Our Critics Top Albums of 2003

I've had the worst time finding the top ten list from Rolling Stone.com this year. It was kinda important to me--I'm in there. Finally found it on a website from Bratislava! Anway, thought I'd throw the whole thing in here..so here it goes.

new thought 1/26---I just realized that this is soo long that I'm only keeping my comments. I don't mean to be egotisitical, but thought this was a better idea

Our Critics Top Albums of 2003

This year, the diverse blend of hip-hop, funk and soul -- not to mention comedy -- found on OutKast's Speakerboxxx/The Love Below dazzled sufficiently to top our annual critics' poll. Andre 3000 and Big Boi's sprawling two-CD set appeared on eight lists, just one more than Chutes Too Narrow, the second release by brainy indie rockers the Shins.
Despite the hype surrounding the two of the biggest "The" bands since the Beatles and the Stones, the Strokes and the White Stripes pulled in fewer votes for their respective 2003 releases (four) than did the latest offerings from grunge godfather Neil Young and long under-appreciated power-pop outfit Fountains of Wayne (both with five).

Other favorites ran the gamut from the late, great Johnny Cash, to prolific hip-hop phenom Missy Elliott to newcomers bearing the flags of yesteryear: southern rock (Kings of Leon), prog-rock (the Mars Volta) and folk rock (Damien Rice). Clay and Ruben may demand a recount.


PJ GACH
1. Rufus Wainwright, Want One (Dreamworks): Gershwinesque and poppy, Wainwright's epic about love proves we all ache the same way. "Pretty Things" reminds us about the lies we tell ourselves.
2. Ambulance Ltd., Ambulance Ltd (TVT): Pink Floyd meets a jam band. "Young Urban" merges the best of old and new school sensibilities.
3. Jamison Parker, Notes & Photographs (Interscope): Quick clever wordplay coupled with tight music make this debut EP too short a ride.
4. David Gahan, Paper Monsters (Reprise/Mute): Not all solo efforts are vanity pieces. Depeche Mode's Gahan has created an eerie, thoughtful release. "Bottle Living" is his bluesy memoir of addiction.
5. Overseer, Wreckage (Columbia): So what if Victoria's Secret co-opted "Slayed "for their ads, this CD needs to played on eleven. A great marriage of electro and hip-hop.
6. Perfecto Presents Paul Oakenfeld, Great Wall (Perfecto/Reprise): Once more Oakenfeld hijacks your body. It's a non-stop ever changing aural landscape that throws you into another dimension, complete with altitude changes and color.
7. Stellarstarr, Stellarstarr (RCA): A smashing debut; fierce playfulness tied to tight musicianship -- catchy pop driven tunes melded to garage's dark side.
8. Brookville, Wonderfully Nothing (Unfiltered): Ivy's Andy Chase's solo project is warm and lush. Indie, trip hop, Jazz, and ambience influences make this a CD to cuddle up to anytime.
9. Ataris, So Long, Astoria (Columbia): Call it Emo, Punk, Garage -- no matter what label you affix to this group, the songs are strong, tough and straight from the heart.
10. Iron Maiden, Dance of Death (Columbia): Metal just won't die, thank god! The boys prove once again, you can be smart and play loud.
Reissue: David Bowie, Aladdin Sane 30th Anniversary Edition (EMI): It's a classic, Bowie's a classic -- a zillion years later it still rocks and has the power to make you think and dance.

from www.rollingstone.com