"BEST THING EVER AWARDS" - PART III - ALBUMS

we're back, err... i'm back with another chapter in the fabulous first annual "best thing ever" awards here at digitaltaco.com. tonight we're gonna take a quick peek inside my head and extract the memories that contain my favorite albums of 2003... ooh, that tickles!

ready? set? then by god, let's go, child!

THE 1ST ANNUAL DIGITALTACO.COM "BEST THING EVER AWARDS" - 2003

• tujiko noriko's "from tokyo to naiagara:" this is, without a doubt, the finest album mine ears did have the pleasure of hearing last year. when shane introduced me to the record, he did so by telling me that it was more poppy than noriko's previous release, "make me hard." that, and that it had totally gotten stuck in his head. yet, on my first listen, the record was unremarkable -- though still as good her previous effort, which is actually quite good. but nothing could have prepared me for the way it took over my mind.

  every single track on that record is memorable... whether it's her mellow delivery, a catchy melody, or an unforgetable bassline, not one of the tunes seems to be weaker than the rest of the pack. yet, that doesn't mean that there aren't a few standouts. "kiminotameni," in particular, is mind-numbingly awesome. this goddamn song has been stuck in my head for months. when i visited tokyo for tgs last year, the track was nearly perpetually looping on my ipod. also, i can pretty much sing the song in it's entirety now... keep in mind, though, that i basically understand no japanese. i'm still working on this english thing, as it is.

  buy it at tomlab now!

• lexaunculpt's "the blurring of trees:" yep, i've been listening to t-bot for a good long while now... and you know what? it still does the trick everytime. "the tuning of miniature modems" is gorgeous... the way it slides into "has been trying not to wonder" is completely perfect. i get goosebumps everytime. listen everybody! that's how you start an album... seriously.

  for me, there was no better track to rock in my auto than "ninety-seven cars and free love..." those electronics make me want to boogie... or at least drive really, ridiculously fast. and what can really be said about "le elancholia?" it's silencing. an amazing song about an amazing person by an amazing composer. alex, you own my ass.

  yup, he's my friend... but my love for "the blurring of trees" is mostly unbiased. i know good stuff when i hear it. this, my friends, is oh so much better than that.

• outkast's "speakerboxxx/the love below:" god is this record ever sick... thank you, ricky... never has a night of listening to vinyl been so fulfilling. outkast's latest blows my goddamn mind for so many reasons... as shane has said, the record is genius both lyrically and melodically. i agree wholeheartedly. the first time i heard the chorus of "the way you move," i honestly giggled with glee. it's pure ear candy. and the fun only continues. 40 tracks later, you're ready for another go... and another... and another... and...

  my favorite part about "speakerboxxx/the love below" is that either disc would be a tremendous record on it's own. it almost feels unfair to be served so much goodness all at once. what are the chances that andre and bigboi can top it? i'll tell you one thing... i can't wait to hear what they come up with next.

  from "happy valentine's day"

  "when arrows don't penetrate, see, cupid grabs the pistol.
  he shoots straight for your heart, now, and he won't miss ya."

  from "hey ya!"

  "hey ladies? we gonna break this thing down in just a few seconds.
  now, don't have me break this thing down for nothing...
  now, i wanna see ya'll on your baddest behavior.
  lend me some sugar, i am your neighbor.
  shake it, sh-shake it. shake it, sh-shake it. shake it like a polaroid picture."

  freaking awesome.

tons of great stuff this year, huh. i also totally enjoyed the following:

• "lost in translation ost"
• radiohead's "hail to the thief"
• the white stripes' "elephant"
• prefuse 73's "one word extinguisher"
• the mars volta's "de-loused in the comatorium"
• autechre's "draft 7.30"
• medicine's "the mechanical forces of love"
• the strokes' "room on fire"

yup, this was a decidedly great year for music... at least if you were me. look at all the stuff i like! anyways, it would be in your interest to check out the listed records... i ensure you, they are quite entertaining.

tomorrow: best dvds ever.