Review(s): The Futureheads, The GC5, The Get Up Kids

The Futureheads - The Futureheads: This quirky acapella-pop record is the best record I've heard this year.

The GC5 - Never Bet The Devil Your Head: Renewing my faith in the value of punk rock is an album for fans for "The Gang's All Here"-era Dropkick Murphys.

The Get Up Kids - Guilt Show: Sacrificing musical maturity for the sake of record sales is something I cannot get behind if I didn't like you before you matured.

Review(s): Evergreen, Faithless, The Fire Theft

Evergreen - Evergreen: The first post-Slint Avante Gardecore album is a mixed affair, but one that will at least warrant another listen.

Faithless - No Roots: I hate this album with much of my being, but I love the single (well, the single edit version).

The Fire Theft - The Fire Theft: If 'Return of the Frog Queen' has the feel of a classic, The Fire Theft's self-titled debut already is.

Review(s): The Deviants, The Dresden Dolls, Jeremy Enigk

The Deviants - Ptooff!: Put down the drugs.

The Dresden Dolls - A is for Accident: It seems as though nothing they do is an accident as this live collection showcases versions of familiar songs that barely (save for some clapping and laughing) stray from their original.

Jeremy Enigk - Return of the Frog Queen: It's not good, but it's got the feel of a classic.

Review(s): The Cure, Karen Dalton, The Desperate Bicycles

The Cure - Three Imaginary Boys: Sometimes I hit myself for jumping on the bandwagon late.

Karen Dalton - It's So Hard To Tell Who's Going To Love You The Best: So raw, so emotive, so engaging. Man, do I love the blues.

The Desperate Bicycles - Another Commercial Venture: Punk is supposed to be about the singles and this post-punk band is no exception with this collection showing off several wonderful singles, but nothing that brings it to another level.

Review(s): David Cross, Crowhate Ruin, Cul De Sac

David Cross - Shut Up, You Fucking Baby: David Cross' punchlines aren't what's funny, it's his little additions, side tracks and tangents that he throws in with the story that'll get you laughing.

Crownhate Ruin - Until The Eagle Grins: SSD ripoff that doesn't get the exposure it deserves based upon the label behind them.

Cul De Sac - Ecim: One of the better pieces of post-rock by a band not name Godspeed or Explosions.

Review(s): Bitish Sea Power, John Cage, Charalambides

British Sea Power - The Decline of British Sea Power: If it ends after track 10 it makes the Top 10 of 2003. It doesn't end after track 10.

John Cage - Sonatas and Interludes for Prepared Piano: Oddly-timed piano pieces isn't something to listen to straight through.

Charalambides - Joy Shapes: Absolutely riveting (compared to anything by The Azusa Plane).

Review(s): John Coltrane, Animal Collective, David Bowie

John Coltrane - Ultimate Blue Train: This may be my favorite jazz album.

Animal Collective - Sung Tongs: The Books done well.

David Bowie - Low: A nice collection of songs but not the album that 'Ziggy Stardust' was.