Parasolarians'
Top Picks of 2003
Price shown reflects the sale price of 15% off of the regular
price |
|
| Bill
(Parasol Mail Order buyer, Company Man) |
$12.00
|
1.
Folksongs
For The Afterlife “Put Danger Back
In Your Life” (A Hidden Agenda Record)
I
first e-mailed Caroline Schutz about releasing a FSFTA
album 3 1/2 years ago and am so happy that things came
to fruition this year! A sensational record that’s
moody, evocative, and very engaging. |
$12.00 |
2.
Moonbabies “The Orange Billboard (A Hidden Agenda
Record)
The
second Moonbabies album realizes the promise hinted at on
the duo’s debut. A stunning
amount a variety met with clever musicianship, instrumentation,
and production
savvy. |
$15.75 |
3.
Ulrich
Schnauss “A Strangely Isolated Place” (City
Centre Offices)
Easily
the most sensual record of the year. From the opening chord
to the album cover,
this is the “Loveless” formula
updated. |
$23.50 |
4.
The
Cardigans “Long Gone Before Daylight” (Universal)
New
record – sadly unavailable domestically (call
me!) – would benefit by my song sequencing expertise,
but is otherwise terrific. |
$9.50 |
5.
Wayne
Everett “Kingsqueens” (Northern/Grand
Theft Autumn)
I
primed & painted 3 rooms (1 twice) of my house
with the solo debut by The Lassie Foundation’s
Wayne on Repeat. It helped me through AND I still like
it! |
$13.00 |
6.
The
Postal Service “Give Up” (Sub Pop)
Digital brain. Analog heart. Beeyootiful! |
$12.00 |
7.
Club
8 “Strangely Beautiful” (A Hidden
Agenda Record)
One of my favorite bands of the 00s consistently delivers
the goods. Another heartbreaker. |
$12.00 |
8.
Bettie
Serveert “Log 22” (A Hidden Agenda
Record)
Another fantastic album and spectacular live show. This
is the blueprint for Independent Rock - all grown up.
Gone is the awkwardness of youth, replaced by confidence
and maturity. |
$17.25 |
9.
M83 “Dead Cities, Red Seas & Lost Ghosts” (Grooom
Disques)
More
sonic landscapes for when you can’t find
you Ulrich Schnauss CD. |
$12.00 |
10.
Fonda “Catching Up To The Future” (A Hidden
Agenda Record)
Beautiful third album by one of my very favorite Hidden
Agenda bands. |
$12.00 |
11.
The
Like Young “Art Contest” (Parasol Records)
The Like Young flat-out rock. Melodic, driving pop with
bite from hard-working, irony-free band. |
$12.00 |
12.
Ronderlin “Wave Another Day Goodbye” (A
Hidden Agenda Record)
Delicate pop for grey skies and The Smiths. A wonder. |
| out of print |
13.
Twilight
Singers “Black Is The Color Of My
True Love's Hair” (Birdman Records)
Greg Dulli (Afghan Whigs) covering Nina Simone. Naked
chick on the sleeve. Yahtzee! |
$12.00 |
14.
Sukilove “Sukilove” (Parasol Records)
Brilliant
songwriter/Renaissance man Pascal Deweze offers up his
masterful, full-length debut which features
the
year’s best song, “As Long As I Survive
Tonight.” |
$12.00 |
15.
Tractor
Kings “Gone To Heaven” (Mud Records)
Death obsession on a Dylan bender from Jake Fleishli
and an esteemed cast of clowns including Matt Talbott
(Centaur/Hum/Honcho Overload). Tears at twilight. |
$12.00 |
16.
Jeff
Kelly “For The Swan In The Hallway” (A
Hidden Agenda Record)
The lusty leader of The Green Pajamas has come for your
daughters. Who produces better bass guitar parts outside
of Dr. Dre? |
$13.00 |
17.
Pineforest
Crunch “Panamarenko” (Zip
Records)
Day job for guys who helped out with the forthcoming
Best Album of 2004 by Nanook Of The North. Swedish pop
reminiscent of the poppiest stuff by The Sundays. |
$9.50 |
18.
Thrills “So Much For The City” (Virgin
Records)
Hey, hey we’re The
Monkees and people say we monkey around. |
$16.00 |
19.
Guitar “Sunkissed” (Morr Music)
For
the moments when you can’t find your Ulrich
Schnauss or M83 CDs AND you happen to have a gallon
or two of cough syrup nearby. |
$9.25 |
20.
Ova
Looven “58:34” (Artikal)
Post-Antarctica liquid noodle. Wiggle wiggle. |
| Favorites
from last year that have been reissued in 2003 or that
didn’t come to my attention until this year: |
$12.00 |
The
Wannadies “Before & After” (A Hidden
Agenda Record)
One of my favorites from last year, newly reissued on one
of our in-house labels! |
$12.75 |
Perishers “From Nothing To One” (NONS)
Overcast, melodic pop. As great as the 2nd Travis record. |
$11.25 |
Unbunny “Black Strawberries” (Two
Ton Santa)
What a find! Jarid Del Deo moved to Urbana briefly and
played his latest record for us. We’re so impressed
by it that we’ve asked him to record one for us! |
$13.25 |
Delgados “Hate” (Mantra)
Another jawdropping effort. |
$11.50 |
Notwist “Neon Golden” (Domino)
The sad bunnies from the “Pick Up The Phone” video
make me well with emotion. Poor, little, lonely bunnies… |
|
| Angie
(direct sales to stores, Parasol Mail Order, solo
artist, Tractor Kings drummer) |
$4.00 |
1.
Aberdeen-"The Boy Has Gone Away" CDEP
(Tremelo Arm Users Club)
I love Aberdeen and was so
happy when they released this EP to tide us over until
the next CD. Plus, Beth (also of Trembling Blue Stars)
and John G. are real cutie pies! |
$15.50 |
2.
Bangles-"Doll Revolution" CD (KOCH)
I've been
a Bangles fan since their first EP…even belonged
to "Bangles and Mash"…flew to Las Vegas
this summer to see them at Mandalay Bay Beach…went
backstage… |
$16.25 |
3.
Belle & Sebastian-"Dear Catastrophe Waitress" CD
(Rough Trade/Sanctuary)
… just because…. |
$12.00 |
4.
Bettie
Serveert-"Log 22" CD (Hidden Agenda)
Cute
and Talented! Met them this year too…saw them
once in Chicago, and once in NYC…one of the best
live bands I've ever seen…nice folks to boot! |
$23.50 |
5.
Cardigans-"Long Gone Before Daylight (+ 1)" CD
(Universal)
… more beautiful music… |
$12.75 |
6.
Crewe,
Sally & The Sudden Moves-"Drive It Like
You Stole It" (12XU)
Sally rocks! Kind of reminds
me of Sarge, or the Reputation, but instead of writing
songs about boys, she writes songs about cars!!! |
$12.75 |
7.
Darcy-"Bon" CD (Speech)
… is it possible
that a band can do The Cardigans almost better than The
Cardigans? Perhaps |
$12.00 |
8.
Moonbabies-"The Orange Billboard" CD (Hidden
Agenda)
… pure musical brilliance… |
$12.75 |
9.
Easterly-"Self Titled" CD (Not Lame)
I love
Easterly…almost as much as I love Joe Pernice! |
$14.50 |
10.
Fiery
Furnaces-"Gallowsbird's Bark" CD (Rough
Trade)
My #1 of the year…BRILLIANT!!! |
$12.00 |
11.
Hubbard,
Neilson-"Sing Into Me" CD (Parasol)
… Neilson
can do no wrong with me…an amazing voice…and
wonderful songs… |
$14.50 |
12.
Innocence
Mission-"Befriended" CD (Badman)
My
first experience of the IM…beautiful, beautiful
music…Almost went to see them at CMJ, but went to
see my pal EE's band at CBGB…the Reputation… |
$12.00 |
13.
Mojave
3-"Spoon And Rafter" CD (4AD CAD)
… another old faithful…I
think I will love anything they put out!! |
$11.50 |
14.
Notwist-"Neon Golden (+ 3)" CD (DominoUS)
… probably
the most 'electronica' thing I bought this year…. |
$13.25 |
15.
Pernice
Brothers-"Yours, Mine & Ours" CD
(Ashmont)
… Joe can ya hear me? Can you feel me near
you?… If I were in high school, I'd ask Joe Pernice
to the prom!! |
$12.75 |
16.
Perishers-"From Nothing To One" CD
… a
perfect record to remind me what a downward spiral my love
life has taken over the past year!…a real tearjerker! |
$13.00 |
17.
Postal
Service-"Give Up" CD (Sub Pop)
…
LOVE
IT… |
$11.50 |
18.
Redd
Kross-"Neurotica (REISSUE)" CD (Two
Foot Two)
the best re-issue of the year…one of the
best records ever!! |
$12.75 |
19.
Trembling
Blue Stars- "A Certain Evening Light:
Uncollected Recordings 1996-2002" (Shinkansen)
… ahhh….more
TBS…love the band…love the peeps…met
em this year… |
$12.00 |
20.
Woven
Hand – "Self Titled" CD (Sounds
Familiar)
This CD touched me right off the bat. I'll be
a fan forever. |
|
| Geoff
(fearless leader) |
$16.25 |
Belle
and Sebastian – “Dear Catastrophe
Waitress” (Rough Trade) |
$12.00 |
Bettie
Serveert – "Log 22" (Hidden Agenda) |
$14.75 |
Black
Keys – “Thick Freakness” (Fat
Possum) |
$14.50 |
Fiery
Furnaces – “Gallowsbird's
Bark” (Rough Trade) |
$12.00 |
Moonbabies – “Orange Billboard” (Hidden
Agenda) |
$11.50 |
Singapore
Sling – “Curse of the
Singapore Sling” (Stinky) |
$4.50 |
TV
on the Radio – “Young Liars” (Tough&Go) |
$11.25 |
Unbunny – “Black Strawberries” (TwoTonSanta) |
$12.50 |
Walt
Kelly & Norman Monath – “Songs of the
Pogo” (Reaction) |
$12.00 |
Wannadies – “Before
and After” (Hidden Agenda) |
| Honorable mentions |
$22.75 |
The
Band – “Last
Waltz” re-issue
(DVD and CD, Rhino) |
$16.75 |
Beatles – “Let it Be” re-issue
(Capitol) |
|
| Jared
(webmaster, designer, Devil's advocate) |
$16.75 |
Beatles "Let
It Be... Naked" |
$12.00 |
Bettie
Serveert "Log
22" |
$23.50 |
Cardigans "Long
Gone Before Daylight" |
$12.00 |
Club
8 "Strangely
Beautiful" |
$24.75 |
Hederos & Hellberg "Together
In the Darkness" |
$12.00 |
Jeff
Kelly "For
the Swan In the Hallway" |
$14.75 |
Let's
Active "Cypress/Afoot" |
$35.00 |
Matthew
Sweet "Kimi
Ga Suki Life" |
$4.00 |
Minor
Threat "First
Demo Tape" |
$19.75 |
OutKast "Speakerboxxx/The
Love Below" |
$14.50 |
Outrageous
Cherry "Supernatural
Equinox" |
$11.50 |
The
Darkness "Permission
To Land" |
$12.00 |
The
Like Young "Art
Contest" |
$14.00 |
Velvet
Crush "Free
Expression (Expanded)" |
$12.50 |
Walt
Kelly & Norman Monath "Songs
Of the Pogo" |
|
| Jim
(sales to distributors, buyer, Centaur drummer, owner
Galaxy Gramophone Records) |
| Most
of my year was spent immersing myself in the perversely
expansive catalogs of The Bear Quartet and Motorpsycho
really, but I did manage to squeeze in a few other artists… My
list is mostly Scandinavian, but that is no surprise I
guess. It also doesn’t include all the music I love,
appreciate and work on here at Parasol. I think my list
is less about “work” and more about “play” because
my list is populated with the records that I played at
home, over and over and over, albums that got refracted
through the love vibe of wonderful souls who are my family,
and vice versa. The records I foisted upon my wife and
kids, and in most cases won them over. Having my kids strolling
around the house singing Bear Quartet songs gives me goosebumps.
The future is looking extremely bright, as 2004 will bring
us new albums from The Soundtrack Of Our Lives, KVLR, The
Bear Quartet, Bergman Rock (Bob Hund's new English-lyric
alter-ego), Kevin Tihista, Motorpsycho, Centaur, The Jan
Martens Frustration, Nanook Of The North, and a rockin’ new
Velvet Crush record. |
$12.75 |
Olsson,
Bjorn "Self-Titled (Crayfish)" (Gravitation)
Former guitarist for Union Carbide Productions and The
Soundtrack Of Our Lives, Bjorn's acclaimed solo instrumental
efforts are incredible, each in their own special Spaghetti
Western way. This is his best, hands down. Hell, my wife
and I rocked our daughter to sleep and got married to the
folk-ambient-bliss of Bjorn's first album, so he's preaching
to the converts at my place. This album is a masterpiece. |
$11.50 |
New
Christs "We Got This!" (Smogveil)
These Aussies (honorary Swedes in my book) created one
of 2003's best outright guitar rock records. No-one rocked
harder at my house. I mean the dude's got credentials...he
was in Radio Birdman and sure he's a total twisted freak,
but the band is about as white-hot godhead as rock bands
get nowadays. Rips. Snarls. Howls. |
$13.50 |
Bear
Quartet "Angry Brigade" (A Westside Fabrication)
No kidding around. My love affair with The BQ is well documented...seriously
I'm talkin' lifelong devotion from here on out. And you
know what? It feels good. After immersing myself in the
band's catalog for the last seven months, to the point
of drowning in it (ask family, friends and coworkers),
I can say The Bear Quartet are easily one of Sweden very
finest pop/rock bands, and worthy of worldwide recognition
as well. Give your inner-Smiths fan a chance to hear The
Bear Quartet. Between The BQ and Motorpsycho you've got
more than 30 incredible albums and even more totally worthwhile
EPs and such. Two Scandinavian treasures for fans of awesome
rock music. |
$9.25 |
Motorpsycho & The
Jaga Jazzist Horns "In The Fishtank" (Konkurrent)
While this dramatic one-off live-in-the-studio collaboration
only hints at the myriad joys available on Motorpsyhco’s
previous albums, it has paved the way for my latest fixation… I've
written quite a bit about my appreciation for Norway's
Motorpsycho. What defines them is their ability to infuse
and inform these lavish pop songs with genre-splicing slices
of progressive and noise rock and soul, and to pull this
off seamlessly. Let's just say Motorpsycho has made the
Yes fan hidden inside of me all these years (that I didn't
know existed) very very happy. |
$11.50 |
Singapore
Sling "The Curse Of..." (Stinky Records)
The label that brought us the godhead Citizen Bird album
last year has found more genius from very near the Arctic
Circle. Iceland's Singapore Sling (the hardest drinking
band at SXSW I reckon) have created a disturbing album
of high-volume BRMC allure and sprawling Velvet Underground-esque
neurosis, plus there's a gentleman in the band who just
plays tambourine! |
NOT
AVAIL |
Broder
Daniel "Cruel Town" (Dolores)
It looks like Goteburg's Broder Daniel will get their shot
in the US next year, so be patient. The band's 1998 release, "Forever",
is one of the best bubblegum-reverb-rock records ever released
in Sweden, and this new album is proof of their echo-chamber
pop genius. Want a great introduction to BD? Rent the lovely
Swedish film "Show Me Love" (known as "Fucking
Amal" in Sweden) by director Lukas Moodysson. BD's
got two or three awesome songs in there, from "Forever". |
NOT
AVAIL |
The
Concretes “Self-Titled” (Licking Fingers)
Mark my words…this album will be big next year. The
adoring gush has already begun in the UK, and The Concretes,
who had an EP collection on Up Records a couple years back
and are all set to blow up huge next year here in the U.S.
on a large label-to-be-named-later. Alarmingly good stuff
from this 8-piece “orchestra” that will appeal
to fans of Mazzy Star, Opal, etc. Absolutely beautiful.
Also features Jari from The Bear Quartet. He and Lisa from
The Concretes have a lovely little lofi mini-album under
the name Heikki, with a full album expected next year. |
$12.00 |
Slipstream "Transcendental" (Hidden
Agenda)
I've been a Slipstream fan since the first EP (my wife
and I still consider those songs "our songs"),
and was honored to have a hand in releasing Mark Refoy's
latest masterpiece here ion the U.S. We've just sent a
couple hundred CDs to radio, so call up your local cool
college/hip alternative radio station and request some "Healing
Hands". |
$14.50 |
Wire "Send" (Pink
Flag)
One of experimental rock's most influential and revered
bands reunited after 20 years and...didn't suck! In fact
they totally ripped rock a new asshole in my opinion. As
brilliant as they come. Seeing them live was one of my
top 5 concert experiences this millennium. |
|
| Michael
(publicist) |
$12.00 |
1.
Sukilove “Sukilove” (Hidden Agenda) CD
Described by one reviewer as a mix of “Sgt. Peppers” and “Yankee
Hotel Foxtrot” Sukilove’s
full-length debut is melodic, dusty, heartfelt, and clever.
Belgian Pascal Deweze is a special songwriter. |
$13.50 |
2.
Wan Light “Let’s Wake Up Somewhere Else” (Labrador)
CD
This is what Neil Young singing over an electronic pop
backdrop might sound like. Everyone else here dismissed
it as a Mercury Rev sound-alike. I LOVE this album. Labrador
Records in Sweden does it again… |
NOT
AVAIL |
3.
Isolation Years “It’s Golden” (Stickman)
CD
The band’s “Inland Traveller” CD was
one of my favorites as an import last year and “It’s
Golden” retains the Scandinavian folk-rock core
of its predecessor and adds a bit more pop melody. |
$12.00 |
4.
Ronderlin “Wave Another Day Goodbye” (Hidden
Agenda) CD
Beautiful Swedish guitar pop (like Starlet, influenced
heavily by The Smiths). “Reflected” is one
of my favorite songs this year. |
$14.75 |
5.
Josh Rouse “1972” (Ryko) CD
This
album was out 2-3 months and staring me in the face at
Parasol Mail Order before I finally heard it. C’mon,
with a title like “1972,” I should have played
it the first day it came in. “James” IS my favorite song this year. |
$14.50 |
6.
Fiery Furnaces “Gallowsbird's Bark” (Rough
Trade) CD
Some reviewers have compared Fiery Furnaces to the White
Stripes because the band is a brother/sister duo that
writes songs that at times seem inspired more by The
Blues than The Pop. Nah, it’s just a unique
album that is hard to pin down, or put down. |
$4.50 |
7.
TV On The Radio “Young Liars EP” (Touch & Go)
CD
I read a feature of TV On the Radio at the Splendid E-zine
(I think this webzine does some good features/interviews)
and after a first listen kept going back to this EP.
OK, maybe I was most attracted to the bits that sounded
like
Peter Gabriel but overall I was drawn to what Splendid
described as “…sweetly
harmonized vocals brushed disturbingly against sinister
electronic beats.” |
$12.25 |
8.
Mars Volta “De-loused in the Comatorium” (Universal)
CD
Loud slabs of prog rock (not prog-rock) from former At
the Drive-In members. I have no idea what they are singing
but I sing-along phonetically every time. |
$14.75 |
9.
Pearlfishers “Sky Meadows” (Marina) CD
Fourth
album of beautiful orchestrated pop from Scotsman David
Scott. |
$16.25 |
10.
Belle & Sebastian “Dear Catastrophe Waitress” (Rough
Trade) CD
I thought “…
Sinister” was a great record but haven’t
been interested in B&S much since, until “Dear
Catastrophe Waitress.” Producer
Trevor Horn seems to highlight all of the songs’/band’s
best elements without the feared over-production. |
| |
The
next seven (any of which, in time, could sneak in
to the Top 10):
Bettie Serveert “Log 22” (Hidden Agenda), Thrills “So
Much for the City” (Virgin), Isobel Campbell “Amorino” (Instinct),
Shack “…Here’s Tom With the Weather” (North
Country), Benjamin Biolay “Negatif” (Virgin-France),
Motorpsycho “It’s
a Love Cult,” (Stickman), Jessica Fletchers “Whatever Happened
To…” (Rainbow Quartz) |
|
| Roy
(Parasol Mail Order, co-owner Grand Theft Autumn
Records) |
$14.50 |
1.
Pelican- "Australasia" (HydraHead) CD
Beautifully
devastating heaviness and soul-soothing atmospherics. |
$15.75 |
2.
Schnauss, Ulrich- "A Strangely Isolated Place" (CityCentreOffices)
CD/LP
Blissed-out electric pink noise. |
$17.25 |
3.
M83- "Dead
Cities, Red Seas & Lost Ghosts" CD/LP (Grooom-Labels/EMIMusicFrance)
I'm
floored by this record. Their combination of noise-pop
and vibrant electronics leaves me wanting more. |
$14.75 |
4.
Weakerthans- "Reconstruction
Site" (Epitaph) CD/LP
Fans of The Mountain Goats,
The Replacements, and Jets To Brazil, take note. |
$19.75 |
5.
OutKast- "Speakerboxxx/The
Love Below" (LaFace) CD/LP
This album (in my opinion)
is opening new doors and reinventing hip-hop. |
$11.50 |
6.
Coco B's/Eskimohunter- "Fast-Trak Holy Nova Symphony" (GrandTheftAutumn)
CD
Six tracks each from Southern California's Coco B's
and Los Angeles' Eskimohunter. Both bands produce an
extreme mind-opening rush of sound ala Guided By Voices
Meets Medicine. |
$10.00 |
7.
Dead Meadow- "Shivering King and Others" (Matador)
CD/LP
Black Sabbath meets Sleep. |
$16.75 |
8.
Deftones- "S/T" (Maverick)
CD
This album reminds me of Engine Kid and HUM in the
heaviest way possible. |
$9.50 |
9.
Everett, Wayne- "KingsQueens" (Northern/GrandTheftAutumn)
CD/LP
If you want to hear an extremely talented performer,
listen to Wayne Everett. Wayne has truly created something
beautiful. |
$14.50 |
10.
Fog- "Ether
Teeth" (Ninja Tune) CD
This is a cinematic hip-hop
/ indie-pop work of genius. |
$12.00 |
11.
Moonbabies- "The Orange Billboard" (AhiddenAgendaRecord)
CD
The Orange Billboard is intelligent and well crafted.
There are moments on this album you'll never forget. Recommended
for fans of Swervedriver and Yo La Tengo. |
$14.50 |
12.
Hey Mercedes- "Loses Control" (Vagrant)
CD/LP
Overall, I'm always impressed with Hey Mercedes.
Loses Control is extraordinary, brilliant, and unbelievable
powerful. |
$12.00 |
13.
Folksongs For The Afterlife- "Put Danger Back
In Your Life" (AhiddenAgendaRecord) CD
Flowing vocals
and spinning guitars sets the mood on Folksongs For The
Afterlife's debut album. Put Danger Back In Your Life is
an astonishing sonic accomplishment well worthy of everybody's
end of the year list. |
$13.00 |
14.
Thermals- "More Parts Per Million" (SubPop)
CD/LP
This is among the best sounding records recorded
via 4-track tape recorder. Bass heavy basement jams...Soak
it in. |
NOT
AVAIL |
15.
Swift, Richard- "The Novelist" (VelvetBlueMusic)
CD
The Novelist is pure brilliance and a masterpiece. This
is definitely a must own. |
$14.25 |
16.
Starflyer 59- "Old" (Tooth&Nail) CD
I love
this album from beginning to end, frequent listens uncover
that this music has been carefully written and
well executed. |
NOT
AVAIL |
17.
Perishers- "Let There Be Morning" (NONS/MNW)
CD
Let There Be Morning is not available in the states
yet, but believe me its well worth the wait. Fans of Coldplay
are going to love this album. |
$9.50 |
18.
Party Of Helicopters- "Please Believe It" (Velocette)
CD
The Party Of Helicopters music is driven by forceful
guitar attacks and fantastic vocals. Think Shudder To Think
mixed with frantic instrumentation. |
$13.00 |
19.
Manitoba- "Up in Flames" (DominoUSA) CD
Mercury
Rev meets My Bloody Valentine...Enough said. |
$11.50 |
20.
Sciflyer- "Fair Weather Karma" (Clairecords)
CD
Fair Weather Karma is full of energy, emotion, and flows
flawlessly. |
| Honorable
mention: Guitar- "Sunkissed" (MorrMusic)
Postal Service- "Give Up" (Subpop) Purple Confusion "The
Sound Of The Atom Splitting" (Gooom Disques/Chronowax)
Girl Skateboards -"Yeah Right!" DVD Swayzak- "Fabric
11" (Fabric) Lost in Translation (FocusFeatures) |
|
| Sally
(Parasol Mail Order, drummer for The Violents) |
$13.00 |
1.
Cat Power “You Are Free” (Matador)
This record
is beautiful, yet haunting. It’s my favorite
Cat Power record so far. |
$11.00 |
2.
Aislers Set “How I Learned To Write Backwards” (Slumberland)
This
is, without a doubt, my favorite record of 2003!! |
$13.00 |
3.
Postal Service “Give Up” (SubPop)
“ Give
Up” is a consistently good record. Every song is
a fantastic blend of pop with an electronic background. |
$13.75 |
4.
Shins “Chutes Too Narrow” (SubPop)
I love
the first song on this record sooo much…and the
rest of the record is good too! A great follow-up to “oh,
inverted world.” |
$15.50 |
5.
Fannypack “So Stylistic” (Tommyboy)
With
lyrics like “fix yerself girl” and “skanky,
cranky, foogly, oogly” how can you go wrong?! |
$19.75 |
6.
Outkast “Speakerboxxx/The Love Below” (LaFace)
Seriously,
how can you not love this album? Even if you have to
buy it just to own Hey Ya… |
$11.50 |
7.
Dressy Bessy “s/t” (Kindercore)
Dressy Bessy
are a fun surfy, californiaesque pop band. This cd comes
with a dvd that is a ton of fun to watch. |
$12.25 |
8.
Peaches “Fatherfucker” (XL Recordings)
To
be honest, there are a couple songs from this record
that I do not like. But, the rest of the album is so
good, the two downfalls don’t even matter. |
$12.00 |
9.
Club 8 “Strangely Beautiful” (A Hidden Agenda
Record)
Club 8 have a beautiful sound. I recommend that
you buy “Strangely Beautiful” as well as
their other records. They’re good for rainy days. |
$13.25 |
10.
Death Cab For Cutie “Transatlanticism” (Barsuk)
I
love Nathan Good’s drumming style. |
$11.25 |
11.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs “Fever To Tell” (Interscope)
The
Yeah Yeah Yeahs are girl fronted choppy rock from New
York. Fever to tell is a very consistently good record
and the lyrics are interesting. |
$14.50 |
12.
The Kills “Keep On Your Mean Side” (Rough
Trade)
I’ve heard this band compared to the Black
Keys, but with a girl singer…I like The Kills better! |
$16.75 |
13.
Rufus Wainwright “Want One” (Dream Works)
When
I first heard Rufus, I could not stand the guy. Then
about two years ago, I took my friend Lena (Big time
Rufus
fan) to see him live
in Indiana. I figured I’d have a horrid time, but
it was her birthday, so… Well, the show was so impressive
that my opinion changed. After the show (and change of
heart) I bought his two available records which I love.
His recent release “Want One” is a beautiful
follow up to my favorite “Poses.” |
$11.25 |
14.
The Rapture “Echoes” (Universal)
Crazy,
fun, mod dance to get the party started. The hit track
has cowbell!! |
$12.25 |
15.
Broken Social Scene “You Forgot It In People” (Arts & Crafts)
There
are songs on this record that sound like Interpol, and
songs that sound more like Kings of Convenience. The
record varies widely in sound from song to song, but each
song is very good. |
$12.00 |
16.
Denali “The Instinct” (Jade Tree)
This
girl can really sing! Really, I saw Denali live, and there
is no production of her voice on their record. She is muy
talented! Recommended if you like Rainer Maria or Portishead. |
$12.50 |
17.
Essex Green “The Long Goodbye” (Merge)
This
album is a little less poppy than their last record,
but still just as good. |
$12.00 |
18.
Folksongs for the Afterlife “Put Danger Back
In Your Life” (A Hidden Agenda Record)
It took me
a couple listens to really get into this record, but after
it finally clicked with me I listened to nothing but this
record for two months. |
$9.50 |
19.
Everett, Wayne “Kingsqueens” (Grand Theft
Autumn)
Wayne was in the Lassie Foundation. I love the
Lassie Foundation records and Wayne’s solo record
sounds similar. Kingsqueens is a little less shoegazer
than the LF, but still just as beautiful. |
$14.50 |
20.
Various “Wig in a Box” (Off)
WIAB is
music from and inspired by Hedwig and the Angry Inch. The
album includes covers by Rufus Wainwright, Sleater-Kinney,
Spoon, Yoko Ono & Yo La Tengo, The Breeders, and many
more. The best part about this cd is that all profits from
sales of the album are donated to the Hetrick-Martin Institute,
home of The Harvey Milk School. |
|
| PARASOL CUSTOMERS' TOP PICKS OF 2003 |
Philip Brown Top Albums of 2003 In Alphabetical
Order
± - you are here
Absinthe blind- rings
Belle and Sebastian- dear catastrophe waitress
Beulah- yoko
Broadcast- HaHa sound
Broken social scene- you forgot it in people
Death cab for cutie- transatlanticism
Delgados- hate
Eplosions in the sky- the earth is not a cold dead place
Folksongs for the afterlife- put danger back in your life
Granddaddy- sumday
Joe Henry- tiny voices
Kinski- airs above your station
M83- dead cities, red seas, and lost ghosts
Manitoba- up in flames
Mogwai- happy songs for happy people
New pornographers- electric version
Notwist- neon golden
Postal service- give up
Radiohead- hail to the thief
Sciflyer- fair weather karma
Shins- chutes to narrow
Steven Malkmus- pig lib
Strokes- room on fire
Twilight singers- blackberry belle
Ulrich Schnauss- a strangely isolated place
Wayne Everett- kingsqueens
Weakerthans- reconstruction site
Wrens- meadowlands |
Eric from Alexandria VA.
10 Cinerama - Torino
9 Cat Power - You Are Free
8 Calla - Televise
7 True Colour Of Blood - (absence)
6 Grandaddy - Sumday
5 Mogwai - Happy Songs For Happy People
4 Pernice Brothers - Yours, Mine And Ours
3 Pete Yorn - Day I Forgot
2 Ted Leo - Hearts Of Oak
1 Long Winters - When I Pretend To Fall
Honorable Mentions.....
Death Cab For Cutie, Nada Surf, Libertines, Twilight
Singers, British Sea Power, Wrens...... |
Michael Bank
10. Jessica Fletchers "What Happened To?"
9. Alfie "Do You Imagine Things?"
8. Jayhawks "Rainy Day Music"
7. Panics "A House on a Street in a Town I'm From"
6. Captain Soul "Jetstream Lovers"
5. Super Furry Animals "Phantom Power"
4. Billy Bragg "Must I Paint You a Picture?" The Essential Billy
Bragg"
3. Teenage Fanclub "Four Thousand Seven Hundred and Sixty-Six Seconds:
A
Shortcut to Teenage Fanclub"
2. Smallgoods "Listen to the Radio"
1. Stone Roses "The Very Best of the Stone Roses" |
Mark Mueller
1 |
