The Shins

Chutes Too Narrow

The first song on Chutes Too Narrow, the Shins' second full length, is "Kissing the Lipless."

If this song doesn't open your eyes and give you a jolt, then I think you need to jump in the microwave.

In fact, the first infectious, belted chorus may be the best few seconds on any 2003 album. It doesn't matter that's it downhill from there, because it depresses slowly, and the album as a whole still makes sense.

The colorful album cover screams, "Buy! Buy! Buy!" So do it.

M. Ward

Transfiguation of Vincent

This album was loosely written as a memorial to a dead friend, but Ward's voice and catchy pop songwriting creates the feeling of a wake rather than a requiem. Ward was first released under a record label belonging to local musician Howe Gelb (of Giant Sand). This, his third album, showcases Ward's warm, gravelly voice and sublime skills as a guitarist. By the time you get to the mid-album sing-a-long, "Helicopter," the album already feels like an old sweater: well-worn, warm and comforting.

- Jessica Suarez

The Postal Service

Give Up

The best album of 2003? Look no further, folks.

Give Up has 10 brilliant songs from our world's best lyricist Ben Gibbard (Death Cab For Cutie) and an up-and-coming electronic artist Jimmy Tamborello (Dntel).

Gibbard throws his best melodies on top of Tamborello's dynamic beats, with Jenny Lewis (Rilo Kiley) backing up on vocals.

The result is sometimes haunting ("Sleeping In"), often gorgeous ("The District Sleeps Alone Tonight") and occasionally bouncy ("Such Great Heights").

Thanks, UPS!

- Nate Buchik

Let Go

Remember Nada Surf? They were huge back in the day, like eight years ago. Their first album produced a buzzworthy video on MTV and a radio hit with the high school anthem, "Popular."

They were a classic example of one-hit wonders. A decent album followed their initial success, but nothing that was going to wow anyone or light up the airwaves. A funny thing happened on the way to obscurity: Nada Surf evolved. They wrote great songs ("Blonde on Blonde"), recorded them with talented musicians and came back from the dead like I hope the Backstreet Boys will soon do.

- Nate Buchik

The Rapture

Echoes

Echoes, the Rapture's first album, arrived after a string of smaller releases, song credit debates and seemingly endless hype.

Though it was pretty fantastic, it couldn't live up to the hype of its schizophrenic, cowbell-heavy single "House of Jealous Lovers." Still lots of great tracks are on this CD. "Olio," "Killing" and "I Need Your Love" all made Echoes much more solid album than the band's critiques gave them credit for.

Even the album's non-danceable songs, like "Love is All," have a dirty shine.

- Jessica Suarez