In this installment of our 100 Albums You Might Have Missed series we look back at the year 2003. Showcasing records with some serious shredders, wispy folk/rock and incredible songwriting, all of which are deserving of some more air time.

Damien Jurado – Where Shall You Take Me

Released: March, 2003

A return to the rustic minimalism of his earlier work, Where Shall You Take Me is a perfect soundtrack to an easy afternoon. Jurado’s exceptional acoustic guitar work and warm voice steal the show, leaving little need for polished production. While the pace of the record never breaks a sweat, Jurado’s songwriting does plenty to keep things interesting, providing an extremely enjoyable listen.

The Pernice Brothers – Yours, Mine & Ours

Released: May, 2003

The third in a wonderful stretch of albums from Joe Pernice and his merry band of musicians, this one is probably the most accessible of the bunch. Full of upbeat pop rockers, Yours, Mine, & Ours is a really fun release from a band firing on all cylinders.

Guster – Keep It Together

Released: June, 2003

Guster isn’t exactly charting new territory but their ability to create well-crafted pop/rock albums like this is easier said than done. Some songs are so ridiculously catchy (“Careful” and Amsterdam”) that you can’t help but smile. The rest of the album dabbles with alt-country simplicity, banjo pluckin’ hymns ELO-inspired diddies, all of which leave you humming along.

Drive By Truckers – Decoration Day

Released: June, 2003

The follow up to the band’s most successful release Southern Rock Opera, Decoration Day is a much more straight forward rock album than it’s predecessor. With twangy hard rockers, upbeat alt-country ditties, and ballad-esque slow tunes, this disc has it all. Jason Isbell, the latest addition to the Truckers lineup, contributes some excellent songs to this release including the album’s title track.

The Coral – Magic and Medicine

Released: July, 2003

You might think this record was released during the psychedelic romp of the 60′s instead of 2003, and that’s no accident. Part simple folk tunes, part garage rock, The Coral’s second album conjures up thoughts of classic acts like The Animals and The Byrds, all the while allowing these British rockers to put their own unique stamp on the genre.

New Amsterdams – Worse For the Wear

Released: August, 2003

While technically this is the third album from Matt Pryor’s side project, it is actually the first album to have a full band backing the Get Up Kids former (now current again) front man. A much livelier record than past New Ams albums finds Pryor singing catchy melodies and relaxed tunes that that will eventually rival, if not surpass, his day job.

The Darkness – Permission To Land

Released: August, 2003

Think these guys ever listened to a Queen album? I guess 2003 was a nostalgic year as this is the second band on our list with heavy influence from a vintage rock era. Whether it’s the whelping falsetto or the hard ‘n’ heavy riffs these glorified metal-heads do a stellar job at balancing the excess of arena rock with authentic song writing. This album could have been a disaster, yet it’s over-the-top boldness makes it all the more enjoyable.

Warren Zevon – The Wind

Released: August, 2003

American singer/songwriter Warren Zevon started recording his final album shortly after he was diagnosed with inoperable Mesothelioma in 2002. Refusing treatment in order to complete his final record, Zevon created some of the best music of his career and was joined by several of his friends (Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, Jackson Browne to name a few) to create an emotional rock n roll record that found Zevon truly giving it his all. He died less than two weeks after it was released.

Josh Ritter – Hello Starling

Released: September, 2003

Recorded with Curtis Mayfields’s old gear in a French farmhouse, Hello Starling showcases Josh’s unique songwriting ability early on in his career. With absolute winners abound, this mellow yet catchy album is a must listen.

My Morning Jacket – It Still Moves

Released: September, 2003

You don’t have to look too deep into MMJ’s major-label debut to find some pretty serious classic rock influence from the likes of Neil Young, The Byrds, and The Band. While these influences may be evident, the boys from Kentucky do plenty to make this album their own. While some of the highest points come in the more chilled out tracks, there is plenty of rock and wicked guitar work to be had on this extremely diverse release.

If you would like to listen to all ten tracks together click here for the 2003 playlist.