I finally got it together: My top 10 CDs of 2003, the top runners-up and my favorite singles:




1. Grandaddy - Sumday.
   Sorry, I tried to be more original than this, but once again Grandaddy tops my list. On the surface "Sumday" sounds a lot like a 'typical' Grandaddy record, but repeated listenings revealed an album that was infinitely sweeter than anything the band had ever produced. And in 2003, sweetness was greatly needed and appreciated.


2. Frank Black - Show Me Your Tears
   A harrowing yet amazing break-up record that made me want to check out all those Frank Black records I haven't kept up with and, of course, dig out my Pixies records once again.


3. Jet- Get Born
   Great Aussie rock'n'roll that confirmed my enduring love for the genre.


4. Peaches - Fatherfucker
   It took me awhile to get Peaches, but about the time I was finally digging Teaches of Peaches, this album came out and I was hooked.


5. Broken Social Scene - You Forgot it In People
   Whacked out, all over the place, strange and ultimately, very beautiful


6. Rachels - Systems/ Layers
   The album I'd been waiting for from them. Absolutely gorgeous


7. Death Cab for Cutie - Transatlanticism
   Once again, I'm being predictable, but Ben Gibbard writes songs that are like novels in miniature


8. Belle & Sebastian- Dear Catastrophe Waitress
   I thought I was over Belle & Sebastian but this lovely, yet fun record reaffirmed my faith in Nick Drake-ish twee pop bands.


9. Gillian Welch - Soul Journey
   I know a lot of people really really love her previous records but I think this is the one where she came of age.


10. Pernice Brothers - Yours, Mine and Ours
    More perfect pop from Joe Pernice
    

Other contendors:

• The Shins: Chutes Too Narrow


• Junior Senior - D-d-don't Stop the Beat


• Trailer Bride - Hope is a Thing with Feathers


• Wanda Jackson - Heart Trouble


• Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Fever to Tell


• The Kills - Keep On Your Mean Side


• Northern State - Dying in Stereo


• Oranges Band - All Around


• James William Hindle - Prospect Park


• The Sleepy Jackson - Lovers

Favorite singles:

• Junior Senior - Move Your Feet


• Outkast -Hey Ya!


• Peaches & Iggy Pop - Kick It


• Peaches & Pink - Oh My God


• Jet - Rollover DJ


• Death Cab For Cutie - The Sound of Settling


• Grandaddy - The Go in the Go For It


• The Strokes -12:51 am


• Pernice Brothers - Baby in Two


• Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Maps