Albums of 2003

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1. 1
   Get Rich or Die Tryin'50 Cent

   Get Rich or Die Tryin'

   50 Cent · 2003 · Hip-Hop

   A blockbuster debut of menace and hooks, powered by Dre and Eminem's production. Inescapable in its moment. A defining 2000s rap record.

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2. 2
   Thirteenth StepA Perfect Circle

   Thirteenth Step

   A Perfect Circle · 2003 · Metal

   A polished, melodic alt-metal peak. Atmospheric and acclaimed. A creative high.

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3. 3
   The Diary of Alicia KeysAlicia Keys

   The Diary of Alicia Keys

   Alicia Keys · 2003 · Soul & R&B

   A polished, soulful follow-up of confident craft. Smooth and huge. A commercial peak.

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4. 4
   Dangerously in LoveBeyoncé

   Dangerously in Love

   Beyoncé · 2003 · Pop

   A solo debut that established Beyoncé as a force, home to 'Crazy in Love'. Polished and huge. A landmark.

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5. 5
   TransatlanticismDeath Cab for Cutie

   Transatlanticism

   Death Cab for Cutie · 2003 · Alternative & Indie

   A lush, yearning indie-rock record about distance and longing, anchored by its title epic. Emotional and beloved. Their defining album.

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6. 6
   Decoration DayDrive-By Truckers

   Decoration Day

   Drive-By Truckers · 2003 · Country & Americana

   A sharp, storytelling Southern-rock peak. Raw and acclaimed. A high point.

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7. 7
   The Earth Is Not a Cold Dead PlaceExplosions in the Sky

   The Earth Is Not a Cold Dead Place

   Explosions in the Sky · 2003 · Alternative & Indie

   A soaring, emotional post-rock landmark of wordless drama. Cinematic and beloved. A genre favourite.

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8. 8
   RoundsFour Tet

   Rounds

   Four Tet · 2003 · Electronic

   A warm, organic blend of folk textures and electronic beats, intricate and humane. A folktronica landmark. Endlessly replayable.

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9. 9
   The Black AlbumJay-Z

   The Black Album

   Jay-Z · 2003 · Hip-Hop

   A sharp, reflective 'retirement' record of star production and quotable verses. Confident and cohesive. A peak.

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10. 10
    VeneerJose Gonzalez

    Veneer

    Jose Gonzalez · 2003 · Folk & Singer-Songwriter

    A hushed, fingerpicked folk debut of gentle beauty. Intimate and beloved. A breakthrough.

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11. 11
    As the Palaces BurnLamb of God

    As the Palaces Burn

    Lamb of God · 2003 · Metal

    A ferocious modern-metal peak. Heavy and acclaimed. A breakthrough.

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12. 12
    MeteoraLinkin Park

    Meteora

    Linkin Park · 2003 · Metal

    A tight, hit-packed follow-up to Hybrid Theory. Polished and huge. A commercial peak.

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13. 13
    DamnationOpeth

    Damnation

    Opeth · 2003 · Metal

    A soft, mellotron-led prog-rock detour with no death growls. Beautiful and acclaimed. A bold pivot.

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14. 14
    Speakerboxxx/The Love BelowOutKast

    Speakerboxxx/The Love Below

    OutKast · 2003 · Hip-Hop

    A sprawling double solo set, home to the inescapable 'Hey Ya!'. Adventurous and huge. A genre-blurring blockbuster.

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15. 15
    Hail to the ThiefRadiohead

    Hail to the Thief

    Radiohead · 2003 · Alternative & Indie

    A sprawling, politically tinged blend of rock and electronics. Dense and varied. An underrated entry.

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16. 16
    DopesmokerSleep

    Dopesmoker

    Sleep · 2003 · Metal

    A single hour-long riff-pilgrimage of monumental stoner-doom. Hypnotic and uncompromising. A cult monument.

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17. 17
    The Magnolia Electric Co.Songs: Ohia

    The Magnolia Electric Co.

    Songs: Ohia · 2003 · Folk & Singer-Songwriter

    A raw, country-rock peak of Jason Molina's haunted songwriting. Powerful and beloved. A cult masterpiece.

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18. 18
    Room on FireThe Strokes

    Room on Fire

    The Strokes · 2003 · Alternative & Indie

    A tight, confident follow-up that refined the debut's formula. Sharp and tuneful. A strong second record.

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19. 19
    ElephantThe White Stripes

    Elephant

    The White Stripes · 2003 · Alternative & Indie

    Raw, primal blues-rock recorded fast and cheap, exploding on 'Seven Nation Army'. Stripped to guitar, drums and voice, it hits hard. A garage-rock landmark.

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20. 20
    Fever to TellYeah Yeah Yeahs

    Fever to Tell

    Yeah Yeah Yeahs · 2003 · Alternative & Indie

    A raw, electric debut of garage-punk swagger and unexpected tenderness on 'Maps'. Wild and heartfelt. A 2000s landmark.

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