The 25 best albums of 2003

13 September 2024, 19:00

Some of the best albums of 2003 from
The White Stripes, Snow Patrol, Kings Of Leon and Radiohead.
Some of the best albums of 2003 from The White Stripes, Snow Patrol, Kings Of Leon and Radiohead. Picture: Press

Let's take a look back to the days of Elephant, Fever To Tell and Youth And Young Manhood.

  1. Placebo - Sleeping With Ghosts: released on 24th March 2003

    The fourth album from the trio included English Summer Rain, Special Needs and The Bitter End.

    Placebo - Sleeping With Ghosts
    Placebo - Sleeping With Ghosts. Picture: Press
  2. Linkin Park - Meteora: released on 25th March 2003

    The second studio album from the Californian nu metal band featured the classic Numb and the singles Somewhere I Belong, From The Inside and Breaking The Habit.

    Linkin Park - Meteora
    Linkin Park - Meteora. Picture: Press
  3. The White Stripes - Elephant: released on 31st March 2003

    The duo released their biggest album yet, featuring Seven Nation Army and The Hardest Button To Button.

    The White Stripes - Elephant
    The White Stripes - Elephant. Picture: Press
  4. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Fever To Tell: released on 29th April 2003

    The debut album from Karen O and co was released, featuring the classic Maps and Y Control.

    Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Fever To Tell
    Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Fever To Tell. Picture: Press
  5. Blur - Think Tank: released on 5th May 2003

    Graham Coxon bade farewell to the band on their seventh album, which included Out Of Time and Crazy Beat.

    Blur - Think Tank
    Blur - Think Tank. Picture: Press
  6. Deftones - Deftones: released on 20th May 2003

    The fourth studio album from the US rock band featured the hit Minerva.

    Deftones - Deftones
    Deftones - Deftones. Picture: Press
  7. Radiohead - Hail To The Thief: released on 9th June 2003

    The band's sixth album was released in 2003. Tracks include 2+2=5 and There There.

    Radiohead - Hail To The Thief
    Radiohead - Hail To The Thief. Picture: Press
  8. The Mars Volta - Deloused In The Comatorium: released on 23rd June 2003

    Formed from the ashes of At The Drive In, the band released their debut concept album in 2003, which featured Roulette Dares (The Haunt Of) and Interiatic ESP.

    The Mars Volta - Deloused In The Comatorium
    The Mars Volta - Deloused In The Comatorium. Picture: Press
  9. Electric Six - Fire: released on 30th June 2003

    The Detroit rockers released their debut, featuring Danger! High Voltage and the peerless Gay Bar.

    Electric Six - Fire
    Electric Six - Fire. Picture: Press
  10. The Thrills - So Much For The City: released on 30th June 2003

    The Dublin band released their debut album, featuring Big Sur and Santa Cruz (You're Not That Far).

    The Thrills - So Much For The City
    The Thrills - So Much For The City. Picture: Press
  11. Kings Of Leon - Youth And Young Manhood: released on 7th July 2003

    The band released their debut album, featuring California Waiting and Molly's Chambers.

    Kings Of Leon - Youth And Young Manhood
    Kings Of Leon - Youth And Young Manhood. Picture: Press
  12. The Darkness - Permission To Land: released on 7th July 2003

    Lowestoft's finest rockers released their debut album, which included I Believe In A Thing Called Love, Growing One Me, Love Is Only A Feeling and Get Your Hands Off My Woman.

    The Darkness - Permission To Land
    The Darkness - Permission To Land. Picture: Press
  13. Dizzee Rascal - Boy In Da Corner: released on 19th July 2003

    The rapper released his debut album in 2003, featuring the classic Fix Up Look Sharp.

    Dizzee Rascal - Boy In Da Corner
    Dizzee Rascal - Boy In Da Corner. Picture: Press
  14. Super Furry Animals - Phantom Power: released on 19th July 2003

    The sixth album from the Welsh band featured Hello Sunshine and Golden Retriever.

    Super Furry Animals - Phantom Power
    Super Furry Animals - Phantom Power. Picture: Press
  15. The Coral - Magic And Medicine: released on 26th July 2003

    The Liverpool band released their second album, featuring Pass It On.

    The Coral - Magic And Medicine
    The Coral - Magic And Medicine. Picture: Press
  16. Snow Patrol - Final Straw: released on 2nd August 2003

    The third album from the band featured the classics Spitting Games, Run and Chocolate.

    Snow Patrol - Final Straw
    Snow Patrol - Final Straw. Picture: Press
  17. Elbow - Cast Of Thousands: released on 16th August 2003

    The second album from Guy Garvey and co featured Fugitive Motel and Fallen Angel.

    Elbow - Cast Of Thousands
    Elbow - Cast Of Thousands. Picture: Press
  18. The Rapture - Echoes: released on 6th September 2003

    The full length debut from the New York City post-punkers, featuring Olio and House Of Jealous Lovers.

    The Rapture - Echoes
    The Rapture - Echoes. Picture: Press
  19. David Bowie - Reality: released on 13th September 2003

    Bowie's 24th studio album would also feature the last new material the superstar would ever tour live - he retired from live performance after being hospitalised in June 2004.

    David Bowie - Reality
    David Bowie - Reality. Picture: Press
  20. Jet - Get Born: released on 13th September 2003

    The Aussie rockers released their debut, featuring Are You Gonna Be My Girl and Rollover DJ.

    Jet - Get Born
    Jet - Get Born. Picture: Press
  21. OutKast – Speakerboxxx/The Love Below: released on 23rd September 2003

    The fifth studio album by Andre 3000 and Big Boi included the monster hit Hey Ya!

    OutKast – Speakerboxxx/The Love Below
    OutKast – Speakerboxxx/The Love Below. Picture: Press
  22. Muse - Absolution: released on 20th September 2003

    The trio released their third album, which included Time Is Running Out, Hysteria and Stockholm Syndrome.

    Muse - Absolution
    Muse - Absolution. Picture: Press
  23. The Strokes - Room On Fire: released on 18th October 2003

    The band's second album was released in 2003. Tracks included 12.51 and Reptilia.

    The Strokes - Room On Fire
    The Strokes - Room On Fire. Picture: Press
  24. Amy Winehouse – Frank: released on 18th October 2003

    Amy's debut album included the singles Stronger Than Me, Take The Box and In My Bed.

    Amy Winehouse – Frank
    Amy Winehouse – Frank. Picture: Press
  25. Jay-Z - The Black Album: released 14th November 2003

    The US rapper's eighth album including the huge hit 99 Problems and Encore.

    Jay-Z - The Black Album
    Jay-Z - The Black Album. Picture: Press
  26. Blink-182 - Blink-182: released on 18th November 2003

    The fifth album by the US rockers featured I Miss You.

    Blink-182 - Blink-182
    Blink-182 - Blink-182. Picture: Press