Top 20 of 2003

Scott's Picks (2003)

Scott Heisel

A Great Year For Music, But A Terrible Year For
Musicians

That soundbite has become rather cliche in recent months, but
it's as true as ever. Take a look:

The music world lost numerous talents this year: Elliott
Smith, Wesley Willis, Johnny and June Carter Cash, Matt Davis
of Ten Grand, Warren Zevon, Barry White, Jeremy Ward of The
Mars Volta, Sun Records founder Sam Phillips, Ryosuke
Morimura of Kemuri, and Adam Cox, Matt Fitzgerald, and Jeremy
Gage of the Exploding Hearts, among others. Let's also not
forget the untimely death of Daniel Martin at the tragic
Death By Stereo house show in Blacksburg, VA earlier this
year. These are all truly terrible losses to the brotherhood
of music that will be mourned for some time.

It seemed like a week wouldn't go by that a band didn't end
it's life professionally. 2003 saw the demise of
Dismemberment Plan, Elliott, Atom and His Package, The
Control, Reach The Sky, The Jimmies, Living Sacrifice, Bis,
Teen Idols, Small Brown Bike, This Day Forward, The
Movielife, The Cost, Fairweather, Pele, Dr. Know, The
Stryder, Forstella Ford, The Rocking Horse Winner, Kid
Brother Collective, Gameface, Worthless United, Smogtown,
Common Rider, The Scaries, Whatever It Takes, City Of
Caterpillar, Bury Your Dead, Knockout, The Pattern, August
Premier, The Ivory Coast, The Horde, Page Ninety-Nine, The
Pavers, Count The Stars, The Curse, Whippersnapper, Tear It
Up, 32 Frames, Will Haven, Narcissus, Penfold, Death On
Wednesday, Consumed, Shai Hulud and Face To Face, among
countless others.

And if your band survived the breakup epidemic, chances are
you got your gear stolen [Slowride, Pretty Girls Make Graves,
Hopesfall, F-Minus, Xiu Xiu, Murder By Death, Don't Look
Down, Samiam, Leftover Crack, Big D and the Kids Table], got
in a van accident [Eastern Youth, Bleeding Through, Thursday,
Ester Drang, The Bronx, On The Might Of Princes], or just
went through some potentially damaging lineup changes [Taking
Back Sunday, The Æffect, Give Up The Ghost, Avoid One
Thing, Boy Sets Fire, Since By Man, Between The Buried And
Me, Stairwell, The Reunion Show, The Ghost].

But with all the troubles that plagued musicians, the music
that they created was something different altogether. 2003
was a special year for music, and one that I don't see
duplicated for a long time. If you made a list of your top 10
favorite bands that are still active, odds are at least one
of them put out a record this year. That alone should make
you happy.

With my year-end list this year, I decided to add a little
something extra - a second opinion, courtesy of "http://www.pitchforkmedia.com">Pitchfork. Pitchfork, for
those of you who don't know, is viewed by many as the golden
standard when it comes to record reviewing. Where applicable,
I've posted Pitchfork's score of the album in question after
the label name, designated as the following: PS: x.x.

So, now that that's out of the way, let's get down to
business:

The Top Twenty Records Of 2003 20.
"reviews.php?op=albumreview&id=2453">
Blink-182 - S/T
[Geffen]

Honestly, this record should be higher on this list than 20,
but I don't want to face the wrath of you guys.

19.
Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros - Streetcore
[Hellcat]
"http://pitchforkmedia.com/record-reviews/s/strummer_joe/streetcore.shtml">
PS: 6.9

A near-perfect last will and testament from one of punk's
forefathers. You're still missed, Joe.

18.
"reviews.php?op=albumreview&id=2310">
On The Might Of Princes - Sirens
[Revelation]

This band came out of nowhere and blew me away with their
Revelation debut. It's really solid post-hardcore with no
gimmicks.

17.
The Postal Service - Give Up
[Sub Pop]
"http://pitchforkmedia.com/record-reviews/p/postal-service/give-up.shtml">
PS: 8.0

Ben Gibbard is the new Tim Kasher - everything he touches is
gold.

16.
Cursive - The Ugly Organ
[Saddle Creek]
"http://pitchforkmedia.com/record-reviews/c/cursive/ugly-organ.shtml">
PS: 7.0

Tim Kasher is the old Ben Gibbard - everything he touches is
gold.

15.
The Mars Volta
De-loused In The Comatorium
[Universal]
"http://pitchforkmedia.com/record-reviews/m/mars-volta/deloused-in-the-comatorium.shtml">
PS: 4.9

Hyped to the point of oblivion, but still an amazing album
on it's own. Sure, it's not At The Drive-In, but at least it's
not Sparta.

14.
Against Me!
As The Eternal Cowboy
[Fat Wreck]

I've always liked Against Me!, but something always felt
missing on their previous releases. With this record, they
nailed it. This record makes me believe in punk rock
again.

13.
The Blood Brothers
Burn Piano Island, Burn
[ "http://www.artistdirectrecords.com">ARTISTdirect]
"http://pitchforkmedia.com/record-reviews/b/blood-brothers/burn-piano-island-burn.shtml">
PS: 9.1

One word: sasscore. Just remember that I coined that
term.

12.
"reviews.php?op=albumreview&id=1840">
Vaux
There Must Be Some Way To Stop Them [ "http://www.volcoment.com">Volcom]

This disc has grown on me exponentially since I first heard
it. Their live show is second-to-none, too. Who would've
thought Volcom would put out a good record?

11.
Copeland
Beneath Medicine Tree
[The Militia
Group]

This is a debut? Wow. Copeland is sincere and heartfelt
without being sappy and cliche, and while most of you would
refer to them as "emo," I simply describe their album as "real
music."

10.
"reviews.php?op=albumreview&id=2272">
Mates Of State
Team Boo
[Polyvinyl]
"http://pitchforkmedia.com/record-reviews/m/mates-of-state/team-boo.shtml">
PS: 7.3

I dance to this record. You probably do, too.

9.
The White Stripes
Elephant
[V2]
"http://pitchforkmedia.com/record-reviews/w/white-stripes/elephant.shtml">
PS: 6.9

The blues are back, and how. I never was a really big fan of
the Stripes, but this record has made me a
believer.

8.
"reviews.php?op=albumreview&id=2452">
Duvall
Volume & Density
[Asian Man]

Dear Josh Caterer: I don't care what you sing about, please
just keep singing. Love, Scott Punknews

7.
"reviews.php?op=albumreview&id=2433">
Desert City Soundtrack
Funeral Car
[Deep Elm]

It's like Black Heart Procession meets The Blood Brothers.
And it works. Boy, does it work.

6.
"reviews.php?op=albumreview&id=1609">
Rainer Maria
Long Knives Drawn
[Polyvinyl]
"http://pitchforkmedia.com/record-reviews/r/rainer-maria/long-knives-drawn.shtml">
PS: 4.4

A complete reinvention of sound, and the best album of the
band's career.

5.
"reviews.php?op=albumreview&id=2201">
Criteria
En Garde
[Initial]

Stephen Pederson shows just why the first two Cursive albums
kicked so much ass, with 10 straightforward, hard-hitting indie
rock songs that don't rely on a cello to sound
majestic.

4.
"reviews.php?op=albumreview&id=2020">
Brand New
Deja Entendu
[Triple
Crown]
"http://pitchforkmedia.com/record-reviews/b/brand-new/deja-entendu.shtml">
PS: 6.9

Evolution barely describes what happened with this band.
With the masterful lyricism of this disc, Jesse Lacey has
become thousands of teenage boys' muse [and thousands of
teenage girls' rockstar crush], whether he likes it or
not.

3.
"reviews.php?op=albumreview&id=2221">
Mando Diao
Bring 'Em In
[Mute]
"http://pitchforkmedia.com/record-reviews/m/mando-diao/bring-em-in.shtml">
PS: 8.0

Pushing the boundaries of mod rock just like countrymen
Refused pushed the boundaries of hardcore. I have a feeling
this record doesn't even create a ripple in Mando Diao's talent
pool.

2.
"reviews.php?op=albumreview&id=2332">
Death Cab For Cutie
Transatlanticism
[Barsuk]
"http://pitchforkmedia.com/record-reviews/d/death-cab-for-cutie/transatlanticism.shtml">
PS: 6.4

Absolute beauty, both musically and lyrically. Name one
other band that could get away with repeating the phrase "I
need you so much closer" for 6 minutes straight and make it
work. That's what I thought.

1.
"reviews.php?op=albumreview&id=2212">
The Weakerthans
Reconstruction Site [ "http://www.epitaph.com">Epitaph]
"http://pitchforkmedia.com/record-reviews/w/weakerthans/reconstruction-site.shtml">
PS: 5.6

John K. Samson is the Bob Dylan of our generation, and
something tells me he's only getting started. This album is
beyond essential. In a perfect world, this would sell a million
copies, but I guess I'll just have to spin the album a million
times over to compensate. And the thing is, after a million
listens, I still wouldn't get sick of this record.

The Top Five EPs Of 2003 5.
"reviews.php?op=albumreview&id=2239">
Bullet Train To Vegas
Profile This
[ "http://www.letterbombrecordings.com/">Letterbomb]

This band reeks of potential, and the unbridled energy on
this EP only hints at what to come.

4.
"reviews.php?op=albumreview&id=1830">
The Realistics
Go Ahead
[Catapult]

The best-kept secret in New York City.

3.
"reviews.php?op=albumreview&id=2122">
Small Brown Bike
Nail Yourself To The Ground [ "http://www.noidearecords.com">No Idea]

This EP is all the more bittersweet, knowing that the
followup LP stunk.

2.
"reviews.php?op=albumreview&id=2161">
Saosin
Translating The Name
[Death Do Us
Part]

I hate believing the hype as much as anyone else, but this
shit is dope, yo.

1.
"reviews.php?op=albumreview&id=1769">
Somerset
This Thought Process
[self-released]

The only thing I hate more than believing hype is creating
hype, but I assure you, this quartet out of Minneapolis is
worth your full attention. Knowing that some of the songs on
this EP were written within a half hour of the band's
first practice sends chills down my spine.

The Top Ten Biggest Disappointments Of 200310.
"reviews.php?op=albumreview&id=1818">
Matchbook Romance - West For Wishing / Stories and Alibis
[Epitaph]

Mr. Brett promised so much from this band that, as of yet,
hasn't delivered. There's definitely talent, though, so we'll
see what happens.

9.
"reviews.php?op=albumreview&id=2162">
Teen Idols - Nothing To Prove [ "http://www.fueledbyramen.com">Fueled By Ramen]

The final nail in the coffin of a band who peaked on their
first CD.

8.
"reviews.php?op=albumreview&id=1739">
Mad Caddies - Just One More [ "http://www.fatwreck.com">Fat Wreck]

Weak. Just plain weak.

7.
None More Black - File Under Black [ "http://www.fatwreck.com">Fat Wreck] / Paint It Black - CVA
[Jade Tree]

It's not Kid Dynamite, and I just can't get past
that.

6.
"reviews.php?op=albumreview&id=2337">
Diffuser - Making The Grade [ "http://www.hollywoodrecords.com">Hollywood]

My, how the mighty have fallen to the level of shitty
pop-punk. Why, Diffuser, why?

5. Cave In - Antenna [ "http://www.rcarecords.com">RCA] - "http://pitchforkmedia.com/record-reviews/c/cave-in/antenna.shtml">
PS: 6.1

A commercial and artistic flop. I'm not sure if I'm happy or
embarassed for them.

4.
"reviews.php?op=albumreview&id=1689">
Reggie and the Full Effect - Under The Tray [ "http://www.vagrant.com">Vagrant] - "http://pitchforkmedia.com/record-reviews/r/reggie-and-the-full-effect/under-the-tray.shtml">
PS: 3.7

James Dewees really isn't that funny. I wish it wouldn't
have taken me 3 CDs to realize that.

3.
"reviews.php?op=albumreview&id=1679">
Further Seems Forever - How To Start A Fire [ "http://www.toothandnail.com">Tooth & Nail]

A better voice doesn't always equal better songs, I
guess.

2.
"reviews.php?op=albumreview&id=2269">
Small Brown Bike - The River Bed [ "http://www.lookoutrecords.com">Lookout!] - "http://pitchforkmedia.com/record-reviews/s/small-brown-bike/the-river-bed.shtml">
PS: 7.7

Outside of a couple of tracks, the Bike's last effort came
off rather flat [no pun intended].

1.
Saves The Day - In Reverie [ "http://www.dreamworksrecords.com">Dreamworks]

Two words: shit sandwich.

The Top Five Records I Just Didn't "Get" In
20035.
The Constantines - Shine A Light [ "http://www.subpop.com">Sub Pop] "http://pitchforkmedia.com/record-reviews/c/constantines/shine-a-light.shtml">
PS: 8.3

Adam loves it; I just can't get into it like he
does.

4.
The Rapture - Echoes [ "http://www.universalrecords.com">Universal] - "http://pitchforkmedia.com/record-reviews/r/rapture/echoes.shtml">
PS: 9.0

Okay, so you can dance to it in hipster clubs.
So?

3.
AFI - Sing The Sorrow [ "http://www.dreamworksrecords.com">Dreamworks]

Even though their singer is pretty hot for a goth chick, the
music is still pretty much defanged and tame.

2.
Thrice - The Artist In The Ambulance / Thursday - War All The
Time [Island]

Okay, don't get me wrong - I'm a fan of both bands, I own
both albums. I just don't see any ground being broken in
either.

1.
Coheed and Cambria - In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth: 3
[Equal Vision]

Long songs do not equal good songs. The end.

The Best Compilation Of 2003 "reviews.php?op=albumreview&id=1669">
Various - OIL: Chicago Punk Refined [ "http://www.thickrecords.com">THICK] / "reviews.php?op=albumreview&id=2143">
Various - Bad Scene, Everyone's Fault: Jawbreaker Tribute
[Dying Wish]

Two of the best things in the world were honored this year:
Chicago and Jawbreaker. 'Nuff said.

Most Improved Band Of 2003Gatsbys American Dream - Ribbons
& Sugar [ "http://www.rocketstar.com/">Rocketstar]

It's almost impossible to believe this was the same band
that was ripping off Lagwagon on their debut record just a year
ago. Kudos for evolving.

Best Comeback Record Of 2003Suicide Machines - A Match and Some
Gasoline [ "http://www.sideonedummy.com">SideOneDummy]

A dynamite return to form, and it would be giving
Destruction By Definition a run for it's money for the
title of best Suicide Machines album had they not completely
ripped off "The Killing Blow" for "The Politics Of Humanity."
For shame.

The Best Music DVD Of 2003 "reviews.php?op=albumreview&id=2512">
Tenacious D - The Complete Masterworks [ "http://www.epicrecords.com">Epic]

Give it up for KG, give it up for JB, and give it up for the
D-VD.

The Best Remix Record Of 2003Dismemberment Plan - A People's
History Of The [ "http://www.desotorecords.com">Desoto] - "http://pitchforkmedia.com/record-reviews/d/dismemberment-plan/a-peoples-history.shtml">
PS: 6.0

It's slightly hit-and-miss, but there's enough goodness here
to give this disc the nod. Plus, it was created largely by the
fans! How cool is that?

The Best Re-Issue Of 2003 "reviews.php?op=albumreview&id=2041">
Motion City Soundtrack - I Am The Movie [ "http://www.epitaph.com">Epitaph]

A great album got even greater with it's slight tweaking.
The three new songs are great, and - shock of shocks - you
can hear the bass now!

The Best Cover Art Of 2003The Bronx - S/T [ "http://www.ferretstyle.com">Ferret]

It's like the Rocky Horror Picture Show gone horribly awry.
I love it.

The Best Record Of 2003 By Andrew WK "reviews.php?op=albumreview&id=2270">
Andrew WK - The Wolf [ "http://www.islandrecords.com">Island]

This category is kind of premeditative, because I believe in
the future AWK will be putting out multiple albums a year. But
still, this is the best record by Andrew WK of 2003, no
question.

The Best Solo Record That Was Unfortunately Packaged With A
Incredibly Subpar Second DiscOutkast - Speakerboxxx/The Love
Below [Arista] -
"http://pitchforkmedia.com/record-reviews/o/outkast/speakerboxxx-the-love-below.shtml">
PS: 8.0

Andre 3000 is a genius. Many people are comparing this
double disc to the Beatles' White Album, but I view it
as more of a John Lennon/Ringo Starr pairing than anything
else. The Big Boi CD makes a great coaster, though.

The Best Record Of 2003 Had It Not Contained A Really Awful
Country SongFountains Of Wayne - Welcome
Interstate Managers [ "http://www.s-curverecords.com/">S-Curve] - "http://pitchforkmedia.com/record-reviews/f/fountains-of-wayne/welcome-interstate-managers.shtml">
PS: 7.5

Seriously. This record is fantastic, but that goddamn
country song makes me want to cut off my ears every time I hear
it.

The Best Record Of 2003 Where Every Single Song Sounded The
Same, In A Good Way "reviews.php?op=albumreview&id=2030">
Limbeck - Hi, Everything's Great [ "http://www.doghouserecords.com">Doghouse]

Well, yeah.

The Best Record Of 2002 That I Didn't Hear Until
2003Hot Hot Heat - Make Up The
Breakdown [Sub Pop] -
"http://pitchforkmedia.com/record-reviews/h/hot-hot-heat/make-up-the-breakdown.shtml">
PS: 8.7

This CD holds the honor of being the only CD I was so in
love with that I actually walked to class listening to it on my
discman. In 4 years of college, I've never done that with any
other album.

The Best Record Of 2002 That I Didn't "Get" Until
2003Glassjaw - Worship and Tribute
[Warner Bros.]

So I liked a couple songs off the record last year, but this
summer was the summer of Glassjaw for me. This record was like
audio crack, I couldn't get enough of it.

THE BEST UNSIGNED BAND IN AMERICA FOR 2003 "http://www.somersetrock.com">Somerset

Bands like this make me wish I had a record label, as I
would do everything I could to put out this band's full-length.
The talent these kids posess blows away most of your favorite
bands, and they're just getting started. If you haven't
downloaded their new demos yet, you're missing out. Get them
here and learn
the words, because you'll be shouting along soon
enough.

The Punknews.Org Mixtape, 2003 EditionThis was almost
as hard to put together as my Top 20 list above. Every one of
the records I picked for that list contains at least one song
that could make this year's mixtape, but I wanted to showcase
other bands. The songs picked here are from releases that are
not neccessarily the best of the year, but each song can stand
on it's own two feet, without the support of a good album
behind it. Thus, I bring to you my Punknews.org mixtape for
2003. Click on the song title to download, where
applicable.

The Most Anticipated Records Of 20042003's musical
output makes 2002 look like the kid's stuff, but 2004 could
easily make 2003 it's bitch, if all these bands come through
with dynamite records: Social Distortion, The Pixies,
Descendents, Green Day, Bad Religion, Jimmy Eat World, Weezer,
Get Up Kids, Schatzi, Modest Mouse, Mr. T Experience, The
Ghost, David Singer, Tsunami Bomb, Onelinedrawing, Millencolin,
Pedro The Lion, Somerset, Bluebottle, Saosin, Faultlines,
Haymarket Riot, and who knows what else.

Things I'd Like To See Happen In 2004Somerset get
signed.
A Tuesday/Death On Wednesday/Thursday/Saturday Looks Good To
Me/Taking Back Sunday nationwide tour. Just for kicks.
Adam Levin sending me the Slow Gherkin t-shirt I paid him for
back in October of 2002. If any of you know this man, please
make him send it. I'll put out a 20 dollar reward for the
person who can get him to send it to me [I really want the
shirt].
Honestly, would it kill you to buy me a gift off my "http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/1Z945ZXO79H1H/">Amazon.com
wishlist? For real, yo.