31 songs from 2003: last reconstruction
This final reconstruction precedes the official first 31 list. Many later favorites – like Goldfrapp, Decemberists, and the Sounds make their first (unofficial) appearance.
Read More31 songs from 2002: the emerging list
MP3s were just barely a thing in 2002. CDs were still the dominant music distribution medium at the time. But Napster frightened the industry to its core, so much so that it was forced to close in 2002.
We hadn’t – yet – lit upon the idea of an annual best-of list. But we did share mix CDs with favorite tracks. And this list, while reconstructed alongside 2000-2003, represents some of our picks from the year.
Read More31 songs from 2001: a music odyssey
Kubrick didn’t suggest our best-of list was on the Pan Am shuttle, but he didn’t not suggest it. So that works for me.
Like all lists from 2000 thru 2003, this list was re-created based on the release date of the music. We likely listened to these albums at the time but it’s not 100% borne of the year itself.
Read More31 songs from 2000: the way back
The official 31 list was born in 2004 but, as it continued on year after year, there was a certain inelegance to the starting year. So we went into the past, reviewed albums released in 2000, and retroactively picked our top 31.
This list may not be 100% accurate to what we listened to at the time. But, it’s close and it’s free. Plus we get to bring some old favorites into the group that had stopped producing music by 2004.
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