Columnist Spencer Patterson: 2003 is a great year for the industry — so far

Spencer Patterson

Friday, July 18, 2003 | 9:20 a.m.

Spencer Patterson covers music for the Sun. His music notes column appears Fridays. Reach him at spencer@lasvegassun.com or (702) 259-2309.

Record executives might be crying poverty about the state of their industry, but don't let that fool you into thinking slow sales have anything to do with the quality of today's releases.

In its first six months, 2003 has already produced plenty of albums sure to be remembered, and relevant, years from now.

Some, such as the White Stripes' "Elephant" and 50 Cent's chart-busting "Get Rich or Die Tryin'," have received a lot of press already.

Many of my favorite new releases have received far less fanfare, at least in the mainstream media. Here's a look at a few discs likely to contend for for my year-ending "Best of 2003" rankings:

Elliott -- "Song in the Air": Housed in text-free, dull-orange packaging, this Revelation Records release might be easy to miss. Spin it once, though, and it might stay in your CD changer for a while.

The third full-length album from the Louisville, Ky., collective reminds me of something the Cowboy Junkies or Mazzy Star might have recorded. Slow and deliberate compositions are beefed up with lush string arrangements, along with singer Chris Higdon's ethereal vocals.

Fischerspooner -- "#1": Originally issued in 2001, this breathtaking slice of electronica was expanded and reissued for the second time in February.

Created by the New York team of Warren Fischer and Casey Spooner, the album hearkens to the synth-driven days of the early 1980s, blending thumping techno beats, catchy hooks and imaginative lyrics. Wildly entertaining "#1" is one of the young decade's truly essential albums.

Ian McCulloch -- "Slideling": Echo & the Bunnymen's sometime frontman avoids VH1's "Where Are They Now?" files with his first solo release in 11 years. The results are strong, if somewhat surprising.

Once one of college radio's most ambitious composers, the Liverpool, England, native has settled comfortably into a more traditional singer/songwriter role. "Slideling" could use a couple more good hooks, but McCulloch's Bono-esque vocals keep things interesting.

The Murder City Devils -- "R.I.P.": I'll admit, I'm shocked this one appeals to me, as it falls somewhere between hardcore punk and metal.

But every so often, we all need someone screaming in our ears, and MCDs singer Spencer Moody is up to that task. Throughout this Halloween 2001 live performance -- the band's last concert before splitting up -- his intensity never wavers. A sloppy good time.

Northern State -- "Dying in Stereo": Ever wondered what the Beastie Boys might sound like if they were women? Me neither, but here's the answer anyway, courtesy of this Manhattan trio.

Originally released to little notoriety last year, the CD has gained momentum after being reissued a few months ago. The rhymes are smart and funny, with a healthy dose of girl power mixed in. And you've got to like any rapper who calls herself Hesta Prynn.

Sun Ra & His Arkestra -- "Live at Montreux": For those with an adventurous musical spirit, few musicians have as much to offer as late great pianist Sun Ra. The self-proclaimed visitor from Saturn pushed the jazz genre into bold, otherworldly directions before departing from the planet 10 years ago.

This 1976 double-disc concert document -- out of print since its original, limited vinyl run -- provides an excellent introduction to the many experimental facets of Sunny's music for anyone willing to seek out the Universe Records Italian import.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs -- "Fever to Tell": The New York City garage trio harnesses the promise they showed at October's performance at the House of Blues on their debut full-length CD.

Singer Karen-O has already garnered quite a reputation for outrageous onstage behavior. Here, she proves she can deliver in the studio as well, energizing the YYY's catchy tunes with a brash delivery and plenty of her trademark squeals.

Quick hits

Hard rockers Sloth share a five-band bill Saturday night at 7 at the Huntridge Theatre. The Californian quartet is preparing to release its Hollywood Records debut, "Dead Generation," on Sept. 9.

Also on the bill: Still Haven, Sorry About Tomorrow, Rich Tradition and Time Spent Burning. Tickets are $7.

Countrified rockers I Can Lick Any Sonofabitch in the House, who boast two local products in their lineup, play the Cooler Lounge, 1905 N. Decatur Blvd., Saturday night at 10. A $5 donation is requested at the door.

The band recently released its second CD, "Put Here to Bleed," a strong successor to last year's promising debut. Frontman Mike Damron and drummer Flapjack Texas both grew up in Las Vegas before relocating to Portland, Ore.

MTV's "You Hear it First" tour, featuring buzz acts the Exies, Fiction Plane and Kenna, rolls into town for a Monday show at the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay. Tickets are $12 for the 6:30 p.m. all-ages show.

The Exies are the tour's "veterans," having performed together since 1997. The Los Angeles-based rock band released its Virgin Records debut, "Inertia," in January.

Fiction Plane is fronted by Joe Sumner, whose father happens to be Gordon Sumner, better known as Sting. The band's bio makes no mention of that, however, with the alterna-rock quartet preferring to let its recent debut release, "Everything Will Never Be OK," speak for itself.

Ethiopian-born Kenna has quickly made a name for himself since being introduced to the music world by Limp Bizkit's Fred Durst in 1999. His debut album, "New Sacred Cow," includes several danceably fun, synth-pop confections.

On sale

Tickets to the Sex Pistols' Sept. 5 show at The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel go on sale Saturday at noon. Tickets are $63 and will be available at the Hard Rock box office, at TicketMaster outlets, by phone at 693-5066 and 474-4000 and online at ticketmaster.com

The Robert Cray Band and John Hiatt & the Goners pair up for a Sept. 27 gig at The Joint. Tickets are $28, $43 and $53 and go on sale Saturday at 1 p.m. through the Hard Rock box office and TicketMaster.

Toby Keith returns to town for an Aug. 29 concert at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Also on the bill: Junior Brown and Blake Shelton. Tickets are $45, $65 and $85 and go on sale Saturday at 10 a.m. at the MGM box office and through TicketMaster.

Tickets for James Taylor's Oct. 11 show at the Mandalay Bay Events Center go on sale Saturday at 10 a.m. Tickets are $35, $55 and $85 and will be available through the Mandalay Bay box office and TicketMaster.

Martina McBride plays the Mandalay Bay Events Center on Sept. 6 with opening act Jamie O'Neal. Tickets are $30, $40 and $50 and go on sale Saturday at noon through the Mandalay Bay box office and TicketMaster.