Yeah Yeahs- Fever To Tell
Stephen Malkmus and The Jicks- Pig Lib

Anticipating:
Shannon Wright
The Neptunes- Clones
PW Long- Remembered
U.S. Maple

[johansen smith]

Cody ChesnuTT the Headphone Masterpiece
Songs: Ohia the Magnolia Electric Co.
Pernice Brothers Yours, Mine, and Ours

also, Shannon Wright's got a new album coming out?!?!?!? I had no idea, very good news indeed.

[vesper]

The same artists I listed previously, but I'm not sure about the order anymore. It's probably looking something like this...

Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Fever to Tell
Xiu Xiu, A Promise
Ex Models, Zoo Psychology
Ted Leo/Pharmacists, Hearts of Oak
Lightning Bolt, Wonderful Rainbow

...and I'm hoping to have Deerhoof, Apple O, British Sea Power, Passionsia (sp?) and Angels of Light, Everything is Good Here/Please Come Home by the end of the week.

I'd like to put Giddy Motors, Out Hud and Broken Social Scene on there, but my conscience won't let me. Same with EPs, if I allowed them, I'm sure that !!! would be high on the list.

[Salman]

Turbonegro - Scandinavian Leather
The Aislers Set - How I Learned to Write Backwards
Bonnie 'Prince' Billy - Master and Everyone
The New Pornographers - Electric Version
Steve Turner - Searching for Melody
Nina Nastasia - Run to Ruin

Can't wait to hear the new Shins and Mark Lanegan albums.

[Futureman]

Oh yeah, I forgot about New Pornographers - Electric Version.

Vesper, I simply *could not* get into the Angels of Light. Maybe I need to come back to the album later. I found it difficult to listen to, but I am willing to be patient with it.

[DefenderOfPants]

some, i've heard. some, i haven't heard, but am looking forward to hearing. and some i have heard only bits of. (in no particular order)

the tyde twice
m. ward transfiguration of vincent
future bible heroes the lonely robot ep
the french local information
the french dagenham
the np's the electric version
starlight mints built on squares
sm jicks dark wave ep
momus oskar tennis champion
the aislers set how i learned to write backwards
satuday looks good to me all our summer songs
garlic jam sabbatical
matt suggs amigo row
casiotone for the painfully alone ?
the shins ?
morrissey ?
belle & sebastian ?
the thrills so much for the city
the clientele the violet hour
tobin sprout lost planets & phantom voices
sm jicks pig lib
the oranges band all around

[nny]

hmm..i am slow and don't really keep up with much. bear with me, some might not even be 2003, though that's when i bought them. no particular order:

yeah yeah yeahs - fever to tell
m. ward - transfiguration of vincent
arab strap - monday at the hug & pint (sorry, i love those fuckers)
cash - the man comes around (was that late 2002? i am fuzzy lately)
cat power - you are free
radiohead - hail to the thief

that's it for now i guess. o well

[chabysinisterra]

american analog set - promise of love
the clean - anthology
king geedorah - take me to your leader
sm + jix - pig lib
white stripes - elephant
calla - televise
the clientele - the violet hour
mogwai - happy songs for happy peeps

[redheaven]

Off the top of my head...

Throwing Muses - Throwing Muses
Kristin Hersh - The Grotto (fuck, this woman's brilliant...anyone agree?)
Ted Leo - Hearts Of Oak
Portastatic - The Summer Of The Shark
Superchunk - Cup Of Sand
Constantines - Shine A Light
Out Hud - Street Dad (this might be from 2002, can't remember...)
Tindersticks - Waiting For The Moon

I'm hopeful about:

Death Cab - Transatlanticism
Enon - Hocus Pocus

[johansen smith]

Originally posted by redheaven

I'm hopeful about:

Enon - Hocus Pocus

I'd lower your expectations A LOT.

[redheaven]

Hey, what's wrong with Enon?...I thought High Society was one of the best of '02...

[johansen smith]

Originally posted by redheaven
Hey, what's wrong with Enon?...I thought High Society was one of the best of '02...

I defintiely agree, High Society was in my top ten list last year. their new album is just... bad. if you've ever heard any of the Enon 7"s, you're prepared for the sound of the new album. the new record is a colossal step backwards for them.

[bitterfruit]

Originally posted by johansen smith
I'd lower your expectations A LOT.

You fucking cunt. How could you possibly speak this flavor of shite about the greatest band on earth? You American Indie kids should rot in hell. Just kidding.

[johansen smith]

Bitterfruit's the funniest thing since Maloze!

[redheaven]

if you've ever heard any of the Enon 7"s, you're prepared for the sound of the new album. the new record is a colossal step backwards for them.

Hmmm, I haven't heard the 7"s, but that's really unfortunate...now I don't have anything to look forward to for September...*sigh*...but I'm glad you let me know before I spent $20 I don't have...:)

[bitterfruit]

Originally posted by johansen smith
Bitterfruit's the funniest thing since Maloze!

Why do people keep comparing Maloze to Interpol? I just don't get it.

[wut wut]

**********************
TED LEO- HEARTS OF OAK
**********************

blur- think tank

lightning bolt- wonderful rainbow

loose fur- s/t

radiohead- hail to the thief

exploding hearts- guitar romanitc

sm jix- dark wave ep

guided by voices- earthquake glue

mogwai- happy songs for happy people

and

pavement- slanted and enchanted

[tinobeat]

Originally posted by johansen smith
if you've ever heard any of the Enon 7"s, you're prepared for the sound of the new album.

oddly enough, I not only have heard, but own a good number of the 7"ers and like them a good bit.

hows about you just give me your copy of the new Enon and we both win?

[johansen smith]

Originally posted by tinobeat
oddly enough, I not only have heard, but own a good number of the 7"ers and like them a good bit.

hows about you just give me your copy of the new Enon and we both win?

hahah! if you like the 7"s and the monthly songs, you'll probably enjoy this album a lot. for me though, it was pretty hard to get thru and a big let down from the last album.

[Ladt]

Originally posted by DefenderOfPants

tobin sprout lost planets & phantom voices

Great choice, that's one of the only albums released this year that I've actually bought, so that's my top one, I'm hoping Earthquake glue will be up there, and FOW's Interstate managers but I'm not too hopeful from what I've heard. SFA's Phantom Power is quite superb too.

[Miss Tasty Princess]

I looked over my collection this morning quickly and found three I forgot earlier:

The Black Keys thickfreakness
Brain Donor Too Freud to Rock'n'Roll, Too Jung to Die
Haco + Sakamoto Hiromichi Ash in the Rainbow

[evil_speakers]

Originally posted by redheaven
Hmmm, I haven't heard the 7"s, but that's really unfortunate...now I don't have anything to look forward to for September...*sigh*...but I'm glad you let me know before I spent $20 I don't have...:)


Nothing to look forward to in Sept? How about the new Frank Black record? It's bloody amazing. Trust me. Heaps of tastiness with a dash of greatness.

[Miss Tasty Princess]

Oops, one more new one I've been listening to a lot lately:

DAF Fünfzhen Neue DAF Lieder

[swingsetmag]

best of 2003

lightning bolt-wonderful rainbow
the locust- plague soundscapes
la drugs- s/t
erase errata-at the crystal palace
mogwai-kids will be skeletons
animal collective- campfire songs
bert jansch-s/t (reissue)
nicolai dunger- live at mercury lounge
sonic youth- live at jones beach
godspeed/black dice- live at bowery
comets on fire- s/t (reissue)
gogogo airheart- love my life, hate my friends (reissue)
juan maclean/rapture- split 12"
blood brothers- live at knitting factory
catpower- you are free
life partners- tour cdr

[redheaven]

Nothing to look forward to in Sept? How about the new Frank Black record? It's bloody amazing. Trust me.

Hmmmm, I don't know, never really been into Frank Black, or the Pixies, really (I know, I know)...maybe I'll give him another chance, I hear his last few albums have been good...any recommendations?...

[evil_speakers]

Originally posted by redheaven
Hmmmm, I don't know, never really been into Frank Black, or the Pixies, really (I know, I know)...maybe I'll give him another chance, I hear his last few albums have been good...any recommendations?...

Let's see... recommendations....


everything with his name on it, starting with the pixies.


Alright, sorry. Obviously I'm an obssesed super fan, but FB is amazing, and the incredible variety of his both his Pixies material and solo work is amazing. There is a long list of albums to go through, so I guess a good start point depends on your personal taste. If you like lower fi, kinda sparse, kinda screamy, weirder stuff, check out surfer rosa/come on pilgrim (pixies). If you like even a little weirder, with amazing lyrics and classic sing alongs (in a weird way), Doolittle. If you want the most accesible, polished Pixies, Bossanova. And if you want harder, more riffy, more metal, and more dynamic, try Trompe le Monde. As for FB, his first solo is sublime pop and hard rock with tinges of horns, keys, and much, much more. The next, teenager of the year, is even more diverse, and is his magnum opus sprawling double album, and is possibly my favourtie record of all time. The next few are straight up rock, no frills, just great songs, recorded live. Then he threw in a pedal steel and got the piano back for a terrific saloon meets country meet rock n' roll album (Dog In the Sand), and then he went even futher country (Black Letter Days), and then quickly back to pixies quirky (Devil's Workshop). The new one is all of the above and much more. I could go on all day. Here's the best plan. Start witht he pixies, and go chronological (as the above list is). It will make the most sense that way. Enjoy your journey, I don't think you'll be dissapointed!

[Futureman]

Just picked up "Fever to Tell" by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. *Very good* I debated getting it based on some of the so-so reviews I've read. Indeed, the band does not fulfill the potential they actually have. That aside, FTF is still a great listen. And Karen O has the sexiest voice I've heard in while. Mama!

[johansen smith]

Teenager of the Year is a very good album indeed.

[ericseguy]

The most striking thing I've heard this year is "The Civil War," by Matmos.

[vesper]

I don't know where they fit into my list yet, but Deerhoof - Apple O' and Angels of Lights - Everything is Good Here/Please Come Home will probably fare quite well. Especially Deerhoof.

[DefenderOfPants]

i'm also looking forward to new releases by Frank Black and Stereototal. yup.

[evil_speakers]

Originally posted by DefenderOfPants
i'm also looking forward to new releases by Frank Black and Stereototal. yup.


You will not be dissapointed by Mr. Black's latest opus. Yup.

[impossible]

I really liked the Ted Leo disc a lot, then I realized that I only really liked about half of the songs on the album. Turns out they were the only memorable songs on the disc and I forgot about the mediocre! Oh well. I'm really glad I took tino's advice on this one. I see it has become quite a popular pick here.

The Howling Hex, also a popular pick here, I haven't formed a complete opinion on yet. I threw it in as soon as I got it and is that Rod Stewart singing? Hm. I love the liner notes!

My pick of the year, by a longshot is

CALIFONE .:. QUICKSAND/CRADLESNAKES

An extension of the sound they achieved on Roomsound with even more depth, in my opinion. I haven't seen much mention here of Califone, which is surprising I guess. Musical genius absolutely.

[jef]

I saw Neil Haggerty & The Howling Hex last night w/ Sonic Youth, Dead Meadow, amd Erase Eratta and I really think he sucks live. I like Royal Trux and some of his solo stuff but he bores me live, a lot.

[pabost]

Tell about the show more extensively, if you don't mind.

[maroonwalrus]

Califone is pretty awesome. They were a little weird when I saw them opening live for The Sea and Cake earlier this year (too much knob-twiddling and microphone experiments for my liking), but they have a lot of great tunes. "Your Golden Ass" and "Michigan Girls" are really great ones off the new album.

[anagrama]

- Broken Social Scene
- The Mars Volta
- The Constantines
- Radiohead
- UNKLE

[jef]

Paul, The show was good. I missed Erase Errata because they started earlier then I had heard. Dead Meadow was pretty good live, not as good as the last time I saw them. It was one of the best times that I have ever seen Sonic Youth, I thought they were just great. It was like someone poured molasses in my ear canals. Jim O'Rourke totally freaked out during one of their songs and just went apeshit. It was pretty funny.

P.S. Call me Jeff. When I reregistered after the board crash, for some reason I couldn't use "Jeff", and I was feeling extremely uncreative so I went with Jef. It looks so European.

[pabost]

Some guys on the Sonic Youth board were debating the live merits of Neil Hagerty. One said that he was awful, but the other said something to the effect of, "he's the greatest guitar soloist on earth." I found that to be funny.

By the way, I still can't decide what my favorite albums of the year are. I guess my frontrunner is "Elephant," but there are others that I also really like (especially "Pig Lib"). Some I'm not as fond of as I was at first ("You are Free"). I'm still very much looking forward to the new Shins and Strokes.

[jef]

Yeah, he's a great guitar player.

I agree about the Cat Power album. I really liked it at first, and it's still good, but just not as good as I first thought.

[jef]

I'm also looking forward to the new Joe Strummer album.

[ChickenTenders]

Icarus Syndrome ~ The Foggy Night Meteor Shower
DeKalb Smells ~ A Scratch and Sniff Compilation

[Arkady]

The Wrens - The Meadowlands
Deerhoof - Apple O'
Grandaddy - Sumday
Super Furry Animals - Phantom Power
Blur - Think Tank
Calexico - Feast of Wire

Can't wait for new Decemberists and Shins. Still need a definitive Album of the Year.

[impossible]

Funny. The first time I heard the Cat Power album, I thought it was somewhat bland. Still, the song structures are so simple. It has since seeped into my synapses. I like it more now than I did upon first listen.

[Miss Tasty Princess]

If we're including non-full length releases, then I've gotta add When fire rains down from the sky, Mankind will reap as it has sown by Anaal Nathrakh.