What about the songs then? Kimmo:
I started out early this year with the songs-list, by compiling "Best of 2003"-cd's which ended up dominating the car CD player. By the end of the year I had three volumes done, and 20-30 songs ready for the volume 4...out of those I compiled my charts, and they came out relatively easy. As usual, I put together a short list of mainstream radio song favourites.
Endre "Bandi" Hübner:
This year I introduced new categories to my lists namely lyrics and refrains. The first to draw your attention to those who put some noteworthy effort into delivering something new with their music (Paul Gilbert dominating this one with his hilarious sense of humor showcased with almost each and every song on “Gilbert Hotel”); the latter to pay tribute to songs that could have easily gotten into the top 10 of the song-list but somehow they didn’t. When it comes to rock-songwriting, rule number 1 is “the refrain should explode”. Well, these refrains come out with a bang for sure, it’s just the rest of the song that kept them from making it to the top songs list.
Jorge Antonoya:
Now that 2003 is well over, I look back and see an overall interesting year, yet not so great as one may thought taking into account the great number of releases. I see a problem in that, the overflood of releases, specially in such a reduced market as the melodic rock one. The eternal debate between quality versus amount... Well, this past year we have had both, but less of the former in the AOR/MHR realms (with exceptions like Pride Of Lions, Vertigo, etc). That's why this year I've listened mainly to more metal oriented bands, a genre I had lost my faith in untill very recently. And within all those subgenres and divisions, there are some aspects I'd like to point some thoughts:
a) There's life beyond Dream Theater for a prog metal band (thanks god!)
b) Gothic Metal has become one of the engines or pillars of metal in today's scene, even though most of the leading bands in this style don't want to be labelled as Gothic, or simply don't play it any more. (Does it make any sense to you?)
c) There are some smart producers in the US paying a lot of attention to what's happening in the European scene, and blending it with US ingredients all in the name of commercial success (namely Evanescence)... Question would be, why it doesn't work for European bands as well?
d) The old commonplace "everything has been invented on music, there's no room for innovation" proves to be false once again, it's all down to how hard do you want to scratch your brain cells. Just two fine examples on my album list: Anathema and The Gathering.
The Spanish scene... always a tricky issue to deal with... As everywhere else, you can feel tempted to say is very healthy because of the growing number of releases each year. But out of all those albums released, how many sell a decent number of copies? No more than 10 each year... And not precisely the ones to add something worthy musically (always an opinion). But one thing is for sure, the level of the musicians playing has increased considerably over the years. This is specially evident when you go back to any Spanish album of the 80's (with some honorable exceptions like Baron Rojo) and listen to it. Most of the times you can't help getting red in shame. Noteworthy releases this year were Nexx, critically acclaimed and at the same level as any international act of the kind nowadays (big names not included), and Jorge Salán, one of the best new guitarists out there, pity that his debut album was only released domestically.
As for live events, well, in this matter no doubt the year has been incredibly good, so many artists came to Spain, even old legends who never came on their heydays (Y&T, Twisted Sister, etc). Good line ups in festivals too, with Metalmania and Lorca Rock standing out. On the mellower side, we had our fair share, Danger Danger, Dokken, JSS, Bonfire, Talisman... Seems to me artists out there are starting noticing us... this or it's just that they don't have anywhere else to go whilst the British scene enjoys its chronical "condition critical". I bet on the second, sadly.
Although overall I'm not very optimistic for 2004, there are already some really good releases out there, and lots of fans have their hopes put on any given forthcoming release, be it Judas Priest, Europe or, like me, TNT, just to name a few. Finally and as a wish note, will I be able to see again Ozzy live before the End of the Days? God only knows (god being my childhood/teenage metal hero now an MTV superstar much to our shame, children of the 80's.) :-(
ROCKUNITED.COM Top 15 Songs of 2003:
1. Jamie Meyer: Good Girl (Sony/Columbia)
A hit in Jamie's home country Sweden, and for once, deservingly. A suberb piece of finely-crafted pop rock with energy, melody and a hook to die for.
Runners-up:
2. Masterplan: Enlighten Me (AFM)
3. At Vance: Broken Vow (AFM)
4. Ignition: Down On My Luck (MTM/Atenzia)
5. Harem Scarem: Waited (Frontiers)
6. Pride Of Lions: It's Criminal(Frontiers)
7. Coastland Ride: Let Me Let You Go (AOR Heaven)
8. Crystal Blue: Never Say Surrender (MTM)
9. On The Rise: Beat Of A Heart (Frontiers)
10. The Darkness: Growing On Me (Atlantic)
11. Stratovarius: Eagleheart (Nuclear Blast)
12. Talisman: Sorry (Frontiers)
13. Johnny Lima: Welcome To Paradise (Frontiers)
14. Vertigo: China Sky (Frontiers)
15. Evanescence: Bring Me To Life (Wind-Up)
ROCKUNITED.COM Top 10 Ballads of 2003:
1. Pride Of Lions: Uninterrupted Melody (Frontiers)
From the Album Of The Year comes the Ballad Of The Year. Great vocals from the newcomer Toby Hitchcock and a big, majestic chorus.
Runners-up:
2. Evanescence: Hello (Wind-Up)
3. Jim Jidhed: I'll Be Ready Then (Atenzia)
4. Vertigo: More Than Enough (Frontiers)
5. Harem Scarem: Higher (Frontiers)
6. Crystal Blue: Sylvia (MTM)
7. Styx: Yes I Can (Sanctuary)
8: On The Rise: Memories Forever (Frontiers)
9. Jamie Mayer: Last Goodbye, First Hello (Sony/Columbia)
10. Bob Catley: Meaning Of Love (Now & Then/Frontiers)
| The
personal song charts of the team! |
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KIMMO'S FAVOURITE ROCKERS:
4. Kilpi - Nerokasta Ikävää KIMMO'S FAVOURITE BALLADS: 1. Bob Catley - Meaning Of Love KIMMO'S FAVOURITE MAINSTREAM POP HITS: 1. Delta Goodrem - Lost Without You |
URBAN'S FAVOURITE ROCKERS:
URBAN'S FAVOURITE BALLADS 1. XYZ - All I'm Asking |
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BANDI'S FAVOURITE ROCKERS:
BANDI'S FAVOURITE BALLADS: 1. Jeff Scott Soto: Good Love BANDI'S FAVOURITE INSTRUMENTALS:
1. Jorge Salán: Running Free BANDI'S FAVOURITE LYRICS: 1. Paul Gilbert: Lay Off The Morphine BANDI'S FAVOURITE REFRAINS: 1. Crystal Blue: Back On Track
PETRI'S FAVOURITE ROCKERS:
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SATU'S FAVOURITE ROCKERS:
Near Top 20 ranks: BALLADS 1. Kamelot: Wander (Noise) GOOD COVER VERSIONS (Original Artist) 1. Within Temptation: Running Up That Hill (Kate Bush) They've all captured a lot of the original atmosphere in these versions and TOC speeded up the good old "Smoke" to a new level. Barilari decided not to sing Rainbow's classic in english, so the new title for "Stargazer" is now "Astronomo". Ok, whatever..but it's still good. YAIKS-COVER VERSIONS 1. To/Die/For: (I Just Died) In Your Arms (Cutting Crew) These two bands decided to rape the old versions, both of them are a real drag, like you just got thrown from the sixth floor and got a brain damage. But if you like it reaaaaal slow, maybe they're for you. |
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JORGE'S FAVOURITE ROCKERS:
JORGE'S FAVOURITE BALLADS: 1. Jim Jidhed - I'll Be Ready Then
Best Instrumental Album:
Best Live Performances
Biggest Dissapointment Live:
Best EP:
Best Newcomer:
Best Lyrics:
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MARTIEN'S FAVOURITE ROCKERS:
MARTIEN'S FAVOURITE BALLADS: 1. Pride Of Lions - Interrupted Melody
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