It’s Friday and time for another installment of Chris & Max Pick…, a song series started by fellow blogger Max from PowerPop in June 2023. He covered the years 1955 through 1995, and I’ve picked it up beginning with 1996, fiercely determined to take it all the way to 2024. Max generously agreed to be in for the ride. Today we shall take a look at 2003.
Joe Jackson Band/Awkward Age
The first pick is Joe Jackson who rightfully has been called a chameleon. Over a 45-year recording career, the British artist has explored multiple genres, such as pub rock, new wave, punk, ska, swing, pop and, most recently, music hall. For his 16th studio release from March 2003, Jackson decided to revive the band who had backed him on his first three albums – guitarist Gary Sanford, bassist Graham Maby and drummer David Houghton – and appropriately call it Volume 4. Here’s Awkward Age, which like all tracks was penned by Jackson who provided piano, organ, electric piano, melodica and lead vocals. Great song!
The Jayhawks/Save It For a Rainy Day
In April 2003, The Jayhawks came out with their seventh studio album Rainy Day Music. I didn’t know the alternative country and rock band at the time, who started out as a short-lived trio in 1984 in Minneapolis, Minn. before expanding to a four-piece. By the time they recorded Rainy Day Music, their line-up featured co-founders Gary Louris (guitar, vocals) and Marc Perlman (bass, vocals), along with Stephen McCarthy (pedal steel guitar, banjo, lap steel guitar, vocals) and Tim O’Reagan (drums, percussion, guitar, conga, vocals). All except McCarthy remain with the group to this day. Here’s Save It For a Rainy Day, written by Louris. Love their warm sound and neat harmony vocals!
John Hiatt & The Goners/My Baby Blue
Ever since I started exploring John Hiatt a few years ago, I’ve loved the singer-songwriter whose songs have been covered by the likes of Bonnie Raitt, Emmylou Harris, Delbert McClinton and Bob Dylan. My Baby Blue, a personal favorite, appeared on Hiatt’s seventh studio album Beneath This Gruff Exterior, released in May 2003. Like on on 1988’s Slow Turning and 2001’s The Tiki Bar Is Open, he was backed by The Goners. This time, they received front cover credit.
Fountains of Wayne/Stacy’s Mom
While Fountains of Wayne were a one-hit wonder, the New Jersey-based power pop band developed a dedicated fanbase. Between 1995 and 2013 with a two-year hiatus from 1999 until 2001, the group released six albums. They never formally announced their breakup. Original member Adam Schlesinger who also co-founded a few other bands, wrote songs for TV and film and was a producer, passed away in April 2020 due to complications from COVID. Stacy’s Mom, off the band’s third studio album Welcome Interstate Managers from June 2003, became their Grammy nominated hit. Apparently, many of their fans don’t think it’s their best. But it’s the one I know, plus I find it hilarious.
Jet/Are You Gonna Be My Girl
This brings us to Max’s pick: Are You Gonna By My Girl by Jet, another great song I hadn’t known. Jet are an Australian garage rock band who initially were founded in 2001 in Melbourne around brothers Nic Cester (vocals, rhythm guitar, piano) and Chris Cester (drums, vocals). Jet’s influences include The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Faces, AC/DC and T. Rex – a fine list! Are You Gonna Be My Girl, co-written by Nic Cester and the group’s lead guitarist Cameron Muncey, was included on their highly successful debut album Get Born, which dropped in September 2003. The song also became their best-selling single.
Dido/White Flag
The final pick for 2003 is White Flag, a pop ballad by English singer-songwriter Dido. I’ve always liked her ethereal vocals, which remind me a bit of Sarah McLachlan, as well as the song’s atmosphere. White Flag, co-written by Dido, Rick Nowels and co-producer Rollo Armstrong, was first released in July 2003 as the lead single to Dido’s sophomore album Life For Rent, which appeared in September of the same year. It became Dido’s biggest hit and won Best British Single at the 2004 Brit Awards.
Sources: Wikipedia; Acclaimed Music; YouTube; Spotify
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