The Super Sounds of 2003 From Editor-in-Chief Stacey: JUNIOR + SENIOR = #1 They had one of the feel awesome anthems of the summer with "Move Your Feet". They have the most infectiously addictive album of the year and are hell-bent on raising the fun factor (while maintaining some smarts) in modern pop music. It's hard not to feel fondness for the boys of Junior Senior, but what put them on the top of the top for me was finally seeing them live. At New York's Bowery Ballroom, they had a packed house of happy people singing along, jumping around, and dancing their pants off. No pretentions or attitude here. Their medley of "Twist and Shout" and "Push It" was worth the price of admission alone. Afterwards, if you were within hearing distance of my sister and me, you would have heard us repeat over and over, "Most fun show EVER!" Jesper "Junior" at Maxwell's, NJ (Toni Simmons) The Rest of the Best The Datsuns Their tight bell-bottoms and long hair sparked a 70's rock revival and opened the doors for Kings of Leon and Jet. However, those bands could learn a thing or two from the Datsuns about showmanship (synchronized back-bended guitar playing anyone?) IMA Robot With ace bass-playing, songs about bombs, and a frontman with eccentricities we haven't seen since David Byrne, I'll let these robots rock me and sock me anytime. Outkast When is the last time a band had such a huge crossover smash record that both hipsters and squares could agree on and had them singing together in unison, "Shake it like a Polaroid picture"? Stellastarr* This is like, what, the 57th time we've mentioned them on Fashionfollower this year? What does that say then? Just go out and get the album already, alright? The Music Released so early in the year I almost forgot it's from 2003, this British band's album has so much energy that when I listen to it on the treadmill, I almost forget I'm exercising. Almost. Sunny popsters, Rooney (Autumn deWilde) Rooney Their teeny bop fanbase may put you off, but these pretty boys with even prettier hair churned out a nicely-crafted debut album of Beach Boys-meets-Weezer sunshine pop that I'll gladly admit has me hooked. Basement Jaxx Anyone saying that The Rapture's album is a "dance record" needs to listen to the Jaxx's Kish Kash, one of the most underrated records of the year. Justin Timberlake "Rock Your Body" was the song that missed it onto Michael Jackson's Off the Wall, went to sleep for 24 years, and somehow popped into Justin's head. The rest of Justified is damn fine as well. <<< My Back Pages 2003 Supersounds II>>> you've got the look | stop, look, & listen| rock your hobby | sharp-dressed men who are you? | contact | my back pages