The top ten releases of 2003 as voted on by you, our imaginary readers!

#1 The Postal Service — Give Up (Sub Pop)
Winning our imaginary best of 2003 by overwhelming majority, the Postal Service gorgeously blend the electronic delicacy of Dntel with the effortless vocal bliss of Ben Gibbard (plus stellar girlie cameos from Jenny Lewis and Jen Wood).
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#2 The Shins — Chutes Too Narrow (Sub Pop)
The sophomore effort from James Mercer et al lived up to lofty expectations and was well worth the two-year wait for this crystaline, poppy, Kinks-esque songwriting masterpiece.
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#3 Death Cab for Cutie — Transatlanticism (Barsuk)
Oh that Ben Gibbard; look at him go, with two of the three top spots in our 2003 countdown! Death Cab offers yet another amazing blast of indie-pop perfection.
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#4 Radiohead — Hail to the Thief (Capitol)
Radiohead always evokes adjectives like “sonorous,” “transcendent,” “aware” and overtly in the case of their latest release, “politically infused.” We’re only sorry we don’t have a live review because we couldn’t bear to see them at the White River (Clear Channel) amphitheatre.
{official website} * {buy it}

#5 Outkast — The Love Below/Speakerboxxx (La Face)
As our wise friend Ollie Byrd said, “Outkast has a song out called “Hey Ya.” It’s the most exciting pop rock song since “Smells Like Teen Spirit” in 92, which was the most exciting pop rock song to come along since the sumptuous “Welcome to the Jungle” in 87.” Amen!
{official website} * {buy it}

 

#6 The White Stripes — Elephant (V2)
Jack and Meg White have dazzled once again with their evolved blues-infused songwriting as well as their flawless peppermint aesthetics.
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#7 The Long Winters — When I Pretend to Fall (Barsuk)
For the second year in a row, John Roderick has created a darkly hook-and-harmony laden disc of metaphorical, wisely dysfunctional romantics. Just like us.
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#8 Yeah Yeah Yeahs — Fever to Tell (Interscope)
Yeah Yeah Yeah’s blend the fashion focus of Dale Bozzio and the Cha Cha with a primordial yowl and that missing bass guitar, so key on so many trio releases this year.
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#9 The New Pornographers — Electric Version (Matador)
Vancouver’s New Pornographers explode with infectious helium harmonies, catchy hooks, and Neko Case’s matchless vocals. Every track is a stand-alone hit for your 2003 mixtape.
{official website} * {buy it} * {tig review}

 

#10 The Decemberists — Her Majesty the Decemberists (Kill Rock Stars)
Their songs are the “Lost Archives of the true beginning of rock & roll.” They’ve created their own brand of songwriting that blends “the storytelling of folk through the rhythm of the sea shanty and regularly incorporating instruments like the upright bass or the accordian.”
{official website} * {buy it} * {tig review}