2003: A Toast To The Merry Merrymakers
This is our bridge from an exciting year of music to the next, our toast to the merry merrymakers of 2003.
Whether stated by an insightful Bay Area punk rocker or some majestic fanciful entourage of rock’s greatest excesses, music indeed is a driving force for change. We often hear of music’s great ability to affect the masses; to shape and evolve a community for the better. It is however, on a personal and individual level that music has seen its greatest influence. This year Sound the Sirens Magazine will pay tribute on a more personal scope, as our writers will each share their own list of records they feel have best influenced them in 2003.
Along the way we’ll revisit some of the year’s more memorable interviews and columns while saying swift farewell to some of the many that left us this year. This is our bridge from an exciting year of music to the next, our toast to the merry merrymakers of 2003.
- Billy Ho, Editor
Tributes
ELLIOT SMITH
1969 - 2003
Steven Paul (Elliott) Smith was born on August 6th, 1969 and even though his life ended on October 21st, 2003 he will live on within the hearts of all those who loved him for what he was: a man, a stranger, a friend, a poet, and an artist. His career gave birth to five stellar solo albums (Roman Candle, Elliott Smith, Either/Or, XO, and Figure 8) and a number of albums with his former band Heatmiser. He garnered a following that was very dedicated and connected to the singer.
From the first time I heard his self titled album I knew that he was different. I’m not sure what it was but when I heard him sing my heart began to collapse. I became completely enamored with someone I knew nothing about. His music, his voice, everything was perfect. From that day on I was hooked and I wasn’t about to let go. His work can be described with two words: Beautifully Depressing. His music held such hurt, vulnerability, and beauty. Anyone who had enjoyed his music felt that in some way they were connected to him. We felt his pain through his lyrics and we sympathized with him despite our inability to be close to him. His words spoke to souls, his music made people connect, and his presence in this world seemed to make things better. - Angela Rodriguez
WARREN ZEVON
1947 - 2003
Putting in more than three decades worth of work into the music industry, Zevon was a cultured musician and great student of the musical arts. He spent most of his childhood in California and Arizona before becoming the musical director for The Everly Brothers in the early 70’s. He firmly launched into his own career after the release of his 1976 self-titled album. Since then, he has released numerous collections (his finer works include 1978’s Excitable Boy, 1987’s Sentimental Hygiene) including his final album, The Wind (featuring guest appearances by the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Jackson Browne, Ry Coder and Don Henley); Zevon finally succumbed to cancer in September. – Billy Ho
Some of the others who left us in 2003: Johnny Cash, June Carter Cash, Sam Phillips, Wesley Willis, Matt Davis, Ronnie Dawson, Matthew Jay, Matthew Fitzgerald, Adam Cox, Jeremy Gage, Sheb Wooley, Robert Palmer, Bill Perkins.
Albums of the Year
Blur - Think Tank (Virgin)
“This is Blur’s finest and most troubled moment. Seemingly struggling with itself, forced to change and grow but trapped inside preconceptions and lofty expectations. But don’t be deceived by attempts to closely relate the progress of this record with their far more humble beginnings. Think Tank is a vital step in this band’s growth and evolution.” [Read review]
My Morning Jacket- It Still Moves (ATO)
Best capturing the sounds of Southern influenced rock music, My Morning Jacket’s vast, serene and occasionally thundering clap paints an earnest picture of true Americana. Drenched in delightful rural qualities, It Still Moves is inspired.
The Strokes - Room On Fire (RCA)
What Shivani said: “The album seems to depend on reductionist theory. That is, incorporating nothing in any degree of excess. The result is a short, thirty-three minute, album that blows you away.” [Read review]
The Unicorns - Who Will Cut Our Hair When You’re Gone? (Alien8)
There is a changing of the sound; and pop music is given the upright beating it deserves courtesy of The Unicorns! With songs like “Tuff Ghost” torching ideas of plaintive rhythms, Who Will Cut Our Hair When You’re Gone? is truly an eclectic, morbid, humorous and brilliant collection of tunes.
Mando Diao - Bring ‘em In (Mute)
“Bring 'em In is blessed with the same aura of excitement that 1965's My Generation had, an exhilaration felt while spinning the record for the very first time, an undying importance that no amount of waterlog can sink.” [Read review]
Cursive - The Ugly Organ (Saddle Creek)
“For now, I think I will just revel in The Ugly Organ – a well conceived work of self-indulgent, conceptual, emotionally deconstructive faux-rock that is but surely the next chapter in Cursive’s eminent history.” [Read review]
Sun Kil Moon - Ghosts of a Great Highway (Jetset)
Former Red House Painters member Mark Kozelek’s latest musical offering is a harrowing recount of the past’s unending allure (and occasional torture). Its triumph lies not in one single facet, but the end result that evokes many a great visions of music’s great influence. Ghosts of a Great Highway is a delight in every way.
Warren Zevon - The Wind (Artemis)
Recorded during his battle with cancer, Zevon’s career that spanned more than 30 years came to an illustrious end with The Wind. Supported by a plethora of great people (Bruce Springsteen, Don Henley and Jackson Browne among them), the album is a stirring collection of music that sways from rock songs to ballads to alternative-country gems like “Numb As a Statue.” Warren Zevon will be missed.
Fountains of Wayne - Welcome Interstate Managers (S-Curve / Virgin)
“The latest offering from Fountains of Wayne is a legitimate pop-laced outing with depth; an ideal sound for the simmering days of summer; the sort of album you want to share with your friends.” [Read review]
Radiohead - Hail to the Thief (Capitol)
“The Radiohead opera continues to set precedence among its kind (or lack thereof). It is a wonder where they could possibly go from here – do they continue on this jaunt, moving on to the next act, or do they pull another discerning audio/visual contradiction that will leave not only the listener, but the rest of the industry’s hopefuls countless worlds behind.” [Read review]
Sufjan Stevens - Greetings from Michigan: The Great Lakes State (Asthmatic Kitty)
As concepts go, Stevens’ ambitious 50 state tribute is among the greatest. His first, a collection of tunes hailing his home state of Michigan, is one written for single word praises: beautiful, lush, towering and heroic – a testament to his incredible poise and tuneful splendor. [Read review]
Grandaddy – Sumday (V2)
“Sumday is clarity amongst the stillness that is found in between those cavernous surrounds. And if traveling home / breaking free / casting off from the weary past requires clemency, then the end sum of all that resides here is that glorious sense of lifting burden; an emancipation with great conviction.” [Read review]
Matthew Ryan - Regret Over the Wires (Hybrid)
“…an incredible potency intertwined amongst the tales of regret, confusion, acceptance and loneliness … between these cynicisms, hopes and insight, the lofty comparison that may dog a lesser artist, becomes the mere sinking sunset to this very passionate fable.” [Read review]
The Weakerthans - Reconstruction Site (Epitaph)
“If anyone were ever to forward the cause for written spontaneity and a freshness for inspirational description, John K Samson would be our lonesome scribe. And for those seeking a companion for their favorite “road” book, the music of The Weakerthans is that cross-country trip you yearn to take over and over again - a bona fide sound for that timeless vision.” [Read review]
Super Furry Animals - Phantom Power (Epic / Sony)
“For someone who seeks a more personal inquisition, this is the best way to melt away a burning day; for those who are seeking restitution for the torrent of crimson and desolation, Phantom Power is the perfect soundtrack to the looming apocalypse that may plague your soul.” [Read review]
The Decemberists - Her Majesty The Decemberists (Kill Rock Stars)
“…huddled in confines with bricklayers, bakers, schoolboys and one never-dispirited soul, I lived the soldiering life. And through the tales of faraway lands and beckoning sounds of admirable fascination, I am again filled with certain humanity.” [Read review]
Britta Phillips & Dean Wareham - L’Avventura (Jetset)
While the partnerships that were Donny & Marie and The Captain & Tennille proved that the duo could be a disastrous concept, Dean & Britta traces back to more soulful pairings like Otis Redding & Carla Thomas or Serge Gainsbourg & Brigitte Bardot. With original compositions and interpretations of others, L’Avventura is beautifully sung and grandly conceived; a classy pair of aces. [Read review]
The Jealous Sound - Kill Them With Kindness (Better Looking)
“We look for those open arms where we can rest our weary core, where we can sit and hear and wait for the profound, where we can scream in relief “It feels so good to feel”. And like the moments spent in Shehan’s audience, the understanding is clear, and the only constraints lie in whether or not we’ve found them in time.” [Read review]
Beulah – Yoko (Velocette)
“It is a togetherness forged by Beulah’s realization of mortality and their revelations that follow; a reassurance for the spirit. While we could merely ache along, the overriding inclination is for one to embrace this alluring sadness.” [Read review]
The Shins - Chutes Too Narrow (Sub Pop)
“The Shins have over the course of two releases, rightly etched themselves in pop’s Rosetta stone. Enigmatically tracing the greatest of pop roots with quenching success, Chutes Too Narrow is perfectly stated, and undoubtedly, a masterpiece.” [Read review]
The list in numbers
Number of different albums appearing on our lists: 72
Number of albums appearing on more than one list: 17
Number of times an album, well liked by a writer, was panned by the editor: 3
Number of times The Shins appear on our lists: 5
Number of times The White Stripes appear on our lists: 0
Individual lists
David Walter
Ashley Lefor
Ashley Megan
Angela Rodriguez
Shivani Verma
Epilogue
As we close out another successful year here at Sound the Sirens Magazine, it cannot be understated how much appreciation we have for the people who make this all possible.
We would first like to thank the amazing writers and their hard work; your time and work is greatly appreciated. We would also like to thank all the public relations teams, record labels, publicists, bands, and media folks who have graciously worked with us in 2003.
And last, but absolutely not least, each and every one of you who read our work. We hope you have enjoyed the year as much as we have. So from myself and the entire staff at Sound the Sirens Magazine, happy holidays and thank you; see you all in 2004!
- David Walter, Associate Editor