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10. Coldplay “Clocks.” I must have heard this song well over 500 times this year, and the opening piano riff still sends chills down my spine. That’s the indication of one powerful — and great — song.
9. Buckra: So Many Weapons. An absolutely excellent album, with each track worth a repeated listen. These guys had a banner year, and this release reflects it.
8. Radiohead: Hail to the Thief. I’ll admit, I downloaded this album from the Internet before it hit stores — legally, through a link from the label. It didn’t disappoint, and “There There” still sounds so fresh to me. Radiohead, like it or not, is the Led Zep for Generation X.
7. The Postal Service: Give Up. It absolutely astounds me that “Such Great Heights” was not a legit, across-the-board radio SMASH.
This song has it all: A poppy feel, an absolutely insane hook and lyrics you’ll be singing for days. The rest of the album is excellent as well.
6. Pearlene: Murder Blues and Prayer (pictured). The second release for these Cincinnati Blues swamp rockers this year. I could give you the regular hyperbole and song-and-dance praise about these guys, but it wouldn’t do them any service. You have to listen to the album to get the full appeal.
5. The White Stripes: Elephant. I know there’s a lot of hatred for these guys now that they are “in the mainstream,” but come on. “Black Math” is an awesome rocker, and “Ball and Biscuit” is something any Blues legend wished he could have come up with. Oh, “Seven Nation Army” isn’t too shabby by itself.
4. Johnny Cash. The first time I saw the video for “Hurt,” I was bawling like a little boy after getting kicked in the crotch. He will be missed.
3. OutKast: Speaker-boxx/The Love Below. OutKast released a double-disc set that crossed all musical genres, from Rap to Pop to Disco (!). This does not disappoint.
2. !!! “Me & Guiliani Down by the Schoolyard.” A nine-minute opus that would have the ADD crowd tuned in to every single second just to hear what they would do next.
1. The entire Cincinnati music community. I have to give you all the proper credit. We’ve been growing by leaps and bounds. Let’s keep it up!
Matt Sledge is with WOXY 97.7 FM
This article appears in Dec 17-23, 2003.