2003 was a crazy year. It was the year of Britney Spears’ and Madonna’s hopeless publicity… 2003 was a crazy year. It was the year of Britney Spears’ and Madonna’s hopeless publicity stunt. It was the year of the death of a god, Johnny Cash. It was the year of the rise and fall of an empire known as Bennifer. It was also a hard year to pick out favorite albums and songs. I have one album that hasn’t left my CD player and about 10 tied for second place. I had to sort through mind-numbing hip-hop anthems using the words “hurr or thurr,” and climb through the hopeless attempts of Hillary Duff and FeFe Dobson, It wasn’t an easy climb, but here are the rocks that I grabbed on to in 2003.

5. Blink 182 — Blink 182

After their horrid last album, Take off Your Pants and Jacket, I was very hesitant to buy this album. Then I started reading the reviews and decided to give it a try. These boys finally grew up and changed for the better. This is their best album to date

4. All American Rejects — All American Rejects

Call me a sucker for pop punk. I’m just going to be honest. Their catchy first single, “Swing, Swing” wouldn’t leave my head for weeks until I bought the CD. The rest of it, with standout songs like “Your Star” and “My Paper Heart,” kept me hooked. It’s a great album overall.

3. Yellowcard — Ocean Avenue

I was exposed to Yellowcard on the Warped Tour this summer and became instantly hooked. Their album is fun, plain and simple. It’s a blend of pop-punk anthems and Sean Mackin’s violin playing. It seems like almost an awkward combination, but somehow, it really works.

2. Eisley — Marvelous Things

After hearing the title track of this EP, I became completely mesmerized by this band. They are a breath of fresh air; simple songwriting and melodic voices leave you in a trance. I can’t get enough of them. They are currently working on their first full-length album. Its release is one of the things I look forward to most in 2004.

1. Brand New — Deja Entendu

Picking the next four after this brilliant album is the hardest thing to do, since this has been in my CD player nonstop since its release in June. Don’t judge a band by their first album. Since the band’s first release, Your Favorite Weapon, the members have grown up. Changing musical directions definitely worked for this band. Jesse Lacey’s tongue-in-cheek songwriting and versatility in the album makes it a must-have.

Although these albums are just what I listened to the most this year, there are many more artists worth mentioning and artists who need to be plugged for 2004. Artists who I need to mention that got me through this year include Thursday, Coheed and Cambria, Bright Eyes, Evanescence, Bon Jovi (yep, I love them and always will), The White Stripes, Story of the Year, and so many more. As for 2004, I am looking forward to some great bands coming to Club Laga before its demise. I can’t wait for the releases from Straylight Run, Taking Back Sunday, Eisley, and, if I am very lucky, another fantastic album by Brand New.