Albums of 2003
The records from 2003 that made our lists.
-
1Get Rich or Die Tryin'50 Cent
Get Rich or Die Tryin'
A blockbuster debut of menace and hooks, powered by Dre and Eminem's production. Inescapable in its moment. A defining 2000s rap record.
-
2Thirteenth StepA Perfect Circle
Thirteenth Step
A polished, melodic alt-metal peak. Atmospheric and acclaimed. A creative high.
-
3The Diary of Alicia KeysAlicia Keys
The Diary of Alicia Keys
A polished, soulful follow-up of confident craft. Smooth and huge. A commercial peak.
-
4Dangerously in LoveBeyoncé
Dangerously in Love
A solo debut that established Beyoncé as a force, home to 'Crazy in Love'. Polished and huge. A landmark.
-
5TransatlanticismDeath Cab for Cutie
Transatlanticism
A lush, yearning indie-rock record about distance and longing, anchored by its title epic. Emotional and beloved. Their defining album.
-
6Decoration DayDrive-By Truckers
Decoration Day
A sharp, storytelling Southern-rock peak. Raw and acclaimed. A high point.
-
7The Earth Is Not a Cold Dead PlaceExplosions in the Sky
The Earth Is Not a Cold Dead Place
A soaring, emotional post-rock landmark of wordless drama. Cinematic and beloved. A genre favourite.
-
8RoundsFour Tet
Rounds
A warm, organic blend of folk textures and electronic beats, intricate and humane. A folktronica landmark. Endlessly replayable.
-
9The Black AlbumJay-Z
The Black Album
A sharp, reflective 'retirement' record of star production and quotable verses. Confident and cohesive. A peak.
-
10VeneerJose Gonzalez
Veneer
A hushed, fingerpicked folk debut of gentle beauty. Intimate and beloved. A breakthrough.
-
11As the Palaces BurnLamb of God
As the Palaces Burn
A ferocious modern-metal peak. Heavy and acclaimed. A breakthrough.
-
12MeteoraLinkin Park
Meteora
A tight, hit-packed follow-up to Hybrid Theory. Polished and huge. A commercial peak.
-
13DamnationOpeth
Damnation
A soft, mellotron-led prog-rock detour with no death growls. Beautiful and acclaimed. A bold pivot.
-
14Speakerboxxx/The Love BelowOutKast
Speakerboxxx/The Love Below
A sprawling double solo set, home to the inescapable 'Hey Ya!'. Adventurous and huge. A genre-blurring blockbuster.
-
15Hail to the ThiefRadiohead
Hail to the Thief
A sprawling, politically tinged blend of rock and electronics. Dense and varied. An underrated entry.
-
16DopesmokerSleep
Dopesmoker
A single hour-long riff-pilgrimage of monumental stoner-doom. Hypnotic and uncompromising. A cult monument.
-
17The Magnolia Electric Co.Songs: Ohia
The Magnolia Electric Co.
A raw, country-rock peak of Jason Molina's haunted songwriting. Powerful and beloved. A cult masterpiece.
-
18Room on FireThe Strokes
Room on Fire
A tight, confident follow-up that refined the debut's formula. Sharp and tuneful. A strong second record.
-
19ElephantThe White Stripes
Elephant
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.
-
20Fever to TellYeah Yeah Yeahs
Fever to Tell
A raw, electric debut of garage-punk swagger and unexpected tenderness on 'Maps'. Wild and heartfelt. A 2000s landmark.