Mike

It's that time of year...

Mike's Favorite Albums of 2003:
1) The Shins - "Chutes Too Narrow" (You'll find no sophomore slump here. To my ears, just about every track rivals the best of what 2001's "Oh Inverted World" had to offer. Sure, there's no "No Slang," but "Kissing the Lipless" will do just fine.)

2) Constantines - "Shine A Light" (A perfect companion piece to Sub Pop Records' other 2003 release in this list, "Chutes Too Narrow." While that album oozes beauty and understated guitar work, "Shine A Light" just wants to drink and fight - sweaty, passionate post-punk at its best.)

3) Songs:Ohia - "Magnolia Electric Co." (While Neil Young was busy releasing a hokey album like this year's barely listenable "Greendale," someone else had to work extra hard to make us forget about the rapid decline of a once-great songwriter. That person was Jason Molina, principal songwriter for Songs:Ohia, who released what is possibly his finest work in a short but prolific career. While radically different from much of his past work, "Magnolia Electric Co." is a complete success.)

4) The Clientele - "The Violet Hour" (Can an album with no particularly memorable tunes really make it into the top 5? The answer, in the case of "The Violet Hour," is a resounding 'yes.' While no single track jumps out at me, "The Violet Hour" is still one of the most rewarding listens of 2003 - an album that demands to be listened to in its entirety, whether you have the time or not. Fans of Galaxie 500 should lap this up.)

5) Ted Leo - "Hearts of Oak" (To me, Ted Leo IS rock and roll. You can hate his voice (I don't), think his music is just a rehash of The Kinks and Thin Lizzy (I feel that it's fresh and exciting), but you (yes you) CAN NOT deny the fact that Ted Leo is one of the most passionate performers to ever hit the stage. His live performances are positively spiritual events, and "Hearts of Oak" does a fine job of capturing this intensity.

(Here's where I get tired of writing, and it shows)
6) Stephen Malkmus - "Pig Lib" (Funny, cathy tunes that blend Television guitars with Pavement's humor? Sign me up! The bonus disc is great, too.)

7) Loose Fur - s/t (Jeff Tweedy + Jim O'Rourke = orgasms for rock nerds like me)

8) Yo La Tengo - "Today is the Day" EP (An EP that far outshines their most recent full-length? You bet! This is classic YLT, and a must-own.)

9) The Rapture - "Echoes" (dancedancedance)

10) Smog - "Supper" (a nice return to form)