i remember our discussion about 2003 releases we were looking forward to (maybe one of our more technically inclined board members can include a link). bored at work, i compiled a list of things i'm excited about that are due by year's end:

the strokes, the shins, death cab for cutie, rufus wainwright, the fire theft, spiritualized, travis, beulah, and the r.e.m. best of.

anyone else looking forward to anything else?

I'm curious to hear what the new GetUpKids album will sound like.

I didn't even know about Travis having a new one (it comes out in October-- I looked it up). I'm pretty stoked about that and the new Death Cab, too.

First and foremost, the new Self album!

Also, OutKast's double album.

I didn't know that Travis and Spiritualized were releasing albums this year - I look forward to hearing those. And yeah, I'm curious to hear what the Strokes have been up to.

i'm sure it'll sound like a bunch of whiney babies playing power chords and singing about lost love. ok, sorry, i'm used to making fun of all things emo (mainly due to my younger sis's leanings towards that genre of so-called "music").

Im looking forward to the three Television reissues that Rhino are releasing in September. I am also excited about the band "the thrills". I saw the video for their song "big sur" on Subterranean UK about two months ago and it was absolutely phenomenal. I am also excited about the new Death Cab, Travis, and Beulah albums. However, I am most excited about 3 new albums:

The Strokes new album (the first single is called "12:51", it's out October 3, the album comes out on the 17th, i believe)

The Shins new album (however, I am upset that they are not coming to nashville on their tour, but i expected as much)

Rufus Wainwright's new album ( I read that it's supposed to be about the consequences of the lifestyle that he so elequently flaunted on "poses".....Im very excited. You can listen to the first single on his website, www.rufuswainwright.com)

However I am equally as excited about what the springtime will bring.......The Features' debut album

(Edited by ray davies at 3:51 pm on Aug. 20, 2003)

Apology not accepted

Seriously, though, if you get a chance, check out their latest album "On a Wire". It's much more mature (although I must admit I have a weakness for the older stuff as well).

For me,

the new Self album

I believe the new Mike Watt album will be out as well

I can't think of anything else.

There's a new Travis album? This makes me happy. I listened to a couple songs off of "Good Feeling" and "Invisible Band" the other day and it reminded me of how good they are.

But honestly, there are more DVDs being released that I'm excited about than CDs right now...

Such as....?

I can't wait to buy Chicago this weekend, and I know Simpsons Season 3 will be on the shelf any minute as well.

New CD's I look forward to buying: Self & The Strokes

the two "new" New Order DVDs that came out last week are really really really GREAT! And of course, Rhino put them out.

i'm really looking forward to the new Self album, The Flaming Lips Christmas on Mars, a perfect circle, and the cd version of the cure's Trilogy dvd.

everyone should go out and get the Steve Burns album!!!! it will blow your mind!!!

I bought "Chicago" on Tuesday. "FJ2K" is next Tuesday, alongside "The Two Towers" and the first season of "ER." September has the first season of "Alias" and the second season of "Angel." The first two seasons of "The Dick Van Dyke Show" and "X2: X-Men United" come out in October, and the last two months have the 5th seasons of my two favorite shows, "Friends" & "Buffy", being released.

As I have said many times, TV on DVD rules.

belle & sebastian
shins
elvis costello
Iron and Wine

The Strokes
Aesop Rock - Bazooka Tooth
OutKast - Speakerboxxx
Jedi Mind Tricks - Visions of Gandhi
Prefuse 73 - Extinguished

Because Rhino is the greatest......

Broadcast is coming out w/ a new album. They're also coming to atlanta...yay

it's been out for a couple weeks now & it's really good! i'm going to try to make it down to atlanta for the show in november.

The Strokes
Rufus Wainwright
Travis

I am especially excited about all of these. Just the thought that I might get to see Rufus again makes me giddy. And, of course, I'm always up for some more Strokes shows...ah. I would also like to see Travis again. I hope the next album's better than the last though.

I forgot about Christmas on Mars, but had not heard anything about it in a while. With the Christmas season starting up any day now, I would expect to hear something.

I bought Rocky & Bullwinkle & Friends: The Complete First Season on DVD last night. That's pretty cool.

i got an email today that rufus is playing athens at the georgia hall next month. its only like, five dollars or something. im intrigued...

p.s. its on 9/12, in case anyone was wondering.

(Edited by stopforme at 9:51 pm on Aug. 21, 2003)

Wow... I can't believe anyone else is anticipating this record due to the fact that it's a return to the Mingus and Brodsky Quartet style recordings. It comes out on Sept. 23 for those interested and the first pressing comes with a free DVD. What a deal!

Othere things include the REM Best of and DCFC.

here's an update on the new strokes album:

http://nme.com/news/105997.htm

I'm glad they changed the name of the album since they were originally calling it "Love Experience". I'm extremely excited.

we just got the new travis single at the station today, and im reviewing it.....this should prove to be interesting.......

maybe you could play it for me...

maybe we can figure out a trade or something.......

mates of state september 16!!!!!!!

I must add that I am excited about the new Belle and Sebastian album......even more exciting is the fact that it was produced by Trevor Horn.

On a related note, I found a sealed copy of ABC's "Lexicon of Love" (also produced by Trevor Horn) at a Goodwill the other day......of course I bought it......

(Edited by ray davies at 5:54 pm on Aug. 31, 2003)

cool costello interview here

I heard the new Sloan (coming out this week I think) is pretty good. Better than the last one at least. Of course, that's not saying much.

So I heard the new strokes single, and I must say that it is damn catchy

Recently I bought two Sloan CDs for a dollar. I call that a bargain.

...the BEST I've eeeever haaaad. (sorry, a Who moment)

I call it a fantastic deal if you ended up with Navy Blues and/or Between Two Bridges. For the record, I got the former from a college radio sale for $2. I had heard good things and they were likened to Ben Folds Five. Not entirely accurate-- but still very good.

Just in for all you Self fans, I heard that O&C has been pushed back to the spring of next year. The single will hopefully be out in January, and the band hopes to tour.

This from Mac Burrus via the Self message board.

Just got a promotional copy of the new Rufus Wainwright album......

Definitely can't wait for the new Elvis Costello album. I was browsing Borders today and saw the cover art...very exciting.

I didn't know about the free DVD...thanks iwantelvis

Well, they have their new album's first single for download on their site, thestrokes.com. I never liked their first album, but like their frontman said...their old album sounds like the late 70s, and the new one sounds like the early 80s. I think it's very, very cool that they're making music that covers different styles chronologically like that.

i heard that it's not being released in an audio form, but rather distributed as broadsides. i can't wait to sit around the parlor and sing it!

on second thought, this is my most anticipated album of 2003......

Oooooooohhhhhhhhh yeeeeeeeeaaaaaaahh... Beeyotch!

Here's the final tracklisting for the REM greatest hits album:

http://nme.com/news/106229.htm

Ending the album with Nightswimming-- Brilliant
Leaving "Leave" off of the album-- Terrible Mistake

It's weird to see "Stand" and "Electrolite" right next to each other on one album. R.E.M. sure has changed a lot since Green.

REM in two days!!!

That might be a purchase worth making. I thought it was going to be two-disc. Was I just wrong??

I'm excited about the new Apples album in 2004...even though that isn't this year.

I hear good things about The Rapture. And it's been released recently but for any fans of Interpol, The Pixies, Radiohead, Echo and the Bunnymen, Television and Joy Division, check out British Sea Power: The Decline of British Seapower. Get the US release (not the import) and you get Childhood Memories and Heavenly Waters as additional tracks, both of which are stunning songs.

J

just got the new shins ep from the station.......it's damn good.

I don't know...I downloaded it last week & something was missing for me. It seemed not as sweet, not as pop, more raw & more rockish. Which is fine, but a lot of their draw for me was their poppiness. I need to give it another listen though.

really?

i thought the song from the album that's on the ep sounded much fuller than "oh! inverted world".......im very pleased with this little teaser for the album.....

Has anyone listened to the new Junior Senior album. One of their songs was played in a VH1 commercial throughout the original airings of "I Love The 70's." It sounded like an old Michael Jackson song, but it wasn't Justin Timberlake. Anyway, I think the chorus was "everybody, move your feet and feel united, ooo ooo oh." I listened to it at Tower Records and I liked most of the songs. Just wondering if there are any other opinions...

I agree that that song is quite catchy and enjoyable. I've heard nothing but positive things about them...

"Move Your Feet"... It is a pretty good song, but I tired of it after 5 or so listens. Speaking of Justin Timberlake, "Senorita" is not bad at all. That's the 2nd Timberlake song I've heard that I like... I think its mostly the Neptunes working their sweet, sweet magic, though.

i haven't been excited about any new music in a LOOONNNGGG time...

but the new rufus is everything i dreamed it would be.
the white stripes cd this year was good.

i kinda want the rob zombie past prestetn future cd that came out tuesday...it's funny cause when i was a teeneager i never liked zombie one bit but now i just htink he's great and smart and funny and scary and HOT...even thougth that 1000 corpses movie was horrible...
he's cool.

i'm anxious to hear the outkast (i'm broke so i could only buy rufus tuesday)...
as for the rest of the year...heehee..the solo courtney love album america's sweetheart in a month...whcih i'm stoked about...

and uhhh...yeah...how bout that new britney record coming out:????

pfffttttt!

Yes, I'm very pleased with the new Rufus album. Whenever Ray Davies let me borrow the radio station promo a few weeks ago, upon first listening, I was a little unsure about it. But, a few of the songs got stuck in my head for days, and the album grew on me. It's quite enjoyable. It's nowhere near as good as the first album or Poses though.

And, I was very happy to catch the commercial for the album during Queer Eye on Tuesday. Ah...Rufus.... It doesn't get much better than Queer Eye and Rufus in the span of one hour.

(Edited by Sexy Sadie at 8:26 am on Sep. 25, 2003)

we played the new rufus (and brmc) all day in the store yesterday.

what's up with the cover art. is he all lord of the rings or is he the labyrinth?

definitely labyrinth.......do you remember bowie's codpiece?

im just excited that there will be a "want two" cd sometime early next year......

yes

Wrong.

She's supposedly doing a track with the Ying Yang Twins. I can't wait to hear Britney getting crunk.

hahaha, that video cracks me up with that little squirrel. squirrels are just like that too...always up to no good. they used to sit in the trees and throw acorns at my poor dog. blasted acorns are so loud when they hit my house. anyways, i was wondering if that cd was any good. I have been wanting to hear that song for a while now. I caught them live on the tom greene show-makes me wanna boogie.

I think that I will get it when I have the money. I remember there being more good songs than bad; and, I think there were about 20 songs, but I may be wrong. Nylon had a nice article on Junior Senior recently.

I was about to give up on it actually being released, but a new album for 2003 that I am really excited about ordering and owning is Carl Bozulich performing Willie Nelson's "The Red-Headed Stranger." I saw her perform it in concert a while back, and the recording seems to be equally amazing.

I know of only one message board poster here who has even heard of Carla Bozulich, but I just thought I'd share.

i know of carla buzoulich, but of no carl buzoulich. i have her phone number, too.

we're really connecting, yadadada

and i love carla

and carl

yeah...it was pretty wrong, huh?

hey, i read somewhere that the shins have a new album coming out.

and the america's sweetheart realease has been pusshed back to february 10...
goddammit.

that bitch.

me too!!!

Whoops. You were the one message board person to whom I was referring because you'd mentioned her before. Anyway, the album should be great.

(Edited by YaDaDaDa at 5:19 am on Sep. 26, 2003)

You just love my doggy-style.

She opened for Wilco at one of the two shows I caught last weekend. Red Headed Stranger was amazing. The rest of the set varied from rather interesting to rather uninteresting. Not the sort of opener you might sleep through, but nothing life-shattering.

The opener the next night though, (smog) was one I almost slept through. Really, really great, but their songs developed interestingly for 3 minutes then held that exact feeling for another 6. 9 minute songs with only 3 minutes of interest is no way to make music. But they were really, really strong, if they'd just keep it simple. One of their guitarists didn't move in their 45 minute set, no joke. Feet planted, he moved only his arms, not his head, legs, or torso.

Will

Glad to hear you at least sort of liked it. I would've been there had time permitted (thought I would've left after the first band)

(Edited by YaDaDaDa at 8:02 am on Sep. 28, 2003)

Man, I wish I could've gone to one of those shows.

How was Wilco? Still snoozin'?

I saw Wilco three times this year, and though I've never agreed with your assessment of the post-Bennett Wilco in a live setting, I can safely say that this is yet another experience altogether. When I was them in July, they were the tightest band I'd seen in a long time. The interplay between them was simply extraordinary, and every song sounded so clean it could have been on record, but with the sort of improvisational flourish to make it very different from what is on record. They seem to have added a fifth member, though I'll be damned if they've ever introduced him. He plays synth and laptop and allows for alot of the noise landscapes that populated YHF.

When I saw them last weekend, those strengths were more pronounced. They are simply in complete tune with one another, and they played some great rarities. Kingpin, Remember the Mountain Bed, Airline to Heaven, Pieholden Suite, Christ for President, Passenger Side, What's the World Got in Store, I Must Be High, and some Tupelo songs all reared their heads on these two nights. It was really something.

Will

Cool. Again, I really wish I could've been there. Chicago in the early fall...mmmm...there's not much better. And the Cubs are going to the playoffs even.

(Edited by jamiecarroll at 4:19 pm on Sep. 28, 2003)

well, if i can get off my lazy rear end and get to recording, then my new release will definitely be one of the best new releases of 2003. otherwise, it may have to be a heavily-anticipated release for next year.

but i may be playing some shows soon, so check out my website or something.



-phil

i heard the single. it's awesome.
be a man, hulk, don't be scured, you're running from macho that's what i hurd

So, I can't say I'm overly impressed with the new Death Cab CD, but I expect it will grow on me. It seems a little less poppy like The Photo Album and more "emo" like We Have the Facts, but I still dig it alright. That Ben guy is pretty messed up about some chick. Does anyone know if that was a recent occurance (i.e post-Postal Service)?

So, who got the new B&S album? I expect it's just like all the others. I'm not saying this is necessarily a bad thing. In fact, if that's the case, I'll more than likely pick it up at some point. All in all, I've found their more recent ablbums to be fairly consistent.

The new B&S album is the best output (album wise) that they've had in awhile. I attribute this to the production of Trevor Horn. The band sounds fuller than on other albums with a fairly large amount of orchestration. It kicks the shit out of "storytellling". I've had the album for about two weeks or so and it's still growing on me.

Thanks. I'll probably check it out at some point. Maybe foldsfan will get it and I can just steal it from him.

I haven't gotten it yet, but the NME said that it's their best album since If You're Feeling Sinister, so I'm pretty excited about it.

belle & sebastian are gay

Thank you for stating the obvious.

I have the new Belle & Sebastian, and it is tremendously good. I am looking forward to seeing the kids in Atlanta. Happy times are coming.

Today I went out and bought Cracker's newest CD, Countrysides. And whether or not you enjoy the music of Cracker and CVB, this cd has an interesting story related to it.

Cracker was dropped from Virgin Records over a year ago. Needless to say they were pissed. Without the ties of Virgin, they decided to tour around "small town" USA under an alias name "Ironic Mullet". They toured around Honky Tonks in small town america playing honky tonk - roots oriented music. And thats what this CD is based upon. They wrote songs on thier tour about the places they had visited and people they had met along the way, all along still playing standards such as Okie from Wiskokie.
And now they are selling, promoting and distributing their albums on thier own. Their fan base is large and supportive, so it should make some profit.

I thought it was interesting.

I'll reserve judgement on their new album, because I haven't heard it. But Cracker lost me around Gentleman's Blues. CVB were great, and the first 3 Cracker albums were great. But their last couple of albums have been absolutely terrible. They deserved to get dropped.

Cool idea on the honky tonk tour, though.

I'll have to admit, my love of the albums too has decreased. I wouldnt say absolutely terrible though. Either I am growing out of thier music, or thier music is growing away from me. But I still buy the albums. Nothing can replace Golden Age in my CD collection.

I picked up the new Travis CD last night. Much like their last two, it's not 100% hit material, but the good definitely outweighs the mediocre or less than good. Much less silly stuff on this one. Unfortunately, they still have some terrible lyrics (in the church some day you'll get hurt/in school, teacher's such a fool/...take a pill don't tell me how to feel). Good thing I don't listen to 'em. I've listened 2 1/2 times and it's definitely growing on me.

I finally bought this at Target today while searching for the new Shins' album. I am very, very, very pleased with "12 Memories" and I am glad to hear a new 'sound' from them. I have a feeling that this album will definitely get better with every listen.

And now for "Chutes Too Narrow," probably my most eagerly awaited album since "Standing on the Shoulder of Giants." Definitely a solid album on the first listen, and now on the second I have a feeling it's going to be even better. There are some truly amazing songs on here ("So Says I" "Saint Simon" and "Turn a Square" being three as of now) and I know that the rest are going to grow on me much like their first album. My only true gripe is "Gone for Good." The b-side version on the "So Says I" single is 10X better. The album version sports pedal steel which I'm usually opposed too, but I'm sure it'll grow on me too.

Man, today has been a great day for music. And I'm definitely expecting "Room On Fire" to keep up this amazing momentum. 2003 has rocked.

so, did you find that at target or did you have to look elsewhere? and how much was it?

No, it's on sale at Hastings for $13.99, but I got it for $5 by trading in 5 crappy used CDs. Boo-yah Hastings!

I picked up a used copy of the new MxPx last night. I'm sure this is considered a guilty pleasure, but I dig it. Nothing earth-shattering-- just tight, strightforward pop-punk. The artwork is pretty lame, but the music is good. I have to say that they remain to this day the tightest band I've seen live.

I've never seen them live, but I've always enjoyed Let It Happen. Color me guilty.