LEFT OFF THE DIAL - Chaz Martenstein's Best Albums of 2003

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CHAZ MARTENSTEIN'S BEST OF 2003

Best New Releases:
1		The Starvations - Get Well Soon [Gold Standard Laboratories] I picked this album up on a whim, and I am completely surprised and pleased with it. The band has definitely studied up on its early L.A. punk scene influences. The Starvations work with very dark, stripped down punk with a blues swagger; much like Gun Club and Flesh Eaters. Buy This Album
2		The Shins - Chutes Too Narrow [Sub Pop] Fun, nostalgic pop. This is a beautifully constructed and consistent album. They amaze me with the quality of their songs. Buy This Album
3		The Black Keys - Thickfreakness [Fat Possum] The Black Keys are a great dirty blues duo out of Akron, Ohio. Theyve mastered gritty, traditional blues, wound them through fuzzed distortion, thrown in a driving drum beat, and added a bit of a punk rock bite. Buy This Album
4		Deadly Snakes - Ode to Joy [In The Red] Real good, gritty rock 'n' roll. These guys keep a good, bouncy beat going with drunk, slurred vocals and loud, distorted, catchy guitar. It's a newer, dirty rock sound, but they keep their roots noticeable in a zombiefied, Buddy Holly sort of way. Buy This Album
5		Grandpaboy - Dead Man Shake [Fat Possum] This album is the best one since Antichrist Superstar. It is a return to a seriously sleazy- inducing feeling a great record. Just dont watch the tedious DVD that comes with it that is not so great. Buy This Album
6		Mars Volta - De-Loused in the Comatorium [Universal] Prog-Rock, where have you been hiding? Omar and Cedric have taken their spastic tendencies and worked them into lengthy, musical wanderings. They seem to like creating a structured song, totally deconstructing it and tearing it down, exchanging noises and notes, and then jumping right back into structure and sense right on cue. It ends up quite hypnotic. Buy This Album
7		Pinhead Gunpowder - Compulsive Disclosure [Lookout!] Yeah, Im a sucker for Billie Joe still. I absolutely love 1,039..., and that's what this album reminds me of. Its a little poppy at times with a few harder edged punk numbers; all in all, it's a good 15 minutes. Buy This Album Read LOTD's Review
8		Sun Kil Moon - Ghosts of the Great Highway [Jet Set] This is another album that I stumbled upon, gave a listen and really loved. Its a very beautiful, somber and well-written singer/songwriter album from the Red House Painters voice. Buy This Album
9		Dirtbombs - Dangerous Natural Noise [In The Red] This guy is on top of the Detroit garage scene. he's a soul crooner who amps up his voice to the point of distortion and crackling and wails with a guitar, two basses and two drumkits backing him up. Wonderful Detroit garage with a soul kick. Buy This Album
10		M. Ward - Transfiguration of Vincent [Merge] For this last album, it was a close tie between this and the new Bonnie 'Prince' Billy. Both amazing, well-written albums. This album won out because it seemed a little fresher to me, a little newer. Another very heavy album to sit and listen to. Its reflective and a tiny bit depressing at times. His music tends to be a little more upbeat,t but his singing is just haunting. Buy This Album
Best Reissue:
		Neil Young - On The Beach [Reprise] Eight classic, solo Neil Young tracks. Acoustic and beautiful. He's a great storyteller and songwriter. Buy This Album
Best Live Shows:
1	Rancid - December 19th, Ogden Theater, Denver, CO
2	Flaming Lips - June, Ogden Theater, Denver, CO
3	Black Heart Procession - April 15th, Bluebird Theater, Denver, CO
4	Bob Log III - October 15th, Larimer Lounge, Denver, CO
5	Rocket from the Crypt - March 15th, gothic theater, Englewood, CO
6	Panthers - November, Club 156, Boulder, CO
7	Bronx/Supersuckers - June 21st, Boulder Theater, Boulder, CO

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